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

Nov 12, 2025 · 48 min
The Slate Culture Gift Guide
Hark! A holiday gift guide from Slate’s culture cadre.
Oct 31, 2025 · 51 min
If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2
From the schoolroom to sophisti-pop, Sting’s genre-bending career is packed with hits.
Oct 18, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 1
From the schoolroom to sophisti-pop, Sting’s genre-bending career is packed with hits.
Sep 26, 2025 · 51 min
Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 2
The odd alchemy that sends a brand-new song to the top of the charts.
Sep 13, 2025 · 51 min
Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 1
The odd alchemy that sends a brand-new song to the top of the charts.
Aug 29, 2025 · 43 min
The White and Nerdy Edition Part 2
Novelty songs were a tough way to make a music career. Until one self-proclaimed Weird guy turned parodies into pop classics.
Aug 15, 2025 · 46 min
The White and Nerdy Edition Part 1
Novelty songs were a tough way to make a music career. Until one self-proclaimed Weird guy turned parodies into pop classics.
Jul 25, 2025 · 59 min
Here's The Beef Edition Part 2
The Kendrick-Drake feud made it all the way to the Super Bowl, but pop star beefs go back to the earliest days of wax.
Jul 18, 2025 · 54 min
Here’s the Beef Edition Part 1
The Kendrick-Drake feud made it all the way to the Super Bowl, but pop star beefs go back to the earliest days of wax.
Jun 27, 2025 · 59 min
Mighty Real Edition Part 2
From Little Richard to Chappell Roan, queer artists have always been vanguards of pop, even when they have not been out.
Jun 13, 2025 · 56 min
Mighty Real Edition Part 1
From Little Richard to Chappell Roan, queer artists have always been vanguards of pop, even when they have not been out.
May 30, 2025 · 57 min
All Apologies Edition Part 2
Nirvana and grunge pulled alternative rock from the left of the dial to the center of the charts.
May 17, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
All Apologies Edition Part 1
Nirvana and grunge pulled alternative rock from the left of the dial to the center of the charts.
Apr 25, 2025 · 51 min
Only Girl in the World Edition Part 2
Rihanna was the most prolific 21st century chart-topper before bowing out of the game.
Apr 11, 2025 · 53 min
Only Girl in the World Edition Part 1
Rihanna was the most prolific 21st century chart-topper before bowing out of the game.
Mar 28, 2025 · 54 min
Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 2
The 1960s will always be associated with counterculture and the Summer of Love, but the decade’s pop charts were full of novelty, schlock and bubblegum.
Mar 14, 2025 · 47 min
Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 1
The 1960s will always be associated with counterculture and the Summer of Love, but the decade’s pop charts were full of novelty, schlock and bubblegum.
Feb 28, 2025 · 40 min
Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 2
Pet Shop Boys coined the term “imperial phase” to describe a pop star’s untouchable era. In the ’80s, Madonna lived it.
Feb 14, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 1
Pet Shop Boys coined the term “imperial phase” to describe a pop star’s untouchable era. In the ’80s, Madonna lived it.
Jan 31, 2025 · 56 min
The Freewheelin’ Edition Part 2
A Complete Unknown depicts Bob Dylan’s ’60s cultural explosion—but all his chart-topping albums came decades later.

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

The Slate Culture Gift Guide

If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2

If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 1

Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 2

Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 1

The White and Nerdy Edition Part 2

The White and Nerdy Edition Part 1

Here's The Beef Edition Part 2

Here’s the Beef Edition Part 1

Mighty Real Edition Part 2

Mighty Real Edition Part 1

All Apologies Edition Part 2

All Apologies Edition Part 1

Only Girl in the World Edition Part 2

Only Girl in the World Edition Part 1

Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 2

Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 1

Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 2

Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 1

The Freewheelin’ Edition Part 2