Episodes
Sept. 11, 2024
“I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred (f/PJ Caruso)
This week, we're taking a little turn on the catwalk with special guest PJ Caruso as we dive into the early '90s phenomenon that is Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy." PJ decided it had been too long since we last covered a truly novelty track, and this one tops the charts in that category. It's almo…
Sept. 6, 2024
Reacting to the first new song from New Radicals in 25 years
It's no secret to long time listeners that Matt is a MASSIVE fan of the New Radicals and their lone album "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too", so when he heard that the band did a surprise drop of 2 new songs after 25 years he couldn't want to talk about it. Join him and Chris on their immediate re…
Sept. 4, 2024
"Respect Yourself" by Bruce Willis
We've covered Deion Sanders and Eddie Murphy on the podcast, but there's still a treasure trove of celebrities turned musicians to discuss. However, the case of Bruce Willis is extra strange. A year before Die Hard transformed him from a TV star to a full-blown movie star, he released the album The…
Aug. 28, 2024
"The Whole of the Moon" by The Waterboys (f/Paul Menotiades)
Matt really let this one slide for no other reason than it's one of his favorite songs, but there's a pretty good chance you don't know "The Whole of the Moon" by The Waterboys. In this episode of One Hit Thunder, we dive into this overlooked gem from 1985. Matt discovered the song through a Netfli…
Aug. 21, 2024
“Do Right” by Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
With the 25th anniversary of Jimmie's Chicken Shack's album Bring Your Own Stereo upon us, we're diving into their eclectic catalog, spotlighting their 1999 single "Do Right." Known for running the full gamut of musical styles—sometimes to the point where it might be too much—the band's versatility…
Aug. 14, 2024
"Lotta Love" by Nicolette Larson (f/Jon Belan)
This week, Gene the Werewolf frontman Jon Belan joins us to dive into Nicolette Larson's 1978 hit "Lotta Love." As a young dreamer, Larson headed to San Francisco, where her talent quickly caught the attention of noteworthy artists, leading to collaborations with legends like Neil Young. As luck wo…
Aug. 7, 2024
"I Got 5 On It" by Luniz
Patreon voted for this, so we're diving deep into the world of weed and hip-hop with Luniz (yes, their name is pronounced "Loonies") and their 1995 hit "I Got 5 On It." Both Matt and I were blown away by just how massive this song was when it dropped—contrary to what you might think, it was already…
July 31, 2024
“Something In the Air” by Thunderclap Newman (f/ Shaun Rohland)
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by my longtime friend and music aficionado Shaun Rohland to celebrate the 1969 flower power anthem “Something In the Air” by Thunderclap Newman. We dive into how this song - with its reminder that “we got to get together sooner or later” - perfectly embodies the…
July 24, 2024
“Mississippi Queen” by Mountain (f/Scott Mellinger)
This week, Zao guitarist Scott Mellinger joins us to explore Mountain's 1970 smash hit "Mississippi Queen." We ride the musical train back to the roots of metal, exploring how this southern rock anthem, with Leslie West's iconic guitar riffs and raw vocals, helped shape the heavy metal landscape. W…
July 17, 2024
"Wasting my Time" by Default
In this week’s episode, we dive into the Canadian rock band Default and their 2001 hit "Wasting My Time," a song that left an indelible mark on what many would call the "butt rock" genre. Our Patreon supporters voted for this track, so Matt and I are breaking down the elements that make this tune b…
July 10, 2024
"Mother Mother" by Tracy Bonham (f/ Joe and Toby of Riffs on Riffs)
This week, we’re thrilled to be joined by Joe and Toby of the Riffs on Riffs podcast to dive into the compelling story of mid-90s artist Tracy Bonham and her iconic hit “Mother Mother.” Tracy, a classically trained musician for over a decade, collaborated with producers who had helped bring Radiohe…
July 3, 2024
"Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer
Today, the new Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F movie has dropped on Netflix, and in honor of that, Matt and I decided to dive into the iconic theme song "Axel F," written by Harold Faltermeyer. This breakdance-inspired instrumental not only became a Top 5 hit but also defined the sound of the '80s. We ex…
