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.

Music History
Music Commentary
1
Gotcha Covered Edition Part 1
A smash remake of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” has reminded us of the power of cover songs. But why are hit covers so rare today?
53 min
2
Hello, Gorgeous Edition Part 2
37 min
3
Hello, Gorgeous Edition Part 1
61 min
4
And the Grammy Goes to… Edition Part 2
49 min
5
And the Grammy Goes to… Edition Part 1
50 min
6
Second-Chance Hits Edition Part 2
50 min
7
Second-Chance Hits Edition Part 1
56 min
8
Ride ’til I Can’t No More Edition Part 2
51 min
9
The Bridge: Can’t Tell Me Nothin’
53 min
10
Ride ’til I Can’t No More Edition Part 1
53 min
11
This Ain’t No Party?! Edition Part 2
61 min
12
This Ain’t No Party?! Edition Part 1
65 min
13
Insert Lyrics Here Edition Part 2
37 min
14
Insert Lyrics Here Edition Part 1
58 min
15
Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture Edition Part 2
32 min
16
Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture Edition Part 1
48 min
17
Lenny on Mars Edition Part 2
44 min
18
Lenny on Mars Edition Part 1
59 min
19
Yes We Can Can Edition Part 2
37 min
20
Yes We Can Can Edition Part 1
47 min
21
Champagne Supernova Edition Part 2
54 min
22
Champagne Supernova Edition Part 1
64 min
23
The British Are Charting Edition Part 2
50 min
24
The British Are Charting Edition Part 1
65 min
25
Raise Your Glass Edition Part 2
34 min