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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. Want more Hit Parade? Join Slate Plus to unlock monthly early-access episodes. Plus, you’ll get ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hello, Gorgeous Edition Part 1

10 February 2024
01:04:42

Insert Lyrics Here Edition Part 1

16 September 2023
01:02:26

Hits of the Year Edition Part 2

30 December 2022
01:37:44

Angry Young Men Edition Part 1

19 November 2022
01:12:03

Still Billy Joel to Me Part 1

12 August 2022
01:01:52

Point of No Return Part 1

16 July 2022
01:03:33

I Got Five on It Part 2

29 April 2022
58:59

I Got Five on It Part 1

16 April 2022
54:49

Killing Me Softly Part 2

01 April 2022
01:02:30

Killing Me Softly Part 1

26 March 2022
01:19:44

We Invented the Remix Part 2

25 February 2022
01:06:24

We Invented the Remix Part 1

19 February 2022
01:09:28

Rock ’n Soul, Part 2

28 January 2022
01:02:03

Rock ’n Soul, Part 1

15 January 2022
01:01:17

One Year: Hey Macarena!

11 January 2022
58:23

Chestnut Roasters, Part 2

31 December 2021
52:16

Chestnut Roasters, Part 1

18 December 2021
01:07:44

Spirit of ’71, Part 2

24 September 2021
01:05:25

Spirit of ’71, Part 1

10 September 2021
01:14:05

What a Fool Believes, Part 1

13 August 2021
01:00:00

Tramps Like Us, Part 2

30 July 2021
01:14:19

Tramps Like Us, Part 1

17 July 2021
01:15:46

The AC/DC Rule, Part 2

26 February 2021
01:18:13

The AC/DC Rule, Part 1

13 February 2021
46:44

Friends in Low Places, Part 1

16 November 2020
01:20:40

One and Done, Part 2

02 October 2020
52:36

One and Done, Part 1

18 September 2020
52:14

La Vida Loca Edición

31 March 2020
01:38:26

I'm Your Whitney Tonight Edition

28 February 2020
01:30:44

The White and Nerdy Edition

31 January 2020
01:28:20

Make My Wish Come True Edition

23 December 2019
01:14:57

Lost and Lonely Edition

31 October 2019
01:26:02

State of the World Edition

27 September 2019
01:15:40

Without The Beatles

26 July 2019
01:11:52

The Bad Moon on the Rise Edition

28 February 2019
01:03:20

The Gaga is Born Edition

25 January 2019
01:09:09

The Give Me a Sign Edition

30 November 2018
01:14:45

The Oh. My. God. Becky Edition

26 October 2018
01:24:20

The Nights on Broadway Edition

28 September 2018
01:31:42

Hit Parade: The Def Jams Edition

23 February 2018
01:28:55