You Wanted a Hit! cover art

You Wanted a Hit!

You Wanted a Hit!

By: Michael Smith & Theo Beidler
Listen for free

About this listen

 A discussion of unlikely, perplexing, and positively bizarre hit songs that swept the nation, and often the world. Have you ever heard a classic song and thought, "why on Earth was this popular?" Or "How did this even get played on the radio?" Well, we're here to answer these questions for you. Each episode we will explore the backstory, creation, and success of one unlikely smash hit. The catch? Only one host knows which song will be the topic. Hosted by music fanatics and pop culture enthusiasts Michael Smith and Theo Beidler.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Smith & Theo Beidler Music
Episodes
  • Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (w/ Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee)

    Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (w/ Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee)
    Feb 6 2026
    Theo tells the story of the Leeds synth-pop duo’s 1981 cover of the multiple-versioned Northern Soul tune. Peter Leonard of Little Amps Coffee joins the conversation.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 33 mins
  • t.A.T.u. “All the Things She Said"

    t.A.T.u. “All the Things She Said"
    Jan 23 2026
    Michael tells the story of the teenage Russian pop-rock duo’s controversial 2002 worldwide phenomenon, back in the pop-culture forefront due to its inclusion in the hit Canadian drama series Heated Rivalry. [WARNING: This episode contains accounts of manipulation, coercion, and suggestive imagery involving minors. Listener discretion is advised.]

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • ‎Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmastime Is Here” / “Linus & Lucy"

    ‎Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmastime Is Here” / “Linus & Lucy"
    Dec 23 2025
    Theo tells the story of the jazz pianist and his band’s unlikely, ubiquitous Christmas classic and the TV special that it soundtracked.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.