Appearances Archive - Chris Molanphy

What Chris Does 101: interviews on how charts, hitmaking and podcasting work

Pop Pantheon: Hot 100 Hits, History and Kinks with Hit Parade’s Chris Molanphy

11 August 2022

For this “B-Side” episode, DJ Louis XIV is joined by the host of Slate's Hit Parade podcast to discuss the 60-year history of the chart and the way its metrics have evolved over time.

Waiting for Impact: The Promise of a New Day

26 October 2021

The search for Sudden Impact continues! Dave Holmes talks to Chris Molanphy, who gives us fascinating specifics on how popular culture changed in 1991 and talks about how he came to be a chart journalist…

MetaPod: Chris Molanphy of Hit Parade

28 April 2021

In this episode of MetaPod, Chris Molanphy discusses how he conceives topics and uncovers chart phenomena for his podcast Hit Parade—and makes the case that music charts still matter.

Jonathan Small’s Write About Now: Chris Molanphy

24 May 2020

Chris Molanphy is a music journalist, pop-chart expert, and host of the podcast Hit Parade, which dissects how the songs you love (or hate) rule the airwaves. His must-read Slate column “Why Is This Song No. 1?” analyzes current hits.

Pals with Bill Wadman: Chris Molanphy, Chart Analyst/Critic

19 August 2018

Chris Molanphy, host of Slate's podcast Hit Parade, sees connections and parallels along the history of popular music. Buckle up for a 100-minute trip up and down the Hot 100.

All Things Considered: How the Hot 100 Became America’s Hit Barometer

1 August 2013

How is it that, more than half a century later, we still follow a chart called the Hot 100 to measure which songs are dominating our earbuds, our dancefloors, our lives?

Full List of Appearances

Who Cares About the Rock Hall?: Calling Voters 2023 Edition

27 April 2023

We call up nine official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame voters to see who they're choosing on their ballot this year. Featuring Karen Glauber, Bob Merlis, Lauren Onkey, and Chris Molanphy.

Kelly Cutrara Show: Mariah vs. Brenda

25 November 2022

Can anyone take the top Christmas song from Mariah Carey? Kelly talks to Chris Molanphy form the Hit Parade podcast.…

The Gist: The Hits of 1992

23 November 2022

Chris Molanphy, chart analyst, pop critic and host of the Hit Parade podcast is back to recount the number one hits of 1992. …

Hall of Songs: Chris Molanphy on The Hot 100, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks + More!

4 September 2022

The Hot 100 has been the leading arbiter of song popularity within America since its conception in 1958. To better understand its nooks and crannies, we brought in the chart expert himself, Chris Molanphy (@cmolanphy), to break it all down.…

Pop Pantheon: Hot 100 Hits, History and Kinks with Hit Parade’s Chris Molanphy

11 August 2022

For this “B-Side” episode, DJ Louis XIV is joined by the host of Slate's Hit Parade podcast to discuss the 60-year history of the chart and the way its metrics have evolved over time.

Slate Culture Gabfest: “Summer Strut 2022” Edition

27 July 2022

The panel is joined by Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy for our annual Strut episode, diving into the longest listener-suggested playlist to date. (42 hours!) They also discuss this year’s chart-topping songs of the summer and their lack of strut-ness.

ImmaLetYouFinish…Charting Up That Hill with guest Chris Molanphy

23 June 2022

Episode One Hundred-One: Court & Amy clean the house with Drake and Bey as well as Kate Bush’s return the charts with our guest Chris Molanphy of Slate’s ”Why Is This Song No.1?”…

Slate Culture Gabfest: “Running Up That Flaming Hill” Edition

22 June 2022

The panel is joined by Chris Molanphy, host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast, to discuss British musician Kate Bush’s recent rise on the charts.

