Hit Parade | "I Got Five on It Part 2"

Host: Chris Molanphy
Producer/Contributor: Kevin Bendis
Podcast Release Date: April 29, 2022

Episode Overview

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of Hit Parade, Chris Molanphy takes listeners through the essential and most beloved episodes of the podcast’s history as voted by the show’s audience. This episode functions both as a retrospective and a countdown, revealing which explorations into pop chart history, musical trivia, and storytelling have resonated most deeply with fans. Along the way, Molanphy offers behind-the-scenes insight into the episode ranking methodology, shares memorable moments, and highlights the core themes that have defined Hit Parade over its first five years.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Survey Methodology and Philosophy

• Chris opens by detailing the survey's rules and playful "data science":

  "We were more interested in including every vote you gave us somehow than limiting voters to a strict top five." (01:27)

  • Listeners submitted their favorite episodes in ranked and unranked lists; all were counted with varying point values depending on order and whether they were marked as honorable mentions.

• Chris likens the flexible methodology to moments in Billboard Hot 100 history, e.g., when A and B sides were combined (02:45):

  "I compare it to that week in 1969 when Billboard changed the Hot 100 rules..."

2. Surprising Results and Notable Snubs

• Some episodes received no votes, notably the "Gaga is Born" edition and two live shows, surprising Chris:

  "There were just three Hit Parade episodes out of our 56 shows that received no votes at all...I guess Hit Parade listeners are a little Gaga-ed out." (05:16)

• Chris notes the trend that listeners preferred episodes that explored "unusual chart concepts" or examined "parallel careers," rather than profiles focusing on superstar artists:

  "Clearly, the most impassioned Hit Parade listeners are not swayed by a boldface name alone." (08:45)

3. The Top 20 Countdown

Chris begins a Casey Kasem–inspired countdown, highlighting and discussing the unique elements of each top episode:

📈 20–11: Chart Deep Dives & Musical Movements

• #20 Friends in Places: Country music's evolution, from Urban Cowboy to Garth Brooks. (10:08)
• #19 Spirit of 71: A tribute to the pivotal year of 1971 and its iconic chart-toppers. (11:47)
• #18 I Write Sins, Not Tragedies: The rise of pop-punk and emo in the 2000s. (12:50)
• #17 Blame it on the F: The saga of Frank Farian and the Milli Vanilli scandal. (15:36)
• #16 AC/DC Rule: How classic albums are often followed by less-remembered chart-topping successors, e.g., AC/DC’s For Those About to Rock. (16:45)
• #15 Invisible Miracle Sledgehammer: The interconnected careers between Genesis members Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins.
• #14 Fab Four Sweep: The Beatles dominate the entire Top 5 (one of the earliest episodes). (17:57)
• #13 Tramps Like Us: Bruce Springsteen's struggle for chart domination and persistent reinvention. (18:56)
• #12 Rock and Soul: Hall & Oates' genre-fusing rise and blue-eyed soul dominance. (19:03)
• #11 Imperial Elton and George: Parallels between the careers of Elton John and George Michael, touching on sexuality and stardom. (19:50)

🔝 Top 10 Episodes — Listener Favorites

10. Lost and Lonely Edition —

Goth to Chart Heroes
A dive into post-punk and goth bands (The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths) who improbably broke through to mainstream charts. (24:28)

• Memorable Quote:

  "Depeche Mode signed on to be the subject of a film by legendary documentarian D.A. Pennebaker...The film captured the extreme devotion of fans..." (23:57)

9. Nights on Broadway Edition —

The Bee Gees Reinvent Themselves
The Gibb brothers' disco transformation and enduring falsetto impact. (25:51)

• Anecdote: Barry Gibb heard the car "chicka chicka" and turned it into "Jive Talkin'."
• Quote:

  "Barry instantly turned that phrase into a song..." (26:00)

8. Le Pet Prince Edition —

Tom Petty & Prince, Parallels in Pop
Exploring the similarities between Petty and Prince, including their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame performance. (27:27)

• Quote:

  "It was an honor to play with Tom Petty. 'Free Fallin' is one of my favorite songs.'" — Prince (28:56)
  "I'm starting to think you should just act on those things all the time." — Tom Petty, reflecting on almost calling Prince before his death (29:45)

7. Queen of Disco Edition —

Donna Summer and the Birth of Electronic Dance
Donna Summer’s chart prowess and her collaboration with Giorgio Moroder, credited for inventing electronic dance music with "I Feel Love." (32:22)

• Insider Fact:

  "I Feel Love is generally agreed to have single handedly invented electronic dance music..." (32:00)

