What makes a song a smash? Talent? Luck? Timing? All that—and more. Chris Molanphy, pop-chart analyst and author of Slate’s “Why Is This Song No. 1?” series, tells tales from a half-century of chart history. Through storytelling, trivia and song snippets, Chris dissects how that song you love—or hate—dominated the airwaves, made its way to the top of the charts and shaped your memories forever.
https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 6 days 52 minutes
Madonna: The Veronica Electronica Edition (Encore)
In 1998, at a crossroads, Madonna rebooted her career by fusing electronics with matters of the heart—and turned digital music into viable pop.
The Feat. Don’t Fail Me Now Edition
The featured-artist credit has gone from a rare anomaly to a staple of the charts. How did guest rappers change the way supporting performers are credited across popular music?
The Deadbeat Club Edition, Part Two
How the two leading bands from Athens, Georgia transformed themselves from college-rockers in the ’80s to hitmakers by the ’90s
The Deadbeat Club Edition, Part One
The story of how two very different bands came to define the boundaries of New Wave rock from the college town of Athens, Georgia
Hit Parade's The Bridge tackles the heyday of MTV, and some alt-rock music trivia.
The Bridge is back, and this time it's tackling some music trivia about the heyday of MTV, and some alt-rock favorites. Play along at home and quiz yourself by listening to The Bridge. If you’d like to be a contestant on an upcoming show, sign up for a Slate Plus membership, and then enter as a contestant here. You can also enter if you’re already a Slate Plus member. Want your question featured in an upcoming show? Email hitparade@slate.com. Podcast production by T. J...
The Twerking and Chatrouletting Edition
Even before the launch of MTV, the music video has been making pop songs buzzworthy.
Music Trivia: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Edition
Hit Parade, Slate’s music history podcast, is here to quiz you with some trivia.
The You Give Rock a Bad Name Edition
Over the objections of critics, Bon Jovi entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this month. What is the band’s legacy? Like it or not, they do have one.
The Veronica Electronica Edition
In 1998, at a crossroads, Madonna rebooted her career by fusing electronics with matters of the heart—and turned digital music into viable pop.