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PODCAST

One Hit Thunder

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

music music commentary

All Episodes

62:58

The 1985 Albums Fantasy Auction Draft

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/07/02

Get ready for a battle of musical nostalgia in The 1985 Albums Fantasy Auction Draft, where Chris and Matt are joined by fellow music lovers Matthew Milligan and Tony Hartman to bid on the best albums of a stacked year in music. From blockbuster releases like Songs from the Big Chair and No Jacket Required to cult favorites like Tim and Dare to Be Stupid, the draft sparks passionate debates, personal stories, and plenty of surprises. With picks spanning punk, pop, metal, goth, and even movie

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53:10

"Space Lord" by Monster Magnet (f/Jim Logrando)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/06/25

This week, Jim Logrando sits in to discuss the spaced-out swagger of Monster Magnet’s 1998 hit “Space Lord.” As a loyal listener since discovering the band in the late '90s, Jim brings his passion for these groove metal pioneers to the table as we dig into their unlikely brush with mainstream success. With its psychedelic riffs, tongue-in-cheek bravado, and a hook that crashed into the mainstream rock charts, “Space Lord” became the very first video ever played on MTV’s Total Request Live. But

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64:12

“Down (feat. Lil Wayne)” by Jay Sean (f/ Andrés)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/06/18

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

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35:44

“My Boo” by Ghost Town DJs

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/06/11

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

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64:39

“Pop Goes the Weasel” by 3rd Bass (f/ PJ Caruso)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/06/04

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

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52:15

“Mad World” by Gary Jules (f/ Nichole Vatcher)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/05/28

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

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79:30

“Got You (Where I Want You)” by The Flys (f/ Rishi Bahl)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/05/21

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

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53:41

“Bust a Move” by Young MC

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/05/14

This week, our Patreon pals picked a song that had Matt and I cuttin’ a rug down memory lane—Young MC’s 1989 smash hit “Bust a Move.” From penning hits for Tone Loc to grabbing a Grammy and storming the charts, Young MC made the most of a short but unforgettable moment in the spotlight. We dig into how the song came together, the role Delicious Vinyl played, and why this track still hits decades later. Plus, we look at what happened after the hype, from his evolving music career to his appearances

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56:39

“Supersonic” by J.J. Fad (f/ Alex Goldman)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/05/07

This week, we’re joined by podcast legend Alex Goldman—of Reply All and HyperFixed fame—to dive into the high-speed legacy of J.J. Fad’s 1988 hit “Supersonic.” Whether you remember it from the radio or recognize it as the backbone of Fergie’s “Fergalicious,” this track’s influence is undeniable. We explore the group’s origins, their ties to N.W.A., and how “Supersonic” broke barriers for female rappers at a time when the genre was dominated by men. Along the way, we discuss regional hip hop

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48:40

“Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc. (f/ John Franklin)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/04/30

When comedian John Franklin joined us for a round of music trivia back in December, he only got one question right—but it was an important one: Who sang “Funkytown”? That victorious moment has now come full circle, as John returns to help us take a deeper look at Lipps, Inc.’s massive 1980 hit and the whirlwind career of vocalist Cynthia Johnson. We get into how this Minneapolis-based studio project managed to top charts in 28 countries, briefly revive disco on its way out, and leave behind one of

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48:08

“I Love College” by Asher Roth (f/ Sean Quilty)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/04/23

This week, we're joined by special guest Sean Quilty to dive into Asher Roth's 2009 party anthem “I Love College.” From sticky bar floors to Top 20 charts, this catchy hit captured a specific moment in pop and hip-hop culture, sparking the brief but memorable wave of frat rap. As Philly natives, Matt and Sean reflect on Roth’s early days, his MySpace-era discovery by Scooter Braun, and how the song’s beer-soaked nostalgia resonated with a generation. Along the way, we dig into Roth’s post-radio

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71:14

“Naked Eye” by Luscious Jackson (f/ Tracy Bonham)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/04/16

It's always a bit nerve-wracking when an artist we've covered reaches out, but it's pretty cool when they enjoyed their episode and want to join us! This week, we're thrilled to welcome Tracy Bonham—whose hit "Mother Mother" we previously discussed—to talk about another '90s classic: Luscious Jackson’s "Naked Eye." Tracy shares insights on her own career, her upcoming album, and the challenges of being labeled a one-hit wonder, while we dive into the unique sound and underrated legacy of Luscious

