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 enthu ...
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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.
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Starland Vocal Band "Afternoon Delight"
1:14:23
1:14:23
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1:14:23
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.
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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.
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LFO "Summer Girls" (w/ Liz Riggs)
1:23:58
1:23:58
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1:23:58
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.
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Rebecca Black "Friday"
1:12:39
1:12:39
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1:12:39
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.
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They Might Be Giants "Boss of Me"
1:08:38
1:08:38
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1:08:38
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.
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Fatboy Slim "Praise You" (w/ Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet)
1:36:57
1:36:57
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1:36:57
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.
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Tag Team "Whoomp! (There It Is)" / 95 South "Whoot, There It Is"
1:25:24
1:25:24
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1:25:24
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.
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Alan Jackson "Chattahoochee"
1:07:05
1:07:05
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1:07:05
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.
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Melanie "Brand New Key"
1:02:59
1:02:59
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1:02:59
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.
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Len "Steal My Sunshine" (w/ Courtney E. Smith)
1:32:58
1:32:58
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1:32:58
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.
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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.
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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.
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The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York"
1:07:08
1:07:08
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1:07:08
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.
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Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie)
1:00:00
1:00:00
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1:00:00
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.
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4 Non Blondes "What's Up?"
1:09:02
1:09:02
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1:09:02
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.
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Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" (w/ Jason Hawk Harris)
1:24:00
1:24:00
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1:24:00
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.
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Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning"
1:15:39
1:15:39
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1:15:39
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.
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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.
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Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" (w/ Georgia Mooney)
1:19:06
1:19:06
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1:19:06
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.
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The Darkness "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"
1:00:58
1:00:58
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1:00:58
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.
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Joan Osborne "One of Us" (w/ Franny Thomas)
1:04:54
1:04:54
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1:04:54
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.
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Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 2 (w/ Dave Holmes)
1:08:34
1:08:34
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1:08:34
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.
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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.
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Re-Hit: Aqua "Barbie Girl"
1:13:36
1:13:36
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1:13:36
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.…
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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.
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Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"
1:09:13
1:09:13
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1:09:13
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.
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Fastball "The Way" (w/ Josh Terry)
1:09:14
1:09:14
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1:09:14
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.
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Pinkfong "Baby Shark"
1:03:01
1:03:01
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1:03:01
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.
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Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"
1:24:49
1:24:49
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1:24:49
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.
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Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" [DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix]
1:15:09
1:15:09
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1:15:09
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.
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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.
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Weezer "Buddy Holly" (w/ Amr Kotb)
1:08:28
1:08:28
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1:08:28
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.
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Taco "Puttin' on the Ritz"
1:08:28
1:08:28
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1:08:28
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.
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The Knack "My Sharona"
1:04:47
1:04:47
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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.
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Suzanne Vega & DNA "Tom's Diner"
1:05:09
1:05:09
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1:05:09
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.
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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.
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Devo "Whip It" (w/ Alex Goldman)
1:02:57
1:02:57
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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.
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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.
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Bobby 'Boris' Pickett "Monster Mash"
1:10:17
1:10:17
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1:10:17
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.
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Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" (w/ Cory Graves of Vandoliers)
1:17:56
1:17:56
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1:17:56
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.
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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.
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Marcy Playground "Sex & Candy" (w/ Mariel Buckley)
1:23:14
1:23:14
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1:23:14
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.
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Aqua "Barbie Girl"
1:04:07
1:04:07
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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.
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Trace Adkins "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (w/ Jay Zawaski)
1:12:11
1:12:11
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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.
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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.
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The Presidents of the United States of America "Lump" / "Peaches"
1:00:53
1:00:53
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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.
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Los Del Rio "Macerena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (w/ Mary Beth Richardson of Banditos)
1:13:51
1:13:51
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1:13:51
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.
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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.
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Phil Collins "Sussudio"
1:05:31
1:05:31
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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.
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