Hit Parade | Music History and Music ...
What makes a song a smash? Talent? Luck? Timing? All that—and more. Chris Molanphy, pop-chart analyst and author of Slate’s “Why Is This Song No. 1?” series, tells tales from a half-century of chart history. Through storytelling, trivia and song snippets, Chris dissects how that song you love—or hate—dominated the airwaves, made its way to the top of the charts and shaped your memories forever.
151
Hit Parade: The Def Jams Edition
Today, rap is ubiquitous on pop radio. But the genre’s first crossover hit required a little help from some out-of-favor rock stars. This month, how Run-DMC met Aerosmith, and provided career boosts to them, LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys.
86 min
152
Hit Parade: The B-Sides Edition
Live from the Bell House, in Brooklyn New York, it’s a very special Hit Parade about B-sides that improbably became classics, or even No. 1 hits. Plus special guest Ted Leo!
82 min
153
Hit Parade: The Silver Medalists Edition
On the Billboard Hot 100, two is often the loneliest number. This month, Chris Molanphy profiles No. 2 songs that went on to become historic, from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Go-Go’s and Kelly Clarkson.
51 min
154
Hit Parade: The Queen of Disco Edition
Donna Summer set chart benchmarks and managed to stay relevant on the radio and in clubs for more than three decades. Why didn’t she get more respect from the rock establishment?
72 min
155
Hit Parade: Le Petty Prince Edition
Tom Petty and Prince only played together once. But their careers paralleled each other for four decades.
70 min
156
Hit Parade: The Great War Against the Single Ed...
The story of how the recording industry made you shell out $18 for one good song in the ’90s.
76 min
157
Hit Parade: The Charity Megasingle Edition
In the mid-1980s, big, loud, multicelebrity pop songs were briefly all over the charts and the radio. How’d that happen?
66 min
158
Hit Parade: The Imperial Elton and George Editi...
George Michael and Elton John were friends, collaborators, and for one week, chart rivals
69 min
159
Hit Parade: The Fab Four Sweep Edition
How a major label screw up helped The Beatles sweep the Billboard Top Five.
49 min
160
Hit Parade: Red, Red Wine Edition
How a rogue DJ took a flop to #1
38 min