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 90 episodes available.

You Wanted a Hit! episodes:

March 06, 2025 Re-Hit: Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"
In light of David Johansen's passing earlier this week, we are revisiting our 2023 episode about his alter-ego's 1987 calypso crossover smash “Hot Hot Hot.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 10min
February 18, 2025 Deniece Williams "Let's Hear It for the Boy"
Michael tells the story of the Indiana singer's 1984 last-minute soundtrack smash
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 3min
January 31, 2025 Richard Harris "MacArthur Park"
Theo tells the story of the Irish actor's 1967 epic pop crooner turn that started a cultural domino effect.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
58min
January 16, 2025 Gerardo "Rico Suave"
Michael tells the story of the Ecuadorian rapper's 1990 alter-ego bilingual blockbuster.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 6min
December 21, 2024 The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping"
Theo tells the story of the Ohio new wave band's distinctively cool 1981 Christmas classic, with a bonus dive into Kurtis Blow's 1979 holiday hip hop hit "Christmas Rappin'."
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
51min
December 13, 2024 EMF "Unbelievable" (w/ Illiterate Light)
Michael tells the story of the English alternative rock band's classic, chaotic 1991 chart-topper. Virginia rock band Illiterate Light joins the conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 28min
November 27, 2024 Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Theo tells the story of the groundbreaking New York City vocalist/composer/improviser's 1988 a cappella chart-topper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 4min
November 14, 2024 Shawn Mullins "Lullaby" (w/ Golden Everything)
Michael tells the story of the Georgia singer-songwriter's mysteriously specific 1998 semi-spoken-word smash. Nashville folk duo Golden Everything joins the conversation.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
1h 20min
October 30, 2024 Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells" (from The Exorcist)
Theo tells the story of the British musician's epic, genre-spanning 1973 opus that went on to become part of horror film history.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
55min
October 16, 2024 The Greg Kihn Band "Jeopardy"
Theo tells the story of the Bay Area pop rock band's 1983 funky heartbreak hit
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
54min

FAQs about You Wanted a Hit!:

How many episodes does You Wanted a Hit! have?

The podcast currently has 90 episodes available.

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