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.
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1
The White and Nerdy Edition Part 1
46 min
2
Here's The Beef Edition Part 2
The Kendrick-Drake feud made it all the way to the Super Bowl, but pop star beefs go back to the earliest days of wax.
59 min
3
Here’s the Beef Edition Part 1
The Kendrick-Drake feud made it all the way to the Super Bowl, but pop star beefs go back to the earliest days of wax.
54 min
4
Mighty Real Edition Part 2
From Little Richard to Chappell Roan, queer artists have always been vanguards of pop, even when they have not been out.
59 min
5
Mighty Real Edition Part 1
From Little Richard to Chappell Roan, queer artists have always been vanguards of pop, even when they have not been out.
56 min
6
All Apologies Edition Part 2
Nirvana and grunge pulled alternative rock from the left of the dial to the center of the charts.
57 min
7
All Apologies Edition Part 1
Nirvana and grunge pulled alternative rock from the left of the dial to the center of the charts.
62 min
8
Only Girl in the World Edition Part 2
Rihanna was the most prolific 21st century chart-topper before bowing out of the game.
51 min
9
Only Girl in the World Edition Part 1
Rihanna was the most prolific 21st century chart-topper before bowing out of the game.
53 min
10
Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 2
The 1960s will always be associated with counterculture and the Summer of Love, but the decade’s pop charts were full of novelty, schlock and bubblegum.
54 min
11
Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 1
The 1960s will always be associated with counterculture and the Summer of Love, but the decade’s pop charts were full of novelty, schlock and bubblegum.
47 min
12
Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 2
Pet Shop Boys coined the term “imperial phase” to describe a pop star’s untouchable era. In the ’80s, Madonna lived it.
40 min
13
Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 1
Pet Shop Boys coined the term “imperial phase” to describe a pop star’s untouchable era. In the ’80s, Madonna lived it.
61 min
14
The Freewheelin’ Edition Part 2
A Complete Unknown depicts Bob Dylan’s ’60s cultural explosion—but all his chart-topping albums came decades later.
56 min
15
The Freewheelin’ Edition Part 1
A Complete Unknown depicts Bob Dylan’s ’60s cultural explosion—but all his chart-topping albums came decades later.
58 min
16
Introducing Broken Record: "Norah Jones Begins ...
82 min
17
The Bridge: Slate Music Club 2024
35 min
18
I’d Like to Teach the World to Buy Edition Part 2
38 min
19
I’d Like to Teach the World to Buy Edition Part 1
53 min
20
Say a Little Prayer Edition Part 2
How Aretha Franklin became not only the Queen of Soul but a massive pop star, earning respect with amazing grace.
52 min
21
Say a Little Prayer Edition Part 1
How Aretha Franklin became not only the Queen of Soul but a massive pop star, earning respect with amazing grace.
55 min
22
With or Without U2 Edition Part 2
How Bono and the boys pivoted from the earnest ’80s to the ironic ’90s. They’ve always been both cool and cringe.
52 min
23
With or Without U2 Edition Part 1
How Bono and the boys pivoted from the earnest ’80s to the ironic ’90s. They’ve always been both cool and cringe.
59 min
24
What’s 1984 Got to Do with It Edition Part 2
57 min
25
What’s 1984 Got to Do with It Edition Part 1
61 min