"Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane (w/Mike Soboslai)

We've covered Deion Sanders and Eddie Murphy on the podcast, but there's still a treasure trove of celebrities turned musicians to discuss. However, the case of Bruce Willis is extra strange. A year before Die Hard transformed him from a TV star to a full-blown movie star, he released the album The Return of Bruno, featuring the Top 10 hit "Respect Yourself." This album of mostly cover songs was released on Motown Records and received very modest reviews from critics. But will Bruce Willis get modest reviews from the harsh critics of One Hit Thunder? Listen and find out if Bruce can earn our respect in the world of music. 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

4 Sep 202445min

Matt really let this one slide for no other reason than it's one of his favorite songs, but there's a pretty good chance you don't know "The Whole of the Moon" by The Waterboys. In this episode of One Hit Thunder, we dive into this overlooked gem from 1985. Matt discovered the song through a Netflix Christmas movie, while our guest Paul Menotiades heard it through a friend, and for both of them, it left a huge impact. We explore the rich history of The Waterboys, a band led by Mike Scott known for their unique blend of rock and Celtic music, and discuss how "The Whole of the Moon" reached its peak position on the alternative charts in 2019. Join us for a passionate episode celebrating a song that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with new generations of listeners. 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

28 Aug 202434min

With the 25th anniversary of Jimmie's Chicken Shack's album Bring Your Own Stereo upon us, we're diving into their eclectic catalog, spotlighting their 1999 single "Do Right." Known for running the full gamut of musical styles—sometimes to the point where it might be too much—the band's versatility is both a strength and a challenge. Depending on your perspective, Jimmie's Chicken Shack might be a one-hit wonder, a two-hit wonder, or a no-hit wonder. Join us this week as we explore what they did right and what they did wrong. 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

21 Aug 202436min

This week, Gene the Werewolf frontman Jon Belan joins us to dive into Nicolette Larson's 1978 hit "Lotta Love." As a young dreamer, Larson headed to San Francisco, where her talent quickly caught the attention of noteworthy artists, leading to collaborations with legends like Neil Young. As luck would have it, she discovered "Lotta Love" on a demo tape lying on the floor of Neil's car. Her voice paired with his song turned it into a hit. While it's easy to dismiss "Lotta Love" as just a minor hit from a decent singer, we suggest you dig a little deeper. Larson's career is rich with celebrity interactions, featuring names like Andrew Gold and even Weird Al Yankovic. So, join us this week as we give Nicolette Larson a lotta love! 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

14 Aug 202438min

Patreon voted for this, so we're diving deep into the world of weed and hip-hop with Luniz (yes, their name is pronounced "Loonies") and their 1995 hit "I Got 5 On It." Both Matt and I were blown away by just how massive this song was when it dropped—contrary to what you might think, it was already a Top 10 hit long before it was resurrected by Jordan Peele’s movie Us. And let's not forget, Luniz boasts the most insane logo we've ever seen—seriously, it’s GROSS and hilarious. Join us as we explore the highs (and lows) of Luniz's career and decide if they had more to offer or if "I Got 5 On It" was their one big hit that went up in smoke faster than a well-lit joint. 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

7 Aug 202439min

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by my longtime friend and music aficionado Shaun Rohland to celebrate the 1969 flower power anthem “Something In the Air” by Thunderclap Newman. We dive into how this song - with its reminder that “we got to get together sooner or later” - perfectly embodies the spirit of its era. Exploring the band’s intriguing history and its connections to The Who, we ponder whether there truly was something in the air that propelled this one-hit wonder to iconic status. Tune in as we relive the magic of a song that captures the zeitgeist of a transformative time. 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

31 Juli 202442min

This week, Zao guitarist Scott Mellinger joins us to explore Mountain's 1970 smash hit "Mississippi Queen." We ride the musical train back to the roots of metal, exploring how this southern rock anthem, with Leslie West's iconic guitar riffs and raw vocals, helped shape the heavy metal landscape. We trace the genre's evolution from its gritty beginnings to its modern, head-banging incarnations, and speculate on where it might go in the future. So, get your bell bottoms on and join us as we dissect the impact of "Mississippi Queen" and its legacy in the world of heavy music. 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

24 Juli 202449min

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Canadian rock band Default and their 2001 hit "Wasting My Time," a song that left an indelible mark on what many would call the "butt rock" genre. Our Patreon supporters voted for this track, so Matt and I are breaking down the elements that make this tune both memorable and, in some ways, quintessentially generic rock. Default's name feels fitting as we struggle to pin down any genre beyond that. Despite their breakup in 2013, the band's lead singer Dallas Smith took a surprising twist in his career that has us scratching our heads about the Canadian charts. Join us as we explore whether Default was truly wasting our time or if they hit a fleeting moment of musical thunder. 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

17 Juli 202435min