June 26, 2024
The 1984 Albums Fantasy Auction Draft
In this exciting episode, Chris Fafalios, Matt Kelly, Tony Hartman, Matthew Milligan, and Matt DiStefano dive into an auction draft to see who can curate the best batch of albums from the iconic year of 1984. Armed with a theoretical $100 each, the guys strategically bid on classics from Madonna, P…
June 19, 2024
"Party All the Time" by Eddie Murphy (f/Chris DeMakes)
Ah, the 80s—a time when every celebrity had a secret (or not-so-secret) desire to dominate the music charts. But no actor-turned-singer had a more meteoric rise—and equally swift backlash—than Eddie Murphy. His Rick James-penned chorus for "Party All the Time" might be an earworm you can't escape, …
June 12, 2024
"Shattered Dreams" by Johnny Hates Jazz
In the year 1988, Johnny Hates Jazz came just shy of having the number one song in America. Despite their rapid rise to fame, the band disbanded before the year had even ended. This week, we dive into the short-lived career of the band, exploring their international success, the sudden end of their…
June 5, 2024
"Supermodel (You Better Work)" by RuPaul (f/ Joe Ferejan)
Labeling RuPaul as a one-hit wonder seems preposterous in theory. RuPaul has not only hosted a successful talk show and appeared in multiple hit films but also helms the immensely successful RuPaul’s Drag Race. However, all of this success was catalyzed by the song “Supermodel”, RuPaul’s lone chart…
May 29, 2024
"Regulate (f/Nate Dogg)" by Warren G
In this episode, we dive into the infectious groove of Warren G's 1994 smash hit "Regulate," featuring the smooth vocals of the "King of Hooks," Nate Dogg. While we're taking some liberties with what constitutes a one hit wonder, we're willing to wager that amidst a few other notable chart appearan…
May 24, 2024
Apple Music 100 Best Albums Reaction Episode
In this episode of One Hit Thunder, we dive headfirst into the freshly released Apple Music 100 Best Albums list, offering our unfiltered, instant reactions to the selections. From timeless classics like The Beatles and Björk to modern trailblazers like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish, we dissect …
May 22, 2024
"Right Here Right Now" by Jesus Jones (f/Mike Doyle)
If you were putting together an informercial for a compilation of ‘90s hits, it’s almost certain that a clip of Jesus Jones “Right Here Right Now” would snag a good 8 second chunk of it. This incredibly optimistic alternative rock anthem captured the essence of revolutionary change in Europe and be…
May 15, 2024
“Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton
In this week's episode, we embark on a journey through the melodic landscape of Minnie Riperton's unforgettable 1975 hit "Lovin' You," where every note carries the essence of her unparalleled vocal mastery. While the song's presence in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials keeps it firmly in …
May 8, 2024
"Faded" by soulDecision (f/Jenae Thompson)
During an era dominated by TRL and boy bands, soulDecision's "Faded" resonated with its infectious melody, showcasing the band’s unique fusion of musicianship and pop sensibilities (a formula that worked wonders only a few years later for Maroon 5). Setting themselves apart from the manufactured ac…
May 1, 2024
"Closer to Free" by Bodeans
You may remember this week's song as the theme song to a 90s teen drama, but buckle up because you're about to learn about the long and prolific career of BoDeans before they broke into the mainstream with "Closer to Free". Believe it or not, this influential jangle pop staple were a favorite of fa…
April 24, 2024
"Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners (f/John Franklin)
Join us this week as we welcome back comedian and reality show star John Franklin to explore the irresistible "Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. While you may only remember them for their one US hit and for dressing in overalls, Dexys Midnight Runners are far more than just a novelty act. …
April 19, 2024
Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" Reaction
Taylor Swift released The Tortured Poets Department this morning as well as a bonus disc called The Anthology. Chris and Matt woke up at 5:30am to listen to it and give you their immediate reactions on it. The world has been begging for two white guys with a podcast about One Hit Wonders to weigh i…