You Wanted a Hit!

By Michael Smith & Theo BeidlerMusic Music Commentary Music History

You Wanted a Hit! episodes

October 31 John Carpenter "Halloween Theme (Main Title)"
Theo tells the story of the iconoclastic horror director and composer's sinister, synthesized 1978 theme to his own film.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
57 min
October 27 Sheb Wooley "The Purple People Eater"
Michael tells the story of the Oklahoma country singer/songwriter and Western TV star's silly space invader 1958 chart-topper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
55 min
October 01 Kim Wilde "Kids in America"
Theo tells the story of the English pop/rock singer'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

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…