One Hit Thunder
Geekscape
Chris Fafalios of Punchline is joined by a guest each week to discuss a different one hit wonder
- 1 hour 13 minutesChris DeMakes A Podcast: Tracy Bonham discusses her song “Mother Mother”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 265 on 7/7/25)...
On this episode, Tracy Bonham sits in to break down her explosive 1996 single "Mother Mother." From her early days as a classical violinist to the raw vocal power that defined her biggest hit, Tracy shares how the song evolved both lyrically and emotionally. She opens up about the recording of her debut album, navigating sudden success in the '90s alt-rock scene, and even featuring her real-life mom in the song’s iconic video. It’s a candid look at the creative process behind a track that blended vulnerability with ferocity—and still resonates decades later.
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25 January 2026, 7:00 am - 55 minutes 35 seconds“I Touch Myself” by Divinyls
Not to toot our own horn, but this is our 300th episode of One Hit Thunder, so we HAD to focus on a song about tooting your own horn. It’s unclear if anyone has ever actually referred to masturbating as “tooting their own horn”, but that’s not the point here. The point IS that in 1991, you could be riding in the car with your grandparents and hear “I Touch Myself”, an ode to self-pleasure from Australia’s Divinyls. In their home country, the Divinyls were a long-running and successful band, but it wasn’t until their collaboration with the writers of “Like a Virgin” that they crossed over to the US. So why didn’t the States continue to bust a nut over the band after this unforgettable hit? Tune in to find out.
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21 January 2026, 8:11 pm - 55 minutes 21 secondsChris DeMakes A Podcast: Fred LeBlanc discusses Cowboy Mouth’s “Jenny Says”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 266 on 7/14/25)...
In this episode, Chris is joined by Fred LeBlanc, the high-energy frontman and drummer of Cowboy Mouth, to break down the story behind their signature song “Jenny Says.” Originally written during Fred’s stint in Dash Rip Rock, the song went through several incarnations before becoming a crowd-commanding anthem and a staple of Cowboy Mouth’s famously explosive live shows. Fred shares how the track evolved over time, why emotional honesty matters more than perfection, and how a great hook can outlast just about anything. From vocal delivery to production decisions, this conversation offers a raw, insightful look at a song that’s connected with fans for decades—and proves that sometimes shouting “let it go, let it go, let it go” is exactly what we all need.
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18 January 2026, 7:00 am - 1 hour 24 minutesOur Sixth Year Countdown
2025 is in the books, and now it’s time to RANK the last 50 songs that were featured on the show. This time, Chris and Matt are joined by CLASSIC One Hit Thunder guests Matt DiStefano, Johnny Yetsconish, and Jim Logrando to put the songs in order from worst to best. What will come out on top? Tune in 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
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14 January 2026, 11:30 pm - 1 hour 15 minutesChris DeMakes A Podcast: Ian Dench discusses EMF's "Unbelievable"
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 262 on 6/9/25)...
In this episode, Ian Dench of EMF joins the show to discuss the writing and recording of the band’s explosive 1991 hit, “Unbelievable.” From its instantly recognizable hook to its genre-blending sound, the song became a cultural phenomenon and an enduring stadium anthem. Ian offers a look behind the curtain at the song’s construction, including its layered instrumentation, unique pre-chorus, and the clever use of samples—most notably the shout of “Oh!” lifted from Andrew Dice Clay’s stand-up album. He also recounts how a chance encounter with Rick Rubin at a New York restaurant led to Rubin casually granting sample clearance with the words, “Fax my office in the morning.” The conversation explores the emotional and musical influences that shaped the track, the challenges of creating in the analog era, and how personal experiences and playful experimentation helped fuel the song’s unforgettable energy.
