Shows
You Wanted a Hit!Jimmy Dean "I.O.U."Michael tells the story of the Texas singer/songwriter, actor, TV host, and meat purveyor's 1976 sentimental spoken-word ode to moms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-05-0858 minYou Wanted a Hit!Frank & Moon Zappa "Valley Girl" (w/ Eliza Thorn)Theo tells the story of the LA-via-Baltimore musical iconoclast and his daughter's 1982 novelty hit that forever changed American vernacular. Nashville singer/songwriter Eliza Thorn joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-241h 28You Wanted a Hit!Nada Surf "Popular" (w/ Sofia Loporcaro)Michael tells the story of the New York City alternative rock band's 1996 sarcastic, spoken-word singalong. Podcaster and music journalist Sofia Loporcaro joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-011h 22You Wanted a Hit!Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy"Theo tells the story of the Birmingham, England pop rock band's genre-defying 1989 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-03-141h 11You Wanted a Hit!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.2025-03-061h 09You Wanted a Hit!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.2025-02-181h 02You Wanted a Hit!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.2025-01-3157 minYou Wanted a Hit!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.2025-01-161h 05You Wanted a Hit!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.2024-12-2150 minYou Wanted a Hit!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.2024-12-131h 27You Wanted a Hit!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.2024-11-271h 03You Wanted a Hit!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.2024-11-141h 19You Wanted a Hit!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.2024-10-3054 minYou Wanted a Hit!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.2024-10-1653 minYou Wanted a Hit!Bob Carlisle "Butterfly Kisses"Michael tells the story of the California Christian adult contemporary singer's 1997 crossover ballad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-10-011h 06You Wanted a Hit!The Rembrandts "I'll Be There for You"Theo tells the story of the American pop-rock duo's short-but-sweet 1995 TV-theme smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-08-2256 minYou Wanted a Hit!Starland Vocal Band "Afternoon Delight"Michael tells the story of the Washington, DC singing group's 1976 epochal, deceptively low-brow chart-topper. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-08-081h 14You Wanted a Hit!Iron Butterfly "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"Theo tells the story of the California prog proto-metal band's epic 1968 sleeper hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-07-1554 minYou Wanted a Hit!LFO "Summer Girls" (w/ Liz Riggs)Theo tells the story of the Massachusetts boy band's head-scratching, pop-culture-referencing 1999 rap-pop surprise hit. Novelist Liz Riggs joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-06-271h 23You Wanted a Hit!Rebecca Black "Friday"Michael tells the story of the Orange County singer's 2011 polarizing, perhaps misunderstood, viral phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-06-141h 12You Wanted a Hit!They Might Be Giants "Boss of Me"Theo tells the story of the quirky Brooklyn-via-Massachusetts cult alt-rock band's 2000 ska-inflected, Grammy-winning TV theme song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-151h 08You Wanted a Hit!Fatboy Slim "Praise You" (w/ Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet)Michael tells the story of the UK big beat DJ and producer's sample-heavy, star-making 1998 smash. Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-011h 36You Wanted a Hit!Tag Team "Whoomp! (There It Is)" / 95 South "Whoot, There It Is"Double episode! Theo tells the stories of the coincidentally(?) competing 1993 hip-hop hits. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-04-091h 25You Wanted a Hit!Alan Jackson "Chattahoochee"Michael tells the story of the Georgia country superstar's 1993 slangy summertime calling card Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-03-141h 07You Wanted a Hit!Melanie "Brand New Key"Theo tells the story of Queens folk singer-songwriter Melanie's whimsically controversial 1971 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-02-291h 02You Wanted a Hit!Len "Steal My Sunshine" (w/ Courtney E. Smith)Michael tells the story of the Toronto slacker rap-rock band's 1999 disco-sampling hangover hymn. Courtney E. Smith joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-02-171h 32You Wanted a Hit!Kim Carnes "Bette Davis Eyes" Theo tells the story of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter's 1981 movie star name-dropping synth-rock chart-topper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-01-2756 minYou Wanted a Hit!OMC "How Bizarre" (w/ Danny Davis of Husbands)Michael tells the story of the New Zealand Pasifika group's distinctive 1995 global triumph. Husbands frontman Danny Davis joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-01-1159 minYou Wanted a Hit!The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York"Michael tells the story of the Irish/English Celtic folk-punk band's legendary Christmas classic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-12-161h 07You Wanted a Hit!Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie)Theo tells the story of the wry American folk prince's long-winded 1967 talking-blues Thanksgiving classic. Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-11-2200 minYou Wanted a Hit!4 Non Blondes "What's Up?"Theo tells the story of the San Francisco queer, feminist rock band's synonymous 1993 singalong smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-11-151h 09You Wanted a Hit!Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" (w/ Jason Hawk Harris)Michael tells the story of the New York rock band's unexpectedly complex 2000 alternative anthem. Jason Hawk Harris joins the conversation. [WARNING: Contains descriptions of gruesome violence; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-10-301h 24You Wanted a Hit!Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning"Michael tells the story of the Sydney post-punk band's electrifying, uniquely Australian 1987 social justice anthem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-10-201h 15You Wanted a Hit!DJ Casper "Cha-Cha Slide" (or "Casper Slide Part 2")Theo tells the story of the Chicago house DJ's 2000 instructional line dance phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-10-0548 minYou Wanted a Hit!Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" (w/ Georgia Mooney)Michael tells the story of the Australian singer/songwriter/actor/model's fateful, circuitous 1997 global pop megahit. Georgia Mooney joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-09-141h 19You Wanted a Hit!The Darkness "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"Michael tells the story of the English glam rock revival band's 2003 flashy, falsettoed smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-08-311h 00You Wanted a Hit!Joan Osborne "One of Us" (w/ Franny Thomas)Theo tells the story of the New-York-City-by-way-of-Kentucky singer/songwriter's 1995 contemplative, existential radio staple. Franny Thomas joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-08-181h 04You Wanted a Hit!Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 2 (w/ Dave Holmes)2 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the improbable 1999 sensation by San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. Dave Holmes joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-08-041h 08You Wanted a Hit!Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 1 (w/ Dave Holmes)1 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the improbable 1999 sensation by San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. Dave Holmes joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-3141 minYou Wanted a Hit!Re-Hit: Aqua "Barbie Girl"In time for the 'Barbie' movie release, we are revisiting our 2022 episode about the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl," with a new addendum about the song's involvement in the film's soundtrack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-211h 13You Wanted a Hit!Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)"Theo tells the story of the British-American soft rock jack-of-all-trades' clever, breezy 1979 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-1237 minYou Wanted a Hit!Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"Michael tells the story of the New York City musical chameleon's 1987 calypso crossover smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-011h 09You Wanted a Hit!Fastball "The Way" (w/ Josh Terry)Theo tells the story of Austin, Texas alternative rock band Fastball's peculiar and tragic 1998 hit "The Way." Music journalist Josh Terry joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-06-161h 09You Wanted a Hit!Pinkfong "Baby Shark"Michael tells the story of the South Korean educational corporation mascot's American folk-song-turned-digital-age-kids-music phenomenon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-06-011h 03You Wanted a Hit!Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"Theo tells the story of the Australian film director's 1999 inspirational spoken-word, slow-burn hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-05-091h 24You Wanted a Hit!Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" [DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix]Michael tells the story of the Italian Eurodance trio's hypnotically goofy 1998 global smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-04-211h 15You Wanted a Hit!Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!"Theo tells the story of the eccentric American singer/songwriter, musician, composer, and producer Jerry Samuels a.k.a. Napoleon XIV's offbeat 1966 hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-04-0852 minYou Wanted a Hit!Weezer "Buddy Holly" (w/ Amr Kotb)Michael tells the story of the enigmatic Los Angeles alternative rock band's iconic 1994 breakout hit. Amr Kotb joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-03-171h 08
You Wanted a Hit!Taco "Puttin' on the Ritz"Theo tells the story of the Indonesian-Dutch singer's 1982 version of Irving Berlin's complicated 1927 song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-02-271h 08You Wanted a Hit!The Knack "My Sharona"Theo tells the story of the LA power pop band's low-brow 1979 phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-02-101h 04You Wanted a Hit!Suzanne Vega & DNA "Tom's Diner"Michael tells the story of the unlikely 1990 "collaboration" between New York folk-rocker Suzanne Vega and British production duo DNA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-01-191h 05You Wanted a Hit!Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?"Theo tells the story of the star-studded UK pop supergroup's 1984 holiday charity smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-12-2255 minYou Wanted a Hit!Devo "Whip It" (w/ Alex Goldman)Michael tells the story of the Ohio new wave/post-punk pioneers' deceptively layered 1980 hit. Alex Goldman joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-12-141h 02You Wanted a Hit!The Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"Theo tells the story of the Scottish twin brothers' 1987 (and 1993) folk-punk pub rock phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-11-1457 minYou Wanted a Hit!Bobby 'Boris' Pickett "Monster Mash"Happy Halloween! Michael tells the story of the Massachusetts singer/actor/comedian's 1962 spooky smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-10-281h 10You Wanted a Hit!Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" (w/ Cory Graves of Vandoliers)Theo tells the story of the Swedish country novelty collective's 1994 country/Eurodance crossover sensation "Cotton Eye Joe." Vandoliers' Cory Graves joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-10-191h 17You Wanted a Hit!Vangelis "Chariots of Fire"Michael tells the story of the Greek composer's inspiring, epic instrumental 1981 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-10-0358 minYou Wanted a Hit!Marcy Playground "Sex & Candy" (w/ Mariel Buckley)Theo tells the story of the Minneapolis/New York alternative rock band's 1997 perplexing downtempo smash "Sex & Candy." Mariel Buckley joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-09-021h 23You Wanted a Hit!Aqua "Barbie Girl"Michael tells the story of the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-08-191h 04You Wanted a Hit!Trace Adkins "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (w/ Jay Zawaski)Theo tells the story of the accident-prone Louisiana country singer's suggestive 2005 novelty song. Jay Zawaski joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-08-031h 12You Wanted a Hit!Wang Chung "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"Michael tells the story of the British new wave band's silly yet sticky 1986 hit "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-07-1253 minYou Wanted a Hit!The Presidents of the United States of America "Lump" / "Peaches"Our first-ever two-sided episode! Theo tells the story of the Seattle post-grunge band's two cheeky 1995 hits "Lump" and "Peaches." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-06-281h 00You Wanted a Hit!Los Del Rio "Macerena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (w/ Mary Beth Richardson of Banditos)Michael tells the story of the Spain flamenco duo's impossibly massive dance craze, remixed by Miami's Bayside Boys. Banditos' Mary Beth Richardson joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-06-031h 13You Wanted a Hit!Ying Yang Twins "Wait (The Whisper Song)"Theo tells the story of the Atlanta rap duo's salacious 2005 hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-05-1248 minYou Wanted a Hit!Phil Collins "Sussudio"Michael tells the story of the iconic UK drummer/singer-songwriter's 1985 nonsensical pop smash "Sussudio." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-04-221h 05You Wanted a Hit!Snow "Informer" (w/ DAVIE)Theo tells the story of the Irish-Canadian reggae rapper's 1992 surprise hit. DAVIE joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-03-271h 03You Wanted a Hit!The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get" (w/ Stanley Sievers)Michael tells the story of the seminal Boston ska-core gang's inescapable 1997 hit. Stanley Sievers joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-03-031h 21You Wanted a Hit!Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"Theo tells the story of the brotherly Montreal new wave trio's 1982 dance hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-02-0248 minYou Wanted a Hit!Gotye feat. Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" (w/ Hilary Saunders)Michael tells the story of the ubiquitous 2011 Kiwi-Australian folk-pop supernova. Hilary Saunders joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-01-131h 25You Wanted a Hit!Lou Monte "Dominick the Donkey"Theo tells the story of the New Jersey crooner's 1960 anthropomorphic Christmas classic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-12-1834 minYou Wanted a Hit!Rammstein "Du Hast"Theo tells the story of the German exhibitionist industrial metal band's unlikely 1997 global hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-11-2355 minYou Wanted a Hit!Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"Michael tells the story of the iconic Washington grunge band's unlikely global blockbuster hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-10-1151 minYou Wanted a Hit!Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" (w/ Drew Morgan)Michael tells the story of the high-minded Canadian folk-rock band's morose 1993 hit. Drew Morgan joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-09-2153 minYou Wanted a Hit!Cherry Poppin' Daddies "Zoot Suit Riot"Theo tells the story of the unfortunately-named Oregon band's 1997 swing revival smash "Zoot Suit Riot" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-09-0350 minYou Wanted a Hit!Rose Royce "Car Wash"Michael tells the story of the Los Angeles soul band's 1976 workplace disco smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-08-1942 minYou Wanted a Hit!Sisqo "Thong Song" (w/ OneManJamz)Theo tells the story of the silver-haired Baltimore R&B singer's risqué Y2K sensation. OneManJamz joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-07-2256 minYou Wanted a Hit!Toni Basil "Mickey"Michael tells the story of the multi-talented musical and visual artist's 1981 new wave phenomenon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-07-0150 minYou Wanted a Hit!Bloodhound Gang "The Bad Touch"Theo tells the story of the polarizing Pennsylvania cult rock band's 1999 suggestive alternative dance hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-06-081h 01You Wanted a Hit!Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart" (w/ Amy Reitnouer Jacobs of The Bluegrass Situation)Michael tells the story of the mulleted Kentucky country singer's 1992 crossover smash. Amy Reitnouer Jacobs of The Bluegrass Situation joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-05-121h 02You Wanted a Hit!Enigma "Return to Innocence"Theo tells the story of the Romanian-German musical project's 1994 new-age crossover phenomenon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-04-2244 minYou Wanted a Hit!Nena "99 Luftballons"Michael tells the story of the Neue Deutsche Welle band's 1983 German synth anthem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-04-0546 min
You Wanted a Hit!Chumbawamba "Tubthumping"Theo tells the story of the anarchist punk band's 1997 global hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-03-2239 minYou Wanted a Hit!Right Said Fred "I'm Too Sexy"Michael tells the story of the fraternal English band's ubiquitous 1992 pop smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-03-0941 minYou Wanted a Hit!You Wanted a Hit! Trailer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-02-0100 min