This week, we’re discussing the music and career of Berlin, a band whose biggest hit was, strangely, not really a Berlin song at all. “Take My Breath Away” soared into the stratosphere on the tailwinds of Top Gun in 1986, but it wasn’t a great representation of the sexy, upbeat new wave synth-pop that Berlin was known for. Join us as we journey deep into Berlin to see if they take our breath away, or if we’ll just become another Pleasure Victim.

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Chris and Matt discuss their thoughts on the 2025 VMAs, which strangely aired on CBS instead of MTV (which couldn’t be bothered to interrupt their nonstop stream of the show Ridiculousness to air their signature awards show!)

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To be honest, when this week’s guest Kyle Kuchta pitched Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” to us for an episode, we braced ourselves for a terrible listening experience. Instead, what we got was some solid hard rock and a tragic story about vocalist Dave Williams, who seemed to be a solid dude with a great attitude who was taken from this world much too soon. Even the highly-memed song “Bodies” itself turned out to be a pretty inspiring anthem of moshpit exhilaration. Tune in for an episode that might influence you to let YOUR body hit the floor.

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This week on One Hit Thunder, we’re joined by special guest Mark Popeney of the Nevermind The Music podcast to discuss Naked Eyes and their 1983 hit “Always Something There to Remind Me.” Originally written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song found new life in the synth pop era thanks to Naked Eyes' inventive production and reliance on cutting-edge technology like the Fairlight CMI. Our conversation covers the band’s struggles with live performance, the emotional staying power of a great melody, and the way certain songs seem to cycle back into cultural relevance. This episode looks at a band whose music made a lasting impact, even if their moment on stage didn’t come until much later.

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In an attempt to combat a case of writer's block, struggling songwriter Marc Cohn took a trip to Memphis. A chance encounter at a café resulted in one of the most beloved adult contemporary songs of the 90s. “Walking In Memphis” has stood the test of time, and this week, we’re joined by Phantom of the Podpera co-host Evan Fonseca to touch down in the land of the Delta Blues and explore the music and career of Marc Cohn.

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HIT IT! Few tracks ignite a dance floor like Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s 1988 classic, “It Takes Two.” Built around an infectious sample from Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It),” this platinum-certified anthem didn’t just dominate clubs—it helped hip-hop cross over into the mainstream. Despite the duo’s explosive debut, follow-up efforts like Rob Base’s solo album The Incredible Base and their 1994 reunion Break of Dawn failed to recapture that magic. This week, we dig into the legacy of “It Takes Two” and ask: is it fair to call the duo known for “It Takes Two” a ONE hit wonder?

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This week, our good friend Paul Menotiades returns to help us unpack the unlikely rise of Soft Cell’s 1981 synth-pop smash, “Tainted Love.” Originally a 1965 Northern Soul obscurity by Gloria Jones, Soft Cell's eerie, slowed-down cover became a global sensation, topping charts in 17 countries and spending a record-breaking 43 weeks on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 . But beyond the hit, Marc Almond and David Ball were more than just pop stars—they were art school provocateurs with a flair for the theatrical, as heard on their debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, which explored themes of urban isolation and seedy nightlife . Join us as we dive into the duo's bizarre back catalog and ask: does Soft Cell’s music deserve more love, or is it all just a bit too tainted?

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In this episode, we're joined by special guest Scott Mellinger to explore Del Shannon's 1961 chart-topping hit, "Runaway." This early rock and roll classic is renowned for its haunting falsetto vocals and the groundbreaking Musitron solo—a keyboard instrument invented by Shannon's collaborator, Max Crook, that added a futuristic flair to the track. Beyond this iconic song, we explore Del’s deep connections within the music industry, including collaborations with legends like Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Bob Seger. Join us as we uncover why Del Shannon remains a "musician's musician" and discuss whether his musical legacy extends beyond his most famous hit.

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Twenty-five years ago, Baha Men unleashed “Who Let the Dogs Out” on the world—and whether you loved it or hated it, there’s no denying its impact. This week, we’re joined by our friend Jim Logrando to celebrate the song’s silver anniversary and dig into everything we never knew about this Bahamian group's wild ride. From Grammy wins and Kids' Choice Awards to its surprising roots as a feminist anthem calling out creeps, this now CLASSIC SONG is a lot more than just a jock jam. And with the doggy door wide open, we dig through the rest of their catalog to find out—did Baha Men have more music with bite, or was this their one and only bark?

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This week, we're finally diving into the unhinged surf-rock chaos of The Trashmen’s “Surfin’ Bird”—a Patreon pick that, frankly, we can’t believe we haven’t covered until now. This 1963 burst of raw energy, stitched together from two Rivingtons songs, has been called everything from a novelty hit to an early blueprint for punk rock. With its unforgettable “bird is the word” hook, the track gained renewed fame decades later thanks to its relentless presence on Family Guy. Jim Logrando and Trevor Leonard are both here to celebrate this gloriously absurd song, so catch a wave and join us for a wild ride through one of the most bizarre hits in rock history.

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