Back in the fall of 2009, an unexpected voice from the UK took over American radio when Jay Sean’s “Down” (featuring Lil Wayne) knocked the Black Eyed Peas off the top of the charts after their epic run. This week on One Hit Thunder, Andrés joins us to revisit that moment in time—when ringtone sales mattered, Cash Money Records was everywhere, and Jay Sean seemed poised to become a global star. We dig into the rise and stall of his career, the lasting power of a great melody, and whether or not his smooth style should’ve taken him even further. Along the way, we also reflect on the shifting sounds of pop and hip-hop, the legacy of Lil Wayne’s feature run, and why some hits live on while others fade fast. Most importantly, are we down with Jay Sean? You’re just gonna have to listen to find out.
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:04:12
“My Boo” by Ghost Town DJs
This week, we explore the surprising journey of Ghost Town DJs’ 1996 single “My Boo,” a track that quietly debuted on the So So Def Bass All-Stars compilation before becoming a Top 40 hit. Though the group disbanded after two underperforming albums, this smooth blend of R&B vocals and Miami bass beats found new life two decades later, thanks to the viral “Running Man Challenge” that sent it back up the charts in 2016. With its hypnotic production and impossibly catchy chorus, the question remains—do we truly love this song, or are we just under its hook’s irresistible spell?
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
35:44
“Pop Goes the Weasel” by 3rd Bass (f/ PJ Caruso)
This past year, we witnessed a diss track win Grammys and get performed at the Super Bowl, but over three decades ago, there was another diss track that became an unlikely hit. “Pop Goes the Weasel” by 3rd Bass took aim at Vanilla Ice and the growing commercialization of hip-hop, delivering biting bars over a beat laced with samples from Peter Gabriel and Stevie Wonder. It climbed to #1 on the Billboard Rap chart and gave the trio—MC Serch, Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Rich—their biggest mainstream moment. Our good buddy PJ Caruso joins us this week to talk about the brief but impactful rise of 3rd Bass, a group that took shots at others on the way up, only to turn their lyrical weapons on each other not long after.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:04:39
“Mad World” by Gary Jules (f/ Nichole Vatcher)
This week, Matt and I welcome Nichole Vatcher—cohost of the brilliant podcast Nevermind the Music—for a deep dive into Gary Jules’ haunting 2001 cover of “Mad World.” Originally a minor hit for a young Tears for Fears, the song took on a whole new life thanks to its stripped-down piano arrangement and its eerie, unforgettable appearance in Donnie Darko. We talk about its emotional weight, how it became a surprise Christmas #1 in the UK, and whether more credit should go to Gary Jules or his collaborator Michael Andrews. We also take a look at the rest of Jules' career and try to determine whether this quietly powerful ballad is thunder… or just rumble in the distance.
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
52:15
“Got You (Where I Want You)” by The Flys (f/ Rishi Bahl)
In the late '90s, The Flys had us all in a trance with their brooding alt-rock anthem “Got You (Where I Want You),” a song that buzzed through movie trailers, TV shows, and the Disturbing Behavior soundtrack like a late-summer fever dream. But just as quickly as they soared, they crash-landed into the used CD bins of America. This week, we’re joined by Rishi Bahl of Eternal Boy and Four Chord Music Festival to investigate what clipped the wings of this Hollywood-born band made up of actual surf royalty. From the hypnotic riff that defined their biggest hit to deep cuts like “She’s So Huge” and song titles like “Sexual Sandwich,” we cover it all—plus we dig into the James Marsden cinematic universe and question whether “Got You” might be alt-rock’s forgotten gem...or just another fly on the wall.
One Hit Thunder is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Our listeners get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at http://distrokid.com/vip/onehitthunder
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join musician Chris Fafalios (Punchline) and co-host Matt Kelly from the Geekscape network on One Hit Thunder, where each week they dive into the world of one-hit wonders with a new guest. Chris and Matt are joined by a revolving door of friends, including Chris's bandmates, musicians he’s toured with, and fellow artists, to listen to a one-hit wonder and explore the full catalog of the band or artist behind it. With a mix of humor and musical insight, Chris and Matt dive deep to decide if these artists truly brought the "one hit thunder" and deserved more recognition or if they’re just a "one hit blunder." Perfect for music fans and pop culture enthusiasts alike, One Hit Thunder is a fun and thoughtful exploration of the highs and lows of fleeting fame in the music industry.
UK