THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#40 - #21)

THE THUNDRED: The 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of All Time (#40 - #21)

Author: Geekscape May 1, 2026 Duration: 1:06:50
The penultimate episode of our countdown of the 100 greatest one hit wonders of all time is here! In Part 4 of our Thundred series, we’re counting down #40 through #21 of the songs that our past guests, friends in the world of music, and LISTENERS LIKE YOU have submitted as the very best. Take a listen and let the speculation about what will top the list fly! 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 ⁠Join our Patreon⁠ ⁠Buy some merch⁠ ⁠Follow us on IG⁠ ⁠Join our FB Group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder what happened to those artists who gave us a single unforgettable song before vanishing from the charts? One Hit Thunder digs into that very mystery, hosted by musician Chris Fafalios of Punchline and Matt Kelly from Geekscape. Each episode pairs them with a different guest-bandmates, touring pals, or fellow musicians-to revisit a classic one-hit wonder. They don't just play the hit; they embark on a deep dive through the entire catalog of the artist or band behind it, uncovering hidden gems, bizarre B-sides, and the stories that explain their fleeting moment in the spotlight. The conversation is loose, funny, and informed by a genuine love for music, blending comedy with insightful critique. You'll hear the familiar thunderclap of that one massive track, followed by the surprising, often hilarious exploration of everything else that followed-or didn't. It’s a podcast for anyone who’s ever shouted along to a chorus on the radio and then asked, “But what else did they do?” This Geekscape production finds the rich, strange, and human details in the careers of pop culture’s most fascinating almost-weres.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

One Hit Thunder
Podcast Episodes
“Harlem Shake” by Baauer (f/ Chris Dalla Riva) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:32
In early 2013, the Billboard Charts underwent a major change by incorporating YouTube streams into their formula. Almost immediately, the internet responded with chaos. The bizarre, bass-heavy electronica track “Harlem S…
Punchline “Somewhere To Land” Instant Reaction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:03
Punchline’s new album Somewhere To Land was just released a few hours ago, and One Hit Thunder is here with some thoughts! Matt shares his feelings about every track, and Chris shares some insight into the writing, recor…
“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:39
This week, we’re discussing the music and career of Berlin, a band whose biggest hit was, strangely, not really a Berlin song at all. “Take My Breath Away” soared into the stratosphere on the tailwinds of Top Gun in 1986…
The 2025 MTV VMAs: Thoughts and Reactions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
Chris and Matt discuss their thoughts on the 2025 VMAs, which strangely aired on CBS instead of MTV (which couldn’t be bothered to interrupt their nonstop stream of the show Ridiculousness to air their signature awards s…
“Bodies” by Drowning Pool (f/ Kyle Kuchta) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:39
To be honest, when this week’s guest Kyle Kuchta pitched Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” to us for an episode, we braced ourselves for a terrible listening experience. Instead, what we got was some solid hard rock and a tragic…
“Walking In Memphis” by Marc Cohn (f/ Evan Fonseca) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:24
In an attempt to combat a case of writer's block, struggling songwriter Marc Cohn took a trip to Memphis. A chance encounter at a café resulted in one of the most beloved adult contemporary songs of the 90s. “Walking In…
“It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
HIT IT! Few tracks ignite a dance floor like Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s 1988 classic, “It Takes Two.” Built around an infectious sample from Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It),” this platinum-certified anthem didn’t just dom…
“Tainted Love by Soft Cell (f/Paul Menotiades) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:06
This week, our good friend Paul Menotiades returns to help us unpack the unlikely rise of Soft Cell’s 1981 synth-pop smash, “Tainted Love.” Originally a 1965 Northern Soul obscurity by Gloria Jones, Soft Cell's eerie, sl…
“Runaway” by Del Shannon (f/ Scott Mellinger) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:09
In this episode, we're joined by special guest Scott Mellinger to explore Del Shannon's 1961 chart-topping hit, "Runaway." This early rock and roll classic is renowned for its haunting falsetto vocals and the groundbreak…