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47:20

“Pump Up The Volume” by M/A/R/R/S

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/04/09

Few artists embody the term "one-hit wonder" more than M/A/R/R/S, a collective that only recorded two songs but forever changed music history with "Pump Up the Volume." This sample-heavy track may seem unremarkable in modern times, but in the late '80s, it was groundbreaking—pushing the boundaries of sampling, shaping house music, and earning a Grammy nomination along the way. In this episode, we dive into the song’s impact and the legal controversies that surrounded its release.One Hit Thunder

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56:18

“When I’m With You” by Sheriff (f/ Joel Reader)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/04/02

This week, we're joined by Joel Reader to discuss one of the strangest comeback stories in music history—Sheriff’s sappy power ballad, "When I’m With You." This Canadian band had already called it quits when their forgotten single unexpectedly climbed to number one nearly a decade later, thanks to a few radio DJs deciding to put the song into rotation. We’ll dive into the band's short-lived career, the impact of songwriter Arnold Lanni, and the cultural shifts that made this song’s resurgence so

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74:37

S Club 7 “Never Had a Dream Come True” (f/ Rod Kim)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/03/26

This week, we're joined by TikToker and songwriter Rod Kim to dive into the sugary pop world of S Club 7 and their lone U.S. hit, the 2001 ballad "Never Had a Dream Come True." While the UK couldn't get enough of this manufactured seven-piece pop machine, American audiences only got a small taste—so did we miss out, or was one hit enough? We unpack their career, the impact of their TV shows, and the behind-the-scenes realities of the pop industry, all while debating whether S Club 7's music holds up

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62:01

The 1995 Albums Fantasy Auction Draft

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/03/19

The CORE FOUR are back together again! Chris and Matt are joined by draft regulars Tony Hartman and Matthew Milligan to battle it out for the best five-album collection from the stacked year of 1995. With classics like Jagged Little Pill, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, The Bends, and Post up for grabs, the stakes are high and the arguments are passionate. Who will steal a sleeper pick? Who will overpay for a sentimental favorite? And who will walk away with the ultimate ‘95 time capsule

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68:47

“Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves (f/...

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/03/12

This week, we're joined by Internet Supreme Court dishonorable judge Robert Bacon to put Katrina and the Waves’ 1985 hit "Walking on Sunshine" on trial. Is it the ultimate feel-good anthem, or has its overuse in ironic movie moments doomed it to a lifetime of unintended comedy? We explore the band’s journey from their early struggles to their Eurovision triumph, unpack the punk influences hidden beneath the song’s sunny exterior, and share personal stories that prove this track has a strange way of

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44:18

"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/03/05

When our Patreon voted for an episode about “The Middle,” we had mixed emotions—how could a band as important to us as Jimmy Eat World technically be a one-hit wonder? With Bleed American holding a firm place on our Thundred list, it almost feels wrong! But this week, we dive deep into the band’s history, the perfect storm that made “The Middle” a massive hit, and the industry challenges they had to overcome. From the music video’s lasting impact to Jimmy Eat World's unwavering perseverance, we

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75:20

“Keep On Dancing” by The Gentrys (f/ Jonathan London)

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/02/26

It’s been a while since our friend Jonathan London joined us, but with his new comic Hero of the Prophecy crowdfunding now, we thought it was the perfect time to talk about a wrestling-connected musician—Jimmy Hart and his 1965 hit with The Gentrys, “Keep On Dancing”! While The Gentrys’ time in the spotlight was brief, “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart’s career stretched far beyond the 60s, making waves in both music and wrestling. We dive into the band’s history, the simplicity of their one big

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45:35

“The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground

One Hit Thunder ·

2025/02/19

Our Patreon supporters made their voices loud and clear—this week, we’re diving deep into Digital Underground’s unforgettable 1990 hit, “The Humpty Dance”! While some know the group solely for this quirky classic, others recognize frontman Shock G as one of hip hop’s most innovative figures. We explore the genius behind the Sex Packets album concept, the alter ego of Humpty Hump, and the song’s lasting influence on both music and pop culture. From its iconic samples to its role in launching Tupac’s

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