Michael Smith & Theo Beidler

You Wanted a Hit!

Music EN ↓ 110 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.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: ywahpod.com

Author

Michael Smith & Theo Beidler

Episodes

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.

Bobby 'Boris' Pickett "Monster Mash" 28.10.2022 1:10:17

Happy Halloween! Michael tells the story of the Massachusetts singer/actor/comedian's 1962 spooky smash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" (w/ Cory Graves of Vandoliers) 19.10.2022 1:17:56

Theo tells the story of the Swedish country novelty collective's 1994 country/Eurodance crossover sensation "Cotton Eye Joe." Vandoliers' Cory Graves joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vangelis "Chariots of Fire" 03.10.2022 58:49

Michael tells the story of the Greek composer's inspiring, epic instrumental 1981 chart-topper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcy Playground "Sex & Candy" (w/ Mariel Buckley) 02.09.2022 1:23:14

Theo tells the story of the Minneapolis/New York alternative rock band's 1997 perplexing downtempo smash "Sex & Candy." Mariel Buckley joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aqua "Barbie Girl" 19.08.2022 1:04:07

Michael tells the story of the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trace Adkins "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (w/ Jay Zawaski) 03.08.2022 1:12:11

Theo tells the story of the accident-prone Louisiana country singer's suggestive 2005 novelty song. Jay Zawaski joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wang Chung "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" 12.07.2022 53:34

Michael tells the story of the British new wave band's silly yet sticky 1986 hit "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Presidents of the United States of America "Lump" / "Peaches" 28.06.2022 1:00:53

Our first-ever two-sided episode! Theo tells the story of the Seattle post-grunge band's two cheeky 1995 hits "Lump" and "Peaches." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Los Del Rio "Macerena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (w/ Mary Beth Richardson of Banditos) 03.06.2022 1:13:51

Michael tells the story of the Spain flamenco duo's impossibly massive dance craze, remixed by Miami's Bayside Boys. Banditos' Mary Beth Richardson joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ying Yang Twins "Wait (The Whisper Song)" 12.05.2022 48:10

Theo tells the story of the Atlanta rap duo's salacious 2005 hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Collins "Sussudio" 22.04.2022 1:05:31

Michael tells the story of the iconic UK drummer/singer-songwriter's 1985 nonsensical pop smash "Sussudio." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Snow "Informer" (w/ DAVIE) 27.03.2022 1:03:58

Theo tells the story of the Irish-Canadian reggae rapper's 1992 surprise hit. DAVIE joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get" (w/ Stanley Sievers) 03.03.2022 1:21:11

Michael tells the story of the seminal Boston ska-core gang's inescapable 1997 hit. Stanley Sievers joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance" 02.02.2022 48:01

Theo tells the story of the brotherly Montreal new wave trio's 1982 dance hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gotye feat. Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" (w/ Hilary Saunders) 13.01.2022 1:25:08

Michael tells the story of the ubiquitous 2011 Kiwi-Australian folk-pop supernova. Hilary Saunders joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lou Monte "Dominick the Donkey" 18.12.2021 34:26

Theo tells the story of the New Jersey crooner's 1960 anthropomorphic Christmas classic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rammstein "Du Hast" 23.11.2021 55:13

Theo tells the story of the German exhibitionist industrial metal band's unlikely 1997 global hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 11.10.2021 51:33

Michael tells the story of the iconic Washington grunge band's unlikely global blockbuster hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" (w/ Drew Morgan) 21.09.2021 53:05

Michael tells the story of the high-minded Canadian folk-rock band's morose 1993 hit. Drew Morgan joins the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cherry Poppin' Daddies "Zoot Suit Riot" 03.09.2021 50:11

Theo tells the story of the unfortunately-named Oregon band's 1997 swing revival smash "Zoot Suit Riot" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.