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You Wanted a Hit! — Music
You Wanted a Hit!

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 “How did this even get played on the radio?” Well, we’re here to answer these questions for you. Each episode we will explore the backstory, creation, and success of one unlikely smash hit. The catch? Only one host knows which song will be the topic. Hosted by music fanatics and pop culture enthusiasts Michael Smith and Theo Beidler.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Michael Smith & Theo Beidler

Latest Episodes:

Shawn Mullins "Lullaby" (w/ Golden Everything) Nov 14, 2024

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.

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Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells" (from The Exorcist) Oct 30, 2024

Theo tells the story of the British musician's epic, genre-spanning 1973 opus that went on to become part of horror film history.

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The Greg Kihn Band "Jeopardy" Oct 16, 2024

Theo tells the story of the Bay Area pop rock band's 1983 funky heartbreak hit

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Bob Carlisle "Butterfly Kisses" Oct 01, 2024

Michael tells the story of the California Christian adult contemporary singer's 1997 crossover ballad

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The Rembrandts "I'll Be There for You" Aug 22, 2024

Theo tells the story of the American pop-rock duo's short-but-sweet 1995 TV-theme smash

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Starland Vocal Band "Afternoon Delight" Aug 08, 2024

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.]

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Iron Butterfly "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" Jul 15, 2024

Theo tells the story of the California prog proto-metal band's epic 1968 sleeper hit

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LFO "Summer Girls" (w/ Liz Riggs) Jun 27, 2024

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.

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Rebecca Black "Friday" Jun 14, 2024

Michael tells the story of the Orange County singer's 2011 polarizing, perhaps misunderstood, viral phenomenon

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They Might Be Giants "Boss of Me" May 15, 2024

Theo tells the story of the quirky Brooklyn-via-Massachusetts cult alt-rock band's 2000 ska-inflected, Grammy-winning TV theme song.

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Fatboy Slim "Praise You" (w/ Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet) May 01, 2024

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.

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Tag Team "Whoomp! (There It Is)" / 95 South "Whoot, There It Is" Apr 09, 2024

Double episode! Theo tells the stories of the coincidentally(?) competing 1993 hip-hop hits. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]

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Alan Jackson "Chattahoochee" Mar 14, 2024

Michael tells the story of the Georgia country superstar's 1993 slangy summertime calling card

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Melanie "Brand New Key" Feb 29, 2024

Theo tells the story of Queens folk singer-songwriter Melanie's whimsically controversial 1971 chart-topper

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Len "Steal My Sunshine" (w/ Courtney E. Smith) Feb 17, 2024

Michael tells the story of the Toronto slacker rap-rock band's 1999 disco-sampling hangover hymn. Courtney E. Smith joins the conversation.

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Kim Carnes "Bette Davis Eyes" Jan 27, 2024

Theo tells the story of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter's 1981 movie star name-dropping synth-rock chart-topper.

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OMC "How Bizarre" (w/ Danny Davis of Husbands) Jan 11, 2024

Michael tells the story of the New Zealand Pasifika group's distinctive 1995 global triumph. Husbands frontman Danny Davis joins the conversation.

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The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York" Dec 16, 2023

Michael tells the story of the Irish/English Celtic folk-punk band's legendary Christmas classic

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Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie) Nov 22, 2023

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.

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4 Non Blondes "What's Up?" Nov 15, 2023

Theo tells the story of the San Francisco queer, feminist rock band's synonymous 1993 singalong smash

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Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" (w/ Jason Hawk Harris) Oct 30, 2023

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.]

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Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning" Oct 20, 2023

Michael tells the story of the Sydney post-punk band's electrifying, uniquely Australian 1987 social justice anthem.

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DJ Casper "Cha-Cha Slide" (or "Casper Slide Part 2") Oct 05, 2023

Theo tells the story of the Chicago house DJ's 2000 instructional line dance phenomenon

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Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" (w/ Georgia Mooney) Sep 14, 2023

Michael tells the story of the Australian singer/songwriter/actor/model's fateful, circuitous 1997 global pop megahit. Georgia Mooney joins the conversation.

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The Darkness "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" Aug 31, 2023

Michael tells the story of the English glam rock revival band's 2003 flashy, falsettoed smash

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Joan Osborne "One of Us" (w/ Franny Thomas) Aug 18, 2023

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.

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Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 2 (w/ Dave Holmes) Aug 04, 2023

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.

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Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 1 (w/ Dave Holmes) Jul 31, 2023

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.

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Re-Hit: Aqua "Barbie Girl" Jul 21, 2023

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.

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Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" Jul 12, 2023

Theo tells the story of the British-American soft rock jack-of-all-trades' clever, breezy 1979 chart-topper

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Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot" Jul 01, 2023

Michael tells the story of the New York City musical chameleon's 1987 calypso crossover smash.

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Fastball "The Way" (w/ Josh Terry) Jun 16, 2023

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.

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Pinkfong "Baby Shark" Jun 01, 2023

Michael tells the story of the South Korean educational corporation mascot's American folk-song-turned-digital-age-kids-music phenomenon.

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Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" May 09, 2023

Theo tells the story of the Australian film director's 1999 inspirational spoken-word, slow-burn hit.

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Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" [DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix] Apr 21, 2023

Michael tells the story of the Italian Eurodance trio's hypnotically goofy 1998 global smash.

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Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!" Apr 08, 2023

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

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Weezer "Buddy Holly" (w/ Amr Kotb) Mar 17, 2023

Michael tells the story of the enigmatic Los Angeles alternative rock band's iconic 1994 breakout hit. Amr Kotb joins the conversation.

