Episodes
Jan. 17, 2024
"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand
If you played EA Sports video games in 2005—or if you simply tuned into the radio—you couldn't escape Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out,” a disco-inspired rock song with an unusual structure and an even stranger music video. Critics showered praise on this stylish band's hook-laden dance music, and al…
Jan. 10, 2024
“Cheerleader” by OMI (f/ Tony Hartman)
If you reflect on the joyous music that graced the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 2015, it would be hard to believe that people were engaged in activities beyond falling in love and relishing a warm breeze. No song illustrated this point more vividly than OMI’s “Cheerleader,” a whimsical tropic…
Jan. 3, 2024
"Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root
Blending influences from around the globe, Pittsburgh’s own Rusted Root made their mark on music history with their unforgettable 1992 hit, “Send Me On My Way”. This joyous tune only hit #72 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the song’s prominence in movies, TV, and commercials has eclipsed its initial …
Dec. 27, 2023
"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora (f/Jim Logrando)
You might not know the name Baltimora, but you have almost certainly encountered the anthemic “Tarzan Boy” in unexpected places. From iconic Listerine commercials to grand wrestling entrances, this unforgettable 80s song continues to live on decades after this Italian music project burst onto the s…
Dec. 20, 2023
"Barbie Girl" by Aqua
In celebration of our 200th episode, we're revisiting our lost first episode and giving “Barbie Girl” another chance on One Hit Thunder. The resounding popularity of Aqua and their iconic song has experienced a second life, thanks to a resurgence in the wake of the unbelievably popular Barbie movie…
Dec. 18, 2023
Reactions to Spin Magazine's 88 Best Alternative Songs from 1998
A listener tagged us in the Spin Magazine Instagram post about the Spin Magazine list of 88 Best Alternative Songs from 1998 saying they'd love to hear what our thoughts were on the listing. Since Matt and Jim Logrando were staying at Chris' house before the Punchline Holiday show this weekend they…
Dec. 13, 2023
Our Fourth Year Countdown
As we conclude another year of podcasting we look back at the songs past and try to determine the ranking from worst to best. In the past this was done by Chris and Matt and a guest ... this year we did it as a livestream event featuring 5 guests!! We were joined by Podcast fan favorites Matt DiSt…
Dec. 13, 2023
Our Fourth Year Countdown
As we conclude another year of podcasting we look back at the songs past and try to determine the ranking from worst to best. In the past this was done by Chris and Matt and a guest ... this year we did it as a livestream event featuring 5 guests!! We were joined by Podcast fan favorites Matt DiSt…
Dec. 6, 2023
"My Boyfriends Back" by The Angels
Hey now, hey now, One Hit Thunder’s back! This week, we're stepping back in time to explore the fascinating story behind one of the early '60s most beloved hits. A group of talented teenagers from New Jersey, The Angels, joined forces with three brilliant songwriters to craft “My Boyfriend’s Back”,…
Dec. 1, 2023
Chris Reviews Matt's Spotify Wrapped 2023
It's the best time of the year ... Spotify Wrapped Season. Since Matt has the most unpredictable of musical tastes, Chris gives a live reaction to his top 20 most listened to songs this year.