Who Cares About the Rock Hall?: Why 1983 Was a Huge Year for the 2022 Inductees w/ Chris Molanphy

11 June 2022

Chris Molanphy joins Joe & Kristen for a discussion of 1983—there’s no point that year when a 2022 inductee isn’t represented on the charts, from Duran Duran and Eurythmics to Lionel Richie and Dolly Parton.…

Who Cares About the Rock Hall?: Calling Voters w/Lauren Onkey, Arthur Levy, Chris Molanphy…

28 April 2022

This year’s voter calling season comes to an end with a mega-sode—Joe & Kristen call up eight more Rock Hall voters to see who they’re choosing on their ballot this year.…

Pop Pantheon: Diana Ross Pt. 2 – The Solo Years (with Hit Parade’s Chris Molanphy)

10 March 2022

Pop critic, chart analyst and host of the Hit Parade podcast Chris Molanphy joins DJ Louie once again for the second part of our series on Diana Ross, discussing Diana’s transition from lead singer for The Supremes into solo superstar.…

Below the Line: Oscars 2022 – Original Song

7 March 2022

Our tour through the categories continues with a discussion of the Oscar nominees for Original Song. Returning guests Mick Coogan (songwriter), Louis Weeks (score composer) and Chris Molanphy (chart analyst and fellow podcast host) offer their insights.…

Pop Pantheon: Diana Ross Pt. 1 – The Supremes (with Hit Parade’s Chris Molanphy)

3 March 2022

Pop critic, chart analyst and host of the Hit Parade podcast Chris Molanphy joins DJ Louie for the first of a two-part series on American Icon, Diana Ross. Louie and Chris walk through The Supremes’ astounding run of ’60s hits.…

USA Today: ‘Encanto’ hit “’We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is bigger than “Let It Go”

11 January 2022

"The organic nature of the audience landing on 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' really is the marketplace picking the single and that's quite unusual, especially for an animated film," says Chris Molanphy, Slate's chart analyst and host of music history podcast Hit Parade.

Who Cares About the Rock Hall?: The Voters vs. the Nominating Committee with Chris Molanphy

26 November 2021

Critic and podcaster Chris Molanphy (Slate’s Hit Parade) returns to the show to nerd out with Joe & Kristen about the taste differences between the Nominating Committee and the larger voting body. What artists are popular with the NomCom but…

The New York Times presents – Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson

19 November 2021

In 2004, a culture war was brewing when the Super Bowl halftime show audience saw a white man expose a Black woman’s breast for 9/16ths of a second. A national furor ensued. The woman was Janet Jackson, and career was…

KCRW Press Play: Adele releases ‘30’ after 6-year hiatus—an exceptional and consistent brand, says music critic

15 November 2021

“She's a stronger singer now than she was even a decade ago,” says Chris Molanphy, music critic for Slate and host of the “Hit Parade” podcast. “Adele gives you a consistent product…In the six years she's been gone, there have been several cycles of pop music, and Adele seems to float above all of it.”

Slate Culture Gabfest: “Dancing Queen” Edition

3 November 2021

Steve, Dana and Carl Wilson are joined by host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast (and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voter!) Chris Molanphy to discuss this year’s Rock Hall inductees and the institution at large.…

Pals with Bill Wadman: Chris Molanphy returns

1 November 2021

Back for his second episode. Slate magazine’s resident pop critic & chart analyst Chris Molanphy chats with me about the definition of a “Smash,” why the demographics of the artists on the charts have changed over time, and how much…

Waiting for Impact: The Promise of a New Day

26 October 2021

Slate Culture Gabfest: “Summer Strut 2021” Edition

11 August 2021

Steve and Dana are joined by Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy to discuss how one passionate fanbase gained control of this year’s Song of the Summer. Then the panel announces favorite songs from the mammoth playlist of listener suggestions.

One Year: Music’s Pivot Point in 1977

6 August 2021

In this Slate Plus episode for One Year, Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy and One Year producer Evan Chung discuss the music of 1977, from disco to punk to AM radio rock.

Culture Gabfest: “It’s Brutal Out Here” Edition

2 June 2021

This week Steve Metcalf, Allegra Frank and Karen Han are joined by Slate’s Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy to dive into Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout album ‘Sour.’

