Reactions to Spin Magazine's 88 Best Alternative Songs from 1998

"Faded" by soulDecision (f/Jenae Thompson): During an era dominated by TRL and boy bands, soulDecision's "Faded" resonated with its infectious melody, showcasing the band’s unique fusion of musicianship and pop sensibilities (a formula that worked wonders only a few years later for Maroon 5). Setting themselves apart from the manufactured acts of the time, the band not only wrote their own songs but also skillfully played their own instruments. Yet, despite this authenticity, their moment in the limelight proved fleeting. This week, SayQuoi owner Jenae Thompson joins us to unravel the mysteries behind soulDecision's brief fame, questioning whether mismanagement alone dictated their demise. Their narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the delicate balance between artistic integrity and the unpredictable currents of the music industry. In stark contrast to the lyrics of “Faded”, soulDecision's journey reminds us that making what seems like the right move in the moment might not alwa by One Hit Thunder

53 min listen

"Closer to Free" by Bodeans: You may remember this week's song as the theme song to a 90s teen drama, but buckle up because you're about to learn about the long and prolific career of BoDeans before they broke into the mainstream with "Closer to Free". Believe it or not, this influential jangle pop staple were a favorite of fans and critics alike for well over a decade before their big break. Thanks to our Patreon supporters, this week we dive into the long (and occasionally dark) history of this iconic band, tracing their roots back to the vibrant Milwaukee music scene. by One Hit Thunder

56 min listen

"Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners (f/John Franklin): Join us this week as we welcome back comedian and reality show star John Franklin to explore the irresistible "Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. While you may only remember them for their one US hit and for dressing in overalls, Dexys Midnight Runners are far more than just a novelty act. Led by the visionary Kevin Rowland, the band is a fully fledged concept group, revered by critics and cherished by fans worldwide. Tune in to discover the depth and brilliance behind this iconic band, and why their repertoire extends far beyond their most famous hit. by One Hit Thunder

54 min listen

Taylor Swift's THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Reaction: Taylor Swift released THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT this morning as well as a version with 15 bonus tracks called THE ANTHOLOGY. Chris and Matt woke up at 5:30am to listen to it and give you their immediate reactions on it. The world has been begging for two guys with a podcast about one hit wonders to weigh in on Taylor Swift's eleventh album and we were happy to oblige! by One Hit Thunder

30 min listen

"Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle: Get ready to step onto the dance floor of nostalgia as we unpack the sentimental anthem of fatherly love, "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. If you've ever attended a wedding, chances are you've swayed to the heartfelt melody of this timeless track, which has become a staple choice for the cherished Father-Daughter Dance. However, amidst the emotions of this episode, there lies a strong and divisive opinion: it's Chris's least favorite one-hit wonder EVER. But can Matt's in-depth research on this Christian artist and his touching tribute to his daughter sway Chris's perspective? Tune in as we dive into the backstory of this artist and song, and see if we end up worshipping Bob Carlisle, or simply tossing him into the burning pits of Hell! by One Hit Thunder

61 min listen

“So Alive” by Love and Rocket (f/ Colin Clive): Emerging from the haunting echoes of gothic rock pioneered by Bauhaus, Love and Rockets swiftly conquered the college radio scene during the mid-80s. By 1989, the band had made a significant leap into the mainstream with their smash hit "So Alive," inspired by vocalist Daniel Ash's glimpse of a captivating woman across a dimly lit room. Join us this week as we're joined by Mustard Plug guitarist Colin Clive, exploring his enduring admiration for Love and Rockets. Colin's firsthand experiences with their electrifying live performances offer a unique perspective, having been an avid fan long before the band captured the attention of the nation. by One Hit Thunder

59 min listen

Singles From 1994 March Madness Championship Round Results: We finally have the conclusion to our March Madness bracket for Singles Released in 1994. Who won the epic battle of Green Day's Basket Case vs. Counting Crow's Mr. Jones. But first we breakdown each song with some fun facts and history behind each song. by One Hit Thunder

28 min listen

“Give It To You” by Jordan Knight: Five years after New Kids On The Block disbanded, Jordan Knight made a comeback with a lively, carnival-themed song about wild sex. The track boasted a memorable video, a contemporary sound, and an irresistible chorus. Despite knocking it out of the park with “Give It To You”, Knight fell short in comparison to another former boy band member who ventured into solo territory. This week, we explore why the most talented New Kid couldn't keep us wet with another hit. by One Hit Thunder

44 min listen

Singles From 1994 March Madness Fifth Round Matchups: We officially have our final matchup! Who are the last 2 songs to make it? Listen and find out and then vote with the link below! by One Hit Thunder

