You Wanted a Hit!

By Michael Smith & Theo Beidler

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 "... more

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FAQs about You Wanted a Hit!:

How many episodes does You Wanted a Hit! have?

The podcast currently has 105 episodes available.

You Wanted a Hit! episodes:

July 07, 2026 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.
...more
1h 42min
June 05, 2026 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.
...more
1h 21min
May 19, 2026 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.
...more
1h 40min
March 05, 2026 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.
...more
1h 48min
February 06, 2026 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.
...more
1h 34min
January 23, 2026 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.
...more
1h 28min
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.
...more
1h 1min
December 06, 2025 The Juliana Hatfield Three “My Sister” (w/ Tawny Newsome)
Michael tells the story of the Boston singer/songwriter’s deceptive Alternative Rock chart-topper. Actor/comedian/writer/musician Tawny Newsome joins the conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 26min
November 26, 2025 Re-Hit: Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie)
In light of legendary WMMR DJ Pierre Robert’s recent passing and the spirit of the season, we revisit Theo telling the story of wry American folk prince Arlo Guthrie's long-winded 1967 talking-blues epic Thanksgiving classic “Alice’s Restaurant." Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie joined the conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 5min
November 13, 2025 Gordon Lightfoot “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"
Theo tells the story of the Toronto troubadour’s 1976 historical folk-rock ballad about the Great Lakes disaster of the same name.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 19min

FAQs about You Wanted a Hit!:

How many episodes does You Wanted a Hit! have?

The podcast currently has 105 episodes available.

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