BeatSeeker: The Charts with Chris Molanphy

8 May 2021

How does a song get on Billboard’s Hot 100? How have the charts adapted to stay relevant? We speak with chart analyst Chris Molanphy, who explains how the charts are always evolving and why they are so important to the industry.

‎Who Cares About the Rock Hall?: Voter Calling Party Continues!

7 May 2021

Joe Kwaczala and Kristen Studard call up Rock & Roll Hall of Fame voters to see who they chose on this year's ballot—guests include Lauren Onkey, Rob Tannenbaum, Amy Linden and Chris Molanphy.

MetaPod: Chris Molanphy of Hit Parade

28 April 2021

In this episode of MetaPod, Chris Molanphy discusses how he conceives topics and uncovers chart phenomena for his podcast Hit Parade—and makes the case that music charts still matter.

Below the Line: Oscars 2021 – Original Score

23 April 2021

To conclude our 2021 Oscar series highlighting the technical awards, I discuss the nominees for Original Score with score composer Louis Weeks, songwriter Mick Coogan and Chris Molanphy, host of the Slate podcast Hit Parade.

Below the Line: Oscars 2021 – Original Song

19 April 2021

With the Oscars ceremony approaching, we’re talking about Academy Award nominees in the technical categories. Today, we're breaking down Original Song with Mick Coogan (composer) and Chris Molanphy (host of the Slate podcast Hit Parade).

Culture Gabfest: “Oops I Did It Again” to “Drivers License”

17 February 2021

Steve and Dana are joined by Slate’s pop music expert Chris Molanphy to discuss new artist Olivia Rodrigo, whose debut single “Drivers License” surprisingly shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

The Culture Gabfest “Summer Strut 2020” Edition

22 July 2020

Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy to take on the Song of the Summer contenders. Then the team dives into listener-nominated songs to determine the “struttiest” music to listen to as you strut around your house.

Jonathan Small’s Write About Now: Chris Molanphy

24 May 2020

Below the Line: Oscars 2020 – Original Song/Original Score

30 January 2020

Our 2020 series of Oscar conversations continues with a discussion of the nominees for Original Song and Original Score. I’m joined by score composer Louis Weeks, songwriter Mick Coogan and Chris Molanphy, host of the Slate podcast Hit Parade.

The Gist: The Hits of 1983

25 January 2020

Chris Molanphy is back to talk Mike Pesca through the hits of 1983. Enjoying vegemite sandwiches, the rains in Africa, and some sweet dreams, they indulge in pop mainstays that persist on the radio and at the karaoke bar.

All Things Considered: Here Comes YouTube

2 January 2020

Starting Jan. 3, 2020, Billboard will include YouTube streams in its album charts. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to Chris Molanphy, a chart analyst and pop critic at Slate, about the significance of this change.

CBC Radio: Is Christmas music actual holiday magic…

21 December 2019

…or just a cash grab? Paul Haavardsrud interviews Hit Parade podcast host Chris Molanphy on just why we keep reminding ourselves that all we, and Mariah Carey, want for Christmas is “you.”

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

18 December 2019

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner talk with Hit Parade’s Chris Molanphy to discuss how and why Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” finally hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 charts after 25 years.

The Gist: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Game

22 November 2019

Mike Pesca interviews Chris Molanphy, who runs through the nominees for this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He and Mike talk about the new nominees, those who’ve appeared time and again, and the game theory of it all.

N.Y. Times/Opinion | This Summer Stinks. But at Least We’ve Got ‘Old Town Road.’

7 August 2019

Farhad Manjoo: "Chris Molanphy, who writes a brilliant music chart-watching column for Slate, told me that streaming has led to quirkier hits that seem to come out of nowhere, and that stick around for longer.”

Sound & Vision: Looking at the Chart Dominance of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”

6 August 2019

"Old Town Road" has been No. 1 on the Hot 100 since early April. Chris Molanphy, chart analyst and host of the Hit Parade podcast, talked with Sound & Vision’s Emily Fox about what’s made the song a hit, as well as the controversy around its genre.

