Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

Slate Podcasts

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.

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219 episodes
Updated July 25

Episodes219

Newest first

Jul 27, 2018 · 1 hr 10 min
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?
Jul 13, 2018 · 54 min
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
Jun 29, 2018 · 1 hr
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
Jun 15, 2018 · 18 min
Music Trivia: The MTV and Alt-Rock Edition
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. Raphael Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 25, 2018 · 1 hr 3 min
The Twerking and Chatrouletting Edition
Even before the launch of MTV, the music video has been making pop songs buzzworthy.
May 11, 2018 · 19 min
Music Trivia: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Edition
Hit Parade, Slate’s music history podcast, is here to quiz you with some trivia.
Apr 27, 2018 · 1 hr 9 min
Hit Parade: 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.
Apr 20, 2018 · 10 min
Music Trivia: Welcome to Hit Parade—The Bridge
Welcome to The Bridge
Mar 29, 2018 · 1 hr 11 min
Hit Parade: 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.
Feb 23, 2018 · 1 hr 26 min
Hit Parade: The Def Jams Edition
Today, rap is ubiquitous on pop radio. But the genre’s first crossover hit required a little help from some out-of-favor rock stars. This month, how Run-DMC met Aerosmith, and provided career boosts to them, LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys.
Jan 26, 2018 · 1 hr 22 min
Hit Parade: The B-Sides Edition
Live from the Bell House, in Brooklyn New York, it’s a very special Hit Parade about B-sides that improbably became classics, or even No. 1 hits. Plus special guest Ted Leo!
Dec 28, 2017 · 51 min
Hit Parade: The Silver Medalists Edition
On the Billboard Hot 100, two is often the loneliest number. This month, Chris Molanphy profiles No. 2 songs that went on to become historic, from Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Go-Go’s and Kelly Clarkson.
Nov 24, 2017 · 1 hr 12 min
Hit Parade: The Queen of Disco Edition
Donna Summer set chart benchmarks and managed to stay relevant on the radio and in clubs for more than three decades. Why didn’t she get more respect from the rock establishment?
Oct 30, 2017 · 1 hr 10 min
Hit Parade: Le Petty Prince Edition
Tom Petty and Prince only played together once. But their careers paralleled each other for four decades.
Sep 29, 2017 · 1 hr 16 min
Hit Parade: The Great War Against the Single Edition
The story of how the recording industry made you shell out $18 for one good song in the ’90s.
Jul 28, 2017 · 1 hr 6 min
Hit Parade: The Charity Megasingle Edition
In the mid-1980s, big, loud, multicelebrity pop songs were briefly all over the charts and the radio. How’d that happen?
Jun 30, 2017 · 1 hr 9 min
Hit Parade: The Imperial Elton and George Edition
George Michael and Elton John were friends, collaborators, and for one week, chart rivals
May 26, 2017 · 49 min
Hit Parade: The Fab Four Sweep Edition
How a major label screw up helped The Beatles sweep the Billboard Top Five.
Apr 28, 2017 · 38 min
Hit Parade: Red, Red Wine Edition
How a rogue DJ took a flop to #1

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

The Feat. Don’t Fail Me Now Edition

The Deadbeat Club Edition, Part Two

The Deadbeat Club Edition, Part One

Music Trivia: The MTV and Alt-Rock Edition

The Twerking and Chatrouletting Edition

Music Trivia: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Edition

Hit Parade: The You Give Rock a Bad Name Edition

Music Trivia: Welcome to Hit Parade—The Bridge

Hit Parade: The Veronica Electronica Edition

Hit Parade: The Def Jams Edition

Hit Parade: The B-Sides Edition

Hit Parade: The Silver Medalists Edition

Hit Parade: The Queen of Disco Edition

Hit Parade: Le Petty Prince Edition

Hit Parade: The Great War Against the Single Edition

Hit Parade: The Charity Megasingle Edition

Hit Parade: The Imperial Elton and George Edition

Hit Parade: The Fab Four Sweep Edition

Hit Parade: Red, Red Wine Edition