Hit Parade

What makes a song a smash? Talent? Luck? Timing? All that—and more.

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About the Show

Chris Molanphy, a 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.

Host

  • Chris Molanphy is a feature writer and critic who writes widely about music and the pop charts.

The Bridge: Ladies of the Canyon and the Rhythm Nation

How a couple of major hit-makers fulfilled their chart destinies from the ’60s to the ’90s.

We Are Stardust, We Are Gold-Certified Edition

Sure, Woodstock was a legendary festival—but it also turned several performers into chart-topping stars.

The Bridge: Nostalgic for No. 1s

How soon is too soon to mine pop’s past for a new hit?

Without the Beatles Edition

Only three Lennon-McCartney songs not by the Beatles topped the Hot 100. And they’re all strange.

The Bridge: Farewell, Lilith Fan

A new female-focused concert series could include alt-rockers like Alanis Morisette and rising hip-hop stars like Lizzo.

Hit Parade: The Lullaby of Broadway Edition

Music from Broadway used to top the charts before rock and rap made the musical old hat—but show tunes are making a comeback.

The Bridge: The Give My Regards Edition

Slate’s music history podcast is here to quiz you with some Broadway trivia.

Hit Parade: The Invisible Miracle Sledgehammer Edition

Meet chart overachievers Genesis: ’70s prog rockers turned ’80s pop juggernaut, spinning off multiple careers, countless hits, and thundering drums.

The Bridge: The Monster Drums Edition

Slate’s music history podcast is here to quiz you with some trivia.

Hit Parade: The Posthumous Hits Edition, Live From Seattle

Dearly beloved, we gather on the charts to get through this thing called life … and death. Live from MoPOP in Seattle, Hit Parade tells the stories of some of the biggest chart toppers from beyond the grave.

Hit Parade: The Everybody Say YEAH! Edition

Stevie Wonder’s legendary songbook started when he was a young man. How a semi-improvised live recording became his first, and least likely, No. 1 hit.

The Bridge: Cover Queens and the Boy Wonder

Slate’s music history podcast is here to quiz you on cover songs, and Stevie Wonder.

Hit Parade: The Bad Moon on the Rise Edition

Creedence Clearwater Revival was an eternal chart bridesmaid—with a record number of No. 2s—and the No. 1s holding them back weren’t all classics.

The Bridge: R. Kelly and Music’s #MeToo Reckoning

In this mini episode of Slate’s music history podcast, a conversation about the accusations facing R. Kelly.

Hit Parade: The Gaga Is Born Edition

Lady Gaga may be about to pivot from Grammy winner to Oscar winner. How did A Star Is Born both reflect and reboot her decadelong career?

Music Trivia: Grammys and Gaga Edition

Slate’s music-history podcast is here to quiz you on one of music’s biggest divas.

Hit Parade: The Christmas Is All Around Edition

The annual derby for U.K. Christmas No. 1 is the world’s most hotly contested pop-chart contest. But can the competition survive in the streaming age?

Music Trivia: The Christmas Music Edition

Slate’s music-history podcast is here to quiz you on holiday hits.

Hit Parade: The Give Me a Sign Edition

How an introverted Swedish producer and a showbiz kid from Louisiana made the late 1990s’ most influential No. 1 hit.

Music Trivia: The ’90s Pop Edition

From Ace of Base to Britney Spears, Slate’s music history podcast is here to quiz you on pop icons.