Rephonic
Artwork for You Wanted a Hit!
Alternative Rock
Flagpole Sitta
Harvey Danger
Music Industry
Jill Sobule
I Kissed a Girl
Shawn Mullins
LGBTQ+ Representation
Lullaby
Macarthur Park
Cultural Impact
1990s Music
Tubular Bells
Barriers In Music
The 90s
Mike Oldfield
Columbia Records
Atlanta
Jazz
EMF

A discussion of unlikely, perplexing, and positively bizarre hit songs that swept the nation, and often the world. Have you ever heard a classic song and thought, "why on Earth was this popular?" Or "How did this even get played on the radio?" Well, we're here to answer these questions for you. Each episode we will explore the backstory, creation, and success of one unlikely smash hit. The catch? ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes102Founded5 years ago
Categories
Music HistoryMusicMusic Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for You Wanted a Hit!

Latest Episodes

Michael tells the story of the Alaska alternative rock band’s inescapable, politically subversive 2017 smash. Writer/podcaster/activist Spencer Dukoff joins the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theo tells the story of the Leeds synth-pop duo’s 1981 cover of the multiple-versioned Northern Soul tune. Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee joins the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael tells the story of the teenage Russian pop-rock duo’s controversial 2002 worldwide phenomenon, back in the pop-culture forefront due to its inclusion in the hit Canadian drama series Heated Rivalry. [WARNING: This episode contains accounts of... more

Theo tells the story of the jazz pianist and his band’s unlikely, ubiquitous Christmas classic and the TV special that it soundtracked.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Steve Sladkowski
Lead guitarist and vocalist for the band Pup
Pup
Episode: Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing" (w/ Steve Sladkowski of PUP)
Matt Gudernatch
Guest who discusses his experiences and insights
Author and comedian
Episode: Harvey Danger "Flagpole Sitta" Part 2 (w/ Matt Gudernatch)
Eliza Thorn
Singer-songwriter and guest on the podcast
Episode: Frank & Moon Zappa "Valley Girl" (w/ Eliza Thorn)
Sofia Loporcaro
Host of the podcast Before the Chorus, focusing on deep dive interviews with artists about their music.
Before the Chorus
Episode: Nada Surf "Popular" (w/ Sofia Loporcaro)
Deniece Williams
Grammy-winning R&B singer known for hits like 'Let's Hear It For The Boy' and 'Too Much, Too Little, Too Late.'
Episode: Deniece Williams "Let's Hear It for the Boy"
Gerardo Mejía
Ecuadorian-American singer and actor, known for the hit song 'Rico Suave.'
Interscope Records
Episode: Gerardo "Rico Suave"
Zach Schmidt
Member of the band Golden Everything
Golden Everything
Episode: Shawn Mullins "Lullaby" (w/ Golden Everything)
Jackie Berkeley
Member of the band Golden Everything
Golden Everything
Episode: Shawn Mullins "Lullaby" (w/ Golden Everything)

Hosts

Michael Smith
Cohost of You Wanted a Hit, with a penchant for deep dives and witty storytelling.
Theo Beidler
Cohost of You Wanted a Hit, known for engaging analysis and pop culture insights.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 62 ratings
  • This podcast is a really interesting deep dive into the history of one hit song per episode. It's great for music history, but unfortunately, the format is "two buddies talk" in an unscripted and unedited way. The result is too long, a little bit dumb, and very draggy.

    Podchaser
    3
    Sarah B
    a year ago
  • Always a hoot!

    Always well researched and presented - it’s all the stuff you never thought you needed to know about songs that are somehow in the cultural memory, but also somehow weird. Seriously, you don’t neeed to know all this, but this show repeatedly proves that real (show biz) life has the best stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    moishelichtfuss
    Germanya year ago
  • Excellent Podcast

    Love the presenters and all the guests have been great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sir Pick 'N' Mix-A-Lot
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The best podcast!

    I’ve had more drive time in my schedule recently and I’ve been listening to more YWAH. As a disclaimer, I am a good friend of the makers of this show. But, they are so good!! I listen not only because I’m a music fan, but I feel like I’m in the conversation with the hosts. It feels like old friends having beers and talking about music in the hallowed halls of an old pub, or a dilapidated bar after a great night out. I love the details, I love the backstories, and it feels like a natural extensio... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shiv1600
    United States3 years ago
  • Straight Bangerz

    I found this podcast when my friend Alex was a guest on it recently and I’ve never been more excited to discover a podcast, it’s my dream theme. I love the commentary and the deep dives on the artists themselves. Hilarious, often heartwarming, and definitely makes you watch a lot of really ridiculous old music videos. Being around the same age as the hosts makes for a lot of great nostalgic references. I’m wracking my brain now for suggestions!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alexagk
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the chemistry between hosts and the nostalgia-driven yet informative angles.
Guests and topics are seen as engaging, credible, and entertaining for music nerds and casual fans alike.
Overall, the show is praised for research, banter, and storytelling, with high regard for in-depth backstories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender SkewLocationInterests
ProfessionsAge RangeHousehold Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About You Wanted a Hit!

What is You Wanted a Hit! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A show that unpacks unlikely smash hits by digging into their backstories, creation, and cultural ride. Each episode centers on a single song, with a focus on how and why it became a nationwide (often surprising) phenomenon, textured by deep-dive storytelling, pop culture context, and humorous banter between two music-obsessed hosts. The format blends music history, culture, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, making it valuable for listeners who love curious legends, production trivia, and the era-spanning impact of popular songs. A standout trait is the dynamic chemistry between the hosts, plus guests who bring fresh perspectives on tracks that seem unlikely to endure, which can be especially appealing for marketing and sponsorship opportuni... more

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Which podcasts are similar to You Wanted a Hit!?

These podcasts share a similar audience with You Wanted a Hit!:

1. Radiolab
2. No Such Thing As A Fish
3. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
4. The Daily
5. Criminal

How many episodes of You Wanted a Hit! are there?

You Wanted a Hit! launched 5 years ago and published 102 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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What guests have appeared on You Wanted a Hit!?

Recent guests on You Wanted a Hit! include:

1. Steve Sladkowski
2. Matt Gudernatch
3. Eliza Thorn
4. Sofia Loporcaro
5. Deniece Williams
6. Gerardo Mejía
7. Zach Schmidt
8. Jackie Berkeley

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.

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