18 min listen

"Drinking in LA" by Bran Van 3000 (f/Spose): This week, we're welcoming back a One Hit Thunder favorite—indie rap sensation Spose. He has brought with him the deepest cut we've discussed in ages: Bran Van 3000's "Drinking in L.A.," a song that soared in Canada but made only a small ripple in the States. Yet, for Spose, hailing from Maine where the song's melodies permeated the airwaves, it left an impression on him that remains even decades later. Join us as we give this song a ring-a-ding-ding and decide if more people should have taken a ride in the Bran Van. by One Hit Thunder

63 min listen

Singles From 1994 March Madness Fourth Round Match-Ups: We are into the Final Four! Who won last week and who do we have the highest odds on for this week!? by One Hit Thunder

20 min listen

"Are You Jimmy Ray?" by Jimmy Ray: Are we One Hit Thunder? Who wants to know? Jimmy Ray seemed to possess all the makings of superstardom in the late 90s: a striking appearance, an unforgettable chorus that echoed his identity, and the backing of a renowned manager. He even embarked on a tour opening for one of the biggest boy bands of his time. Yet, as swiftly as he ascended, he vanished without a trace…until a few years ago. This week, One Hit Thunder transforms into Unsolved Mysteries as we endeavor to unravel the enigma surrounding Jimmy Ray's disappearance. by One Hit Thunder

41 min listen

Singles From 1994 March Madness Third Round Matchups: We have our elite 8 for our March Madness Match-ups ... who makes it to the final four? Vote to make that decision! by One Hit Thunder

16 min listen

"Whoever You Are" by Geggy Tah (f/Taylor Morden): This week we want to thank you all the great drivers out there. Maybe one of you helped inspire Geggy Tah to pen their hit "Whoever You Are". This laid-back track about letting you change lanes was a minor hit in the mid-90s and found itself in car commercials years later but unfortunately Geggy Tah couldn't get another hit. Fan of the band and Bampire director Taylor Morden joins us this week to break down this infectious tune. by One Hit Thunder

55 min listen

Singles from 1994 March Madness Round 2: We are moving into the Sweet 16 with the March Madness Poll! by One Hit Thunder

19 min listen

"We Are the World" by U.S.A. for Africa: On a remarkable night in 1985, an ensemble of music's brightest stars united to record a benefit anthem. This song soared to become one of the best-selling singles in music history and has since served as a touchstone for parodies and cultural nods. In celebration of the recent Netflix documentary chronicling the recording session, we at One Hit Thunder have chosen to make an episode about this iconic track—the sole chart-topper by U.S.A. for Africa. by One Hit Thunder

44 min listen

Singles From 1994 March Madness First Round Matchups: We decided to join the fun of March Madness by putting various singles from 30 years ago against each other! Please vote and make this the best March Madness by One Hit Thunder

17 min listen

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly: Whether it was from an 80s horror movie, a Simpsons joke, or your dad’s record collection, you have undoubtedly heard the psychedelic sounds of Iron Butterfly’s 17-minute-long opus “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”. This week, we’re joined by Joey Ritter to discuss extended drum solos, wild conspiracies, and the bizarre career of these hard rock pioneers that sold over 30 million copies of their landmark album. by One Hit Thunder

47 min listen

"Crush" by Jennifer Paige: “Crush” became a surprise hit for the previously unknown Jennifer Paige in the fall of 1998. Before her album was even released, she was out on the road, performing the song on television in support of her newfound fame. Unfortunately, she was never able to match the heights of the meteoric rise of her debut single. Our Patreon supporters demanded it, so this week, Matt and I dive into this iconic pop song, and we might solve the mystery (or rewrite history) of why Jennifer wasn’t able to repeat her success. by One Hit Thunder

47 min listen

The 1994 Albums Fantasy Auction Draft: It could be argued that 1994 is the greatest year for music EVER, so the DREAM TEAM of Chris, Matt, Matthew Milligan, and Tony Hartman are once again reunited to try to outbid each other for the best of the best! A fifth drafter - returning guest Jim Logrando - is also added to the mix, adding an extra layer of complexity and competition to this fun exercise in budgeting money while gushing over some all-time favorite albums. by One Hit Thunder

81 min listen

Chris and Matt Review Usher's Super Bowl Halftime Show: Last night was the Super Bowl, so naturally, Chris watched for the love of the sport, while Matt tuned in for the love of funny commercials and the halftime show. Today, they break down their thoughts on Usher's Halftime Performance and also quickly go over their favorite commercials. They discuss who will play the Super Bowl halftime show next, commercials for Jesus, and the once-in-a-lifetime talent of Patrick Mahomes. by One Hit Thunder

