One Hit Thunder

While the 90s were full of bands that got signed during the peak of grunge, few bands had the long history and the genre-bending talent of Cracker. The band first broke with their song “Teen Angst”, but it was “Low” that really delivered them into the ears of the mainstream. Our Patreon supporters wanted us to discuss this one, so we took a crack at it. If you like the show, be sure to rate, revie...

Christian folk group Sixpence None The Richer had an unexpected mainstream explosion with their song “Kiss Me”, after it was featured in the 90s teen film “She’s All That”. Beyond a few low charting cover songs, however, they quickly fell out of the public consciousness. This week, we’re joined by Russ Burlingame - author of the new book “Best Movie Ever: The Oral History of Elfont & Kaplan’s Josi...

Few bands have ever been helped more by a music video than OK Go. They had faith in their own music when their record label didn’t, and they took advantage of internet virality to launch their career. Unique, eye-catching videos continue to be their thing, but the choreographed treadmill routine of “Here It Goes Again” will forever be the legacy of the band among people who only know them in passi...

1994 was a landmark year for both music and film. Somewhere in that whirlwind of Dookie and the Shawshank Redemption, the Downward Spiral and Forrest Gump, and The Blue Album and Pulp Fiction was LUCAS. No, not the 1986 Corey Haim movie…we’re talking about the Danish rapper Lucas, and his single “Lucas With The Lid Off”. The song was in regular rotation on MTV, thanks partly to a Michel Gondry dir...

We let the members of our new Patreon page vote for an episode, and they overwhelmingly chose Go West’s song “King of Wishful Thinking” from the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Did we listen to the talk of the town, or were we just trying to fool ourselves when it comes to one of the MOST adult contemporary songs ever? Tune in to hear us break down this simultaneously happy and heart-wrenching (emphasis...

When you Google the adjective “Cumbersome”, the first thing that comes up is the definition of the word, which is “large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use”. The second thing that comes up, however, is a giant YouTube thumbnail image of Seven Mary Three leader singer Jason Ross. Most people, in fact, instantly think of this 1996 modern rock single any time they hear the word, and thi...

It took 100 episodes, but we’re FINALLY talking about the greatest one-hit wonder of the 80s…A-ha’s “Take On Me”! But does it even COUNT as a one-hit wonder? Producer Matt Kelly explains why it’s a bit of a gray area when it comes to A-ha. If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. Also, follow us on our social media: Twitter: @1hitThu...

Another 50 episodes down, and it’s time to celebrate the same way we did last year…by ranking every song we featured this year. Which one hit wonder will take the coveted top spot? Tune in to find out! If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. Also, follow us on our social media: Twitter: @1hitThunderPod Instagram: onehitthunderpodcas...

This week, we are joined once again by Jim Logrando to talk about Danzig’s only mainstream hit “Mother”. It took 5 years from the song’s original release for it to climb the charts, but it left an unforgettable impression. Almost three decades later, it’s still Danzig’s signature song. If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. Also, f...

This week, we are joined by Geekscape’s own Katie Elsaesser to discuss Gnarls Barkley’s 2006 megahit “Crazy”. With not much more than a spaghetti western soundtrack sample and some off-the-cuff vocals, the collaboration of CeeLo Green and Danger Mouse found themselves at the top of the charts. There was something so pleasant about that place, but unfortunately, Gnarls Barkely were crazy to think t...

This week on the podcast we are joined by Mat Mania host and producer G1 to the Rescue. Today we are talking about those club nights listening to Tipsy by J-Kwon. We talk about our memories and history with the song and also go down a very strange tangent about Island Boys. This is sure to be an all time great!! If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunde...

This week on the show, Chris accomplishes the near-impossible by choosing a song that Matt has never heard: the R&B masterpiece “Candy Rain” by Soul For Real. It took 8 different writers to create this monster jam, which may have been a small piece of why this band of brothers was never able to match the success of their iconic hit single.  If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscr...