Nov. 29, 2023
“Magic” by Pilot (f/Kai Dodson)
This week, we’re taking flight with the Scottish band Pilot and their timeless hit “Magic”. Together with our guest Kai Dodson, we get right to the point: does selling out and changing the lyrics to your hit to hawk pharmaceuticals change the legacy of a song? We also dive into Pilot’s musical jour…
Nov. 22, 2023
"Connected" by Stereo MCs
Today, we're diving into the infectious world of Stereo MCs and their iconic track, "Connected." Even if you think you don't know it, chances are you've crossed paths with this chart-topping British group's masterpiece, thanks to a cleverly placed sample and irresistible vocal melody that propelled…
Nov. 15, 2023
“I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)" by Icona Pop (f/Sarah and Maggie of Unstable Topics)
This week, we're joined by Sarah and Maggie from the Unstable Topics podcast to discuss the unforgettable hit “I Love It” by Icona Pop. In the decade since its release, this song has remained a constant presence, gracing commercials, television, and the radio. Together, we'll explore the mystery of…
Nov. 8, 2023
"Don't Want to Fall in Love" by Jane Child
It’s no surprise that Prince was a fan of Jane Child. After a bidding war between 14 labels in which she demanded complete creative control, this Toronto-based artist wrote, produced, and performed every note of her debut album. Her funky pop single “Don’t Wanna Fall In Love” skyrocketed to #2 on t…
Nov. 1, 2023
"Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot
“I like big butts and I cannot lie.” No, that wasn’t a Winston Churchill quote. It’s the iconic first lyric of Seattle-based rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot’s 1992 smash hit “Baby Got Back”. While your grandma’s out cuttin’ a rug at the wedding reception to a song about anacondas and gettin’ sprung, it can of…
Oct. 25, 2023
"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum (f/Samm Stangeland)
Regardless of whether you know the name Norman Greenbaum or not, you most DEFINITELY know his hit 1969 song “Spirit In the Sky”. This uplifting single has appeared in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials, with its use showing no sign of slowing over five decades later. This week, we’re joine…
Oct. 18, 2023
"I Got A Man" by Positive K
When you hear the name Positive K, you probably think of One Hit Thunder producer Matt Kelly, who is definitely one of the most positive human beings you'll ever meet. Alas, we're not talking about THAT Positive K, but instead, rapper Daryl Gibson whose early '90s hit "I Got a Man" took the airwave…
Oct. 11, 2023
"Voices Carry: by Til Tuesday (f/Daniel Corey)
In the Spring of 1983, 'Til Tuesday transformed from a new band into the winners of Boston’s Rock & Rumble competition. After quickly securing a deal with Epic Records, they released their debut album Voices Carry. Thanks to regular airplay on MTV, the title track rose to #8 on the Billboard Hot 10…
Oct. 4, 2023
"On the Dark Side" by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band (f/Hal and Flynn of the None But the Brave Podcast)
You know that awesome Bruce Springsteen song “On The Dark Side” that actually isn’t Bruce Springsteen at all? That’s John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, and I’d venture to say that I’m not alone in thinking it was The Boss for many years. We HAD to bring in some experts to shed some light on thi…
Sept. 27, 2023
The 2003 Albums Fantasy Auction Draft
This week we take another break from podcasting to reunite the Fantastic Four of Chris Fafalios, Matt Kelly, Matt Milligan and Tony Hartman for another Fantasy Auction Draft. This time the topic is albums from 2003. Can you believe these releases are all 20 years old?
Sept. 20, 2023
"Bitch" by Meredith Brooks
Despite the song’s lyrics that illustrate Meredith Brooks’ multitude of qualities and flaws, it’s the first line of the chorus of “Bitch” that turned heads in 1997. After a long music career that spanned three decades, this undeniably catchy pop song put the veteran singer and guitarist on the map.…
Sept. 13, 2023
"There She Goes" by The La's (f/Tom McGovern)
This week on One Hit Thunder, we’re joined by Wolves of Glendale keyboardist and vocalist Tom McGovern to explore the enigmatic world of The La’s and their timeless hit “There She Goes”. This episode is a tale of potential unfulfilled, as The La’s were seemingly destined for Britpop fame and fortun…
Sept. 6, 2023
"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrman
In 1999, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann had an unexpected radio hit with “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”, a near perfect spoken-word piece that offered god-tier level advice to graduating seniors. It’s hard to explain why this song works or how powerful it is without just breaking down every word of…
Aug. 30, 2023
"Classic" by MKTO (f/ Taylor Morden)
Joining us this week is brilliant documentarian Taylor Morden, who’s currently immersed in the creation of his upcoming feature Getting Lost. The Lost television series was a phenomenon that left millions of viewers scratching their collective head each week. That sense of wonder continues even tod…