
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. Ge... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 245 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Music | |||

Hit Parade is on a brief break, but if you need a daily dose of fascinating stories, check out History Daily. Host Lindsay Graham (the history guy! not the senator!) explores what happened "on this day in history," with a broad mix of politics, sport... more
Donna Summer was a hit-maker for two decades and a dance floor deity for more than three. Her collaborations with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte were formative in dance, electronic, and rock music, influencing everyone from David Bowie and Blondie... more
Donna Summer was a hit-maker for two decades and a dance floor deity for more than three. Her collaborations with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte were formative in dance, electronic, and rock music, influencing everyone from David Bowie and Blondie... more
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... more
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It’s the earnest fandom, the sincere nerdery, and utter lack of pretentiousness that does it for me. This is one of my “refuge” podcasts where I can escape from the news for a little bit. Like hanging out at a friend’s house listening to records and reading the liner notes. It’s very comforting.
Such a good podcast. Amazingly researched, well-written, and calmly delivered. I have been a fan of top 40 countdowns since my childhood in the 90s, and I still enjoy following pop music. I really appreciate Chris’s scholarly take on countdowns and music history, and each episode is fascinating. Even episodes that feature genres that aren’t my favorites are great. I especially enjoyed the Point of No Return episode for a deep dive into Freestyle music. The 100th episode made me get choked up. It... more
If you like music, listen to this podcast! Chris Molanphy explores genres, moments in time, and specific artists all through the lens of the billboard charts. It’s brilliant. You’ll hear bits of songs you remember, songs you’ve forgotten, and songs you’ve never heard before. I love listening to them all, even artists I don’t like or know much about; he looks at their influences, their contemporaries, what they were competing against on the charts and I always learn something or find a song to ad... more
Chris. (Insert applause). Sitting on the bus fighting back tears. Your telling of the inimitable history of on of the most remarkable artists to ever walk the earth is nothing short of phenomenal. Any person who does not know about David Bowie and his interstellar career should start here. Thank you.
Amazing pod, thank you so much for this engaging, fun, informative way for my to while away the hours.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #245 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #231 | |
Apple Podcasts | #88 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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The content centers on the historical and analytical journey through popular music and its chart performance over the decades. Noteworthy topics include in-depth explorations of influential artists like David Bowie, John Denver, and Remastering familiar hits, along with themes of music production, soundtrack history, and the evolution of genres, like the crossover of pop and country. The podcast often blends storytelling with trivia, offering unique insights into how music has shaped societal moments and collective memories. A distinctive element is the use of music snippets that enhance the narrative, making it an engaging and educational experience for music enthusiasts.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Hit Parade:
1. Switched on Pop
2. Culture Gabfest
3. One Song
4. Song Exploder
5. Decoder Ring
Hit Parade launched 9 years ago and published 245 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Hit Parade include:
1. Christian John Wykane
2. Giovanni Giorgio Moroder
3. Brian Eno
4. Julianne Escobedo Shepherd
5. Lindsay Zoladz
6. Norah Jones
7. Dan Charnas
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