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11 January 2026, 7:00 am - 45 minutes 38 seconds“I Melt With You” by Modern English
Modern English’s “I Melt With You” is one of those songs everyone knows, but most people don’t realize how much is packed into its seemingly happy 80s charm. On the surface, it’s a catchy love song, but listen closer and you catch hints of nuclear anxiety and darker undertones that make it surprisingly layered. In this week’s episode, we explore how a band blending punk and new wave turned a modest chart hit into a timeless anthem that still shows up in movies and commercials decades later. Modern English faced breakups, reunions, and changing music trends, yet the song’s combination of pop hooks and emotional depth has kept it alive. Tune in as we dive into all things Modern English, a band that realized the power of a great hum solo in a song.
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
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7 January 2026, 7:47 pm - 1 hour 15 minutesChris DeMakes A Podcast: Stacy Jones discusses American Hi-Fi’s “Flavor of the Weak”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 256 on 5/5/25)....
This week, Stacy Jones sits in to share the story behind American Hi-Fi’s 2001 breakout hit, “Flavor of the Weak.” From his early days as Veruca Salt’s touring drummer to stepping into the spotlight as a frontman, Stacy discusses the evolution of his career, the challenges of reinvention, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on the spontaneous songwriting process that led to the band’s signature track, the impact of working with producer Bob Rock, and the raw energy captured in the song’s live-off-the-floor recording. Stacy and Chris also dive into the song’s lasting legacy, the importance of authenticity in music, and what’s next for American Hi-Fi.
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
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4 January 2026, 7:00 am - 50 minutes 57 seconds“The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades” by Timbuk 3
Feeling optimistic about the new year? We hope so, because we thought it was the perfect time to dive into Timbuk 3’s “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.” On the surface, it sounds hopeful, but the lyrics reveal something much darker once you really listen. In this week’s episode, we explore how a married couple with a drum machine managed to break into the Top 20 with the first single from their debut album. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Timbuk 3 stood their ground and turned down huge offers from companies who wanted to use the song in commercials. They created a timeless track that’s both catchy and deep, all the while maintaining their artistic integrity. Things are goin’ great and they’re only gettin’ better, so get ready to learn more than you ever thought you would about Timbuk 3.
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
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31 December 2025, 5:00 pm - 1 hour 1 minuteChris DeMakes A Podcast: Danbert Nobacon discusses Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping”
From Chris DeMakes A Podcast (originally released as Episode 247 on 3/3/25)...
This week, Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba sits in to break down the writing and recording of the band's massive 1997 hit, "Tubthumping." He and Chris explore the song’s punk-influenced origins, its anthemic structure, and how its themes of resilience and working-class pub culture resonated worldwide. Danbert shares insights into the band's approach to songwriting, the unexpected mainstream success of the track, and how Chumbawamba balanced their political ethos with commercial visibility. The conversation also touches on the lasting impact of "Tubthumping" and Nobacon's latest musical projects, offering a fascinating look at a song that continues to take on new life decades after its release.
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
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28 December 2025, 7:00 am - 56 minutes 28 seconds“The Christmas Shoes” by NewSong
In this week’s episode, we dig into NewSong’s “The Christmas Shoes,” a holiday hit that somehow became a cultural phenomenon despite being, frankly, awful. The song relies on emotional manipulation instead of real storytelling, and we still cannot understand how it convinced so many people that it was profound. We take apart the lyrics, talk through the bizarre narrative choices, and then go down the rabbit hole of the YouTube comments, which are almost as unbelievable as the song itself. Even more shocking is the legacy it left behind, spawning multiple novels and made-for-TV movies. Whether you want to or not, you will probably hear it at least once every holiday season. So get ready, because we are kicking off our Christmas shoes AND taking off our Christmas gloves, and we are NOT holding back on this musical disaster. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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
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24 December 2025, 9:00 am - 51 minutes 42 secondsCounting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately? Reaction Episode
In this episode, Chris and Matt discuss the new HBO Original Documentary from their Bill Simmons-produced Music Box series. Using the categories from Bill’s very popular The Rewatchables podcast, the guys discuss their favorite parts of this look into the meteoric rise of Counting Crows in the early 90s.
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23 December 2025, 4:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App