Episodes
Fatboy Slim "Praise You" (w/ Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet)
Michael tells the story of the UK big beat DJ and producer's sample-heavy, star-making 1998 smash. Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet joins the conversation.
Tag Team "Whoomp! (There It Is)" / 95 South "Whoot, There It Is"
Double episode! Theo tells the stories of the coincidentally(?) competing 1993 hip-hop hits.
[WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]
Michael tells the story of the Georgia country superstar's 1993 slangy summertime calling card
Theo tells the story of the Queens folk singer-songwriter's whimsically controversial 1971 chart-topper
Len "Steal My Sunshine" (w/ Courtney E. Smith)
Michael tells the story of the Toronto slacker rap-rock band's 1999 disco-sampling hangover hymn. Courtney E. Smith joins the conversation.
Theo tells the story of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter's 1981 movie star name-dropping synth-rock chart-topper.
OMC "How Bizarre" (w/ Danny Davis of Husbands)
Michael tells the story of the New Zealand Pasifika group's distinctive 1995 global triumph. Husbands frontman Danny Davis joins the conversation.
The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York"
Michael tells the story of the Irish/English Celtic folk-punk band's legendary Christmas classic
Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie)
Theo tells the story of the wry American folk prince's long-winded 1967 talking-blues Thanksgiving classic. Low Cut Connie frontman Adam Weiner joins the conversation.
4 Non Blondes "What's Up?"
Theo tells the story of the San Francisco queer, feminist rock band's synonymous 1993 singalong smash.
Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" (w/ Jason Hawk Harris)
Michael tells the story of the New York rock band's unexpectedly complex 2000 alternative anthem. Jason Hawk Harris joins the conversation.
[WARNING: Contains descriptions of gruesome violence; listener discretion is advised.]
Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning"
Michael tells the story of the Sydney post-punk band's electrifying, uniquely Australian 1987 social justice anthem.
DJ Casper "Cha-Cha Slide" (Or "Casper Slide Part 2")
Theo tells the story of the Chicago house DJ's 2000 instructional line dance phenomenon.
Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" (w/ Georgia Mooney)
Michael tells the story of the Australian singer/songwriter/actor/model's fateful, circuitous 1997 global pop megahit. Georgia Mooney joins the conversation.
The Darkness "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"
Michael tells the story of the English glam rock revival band's 2003 flashy, falsettoed smash
Joan Osborne "One of Us" (w/ Franny Thomas)
Theo tells the story of New-York-City-by-way-of-Kentucky singer/songwriter Joan Osborne’s 1995 contemplative, existential radio staple “One of Us.” Fellow music fanatic and radio lifer Franny Thomas (KEXP, SiriusXM) joins the conversation.
Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" (Pts. 1 & 2) (w/ Dave Holmes)
In a two-part episode, Michael tells the story of 1999’s fabulously far-fetched phenomenon by the San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. TV host, radio personality, podcaster, author, and Esquire editor-at-large Dave Holmes joins the delightful conversation.
In time for the Barbie movie release, we are revisiting our 2022 episode about the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl," with a new addendum about the song's involvement in the film's soundtrack.
Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)"
Theo tells the story of the British-American soft rock jack-of-all-trades' clever, breezy 1979 chart-topper.
Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"
Fastball "The Way" (w/ Josh Terry)
Theo tells the story of the Austin, Texas alternative rock band's peculiar and tragic hit "The Way." Music journalist Josh Terry joins the conversation.
Michael tells the story of the South Korean educational corporation mascot's American folk-song-turned-digital-age-kids-music-phenomenon.
Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"
Theo tells the story of the Australian film director's 1999 inspirational spoken-word, slow-burn hit.
Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" [DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix]
Michael tells the story of the Italian Eurodance trio's hypnotically goofy 1998 global smash.
Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!"
Theo tells the story of the eccentric American singer/songwriter, musician, composer, and producer Jerry Samuels a.k.a. Napoleon XIV's offbeat 1966 hit.
Weezer "Buddy Holly" (w/ Amr Kotb)
Michael tells the story of the enigmatic Los Angeles alternative rock band's iconic 1994 breakout hit. Actor and podcaster Amr Kotb joins the conversation.
Theo tells the story of the Indonesian-Dutch singer's 1982 version of Irving Berlin's complicated 1927 song.
Theo tells the story of the LA power pop band's low-brow 1979 phenomenon.
Suzanne Vega & DNA "Tom's Diner"
Michael tells the story of the unlikely 1990 "collaboration" between New York folk-rocker Suzanne Vega and British production duo DNA.
Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Theo tells the story of the star-studded UK pop supergroup's 1984 holiday charity smash.
Devo "Whip It" (w/ Alex Goldman)
Michael tells the story of the Ohio new wave/post-punk pioneers' deceptively layered 1980 hit. Podcaster and journalist Alex Goldman joins the conversation.
The Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"
Theo tells the story of the Scottish twin brothers' 1987 (and 1993) folk-punk pub rock phenomenon.
Bobby "Boris" Pickett "Monster Mash"
Michael tells the story of the Massachusetts singer/actor/comedian's 1962 spooky smash.
Rednex "Cotton Eye Joe" (w/ Cory Graves of Vandoliers)
Theo tells the story of the Swedish country novelty collective's 1994 country/Eurodance crossover sensation "Cotton Eye Joe." Podcaster and Vandoliers multi-instrumentalist Cory Graves joins the podcast.
Vangelis "Chariots of Fire"
Michael tells the story of the Greek composer's inspiring, epic instrumental 1981 chart-topper
Marcy Playground "Sex & Candy" (w/ Mariel Buckley)
Theo tells the story of the Minneapolis/New York alternative rock band's 1997 perplexing downtempo smash "Sex & Candy." Singer/songwriter Mariel Buckley join the conversation.
Aqua "Barbie Girl"
Michael tells the story of the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl."
Trace Adkins "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (w/ Jay Zawaski)
Theo tells the story of the accident-prone Louisiana country singer's suggestive 2005 novelty song. Sports radio journalist and podcaster Jay Zawaski joins the conversation.
Wang Chung "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"
Michael tells the story of the British new wave band's silly yet sticky 1986 hit "Everybody Have Fun Tonight."
The Presidents of the United States of America "Lump" / "Peaches"
Our first-ever two-sided episode! Theo tells the story of the Seattle post-grunge band's two cheeky 1995 hits "Lump" and "Peaches."
Los Del Rio "Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)" (w/ Mary Beth Richardson)
Michael tells the story of the Spain flamenco duo's impossibly massive dance craze, remixed by Miami's Bayside Boys. With special guest Mary Beth Richardson, lead singer of Banditos.
Ying Yang Twins "Wait (The Whisper Song)"
Theo tells the story of the Atlanta rap duo's salacious 2005 hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]
Phil Collins "Sussudio"
Michael tells the story of the iconic UK drummer/singer-songwriter's 1985 nonsensical pop smash "Sussudio."
Snow "Informer" (w/ DAVIE)
Theo tells the story of the Irish-Canadian reggae rapper's 1992 surprise hit, with special guest, singer/songwriter DAVIE.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "The Impression That I Get" (w/ Stanley Sievers)
Michael tells the story of the seminal Boston ska-core gang's inescapable 1997 hit, with special guest, comedian and director Stanley Sievers.
Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance"
Theo tells the story of the brotherly Montreal new wave trio's 1982 dance hit.
Gotye feat. Kimbra "Somebody That I Used to Know" (w/ Hilary Saunders)
Michael tells the story of the ubiquitous 2011 Kiwi-Australian folk-pop supernova, with special guest Hilary Saunders, journalist and editor of No Depression.
Lou Monte "Dominick the Donkey"
Theo tells the story of the New Jersey crooner's 1960 anthropomorphic Christmas classic.
Rammstein "Du Hast"
Theo tells the story of the German exhibitionist industrial metal band's unlikely 1997 global hit.
Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Michael tells the story of the iconic Washington grunge band's unlikely global blockbuster hit.
Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm"
Michael tells the story of the high-minded Canadian folk-rock band's morose 1993 hit, with special guest Drew Morgan
Cherry Poppin' Daddies "Zoot Suit Riot"
Theo tells the story of the unfortunately-named Oregon band's 1997 swing revival smash "Zoot Suit Riot"
Rose Royce "Car Wash"
Michael tells the story of the Los Angeles soul band's 1976 workplace disco smash.
Sisqo "Thong Song" (w/ OneManJamz)
Theo tells the story of the silver-haired Baltimore R&B singer's risqué Y2K sensation, with special guest, singer/rapper/songwriter/producer/DJ/multi-instrumentalist OneManJamz.
Toni Basil "Mickey"
Michael tells the story of the multi-talented musical and visual artist's 1981 new wave phenomenon.
Bloodhound Gang "The Bad Touch"
Theo tells the story of the polarizing Pennsylvania cult rock band's 1999 suggestive alternative dance hit. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]
Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart" (w/ Amy Reitnouer Jacobs)
Michael tells the story of the mulleted Kentucky country singer's 1992 crossover smash, with special guest Amy Reitnouer Jacobs, co-founder and managing editor of The Bluegrass Situation.
Enigma "Return to Innocence"
Theo tells the story of the Romanian-German musical project's 1994 new-age crossover phenomenon.
Nena "99 Luftballons"
Michael tells the story of the Neue Deutsche Welle band's 1983 German synth anthem.
Chumbawamba "Tubthumping"
Theo tells the story of the anarchist punk band's 1997 global hit.
Right Said Fred "I'm Too Sexy"
Michael tells the story of the fraternal English band's ubiquitous 1992 pop smash.