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.

Tramps Like Us Edition

Bruce Springsteen went from “new Dylan” to pop pinup when he learned to keep the catchy songs for himself.

The Bridge: Beats, Rhymes and Life

Chris Molanphy and Oliver Wang discuss the evolution of singing in rap.

Say My Name, Say My Name Edition

Rappers are singing and singers are rapping. When did these styles merge?

The Bridge: Hip-Hop, Hit Pop

Chris Molanphy and Amy Coddington give Milli Vanilli props as himbo forefathers of rap and pop cross-pollination.

Blame It on the Feign Edition

Deceitful as they were, Milli Vanill’s blend of rap and dance-pop topped the charts and made a lasting impression.

The Bridge: You Said You Needed “Space”—WHAT?!

Chris Molanphy and Brittany Spanos discuss Taylor Swift’s enduring appeal for fans of all ages.

Taylor’s Version of Country Edition

At the turn of the ’10s, Taylor Swift pulled off a masterful country-to-pop crossover, ruling two genres at once.

The Bridge: Tuesday Night Trivia Club

Chris Molanphy hosts a remote pop quiz about pop, exclusively for Slate Plus members.

Don’t Know Much About History Edition

Sam Cooke was a hit-maker, soul pioneer, label boss … and a social activist, well before that One Night in Miami.

The Bridge: Another Saturday Night in Miami

Chris Molanphy talks to Slate’s own Jack Hamilton about misunderstood soul legend Sam Cooke.

The AC/DC Rule Edition

From Back in Black to Born This Way, follow-up albums often do better on the charts than more-loved classics.

The Bridge: Sampler’s Delight

Chris Molanphy talks to hip-hop journalist Mosi Reeves about Chic, the Sugarhill Gang, and disco and rap’s parallel histories.

These Are the Good Times Edition

How the sleek disco group Chic spawned hip-hop and new wave and shaped acts from Diana Ross to Duran Duran.

The Bridge: Radio-Friendly Unit Shifters

Chris Molanphy talks to veteran Billboard analyst Geoff Mayfield about the Billboard charts in the early SoundScan era.

Smells Like Christmas Spirit Edition

How Christmas brought about Nirvana’s chart victory over Michael Jackson—and invented a holiday sales strategy.

The Bridge: Ropin’ the Charts

Chris Molanphy talks to Billboard’s Melinda Newman, frequent Garth Brooks interviewer, about the country king’s career.

Friends in Low Places Edition

How Garth Brooks became the biggest-selling musician of the ’90s, making pop fans come to his side of the fence.

The Bridge: Producer by the Dashboard Light

Chris Molanphy talks to Todd Rundgren biographer Paul Myers about Todd’s work on a smash Jim Steinman–Meat Loaf LP.

Turn Around, Bright Eyes Edition

How Jim Steinman brought pomp, thunder and a whole lot of Meat Loaf to the top of the charts.

The Bridge: Some Popstars That We Used to Know

Chris Molanphy talks to Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz about one-hit wonders from the last century through the TikTok era.