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.

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.

 

#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

46 MINS

46:30

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

49 MINS

49:40

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

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:11

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

57 MINS

57:58

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

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:36

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

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:19

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

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:32

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 05 MINS

1:05:36

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

55 MINS

55:10

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

57 MINS

57:15

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

57 MINS

57:58

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

50 MINS

50:59

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

43 MINS

43:45

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 04 MINS

1:04:19

14 Feb 2025