Episodes
March 8, 2023
"Bound to the Floor" by Local H (f/Spose)
Local H carved out a niche for themselves in the mid 90s, landing somewhere in between grunge and indie rock. The hypnotic single “Bound For The Floor” was a Gen X anthem, cleverly using the word “copacetic” to exhibit a feeling of dissatisfaction with life. This two-piece band made a lasting impre…
March 1, 2023
"Little Black Backpack" by Stroke 9 (f/John Hampson)
We often forget that artists might tune in to One Hit Thunder to hear us offer our sometimes misinformed and ALWAYS overly opinionated thoughts on their music. One of these artists — John Hampson of Nine Days — was gracious enough to not only listen to our episode on “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)”,…
Feb. 22, 2023
"Not An Addict" by K's Choice
In 1996, two siblings from Belgium had an unexpected alternative hit that sounds unlike anything else from the era. The single “Not An Addict” caught fire and became an international hit, grabbing the attention of even Alanis Morissette, who handpicked the band to open for her on tour. Beyond divin…
Feb. 15, 2023
"Bang A Gong (Get It On)" by T. Rex (f/Danny Tamberelli)
The story of T. Rex’s Marc Bolan is one of those rock n’ roll fables that seems so trite that it MUST have been written by some second-rate Hollywood screenwriter. The truth, however, is that Marc Bolan’s tale serves as the BASIS for these overused rock clichés, as he led a wild (and unfortunately …
Feb. 8, 2023
"Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry (f/John Franklin)
In the mid 70s, Wild Cherry thrived in all the funk and disco hot spots, from the Northern West Virginia panhandle to the Ohio Valley region. People were getting down to the sweet sounds of “Play That Funky Music” in Steubenville, Ohio, all the way to the bright lights of the big city…of Pittsburgh…
Feb. 1, 2023
"Rico Suave" by Gerardo (f/Paul Menotiades)
Do you hate it when you show up to a date’s house in your best ripped jeans and leather jacket, only to be offered disgusting food by their scumbag mother? Well this episode’s for you! This week, we’re joined by my good buddy and bandmate Paul Menotiades to discuss Gerardo’s 1990 hit “Rico Suave”, …
Jan. 25, 2023
"Something About You" by Level 42
Welcome to the most bass-heavy episode of One Hit Thunder ever! Thanks to Level 42’s 1985 hit single “Something About You”, we get into a LOT of talk about the best instrument in the world…the good old electric bass. Frontman Mark King’s bass proficiency is impressive, but his songwriting is…well…n…
Jan. 18, 2023
"Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil (f/Scott Mellinger)
Midnight Oil shined a light on the plight of the Aboriginal communities in the Australian Outback with their 1987 hit “Beds Are Burning”. This anthemic song is widely considered one of the greatest pieces of music to ever come out of Australia, and any Australian listeners will likely be shocked th…
Jan. 11, 2023
"Informer" by Snow
In 1993, the world was introduced to a white Canadian reggae artist named Snow. His hit song “Informer” topped the US Billboard charts for nearly two months straight, while Snow himself sat in a prison cell for maybe or maybe not puncturing another human being with a knife (aka stabbing them). This…
Jan. 4, 2023
"New Age Girl" by Dead Eye Dick (f/ Johnny Yetsconish)
Sometimes we have to bend the rules to qualify artists as appropriate subject matter for One Hit Thunder, but not this week. Deadeye Dick are an undeniable choice, as they are almost universally known ONLY for their catchy pop rock hit “New Age Girl”. This week, we’re joined by Johnny Yetsconish to…
Dec. 28, 2022
"Waiting For a Star To Fall" by Boy Meets Girl
The songwriting duo Boy Meets Girl wrote chart-topping songs for several iconic artists, but it wasn’t until their 1988 single “Waiting for a Star to Fall” that they made a name for themselves as performers. The song was an enduring adult contemporary juggernaut, even finding its way into the hit f…
Dec. 21, 2022
"Christmas Wrapping" and "I Know What Boys Like" The Waitresses
The holiday season is here once again. To celebrate, we’re discussing the bizarre case of The Waitresses, which are a band that we’re able to discuss on One Hit Thunder because they’re a one hit wonder in two different countries for two different songs. While “Christmas Wrapping” is now considered …
Dec. 14, 2022
"True" by Spandau Ballet
Today is our 150th episode, so we had to bring the heat with an undeniable 80s jam. Spandau Ballet may have formed out of a love for the Sex Pistols, but their 1983 musical love letter “True” was inspired by soulful sounds of Al Green and Marvin Gaye. This smooth pop classic dominated the radio air…
Dec. 7, 2022
Our Third Year Countdown
As we near Episode 150 it's time for another Year Countdown; Where will your favorites stack up this year? Listen and find out!!