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Taco "Puttin' on the Ritz" Feb 27, 2023

Theo tells the story of the Indonesian-Dutch singer's 1982 version of Irving Berlin's complicated 1927 song.

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The Knack "My Sharona" Feb 10, 2023

Theo tells the story of the LA power pop band's low-brow 1979 phenomenon

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Suzanne Vega & DNA "Tom's Diner" Jan 19, 2023

Michael tells the story of the unlikely 1990 "collaboration" between New York folk-rocker Suzanne Vega and British production duo DNA

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Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Dec 22, 2022

Theo tells the story of the star-studded UK pop supergroup's 1984 holiday charity smash

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Devo "Whip It" (w/ Alex Goldman) Dec 14, 2022

Michael tells the story of the Ohio new wave/post-punk pioneers' deceptively layered 1980 hit. Alex Goldman joins the conversation.

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The Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" Nov 14, 2022

Theo tells the story of the Scottish twin brothers' 1987 (and 1993) folk-punk pub rock phenomenon

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Bobby 'Boris' Pickett "Monster Mash" Oct 28, 2022

Happy Halloween! Michael tells the story of the Massachusetts singer/actor/comedian's 1962 spooky smash

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Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" (w/ Cory Graves of Vandoliers) Oct 19, 2022

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.

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Vangelis "Chariots of Fire" Oct 03, 2022

Michael tells the story of the Greek composer's inspiring, epic instrumental 1981 chart-topper

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Marcy Playground "Sex & Candy" (w/ Mariel Buckley) Sep 02, 2022

Theo tells the story of the Minneapolis/New York alternative rock band's 1997 perplexing downtempo smash "Sex & Candy." Mariel Buckley joins the conversation.

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Aqua "Barbie Girl" Aug 19, 2022

Michael tells the story of the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl"

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Trace Adkins "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (w/ Jay Zawaski) Aug 03, 2022

Theo tells the story of the accident-prone Louisiana country singer's suggestive 2005 novelty song. Jay Zawaski joins the conversation.

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Wang Chung "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" Jul 12, 2022

Michael tells the story of the British new wave band's silly yet sticky 1986 hit "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"

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The Presidents of the United States of America "Lump" / "Peaches" Jun 28, 2022

Our first-ever two-sided episode! Theo tells the story of the Seattle post-grunge band's two cheeky 1995 hits "Lump" and "Peaches."

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Los Del Rio "Macerena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (w/ Mary Beth Richardson of Banditos) Jun 03, 2022

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.

Ying Yang Twins "Wait (The Whisper Song)" May 12, 2022

Theo tells the story of the Atlanta rap duo's salacious 2005 hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]

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Phil Collins "Sussudio" Apr 22, 2022

Michael tells the story of the iconic UK drummer/singer-songwriter's 1985 nonsensical pop smash "Sussudio."

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Snow "Informer" (w/ DAVIE) Mar 27, 2022

Theo tells the story of the Irish-Canadian reggae rapper's 1992 surprise hit. DAVIE joins the conversation.

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The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get" (w/ Stanley Sievers) Mar 03, 2022

Michael tells the story of the seminal Boston ska-core gang's inescapable 1997 hit. Stanley Sievers joins the conversation.

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Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance" Feb 02, 2022

Theo tells the story of the brotherly Montreal new wave trio's 1982 dance hit.

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Gotye feat. Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" (w/ Hilary Saunders) Jan 13, 2022

Michael tells the story of the ubiquitous 2011 Kiwi-Australian folk-pop supernova. Hilary Saunders joins the conversation.

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Lou Monte "Dominick the Donkey" Dec 18, 2021

Theo tells the story of the New Jersey crooner's 1960 anthropomorphic Christmas classic.

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Rammstein "Du Hast" Nov 23, 2021

Theo tells the story of the German exhibitionist industrial metal band's unlikely 1997 global hit

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Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Oct 11, 2021

Michael tells the story of the iconic Washington grunge band's unlikely global blockbuster hit.

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Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" (w/ Drew Morgan) Sep 21, 2021

Michael tells the story of the high-minded Canadian folk-rock band's morose 1993 hit. Drew Morgan joins the conversation.

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Cherry Poppin' Daddies "Zoot Suit Riot" Sep 03, 2021

Theo tells the story of the unfortunately-named Oregon band's 1997 swing revival smash "Zoot Suit Riot"

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Rose Royce "Car Wash" Aug 19, 2021

Michael tells the story of the Los Angeles soul band's 1976 workplace disco smash.

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Sisqo "Thong Song" (w/ OneManJamz) Jul 22, 2021

Theo tells the story of the silver-haired Baltimore R&B singer's risqué Y2K sensation. OneManJamz joins the conversation.

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Toni Basil "Mickey" Jul 01, 2021

Michael tells the story of the multi-talented musical and visual artist's 1981 new wave phenomenon.

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Bloodhound Gang "The Bad Touch" Jun 08, 2021

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.]

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Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart" (w/ Amy Reitnouer Jacobs of The Bluegrass Situation) May 12, 2021

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.

Enigma "Return to Innocence" Apr 22, 2021

Theo tells the story of the Romanian-German musical project's 1994 new-age crossover phenomenon.

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Nena "99 Luftballons" Apr 05, 2021

Michael tells the story of the Neue Deutsche Welle band's 1983 German synth anthem.

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Chumbawamba "Tubthumping" Mar 22, 2021

Theo tells the story of the anarchist punk band's 1997 global hit.

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Right Said Fred "I'm Too Sexy" Mar 09, 2021

Michael tells the story of the fraternal English band's ubiquitous 1992 pop smash.

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You Wanted a Hit! Trailer Feb 01, 2021

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