This week, Jeff Wendle sits in for our first episode ever about an INSTRUMENTAL one hit wonder. Greek composer Vangelis hit the top of the charts with the theme from the 1981 film “Chariots of Fire”, unseating Joan Jett from the #1 spot and becoming a staple of running montages for decades to come. Regardless of knowing the title of the song, EVERYONE knows it…but is it deserving of such high prai...

This week we are joined by Mike Meiers of Songwriting for Guitar to talk about the simplistic sounds of Gotye and his mega-hit "Somebody That I Used to Know". While Gotye was massive in his home country of Australia; it was the only song to hit internationally; but should you know more of his work? If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail...

We are joined this week by Chris White and Daniel Smith to discuss the 80's Christian Glam Rock act Stryper; but also to discuss their new movie Electric Jesus. The film follows some Christian teens in the 80's who love Stryper so much they form their own band and go on tour. It's streaming everywhere now and it's a total must see! If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Emai...

In honor of Halloween and Chris’ frustration at the lack of good Halloween songs Producer Matt and Chris each share 5 songs they wish were seasonal mainstays ala the Monster Mash and Thriller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's already a very small collection of Halloween songs and an even smaller collection of Halloween One Hit Wonders; so this week Chris and Matt tackle the novelty classic Monster Mash by Bobby "Boris" Pickett. Matt thinks it's a Graveyard Smash while Chris prefers the Transylvania Twist. If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. A...

No Guest this week, just your two favorite hosts talking about the most questionable "One Hit Wonder" Matt has ever picked. He has good excuses for bending the rules so dramatically and if you've never heard the weird sample heavy sounds of the Avalanches you are in for a treat. If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. Also, follow u...

In the 60's a group of teenagers recorded the song 96 Tears and indirectly became the godfathers of Punk Rock. With a hypnotic organ and sexually charged lyrics the band ? and the Mysterians created a sound the 60's was not ready for. They also left an impression on this week's guest Johnny Neutrino of the Supervillian Rock Group Johnny Neutrino and the Order of the Crawling Hand. Check out Johnny...

This week on the podcast we are joined by rapper O.G. Reaper who has us on the therapy couch trying to answer the question What is Love? We breakdown the lyrics of this club anthem, discuss our favorite SNL Roxbury sketches and determine if Haddaway deserves more attention. Check out OG Reapers music on his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/EmceeeSamson If you like the show, be sure to...

This week, we’re joined by filmmaker Chelsea Christer to discuss Yellowcard’s 2003 hit “Ocean Avenue”. From Warped Tour to TRL, the band rode a huge wave into the mainstream. Were they deserving of another massive hit, or did that wave crash down and take them away at just the right time? Together, we sort out our feelings on this classic pop punk band. If you like the show, be sure to rate, revie...

Producer Matt is working the Fantastic Fest Virtual Film Festival and was able to talk to Tom Putnam who co-directed the ICP Documentary United States of Insanity. You know how much we love ICP around these parts so he's decided to simulcast this interview with One Hit Thunder as well as Horror Movie Night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by Michael and Dave of The Center Cut podcast. Together, we discuss Hoobastank’s 2003 hit single “The Reason”. From the Friends finale to the Denny’s menu, this song launched the band into the stratosphere…but was that megastardom actually deserved? We figure it out ln this episode. Oh, and if you haven’t checked out The Center Cut podcast, you should start by checking out...

YouTuber Gelsey Laurie joins us to talk about the fictional animated 60s group The Archies, and why “Sugar, Sugar” is one of her all time favorite songs! Check out Gelsey Laurie's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/glaurie91 If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. Also, follow us on our social media: Twitter: @1hitThunder...

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Bowling for Soup’s very own Jaret Reddick to discuss The Nixons. While this 90s band never had a follow-up hit to “Sister”, they most definitely left a permanent impression on Jaret. If you like the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Email us at onehitthunderpodcast@gmail.com. Also, follow us on our social media: Twitter: @1hitThunderPod Instagr...