 |
Hit Parade | Music History and Music TriviaHow That Song Became #1 Author: Slate Podcasts
What makes a song a smash? Talent? Luck? Timing? All thatand more. Chris Molanphy, pop-chart analyst and author of Slates 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 loveor hatedominated 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. Language: en Genres: Music, Music Commentary, Music History Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Feet on the Ground, Reaching for the Stars Edition Part 2
Friday, 27 March, 2026
The 100th episode of Hit Parade has put host Chris Molanphy in a reflective mood. So in Part 2, he unfurls the story of the late, great American Top 40 host Casey Kasem—a perennial inspiration for this podcast and the chart king that Chris calls “the original poptimist.” Enjoy this long-distance dedication, as Chris pays tribute to a radio hero with a preternatural understanding of the power of pop to unify.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.This episode will be available for free on March 27, 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
