You Wanted a Hit!

By Michael Smith & Theo BeidlerMusic Music Commentary Music History

You Wanted a Hit! episodes

October 01 Kim Wilde "Kids in America"
Theo tells the story of English pop/rock singer Kim Wilde's oft-covered, surprisingly American 1981 global new wave anthem.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 10 min
September 01 Citizen King “Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)"
Michael tells the story of the Milwaukee alternative rock/hip-hop band’s groovy 1999 underdog anthem.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 10 min
August 12 The Champs “Tequila!"
Theo tells the story of the Los Angeles sax-led rock-n-roll band’s spirited 1958 semi-instrumental chart-topper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 3 min
July 07 Butthole Surfers “Pepper"
Michael tells the story of the Texas experimental, exhibitionist rock band’s 1996 improbable modern rock chart-topper. [WARNING: This episode contains suggestive themes and strong sexual content. Listener discretion is advised.]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 42 min
June 05 Michael Sembello “Maniac"
Theo tells the story of the Philadelphia singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer’s 1983 movie soundtrack smash.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 21 min
May 19 Afroman “Because I Got High” LIVE!
Recorded in front of a live audience at Get Tight Lounge in Richmond VA, Theo tells the story of the Hattiesburg-via-Los Angeles rapper and singer’s token, tokin’ 2000 hit in our 100th episode. [Warning: This episode contains explicit language and suggestive themes. Listener discretion is advised.]

Line production: Max Wasserman
Audio Mix: Jonathan Waller at Overcoast Music & Sound
MC: Travis Tucker
Live sound production and recording: Cam Peters
Production assistance: Fig Vishton

Special thanks to Little Amps Coffee
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 40 min
March 05 Portugal. The Man “Feel It Still” (w/ Spencer Dukoff)
Michael tells the story of the Alaska alternative rock band’s inescapable, politically subversive 2017 smash. Writer/podcaster/activist Spencer Dukoff joins the conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 48 min
February 06 Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (w/ Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee)
Theo tells the story of the Leeds synth-pop duo’s 1981 cover of the multiple-versioned Northern Soul tune. Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee joins the conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 34 min
January 23 t.A.T.u. “All the Things She Said"
Michael tells the story of the teenage Russian pop-rock duo’s controversial 2002 worldwide phenomenon, back in the pop-culture forefront due to its inclusion in the hit Canadian drama series Heated Rivalry. [WARNING: This episode contains accounts of manipulation, coercion, and suggestive imagery involving minors. Listener discretion is advised.]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 28 min
December 23, 2025 ‎Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmastime Is Here” / “Linus & Lucy"
Theo tells the story of the jazz pianist and his band’s unlikely, ubiquitous Christmas classic and the TV special that it soundtracked.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 1 min

About You Wanted a Hit!

From the publisher's feed

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…