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You Wanted a Hit! - Podcast

You Wanted a Hit!

 Michael Smith

A discussion of unlikely, perplexing, and positively bizarre hit songs that swept the nation, and often the world. Have you ever heard a classic song and thought, "why on Earth was this popular?" Or "How did this even get played on the radio?" Well, we're here to answer these questions for you. Each episode we will explore the backstory, creation, and success of one unlikely smash hit. The catch? Only one host knows which song will be the topic. Hosted by music fanatics and pop culture enthusiasts Michael Smith and Theo Beidler.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pop Radio Music Commentary Music Music History
Update frequency
every 17 days
Average duration
63 minutes
Episodes
90
Years Active
2021 - 2025
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Bobby 'Boris' Pickett

Bobby 'Boris' Pickett "Monster Mash"

Happy Halloween! Michael tells the story of the Massachusetts singer/actor/comedian's 1962 spooky smash.

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01:10:17  |   Fri 28 Oct 2022
Rednex

Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" (w/ Cory Graves of Vandoliers)

Theo tells the story of the Swedish country novelty collective's 1994 country/Eurodance crossover sensation "Cotton Eye Joe." Vandoliers' Cory Graves joins the conversation.

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01:17:56  |   Wed 19 Oct 2022
Vangelis

Vangelis "Chariots of Fire"

Michael tells the story of the Greek composer's inspiring, epic instrumental 1981 chart-topper

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00:58:49  |   Mon 03 Oct 2022
Marcy Playground

Marcy Playground "Sex & Candy" (w/ Mariel Buckley)

Theo tells the story of the Minneapolis/New York alternative rock band's 1997 perplexing downtempo smash "Sex & Candy." Mariel Buckley joins the conversation.

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01:23:14  |   Fri 02 Sep 2022
Aqua

Aqua "Barbie Girl"

Michael tells the story of the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl"

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01:04:07  |   Fri 19 Aug 2022
Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (w/ Jay Zawaski)

Theo tells the story of the accident-prone Louisiana country singer's suggestive 2005 novelty song. Jay Zawaski joins the conversation.

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01:12:11  |   Wed 03 Aug 2022
Wang Chung

Wang Chung "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"

Michael tells the story of the British new wave band's silly yet sticky 1986 hit "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"

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00:53:34  |   Tue 12 Jul 2022
The Presidents of the United States of America

The Presidents of the United States of America "Lump" / "Peaches"

Our first-ever two-sided episode! Theo tells the story of the Seattle post-grunge band's two cheeky 1995 hits "Lump" and "Peaches."

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01:00:53  |   Tue 28 Jun 2022
Los Del Rio

Los Del Rio "Macerena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (w/ Mary Beth Richardson of Banditos)

Michael tells the story of the Spain flamenco duo's impossibly massive dance craze, remixed by Miami's Bayside Boys. Banditos' Mary Beth Richardson joins the conversation.

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01:13:51  |   Fri 03 Jun 2022
Ying Yang Twins

Ying Yang Twins "Wait (The Whisper Song)"

Theo tells the story of the Atlanta rap duo's salacious 2005 hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]

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00:48:10  |   Thu 12 May 2022
Phil Collins

Phil Collins "Sussudio"

Michael tells the story of the iconic UK drummer/singer-songwriter's 1985 nonsensical pop smash "Sussudio."

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01:05:31  |   Fri 22 Apr 2022
Snow

Snow "Informer" (w/ DAVIE)

Theo tells the story of the Irish-Canadian reggae rapper's 1992 surprise hit. DAVIE joins the conversation.

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01:03:58  |   Sun 27 Mar 2022
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get" (w/ Stanley Sievers)

Michael tells the story of the seminal Boston ska-core gang's inescapable 1997 hit. Stanley Sievers joins the conversation.

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01:21:11  |   Thu 03 Mar 2022
Men Without Hats

Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"

Theo tells the story of the brotherly Montreal new wave trio's 1982 dance hit.

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00:48:01  |   Wed 02 Feb 2022
Gotye feat. Kimbra

Gotye feat. Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" (w/ Hilary Saunders)

Michael tells the story of the ubiquitous 2011 Kiwi-Australian folk-pop supernova. Hilary Saunders joins the conversation.

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01:25:08  |   Thu 13 Jan 2022
Lou Monte

Lou Monte "Dominick the Donkey"

Theo tells the story of the New Jersey crooner's 1960 anthropomorphic Christmas classic.

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00:34:26  |   Sat 18 Dec 2021
Rammstein

Rammstein "Du Hast"

Theo tells the story of the German exhibitionist industrial metal band's unlikely 1997 global hit

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00:55:13  |   Tue 23 Nov 2021
Nirvana

Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Michael tells the story of the iconic Washington grunge band's unlikely global blockbuster hit.

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00:51:33  |   Mon 11 Oct 2021
Crash Test Dummies

Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" (w/ Drew Morgan)

Michael tells the story of the high-minded Canadian folk-rock band's morose 1993 hit. Drew Morgan joins the conversation.

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00:53:05  |   Tue 21 Sep 2021
Cherry Poppin' Daddies

Cherry Poppin' Daddies "Zoot Suit Riot"

Theo tells the story of the unfortunately-named Oregon band's 1997 swing revival smash "Zoot Suit Riot"

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00:50:11  |   Fri 03 Sep 2021
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