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.
Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen.
26
What’s 1984 Got to Do with It Edition Part 2
57 min
27
What’s 1984 Got to Do with It Edition Part 1
61 min
28
Building a Herstory Edition Part 2
42 min
29
Building a Herstory Edition Part 1
46 min
30
Song(s) of the Summer Edition Part 2
55 min
31
Song(s) of the Summer Edition Part 1
56 min
32
I Wanna Rock with Q. Edition Part 2
52 min
33
I Wanna Rock with Q. Edition Part 1
47 min
34
Be My Baby-Baby-Baby Edition Part 2
What is a girl group? In the ’60s, harmonizing ladies saved rock & roll. In the ’90s, sisters with voices gave pop some TLC.
49 min
35
Be My Baby-Baby-Baby Edition Part 1
What is a girl group? In the ’60s, harmonizing ladies saved rock & roll. In the ’90s, sisters with voices gave pop some TLC.
60 min
36
We Want It That Way Edition Part 2
59 min
37
We Want It That Way Edition Part 1
61 min
38
Gotcha Covered Edition Part 2
43 min
39
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
40
Hello, Gorgeous Edition Part 2
37 min
41
Hello, Gorgeous Edition Part 1
61 min
42
And the Grammy Goes to… Edition Part 2
49 min
43
And the Grammy Goes to… Edition Part 1
50 min
44
Second-Chance Hits Edition Part 2
50 min
45
Second-Chance Hits Edition Part 1
56 min
46
Ride ’til I Can’t No More Edition Part 2
51 min
47
The Bridge: Can’t Tell Me Nothin’
53 min
48
Ride ’til I Can’t No More Edition Part 1
53 min
49
This Ain’t No Party?! Edition Part 2
61 min
50
This Ain’t No Party?! Edition Part 1
65 min