Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

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.

Delve into the charm and quirks of holiday gift guides, tracing their evolution from early 1900s catalogs to modern selections. Hosts share unique gift inspirations, like fruit-themed homewares and cozy movie night essentials. They analyze the nostalgia of mid-20th-century illustrated guides and discuss the allure of printed catalogs today. Highlights include recommendations for a Beatles box set and whimsical decorative candles. The conversation blends humor and insightful commentary, making gift-giving feel both delightful and culturally significant.

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sped-up voices. Wacky instruments. Songs about cavemen, bathtubs, bikinis, and mothers-in-law. From the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll through the 1970s—the age of streaking, CB radios, disco and King Tut—novelty songs could be chart-topping hits. But by the corporate ’80s, it was harder for goofballs to score hits on regimented radio playlists. Until one perm-headed, mustachioed, accordion-playing parodist who called himself “Weird” rebooted novelty hits for the new millennium.  In the second part of this encore episode of Hit Parade, Chris Molanphy explores the history of novelty hits on the charts. Podcast production by Justin D. Wright and Kevin Bendis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sped-up voices. Wacky instruments. Songs about cavemen, bathtubs, bikinis, and mothers-in-law. From the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll through the 1970s—the age of streaking, CB radios, disco and King Tut—novelty songs could be chart-topping hits. But by the corporate ’80s, it was harder for goofballs to score hits on regimented radio playlists. Until one perm-headed, mustachioed, accordion-playing parodist who called himself “Weird” rebooted novelty hits for the new millennium.  In this encore episode of Hit Parade, Chris Molanphy explores the history of novelty hits on the charts. Podcast production by Justin D. Wright and Kevin Bendis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the fascinating history of diss tracks, from vaudeville to hip-hop. Learn how legendary rivalries like Biggie vs. Tupac and Kendrick vs. Drake shaped music culture. Explore iconic feuds that set the charts ablaze, featuring artists like Eddie Cantor and Taylor Swift. Dive into the evolution of rap battles and their impact on the genre, revealing how personal grudges transformed into chart-topping hits. This journey through musical conflict showcases how competition has become a cultural phenomenon in the industry.

Dive into the world of musical feuds, tracing the evolution of diss tracks from Tin Pan Alley to today's rap battles. Explore how artists like Eddie Cantor and Kendrick Lamar channeled personal grievances into chart-topping hits. Discover the cultural significance of songs like 'Sweet Home Alabama' and its response to criticism. Unravel iconic rivalries, from Bob Dylan to James Brown, and see how these conflicts shaped genres and changed music history forever. It's a fascinating journey through sound, pride, and personal vendettas!