Nov. 30, 2022
"Insane in the Brain" by Cypress HIll (f/Matt Jurcevich)
This week, return guest Matt Jurcevich joins us to discuss something that’s got US feeling insane in the membrane — the fact that we can categorize legendary rap group Cypress Hill as a one hit wonder. Despite having multiple high-charting albums and decades of widespread popularity, their 1993 sin…
Nov. 23, 2022
"99 Luftballons" by Nena (f/Justin Humenik)
Against all odds, a song completely sung in German floated all the way up to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1983, rising above some of the biggest artists of the 80s. Even more surprising, the danceable pop gem “99 Luftballons” was actually a protest song about a theoretical nuclear war. This week, …
Nov. 16, 2022
"Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles
After two decades of pursuing a music career, a 30 year old Canadian singer named Alannah Myles scored a #1 hit in 1989 with “Black Velvet”. While her success continued for years after in the Great White North, she completely fell off the Billboard charts of the United States. This week, we try to …
Nov. 9, 2022
"Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand" by Primitive Radio Gods
We’ve discussed close to 150 one hit wonders on the podcast at this point, but none have had as bizarre of a series of events that led to a hit as Primitive Radio Gods. Producer Matt Kelly considers “Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand” not only a song title that he’s sure t…
Nov. 2, 2022
"I'll Be There For You" by The Rembrandts (f/Brian Rodrigeuz)
Originally intended to be a theme song and nothing more, “I’ll Be There For You” gave The Rembrandts a Top 20 Billboard hit on the wings of NBC’s juggernaut of a sitcom Friends. The visual that the song provokes in everyone’s mind, however — that of a group of white twenty-something Manhattanites d…
Oct. 26, 2022
"Whoomp! There It Is" by Tag Team
Hey Party People! One Hit Thunder back again. This week, the REAL tag team - myself and my co-host and producer Matt Kelly - jump in the ring with the massive stadium anthem “Whoomp (There It Is)”. The song never REALLY went away, but a recent resurgence thanks to an ice cream themed insurance comm…
Oct. 19, 2022
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes (f/Tessa Markle)
In 2010, a song by a ten-piece hippie folk pop group unexpectedly started appearing in seemingly endless amounts of movies, TV shows, and commercials. This sincere and lively tune caught the ear and heart of this week’s guest Tessa Markle, who later found herself dancing and singing along to them a…
Oct. 12, 2022
"California" by Phantom Planet (f/Matt "Team Goldie" DiStefano)
Phantom Planet had a modest radio hit with their single “California” in 2002. When a little TV show called The O.C. debuted and used the song as its theme song, however, it skyrocketed the band to stardom. The album The Guest was not just a favorite of this week’s guest Matt “Team Goldie” DiStefano…
Oct. 5, 2022
"We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" by Jermaine Stewart
Break out the cherry wine and prepare to have your brain stimulated…we’re FINALLY taking a deep dive - or should we say SKINNY DIP - into Jermaine Stewart’s hit 1986 single “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off”! Does a man REALLY want to be approached cool and romantically? Should we REALLY take …