6. One and Done Edition —

What Is a One-Hit Wonder?
Unpacking the definition and rules for "one-hit wonders," with examples like Michael Sembello and "Maniac." (34:52)

• Quote:

  "His immediate follow up single did crack the Top 40. But...is Michael Sembello a one hit wonder?" (35:53)

5. These Are the Good Times Edition —

Chic's Legacy in Pop and Hip-Hop
The vast influence of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, from Sister Sledge to Daft Punk, and how "Good Times" bassline spawned hip-hop’s "Rapper's Delight." (36:45)

• Quote:

  "The Good Times bassline traveled everywhere, most famously...on this historic single..." (36:45)

4. Turn Around Bright Eyes Edition —

Jim Steinman’s Maximalist Pop
The production genius behind Meatloaf’s "Bat Out of Hell," Bonnie Tyler’s "Total Eclipse of the Heart," and more. (39:43)

• Notable Fact:

  "Steinman, sole producer and sole songwriter of both hits, a hammerlock on the top of the charts..." (38:00)

3. Deadbeat Club Edition —

Athens, Georgia: Alt-Rock Capital
The intertwined stories of The B-52s and R.E.M., tracing their transition from underground icons to hitmakers. (40:05)

• Quote:

  "Together, these bands made Athens the epicenter of alternative cool in the 80s and early 90s..." (40:12)

2. The Great War Against the Single Edition —

When Singles Disappeared from Stores
Explains the industry’s effort in the ‘90s to eliminate retail singles and push full album purchases, ultimately fueling piracy and digital disruption. (45:24)

• Memorable Moment:

  "Lou Bega...scored a global hit...even Bega's gleefully junky record went unreleased on CD singles, compelling more than 3 million Americans to buy his album." (45:24)

• Listener Reaction:

  "Listeners tell me that this episode solved a mystery for them. Why in the 1990s were they forced to pay full price for a full length CD just to acquire one hit song?" (43:26)

1. What a Fool Believes Edition: The Story of Yacht Rock

Chart-Topping Smoothness and a Viral Genre
The ultimate fan favorite, this episode delves into the soft-rock trend dubbed "Yacht Rock" (e.g., Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald), explaining the origins, sound, and enduring memeification of the genre. (47:15)

• Chris explains:

  "It's an episode we first broadcast in the summer of 2020...because we had to paywall it in that challenging summer and so many of you told us it brought you comfort." (47:20)

• Listener love: This episode received nearly 25% more votes than the runner-up.
• Quote:

  "You might say this episode has it all: Chart topping hits, musicological backstory, a wealth of trivia, and...a definition explanation of a chart and musical phenomenon the world needed a name for." (47:35)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Hit Parade's appeal:

  "Folks tell me that they learn a lot from this show, and apparently what you are happiest learning about is an unusual chart concept, a new genre name, or how two, three or even four superstars careers paralleled each other." — Chris Molanphy (08:30)

• On the importance of “the One”:

  "For James (Brown), getting on the One was a mode for living—a way of life. And that's what I share with you at the end of every episode...Keep On Marching on the One." (50:47)

Structure & Flow

• The episode intersperses playful banter between Chris and producer Kevin Bendis, as Kevin cues up relevant song snippets and iconic musical moments after each episode mention, echoing the countdown traditions of classic radio.
• Chris maintains an engaged and sometimes self-deprecating tone, laughing about the quirks of his audience and the show’s nerdy niche.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–01:27: Introduction & survey methodology
• 04:03–08:50: Episodes with no votes & surprising snubs
• 10:08–19:50: The Top 20–11 countdown
• 24:15–36:48: The Top 10–5 countdown—memorable highlights and song history
• 39:43–50:47: The Top 4–1, including anecdotes, listener responses, music industry lessons
• 50:47–52:00: Closing thoughts: Tribute to Casey Kasem and the meaning of “the One”

Summary Takeaways

• Listeners deeply appreciate Hit Parade’s deep dives into obscure chart rules, genre origins, and career parallels more than straightforward profiles of superstar artists.
• The show's tone remains both nerdy and celebratory; Chris Molanphy’s blend of pop trivia, storytelling, and personal reflection keeps it engaging and informative.
• The “What a Fool Believes/Yacht Rock” episode reigns supreme due to its comfort, trivia, and storytelling during a challenging time (the 2020 pandemic).
• Hit Parade is as much about exploring music history as sharing the joy of nerdy musical connections.

Final Words from Chris

"I think you know what I mean by Keep On Marching on the One. I'm going to keep on marching because this podcast has so many more stories to tell. Here's to marching on the One for another...five." (51:26)

For newcomers and longtime fans alike, this episode is both an essential primer on what makes Hit Parade unique and a celebration of the many musical tales yet to come.