Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia podcast

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

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.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

 

#205

Starman to Blackstar Edition Part 1

Chameleon: That’s long been the word used to describe David Bowie, pop music’s shapeshifti... more

17 Jan 2026

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:32

17 Jan 2026


#204

The Bridge: Slate’s Music Club 2025

The Slate Music Club returns, in this special year-end edition of Hit Parade’s The Bridge!... more

26 Dec 2025

40 MINS

40:14

26 Dec 2025


#203

Hooked to the Silver Screen Edition Part 2

If you need confirmation of Hollywood’s vast influence on mass culture, look no further th... more

26 Dec 2025

52 MINS

52:49

26 Dec 2025


#202

Hooked to the Silver Screen Edition Part 1

If you need confirmation of Hollywood’s vast influence on mass culture, look no further th... more

12 Dec 2025

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:18

12 Dec 2025


#201

Pour Some Sugar on Me Edition Part 2

When you hear the term “superproducer,” names like George Martin, Quincy Jones, Max Martin... more

28 Nov 2025

53 MINS

53:20

28 Nov 2025


#200

Pour Some Sugar on Me Edition Part 1

When you hear the term “superproducer,” names like George Martin, Quincy Jones, Max Martin... more

15 Nov 2025

59 MINS

59:40

15 Nov 2025


#199

The Slate Culture Gift Guide

Hark, the holiday season is upon us—and with it, the most solemn of festive traditions: a ... more

12 Nov 2025

48 MINS

48:12

12 Nov 2025


#198

If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breat... more

31 Oct 2025

52 MINS

52:01

31 Oct 2025


#197

If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 1

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breat... more

18 Oct 2025

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:57

18 Oct 2025


#196

Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 2

In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s—and there are No. 1 debuts. E... more

26 Sep 2025

51 MINS

51:37

26 Sep 2025


#195

Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 1

In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s—and there are No. 1 debuts. E... more

13 Sep 2025

51 MINS

51:28

13 Sep 2025


#194

The White and Nerdy Edition Part 2

Sped-up voices. Wacky instruments. Songs about cavemen, bathtubs, bikinis, and mothers-in-... more

29 Aug 2025

43 MINS

43:04

29 Aug 2025


#193

The White and Nerdy Edition Part 1

Sped-up voices. Wacky instruments. Songs about cavemen, bathtubs, bikinis, and mothers-in-... more

15 Aug 2025

46 MINS

46:14

15 Aug 2025


#192

Here's The Beef Edition Part 2

When Kendrick Lamar took the Super Bowl halftime stage in 2025 and had the stadium chantin... more

25 Jul 2025

59 MINS

59:45

25 Jul 2025


#191

Here’s the Beef Edition Part 1

When Kendrick Lamar took the Super Bowl halftime stage in 2025 and had the stadium chantin... more

18 Jul 2025

54 MINS

54:31

18 Jul 2025


#190

Mighty Real Edition Part 2

Little Richard was rock ‘n’ roll’s flamboyant architect. Lesley Gore sang that no one owne... more

27 Jun 2025

59 MINS

59:10

27 Jun 2025


#189

Mighty Real Edition Part 1

Little Richard was rock ‘n’ roll’s flamboyant architect. Lesley Gore sang that no one owne... more

13 Jun 2025

56 MINS

56:52

13 Jun 2025


#188

All Apologies Edition Part 2

The story of Nevermind, Nirvana’s genre-defining breakthrough, is a familiar one. Less wel... more

30 May 2025

57 MINS

57:05

30 May 2025


#187

All Apologies Edition Part 1

The story of Nevermind, Nirvana’s genre-defining breakthrough, is a familiar one. Less wel... more

17 May 2025

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:09

17 May 2025


#186

Only Girl in the World Edition Part 2

It’s been nearly a decade since Rihanna released a studio album—and fans and critics alike... more

25 Apr 2025

51 MINS

51:44

25 Apr 2025


#185

Only Girl in the World Edition Part 1

It’s been nearly a decade since Rihanna released a studio album—and fans and critics alike... more

11 Apr 2025

53 MINS

53:49

11 Apr 2025


#184

Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 2

When you think of music in the 1960s, some groundbreaking artists probably come to mind: B... more

28 Mar 2025

54 MINS

54:32

28 Mar 2025


#183

Singing Nuns and Green Tambourines Edition Part 1

When you think of music in the 1960s, some groundbreaking artists probably come to mind: B... more

14 Mar 2025

47 MINS

47:33

14 Mar 2025


#182

Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 2

In the late 1980s, the English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys dominated the U.K. pop charts a... more

28 Feb 2025

40 MINS

40:18

28 Feb 2025


#181

Material Girl in an Imperial World Edition Part 1

In the late 1980s, the English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys dominated the U.K. pop charts a... more

14 Feb 2025

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:22

14 Feb 2025