One Hit Thunder

By Geekscape

Join musician Chris Fafalios (Punchline) and co-host Matt Kelly from the Geekscape network on One Hit Thunder, where each week they dive into the world of one-hit wonders with a new guest. Chris and M... more

4.8

136136 ratings

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FAQs about One Hit Thunder:

How many episodes does One Hit Thunder have?

The podcast currently has 406 episodes available.

One Hit Thunder episodes:

December 24, 2025 “The Christmas Shoes” by NewSong
In this week’s episode, we dig into NewSong’s “The Christmas Shoes,” a holiday hit that somehow became a cultural phenomenon despite being, frankly, awful. The song relies on emotional manipulation instead of real storytelling, and we still cannot understand how it convinced so many people that it was profound. We take apart the lyrics, talk through the bizarre narrative choices, and then go down the rabbit hole of the YouTube comments, which are almost as unbelievable as the song itself. Even more shocking is the legacy it left behind, spawning multiple novels and made-for-TV movies. Whether you want to or not, you will probably hear it at least once every holiday season. So get ready, because we are kicking off our Christmas shoes AND taking off our Christmas gloves, and we are NOT holding back on this musical disaster. Merry Christmas, everyone!
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder

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57min
December 23, 2025 Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? Reaction Episode
In this episode, Chris and Matt discuss the new HBO Original Documentary from their Bill Simmons-produced Music Box series. Using the categories from Bill’s very popular The Rewatchables podcast, the guys discuss their favorite parts of this look into the meteoric rise of Counting Crows in the early 90s.

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52min
December 21, 2025 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: A discussion on The Waitresses “Christmas Wrapping”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 288 on 12/15/25)...

In the 1981 holiday season, The Waitresses delivered a refreshingly offbeat gift with their single “Christmas Wrapping.” Written by Chris Butler, who openly admitted his dislike for the holidays, the song was pieced together from leftover riffs and lyrics he scribbled down in a taxi on the way to the studio. With Patty Donahue’s cool, talk-sing delivery and a groove that blended sarcasm with sincerity, the track perfectly captured the chaotic mix of exhaustion and joy that defines the season. Though it was only a modest hit at first, “Christmas Wrapping” has since become a perennial favorite, standing tall among the countless festive tunes that come and go each year. In this episode, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios unpack what makes this unlikely holiday anthem continue to resonate more than four decades later.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠

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52min
December 17, 2025 “Jim Dandy” by Black Oak Arkansas (f/Josh Ireson)
Doesn’t escaping into the hills to do nothing but write music with your friends sound like the ultimate dream? By the mid-60s, this was a reality for Black Oak Arkansas, a Southern rock band that refined their sound and mastered their instruments while living off the land. Led by charismatic frontman Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, they built a reputation for their wildly entertaining live shows. By early 1974, it was a cover of a 1957 LaVern Baker song that brought the band to the mainstream. The single, appropriately titled “Jim Dandy,” is a great needle drop in a Dazed and Confused chase scene, but does the song (or any of the other music from their impressively large back catalog) hold up? This week, we’re joined by special guest Josh Ireson to decide if Jim Dandy still comes to the rescue or if it’s just a relic of a weird and psychedelic time.
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder

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50min
December 14, 2025 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: Mike Edwards discusses Jesus Jones “Right Here, Right Now”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 224 on 9/16/24)...

This week, Mike Edwards sits in to discuss the writing and recording of
the 1991 hit single from Jesus Jones, “Right Here, Right Now." The
conversation explores the creation and impact of the song, including the
inspiration behind it and the cultural context of the time. Mike opens
up about the poignant lyrics, highlighting references to Tracy Chapman
and the Cold War. He also discusses the band's deliberate blending of
rock, house, and hip-hop influences, which helped them stand out in the
early 90s alternative rock scene. The episode examines the production
techniques used and touches on the band's success, having created a song
that still lives on in pop culture today.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠

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1h 14min
December 10, 2025 “Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau
In 1972, Bill Withers wrote, produced, and performed the #1 hit “Lean on Me,” a timeless single about being there for someone you care about. Fifteen years later, Club Nouveau flawlessly brought the song into the 80s, achieving a modern sound without losing its signature heart and soul. Despite topping the charts and even winning a Grammy for their cover, the group was never able to replicate that success. This week, we dive into their career and catalog to decide whether we all need a little more Club Nouveau in our lives, or if we should just new jack swing ‘em on outta here.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder

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56min
December 07, 2025 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: Justin Currie discusses Del Amitri's "Roll To Me"
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 137 on 1/9/23)...

Glasgow's Del Amitri has had a long and storied career, releasing five
albums that reached the Top 10 in the UK and selling over 6 millions
albums worldwide. In the United States, it was the 1995 hit single "Roll
To Me" that showcased the band to the whole country via pop radio. In
this episode, bassist and vocalist Justin Currie discusses the writing,
recording, and release of this 90s classic.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠

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1h 5min
December 03, 2025 “All For You” by Sister Hazel (f/ Caleb George)
If you were living in Gainesville, Florida, in the late 90s, Sister Hazel’s “All For You” was probably a hit song to YOU way before it was a hit for the rest of the country. The band had already sold tens of thousands of copies of their album …Somewhere More Familiar when they signed to Universal and re-released it. The album would go platinum, thanks mostly to the one of the catchiest songs of the decade. The many years that followed should be referenced in college courses about how to maintain a successful career after being considered a one hit wonder. This week, we’re joined by special guest Caleb George to “finally figure out” if we’re Hazelnuts or not!
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder

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1h 4min
November 30, 2025 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: Vaden Todd Lewis discusses Toadies "Possum Kingdom"
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 139 on 1/23/23)...

In this episode, Toadies vocalist and guitarist Vaden Todd Lewis
discusses the writing, recording, and release of the band's 1994 hit
single "Possum Kingdom". The song's eerie lyrical content matched with
its unique composition made it stand out in an era of inventive rock
music, leading to a long and storied career for the legendary Fort Worth band.

One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder⁠

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1h 1min
November 26, 2025 “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock?) [with Shaquille O’Neal]” by FU-Schnickens (f/ Matt DiStefano)
In the summer of 1993, an up-and-coming Brooklyn hip-hop trio collaborated with an NBA rookie sensation to create a Bugs Bunny-inspired track that cracked the Top 40. In a world of athletes releasing embarrassing novelty singles, “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)” had people far and wide asking if Shaq was as diesel on the mic as he was on the court. It was the undeniable track from FU-Schnickens, however, that laid the groundwork for Shaq’s “alidocious” bars. This week, we’re joined by CLASSIC One Hit Thunder guest Matt DiStefano to discuss the short-lived career of FU-Schnickens, and to figure out if there was more to them than this “Looney Tune”.
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder

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1h 12min

FAQs about One Hit Thunder:

How many episodes does One Hit Thunder have?

The podcast currently has 406 episodes available.

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