You Wanted a Hit!

In light of David Johansen's passing earlier this week, we are revisiting our 2023 episode about his alter-ego's 1987 calypso crossover smash “Hot Hot Hot.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Indiana singer's 1984 last-minute soundtrack smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the Irish actor's 1967 epic pop crooner turn that started a cultural domino effect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Ecuadorian rapper's 1990 alter-ego bilingual blockbuster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the Ohio new wave band's distinctively cool 1981 Christmas classic, with a bonus dive into Kurtis Blow's 1979 holiday hip hop hit "Christmas Rappin'." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the English alternative rock band's classic, chaotic 1991 chart-topper. Virginia rock band Illiterate Light joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the groundbreaking New York City vocalist/composer/improviser's 1988 a cappella chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Georgia singer-songwriter's mysteriously specific 1998 semi-spoken-word smash. Nashville folk duo Golden Everything joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the British musician's epic, genre-spanning 1973 opus that went on to become part of horror film history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the Bay Area pop rock band's 1983 funky heartbreak hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the California Christian adult contemporary singer's 1997 crossover ballad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the American pop-rock duo's short-but-sweet 1995 TV-theme smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Washington, DC singing group's 1976 epochal, deceptively low-brow chart-topper. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the California prog proto-metal band's epic 1968 sleeper hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the Massachusetts boy band's head-scratching, pop-culture-referencing 1999 rap-pop surprise hit. Novelist Liz Riggs joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Orange County singer's 2011 polarizing, perhaps misunderstood, viral phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the quirky Brooklyn-via-Massachusetts cult alt-rock band's 2000 ska-inflected, Grammy-winning TV theme song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the UK big beat DJ and producer's sample-heavy, star-making 1998 smash. Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Double episode! Theo tells the stories of the coincidentally(?) competing 1993 hip-hop hits. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Georgia country superstar's 1993 slangy summertime calling card Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of Queens folk singer-songwriter Melanie's whimsically controversial 1971 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Toronto slacker rap-rock band's 1999 disco-sampling hangover hymn. Courtney E. Smith joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter's 1981 movie star name-dropping synth-rock chart-topper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the New Zealand Pasifika group's distinctive 1995 global triumph. Husbands frontman Danny Davis joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the Irish/English Celtic folk-punk band's legendary Christmas classic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.