Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

Dive into the mesmerizing evolution of David Bowie, the ultimate musical chameleon. Discover how his bold transformations and savvy chart strategies crafted his legendary persona. From the groundbreaking 'Space Oddity' to the soulful 'Young Americans,' each phase showcases Bowie's fearless reinvention. Unpack the contrast between Bowie and his contemporaries like Dylan and Lou Reed, while exploring hits that defined eras and left lasting legacies. It's a compelling journey through his musical genius and commercial savvy.

Join Julianne Escobedo-Shepherd, co-founder of Hearing Things, and Lindsay Zoladz from The New York Times as they dive into the vibrant music landscape of 2025. They explore whether we've hit peak Bad Bunny and analyze the genre-defying brilliance of Rosalía's latest work. The panel debates Geese's divisive sound and its role in rock's comeback. Plus, they discuss hip-hop's evolving state post-Kendrick and Drake, highlighting fresh voices and the blending of Latin flavors with urban beats. It's a lively conversation about music's future!

Explore how Hollywood shapes pop music, from Snow White's legacy to today's K-pop hits. Discover the shift from musicals to rock with classics like The Graduate and Saturday Night Fever. Unpack the MTV influence on soundtracks, spotlighting Flashdance and Footloose's chart-toppers. Delve into the dominance of 1980s hits like Purple Rain and iconic instrumentals from Beverly Hills Cop. Learn how songs like Phil Collins’ Against All Odds outshine their films and why modern soundtracks, like those for A Star Is Born and Barbie, continue to resonate.

Discover how Hollywood shapes the music scene as soundtracks define genres and create iconic hits. Chris Molanphy explores the blockbuster success of the Soggy Bottom Boys and compares them to modern chart-toppers like K-pop Demon Hunters. Uncover the emotional punch of songs heard in theaters and how movie tie-ins propelled artists to fame. From Elvis's cinematic soundtracks to the disco explosion of Saturday Night Fever, this journey through nearly a century of film music reveals its profound influence on pop culture.

When you hear the term “superproducer,” names like George Martin, Quincy Jones, Max Martin, Pharrell Williams or Missy Elliott might come to mind. But … Robert “Mutt” Lange? Probably not. Yet Lange was by some measures the biggest hitmaker—the producer of more top-selling albums than any of those better-known producers.The South African studio wiz crafted the arena-rock sound of AC/DC and Def Leppard. Then, Lange transformed the Cars, Billy Ocean, Bryan Adams, and Shania Twain into fist-pumping stadium-fillers, too.Join Chris Molanphy as he traces Mutt Lange’s legacy of loud—and his uncanny success on the pop charts. He poured sugar on every hit.Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the intriguing world of Robert 'Mutt' Lange, a superproducer whose influence spans genres yet remains underappreciated. Discover how he transformed the sounds of AC/DC and Def Leppard, turning them into arena rock staples. Uncover his unique production philosophy, characterized by pragmatism and creativity. Delve into his history, including how he balanced punk with pop and his pivotal role in crafting iconic albums like Back in Black. The journey through Lange's musical legacy is both captivating and enlightening.

Hark, the holiday season is upon us—and with it, the most solemn of festive traditions: a gift guide! In this video and podcast special, Slate hosts Dana Stevens, Chris Molanphy, and Willa Paskin beam in from their collective hearths to deliver unto the internet their favorite gifts for culture lovers. In addition to sharing gifts, they also discuss the cultural artifact that is the “holiday gift guide,” and its history going back to the early 20th century, up to the modern day. See the entirety of the 1910 gift guide Our Special Holiday Gift-Book from Greenhut-Siegel Cooper, and Esquire’s ultra-mod gift guide from 1961. Check out our gift recommendations below: Dana Stevens’ Cozy Movie Night-In:  The Salbree Collapsible Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper & Amish Country Popcorn L'agraty Chunky Knit Blanket Throw The Adventures of Antoine Doinel, The Criterion Collection Box SetChris Molanphy’s Hit Parade Collection:  The Beatles’ Revolver CD Box Set Mad Men Blu-Ray Box Set  Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year, by Michaelangelo MatosWilla Paskin’s Fruit-Themed Trompe-l'œil Housewares: Cantaloupe-shaped bowls in the style of Bordallo Pinheiro 4-Pack Orange-Shaped Candle Stocking Stuffer Cherry-Shaped Toilet BrushThe Slate Culture Gift Guide is produced for Slate Studios by Benjamin Frisch and Micah Phillips, with Meryl Bezrutczyk and Andrew Harding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man.Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Police songs. No matter how that dispute turns out, it’s a reminder of Sting’s uncanny songwriting skill and his charmed life of hitmaking.For more than four decades, Sting seems to resurface every few years with a new earworm, from “Roxanne” to “Russians,” blending New Wave rock with another genre—reggae, jazz, classical, country, even rap and Raï—and in the process, getting sampled by new generations of millennial and zoomer hitmakers.Join Chris Molanphy as he recounts the long, varied, sophisticated, but catchy career of the King of Pain. Whatever he tries, every little thing Sting does is magic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the intriguing legal battle over royalties involving Sting and his former bandmates. Discover the sonic complexities behind hit songs like "Every Breath You Take" and how Sting's mastery fuses diverse genres. Delve into his impressive range of influences, from jazz to Shakespeare, showcasing his lyrical depth. Learn about the evolution of The Police, their breakthrough hits, and the personal tensions that led to their hiatus. Sting's solo journey is equally captivating, marked by continued experimentation and chart success.

In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s—and there are No. 1 debuts. Entering Billboard’s Hot 100 at the top is one of the hardest tricks in music. In fact, it wasn’t possible in the U.S. until 1995. That’s when the record labels hacked the Hot 100 and figured out how to send new singles straight into the chart penthouse. But scoring a No. 1 in Week One doesn’t mean it’s built to last. For every enduring hit like “Fantasy,” “Shake It Off” or “Hello,” there are plenty of one-off oddities, coronation pabulum from American Idol finalists, and even a few missteps from chart luminaries. Within a couple of years these fast-breaking hits may be forgotten—never to be spun on the radio or streamed on Spotify.Join Chris Molanphy as he explores the chart calculus, superfan interventions, and fluky conditions that create a perfect storm of pop-chart insta-success. It’s a parade of pop bangers that scored a fast pass to the front of the line.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Olivia Briley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.