Michael Smith & Theo Beidler

You Wanted a Hit!

Music EN ↓ 105 episodes

A discussion of unlikely, perplexing, and positively bizarre hit songs that swept the nation, and often the world. Have you ever heard a classic song and thought, "why on Earth was this popular?" Or "How did this even get played on the radio?" Well, we're here to answer these questions for you. Each episode we will explore the backstory, creation, and success of one unlikely smash hit. The catch? Only one host knows which song will be the topic. Hosted by music fanatics and pop culture enthusiasts Michael Smith and Theo Beidler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

Michael Smith & Theo Beidler

Category

Music

Podcast website

ywahpod.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Butthole Surfers “Pepper" 07.07.2026

Michael tells the story of the Texas experimental, exhibitionist rock band’s 1996 improbable modern rock chart-topper. [WARNING: This episode contains suggestive themes and strong sexual content. Listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Sembello “Maniac" 05.06.2026

Theo tells the story of the Philadelphia singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer’s 1983 movie soundtrack smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Afroman “Because I Got High” LIVE! 19.05.2026

Recorded in front of a live audience at Get Tight Lounge in Richmond VA, Theo tells the story of the Hattiesburg-via-Los Angeles rapper and singer’s token, tokin’ 2000 hit in our 100th episode. [Warning: This episode contains explicit language and suggestive themes. Listener discretion is advised.] Line production: Max Wasserman Audio Mix: Jonathan Waller at Overcoast Music & Sound MC: Travis...

Portugal. The Man “Feel It Still” (w/ Spencer Dukoff) 05.03.2026

Michael tells the story of the Alaska alternative rock band’s inescapable, politically subversive 2017 smash. Writer/podcaster/activist Spencer Dukoff joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (w/ Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee) 06.02.2026

Theo tells the story of the Leeds synth-pop duo’s 1981 cover of the multiple-versioned Northern Soul tune. Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

t.A.T.u. “All the Things She Said" 23.01.2026

Michael tells the story of the teenage Russian pop-rock duo’s controversial 2002 worldwide phenomenon, back in the pop-culture forefront due to its inclusion in the hit Canadian drama series Heated Rivalry. [WARNING: This episode contains accounts of manipulation, coercion, and suggestive imagery involving minors. Listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...

‎Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmastime Is Here” / “Linus & Lucy" 23.12.2025

Theo tells the story of the jazz pianist and his band’s unlikely, ubiquitous Christmas classic and the TV special that it soundtracked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Juliana Hatfield Three “My Sister” (w/ Tawny Newsome) 06.12.2025

Michael tells the story of the Boston singer/songwriter’s deceptive Alternative Rock chart-topper. Actor/comedian/writer/musician Tawny Newsome joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-Hit: Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie) 26.11.2025

In light of legendary WMMR DJ Pierre Robert’s recent passing and the spirit of the season, we revisit Theo telling the story of wry American folk prince Arlo Guthrie's long-winded 1967 talking-blues epic Thanksgiving classic “Alice’s Restaurant." Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie joined the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon Lightfoot “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" 13.11.2025

Theo tells the story of the Toronto troubadour’s 1976 historical folk-rock ballad about the Great Lakes disaster of the same name. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toadies "Possum Kingdom" Part 2 30.10.2025

2 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the Fort Worth alternative band's creepy, cult-ish 1994 rock radio staple. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toadies "Possum Kingdom" Part 1 24.10.2025

1 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the Fort Worth alternative band's creepy, cult-ish 1994 rock radio staple. [WARNING: This episode contains historical depictions of gruesome and graphic violence. Listen discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chuck Mangione "Feels So Good" 10.10.2025

Theo tells the story of the Rochester flugelhorn player's super smooth 1977 jazz-pop crossover sensation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave "Baby" Cortez "The Happy Organ" 22.09.2025

Michael tells the story of the Detroit singer/songwriter/organist's 1958 instrumental chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geggy Tah "Whoever You Are" 05.09.2025

Theo tells the story of the California experimental rock duo's 1996 funky, feel-good driving song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing" (w/ Steve Sladkowski of PUP) 07.08.2025

Michael tells the story of the English band's 1978 breakout pub-rock hit. Steve Sladkowski, lead guitarist of PUP, joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spin Doctors "Two Princes" 24.07.2025

Theo tells the story of the jammy New York pop-rock band's inescapable 1991 smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discussion: Top Albums of 2025 So Far 08.07.2025

Michael and Theo try something new and discuss their respective five favorite albums of the year thus far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harvey Danger "Flagpole Sitta" Part 2 (w/ Matt Gudernatch) 21.06.2025

2 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the journalistic Seattle alternative rock band's snarky yet snappy 1997 smash. Actor, writer, and comedian Matt Gudernatch joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harvey Danger "Flagpole Sitta" Part 1 (w/ Matt Gudernatch) 13.06.2025

1 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the journalistic Seattle alternative rock band's snarky yet snappy 1997 smash. Actor, writer, and comedian Matt Gudernatch joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jill Sobule "I Kissed a Girl" 28.05.2025

Theo tells the story of the Denver singer-songwriter's witty, groundbreaking 1995 gay anthem Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimmy Dean "I.O.U." 08.05.2025

Michael tells the story of the Texas singer/songwriter, actor, TV host, and meat purveyor's 1976 sentimental spoken-word ode to moms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank & Moon Zappa "Valley Girl" (w/ Eliza Thorn) 24.04.2025

Theo tells the story of the LA-via-Baltimore musical iconoclast and his daughter's 1982 novelty hit that forever changed American vernacular. Nashville singer/songwriter Eliza Thorn joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nada Surf "Popular" (w/ Sofia Loporcaro) 01.04.2025

Michael tells the story of the New York City alternative rock band's 1996 sarcastic, spoken-word singalong. Podcaster and music journalist Sofia Loporcaro joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy" 14.03.2025

Theo tells the story of the Birmingham, England pop rock band's genre-defying 1989 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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