Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
Slate PodcastsWhat 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 | 255 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Music | |||
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Latest Episodes
When an actor opens their mouth to sing in a movie, chances are high that the voice you hear will be their own. Even in music biopics, movie stars without much singing experience regularly go to great lengths to impersonate the most beloved vocalists... more
In the 1960s, the Beatles were defined by the success of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership. But in the digital era, we discovered that the Fab Four’s most popular song wasn’t written by John or Paul. In fact, it had never been a chart hit—... more
Céline Dion is set to emerge from her career dormancy into a sold-out Paris residency—a triumph over a rare neurological illness that, until recently, prevented her from singing. Her silence seemed unimaginable. Only a few decades ago, a precocious D... more
Jay-Z recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut Reasonable Doubt with a three-night residency at Yankee Stadium featuring superstar guests like Pharrell, Nas, Alicia Keys and, of course, Beyoncé. The marathon event was a tribute to one of... more
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- The Harrissong episode
I listen to about 3 hours of podcasts a day for the past 10 years. I rarely miss Hit Parade and I rarely rate or write reviews. This normally outstanding podcast hit the zenith of podcasting with this episode. As other reviewers noted Chris is unpretentious and a bit of a nerd. With tis episode he is also enthusiastic and heartfelt without letting those feelings get in the way of awesome research and factoids. (small but fun facts). Thank you.
Apple Podcasts5Philippides1
United States15 days ago - Outstanding
Chris, you do tremendous work on the podcast. Listen to most every episode. My eyes lit up seeing the latest on George Harrison’s here comes the Sun, one of my all-time favorite songs! Keep up the good work! Brian from Jersey
Apple Podcasts5Magastrid99United States17 days ago - Racist. Unsubscribed after almost a decade.
Calling an artist a “windbag” for being against apartheid and hate crimes is disgusting. This was my all time favorite podcast. Unsubbed.
Apple Podcasts1melodie-cUnited States2 months ago - I love this pod
It’s 99% perfect because The Flame by Cheap Tricks wasn’t mentioned in the ballad episode. 😜
Apple Podcasts5Marilyse Hamelin
Canada3 months ago - If you love music - listen
Hit Parade is my favorite podcast. I listened to it initially when on longer drives. I end up listening to many of the artists featured between podcasts. Its reintroduced me to forgotten favorites and its interesting plus ive discovered new artistS. I still cant get over the fact CCR never had a number 1 - that early episode was a good one - “Why has this band never had a number 1 hit.” Thanks Chris!
Apple Podcasts5Phonics NonnaCanada3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #27 | United States/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #20 | Canada/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #79 |  United Kingdom/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #17 |  Australia/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #5 |  Singapore/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #11 |  New Zealand/Music |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hit Parade
What is Hit Parade about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A data-driven deep dive into music history, chart dynamics, and cultural moments, blending storytelling with trivia, song clips, and archival context. Episodes commonly unpack how artists, producers, and industry shifts intersected with Billboard and radio-era storytelling, revealing why certain tracks or genres became enduring touchstones and how chart rules and technology shaped longevity. Noteworthy strengths include rigorous research, clear narrative voice, and a knack for connecting behind-the-scenes decisions to lasting cultural impact. The show often highlights cross-genre confusions, pivotal collaborations, and the enduring appeal of countdown culture, making it especially compelling for listeners who love music history, data-driven... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Hit Parade?
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How many listeners does Hit Parade get?
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What are the audience demographics for Hit Parade?
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How many subscribers and views does Hit Parade have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Hit Parade has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Hit Parade?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Hit Parade:
1. Switched on Pop
2. One Song
3. 60 Songs That Explain the '90s
4. Decoder Ring
5. Song Exploder
How many episodes of Hit Parade are there?
Hit Parade launched 9 years ago and published 255 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Hit Parade?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hit Parade?
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What guests have appeared on Hit Parade?
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
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.