30 min listen

"Must be the Money" by Deion Sanders: It’s Super Bowl week here at One Hit Thunder, and to celebrate, we’re playing fast and loose with the term “hit” so we can discuss multi-sport athlete turned musician Deion Sanders and his 1994 single “Must Be The Money.” If you were a sports fan in the '90s, you knew how electrifying Prime Time was on the field, but did he match that intensity on the mic? Hammer seemed to think so, even if the public at large didn’t necessarily agree. Stay tuned so you can, at the very least, be impressed with Neon Deion’s sports accomplishments. by One Hit Thunder

37 min listen

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards Reactions: Last night Chris and Matt watched the 66th Annual Grammy Awards and today they're discussing their thoughts. The show was more a collection of performances than anything else so they discuss the best and worst performances and any award upsets. by One Hit Thunder

41 min listen

"Through the Fire and the Flames" by DragonForce (f/Matt DiStefano): If you played Rock Band or Guitar Hero in the mid-2000s, you know DragonForce. If you mastered their power metal classic "Through the Fire and Flames," you'd be the talk of any party (the talk being, "imagine if that guy could actually play that song on a real guitar instead of tapping colors on a piece of plastic"). Joining us this week is One Hit Thunder favorite Matt DiStefano to discuss this cult-favorite band and their one and only trip to the Billboard Hot 100. by One Hit Thunder

56 min listen

“Everything Falls Apart” by Dog’s Eye View (f/ Jimmy Mowery): This week, we’re joined by my friend (and the only person I know who’s competed on The Voice) Jimmy Mowery to discuss one of his favorite songs from the ‘90s, Dog’s Eye View’s “Everything Falls Apart”. This quickly written song about a hangover was everywhere in 1996, and vocalist and songwriter Peter Stuart seemed to be a favorite of many of his more well-known contemporaries…so why did it all seem to fall apart for this promising band? Stay tuned as we investigate the band’s the back catalog and see if we can put the story back together. by One Hit Thunder

62 min listen

Green Day “Saviors” Album Review: In this bonus episode, Matt and Chris review the new Green Day album "Saviors," which was released this weekend. Before we dive into the album, however, Matt tells us about going to the SiriusXM record release party in New York that Thursday. We also discuss our Green Day fandom leading up to this album and vent about how much we dislike Jimmy Fallon. by One Hit Thunder

46 min listen

"Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand: If you played EA Sports video games in 2005—or if you simply tuned into the radio—you couldn't escape Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out,” a disco-inspired rock song with an unusual structure and an even stranger music video. Critics showered praise on this stylish band's hook-laden dance music, and although the song only reached #66 on the Hot 100, it has become an inescapable classic that remains relevant even today. At the request of our Patreon supporters, we’re diving deeper into the band this week to understand what all the hype was about. by One Hit Thunder

46 min listen

“Cheerleader” by OMI (f/ Tony Hartman): If you reflect on the joyous music that graced the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 2015, it would be hard to believe that people were engaged in activities beyond falling in love and relishing a warm breeze. No song illustrated this point more vividly than OMI’s “Cheerleader,” a whimsical tropical tune that soared to the coveted #1 spot on the charts. However, the question remains: why didn’t the US clamor for more of OMI, considering he undeniably had songs worthy of being soundtracks to fireworks and hula hoop sessions? This week, we're joined by Tony Hartman to explore whether we can consider ourselves as cheerleaders for OMI’s career. by One Hit Thunder

43 min listen

"Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root: Blending influences from around the globe, Pittsburgh’s own Rusted Root made their mark on music history with their unforgettable 1992 hit, “Send Me On My Way”. This joyous tune only hit #72 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the song’s prominence in movies, TV, and commercials has eclipsed its initial chart performance. This week, we’ll dive further into the story and back catalog of Rusted Root to decide if we’d like to hold their little hand or tell them to run. by One Hit Thunder

44 min listen

"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora (f/Jim Logrando): You might not know the name Baltimora, but you have almost certainly encountered the anthemic “Tarzan Boy” in unexpected places. From iconic Listerine commercials to grand wrestling entrances, this unforgettable 80s song continues to live on decades after this Italian music project burst onto the scene. This week, we’re joined by Jim Logrando to unravel the mystery of who actually sang the song, the fascinating concept of the “millennial whoop”, and the biggest question of all: is there any need to swing further into the jungle of Baltimora’s back catalog? Stay tuned to find out. by One Hit Thunder

39 min listen

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Reactions to Spin Magazine's 88 Best Alternative Songs from 1998

Reactions to Spin Magazine's 88 Best Alternative Songs from 1998

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