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 412 episodes available.

One Hit Thunder episodes:

January 14, 2026 Our Sixth Year Countdown
2025 is in the books, and now it’s time to RANK the last 50 songs that were featured on the show. This time, Chris and Matt are joined by CLASSIC One Hit Thunder guests Matt DiStefano, Johnny Yetsconish, and Jim Logrando to put the songs in order from worst to best. What will come out on top? Tune in to find out!

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1h 25min
January 11, 2026 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: Ian Dench discusses EMF's "Unbelievable"
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 262 on 6/9/25)...

In this episode, Ian Dench of EMF joins the show to discuss the writing
and recording of the band’s explosive 1991 hit, “Unbelievable.” From its
instantly recognizable hook to its genre-blending sound, the song
became a cultural phenomenon and an enduring stadium anthem. Ian offers a look behind the curtain at the song’s construction, including its
layered instrumentation, unique pre-chorus, and the clever use of
samples—most notably the shout of “Oh!” lifted from Andrew Dice Clay’s
stand-up album. He also recounts how a chance encounter with Rick Rubin
at a New York restaurant led to Rubin casually granting sample clearance
with the words, “Fax my office in the morning.” The conversation
explores the emotional and musical influences that shaped the track, the
challenges of creating in the analog era, and how personal experiences
and playful experimentation helped fuel the song’s unforgettable energy.

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 16min
January 07, 2026 “I Melt With You” by Modern English
Modern English’s “I Melt With You” is one of those songs everyone knows, but most people don’t realize how much is packed into its seemingly happy 80s charm. On the surface, it’s a catchy love song, but listen closer and you catch hints of nuclear anxiety and darker undertones that make it surprisingly layered. In this week’s episode, we explore how a band blending punk and new wave turned a modest chart hit into a timeless anthem that still shows up in movies and commercials decades later. Modern English faced breakups, reunions, and changing music trends, yet the song’s combination of pop hooks and emotional depth has kept it alive. Tune in as we dive into all things Modern English, a band that realized the power of a great hum solo in a song.

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46min
January 04, 2026 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: Stacy Jones discusses American Hi-Fi’s “Flavor of the Weak”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 256 on 5/5/25)....

This week, Stacy Jones sits in to share the story behind American
Hi-Fi’s 2001 breakout hit, “Flavor of the Weak.” From his early days as
Veruca Salt’s touring drummer to stepping into the spotlight as a
frontman, Stacy discusses the evolution of his career, the challenges of reinvention, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on
the spontaneous songwriting process that led to the band’s signature
track, the impact of working with producer Bob Rock, and the raw energy
captured in the song’s live-off-the-floor recording. Stacy and Chris
also dive into the song’s lasting legacy, the importance of authenticity
in music, and what’s next for American Hi-Fi.

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 16min
December 31, 2025 “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” by Timbuk 3
Feeling optimistic about the new year? We hope so, because we thought it was the perfect time to dive into Timbuk 3’s “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.” On the surface, it sounds hopeful, but the lyrics reveal something much darker once you really listen. In this week’s episode, we explore how a married couple with a drum machine managed to break into the Top 20 with the first single from their debut album. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Timbuk 3 stood their ground and turned down huge offers from companies who wanted to use the song in commercials. They created a timeless track that’s both catchy and deep, all the while maintaining their artistic integrity. Things are goin’ great and they’re only gettin’ better, so get ready to learn more than you ever thought you would about Timbuk 3.
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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51min
December 28, 2025 Chris DeMakes A Podcast: Danbert Nobacon discusses Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 247 on 3/3/25)...

This week, Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba sits in to break down the
writing and recording of the band's massive 1997 hit, "Tubthumping." He
and Chris explore the song’s punk-influenced origins, its anthemic
structure, and how its themes of resilience and working-class pub
culture resonated worldwide. Danbert shares insights into the band's
approach to songwriting, the unexpected mainstream success of the track,
and how Chumbawamba balanced their political ethos with commercial
visibility. The conversation also touches on the lasting impact of
"Tubthumping" and Nobacon's latest musical projects, offering a
fascinating look at a song that continues to take on new life decades
after its release.

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 2min
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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...more
50min

FAQs about One Hit Thunder:

How many episodes does One Hit Thunder have?

The podcast currently has 412 episodes available.

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