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

Episodes

Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie) 22.11.2023 1:00:00

Theo tells the story of the wry American folk prince's long-winded 1967 talking-blues Thanksgiving classic. Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Non Blondes "What's Up?" 15.11.2023 1:09:02

Theo tells the story of the San Francisco queer, feminist rock band's synonymous 1993 singalong smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" (w/ Jason Hawk Harris) 30.10.2023 1:24:00

Michael tells the story of the New York rock band's unexpectedly complex 2000 alternative anthem. Jason Hawk Harris joins the conversation. [WARNING: Contains descriptions of gruesome violence; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning" 20.10.2023 1:15:39

Michael tells the story of the Sydney post-punk band's electrifying, uniquely Australian 1987 social justice anthem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DJ Casper "Cha-Cha Slide" (or "Casper Slide Part 2") 05.10.2023 48:33

Theo tells the story of the Chicago house DJ's 2000 instructional line dance phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" (w/ Georgia Mooney) 14.09.2023 1:19:06

Michael tells the story of the Australian singer/songwriter/actor/model's fateful, circuitous 1997 global pop megahit. Georgia Mooney joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Darkness "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" 31.08.2023 1:00:58

Michael tells the story of the English glam rock revival band's 2003 flashy, falsettoed smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joan Osborne "One of Us" (w/ Franny Thomas) 18.08.2023 1:04:54

Theo tells the story of the New-York-City-by-way-of-Kentucky singer/songwriter's 1995 contemplative, existential radio staple. Franny Thomas joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 2 (w/ Dave Holmes) 04.08.2023 1:08:34

2 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the improbable 1999 sensation by San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. Dave Holmes joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 1 (w/ Dave Holmes) 31.07.2023 41:45

1 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the improbable 1999 sensation by San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. Dave Holmes joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-Hit: Aqua "Barbie Girl" 21.07.2023 1:13:36

In time for the 'Barbie' movie release, we are revisiting our 2022 episode about the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl," with a new addendum about the song's involvement in the film's soundtrack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" 12.07.2023 37:49

Theo tells the story of the British-American soft rock jack-of-all-trades' clever, breezy 1979 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot" 01.07.2023 1:09:13

Michael tells the story of the New York City musical chameleon's 1987 calypso crossover smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fastball "The Way" (w/ Josh Terry) 16.06.2023 1:09:14

Theo tells the story of Austin, Texas alternative rock band Fastball's peculiar and tragic 1998 hit "The Way." Music journalist Josh Terry joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pinkfong "Baby Shark" 01.06.2023 1:03:01

Michael tells the story of the South Korean educational corporation mascot's American folk-song-turned-digital-age-kids-music phenomenon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" 09.05.2023 1:24:49

Theo tells the story of the Australian film director's 1999 inspirational spoken-word, slow-burn hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" [DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix] 21.04.2023 1:15:09

Michael tells the story of the Italian Eurodance trio's hypnotically goofy 1998 global smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!" 08.04.2023 52:03

Theo tells the story of the eccentric American singer/songwriter, musician, composer, and producer Jerry Samuels a.k.a. Napoleon XIV's offbeat 1966 hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weezer "Buddy Holly" (w/ Amr Kotb) 17.03.2023 1:08:28

Michael tells the story of the enigmatic Los Angeles alternative rock band's iconic 1994 breakout hit. Amr Kotb joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taco "Puttin' on the Ritz" 27.02.2023 1:08:28

Theo tells the story of the Indonesian-Dutch singer's 1982 version of Irving Berlin's complicated 1927 song. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Knack "My Sharona" 10.02.2023 1:04:47

Theo tells the story of the LA power pop band's low-brow 1979 phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzanne Vega & DNA "Tom's Diner" 19.01.2023 1:05:09

Michael tells the story of the unlikely 1990 "collaboration" between New York folk-rocker Suzanne Vega and British production duo DNA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?" 22.12.2022 55:07

Theo tells the story of the star-studded UK pop supergroup's 1984 holiday charity smash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Devo "Whip It" (w/ Alex Goldman) 14.12.2022 1:02:57

Michael tells the story of the Ohio new wave/post-punk pioneers' deceptively layered 1980 hit. Alex Goldman joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" 14.11.2022 57:48

Theo tells the story of the Scottish twin brothers' 1987 (and 1993) folk-punk pub rock phenomenon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.