Afternoons with Rob Breakenridge – “Old Town Road” sets new Billboard record

30 July 2019

How did “Old Town Road” do it? We spoke with chart analyst and pop critic Chris Molanphy, who writes the "Why Is This Song No. 1?" feature and hosts the Hit Parade podcast for Slate.com.

All Things Considered: “Road” to Record-Breaking – How Lil Nas X Is Making History

29 July 2019

Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” has officially broken the record for the longest-running No. 1 single on Billboard's Hot 100. Pop critic and chart analyst Chris Molanphy says, ”It has dodged all of the major contenders for song of the summer.”

Sound & Vision: Bundling and Gaming the Billboard Charts

16 July 2019

Sound & Vision host Emily Fox spoke with chart analyst Chris Molanphy about the controversy surrounding “bundling.” Artists and labels are raising concerns that purchasing merch or tickets doesn’t prove people actually want to buy an album.

The Culture Gabfest “Summer Strut 2019” Edition

3 July 2019

Chris Molanphy joins the gabbers to discuss 2019’s Song of Summer candidates—and how one unlikely track emerged as the decisive winner. Then they sift through 400-plus listener-nominated songs to select finalists for the Summer Strut playlist.

The Gist: Retro Hits and Repeats of 2014

7 May 2019

Chris Molanphy is on the show again, this time to walk us through the big tracks from the year The Gist was born—2014 was full of retro vibes and repeats, with hits like “Happy,” “All About That Bass,” and “Blank Space” echoing older styles.

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on “Old Town Road”

17 April 2019

Dana Stevens, Steve Metcalf and Dan Kois consult Hit Parade’s Chris Molanphy on the controversy around “Old Town Road”—the reasons for its exclusion from the country charts, and how and why genre is policed in the first place.

The Gist: The Divergent Charts of 1994

12 April 2019

On The Gist, songs like “The Sign” and “I’ll Make Love to You” dominated the charts in 1994, but they weren’t all that emblematic of what was happening in music that year. Chris Molanphy has ideas as to why, and…

Jingle Sells, But Who’s Buying?

18 December 2018

What is it that makes so many artists want to sing about Christmas? Why not other holidays, in other times of year? And after decades of holiday hits, is there anything new to do with the genre?…

The Gist: Halls of Fame Need Diversity, Too

11 December 2018

The 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees are less progressive rock, more progressive politics.…

Heat Rocks: EP60: Chris Molanphy on George Michael’s “Faith” (1987)

15 November 2018

In the fall of 1987, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that George Michael’s solo debut, Faith, would be a hit. As successful as Michael had been as half of the Wham! duo, going solo was always going to be a…

Pals with Bill Wadman: Chris Molanphy, Chart Analyst/Critic

19 August 2018

Chris Molanphy, host of Slate's podcast Hit Parade, sees connections and parallels along the history of popular music. Buckle up for a 100-minute trip up and down the Hot 100.

The Culture Gabfest “Summer Strut 2018” Edition

25 July 2018

Chris Molanphy joins the Gabfesters to discuss candidates for 2018’s Song of the Summer, unpacking the rise of Cardi B and the enduring popularity of Drake. Then they sift through more than 450 songs nominated by listeners for this year’s Summer Strut playlist.

The Gist: 2007 Defined the Next Decade in Pop

22 September 2017

The Culture Gabfest “Summer Strut 2017” Edition

12 July 2017

The Gist: When the ’80s Went Pro

21 April 2017

The Gist: The Year “Gangnam” Was Robbed

3 March 2017

The Gist: When There Was No Ducking Disco

22 December 2016

The Gist: Revenge of the Music Nerds

23 November 2016

The Gist: “Mrs. Robinson,” “Hey Jude,” and Some Utter Schlock

16 September 2016

The Gist: The Year Nirvana Lost Out to Bryan Adams

26 August 2016

The Culture Gabfest “Summer Strut 2016” Edition

27 July 2016

The Gist: And We Never Looked at Music the Same Way Again

15 July 2016

The Gist: Billboard Hits From 1964

24 June 2016

The Gist: Billboard Hits From 1986

15 April 2016

The Gist: The Height of Clinton-Era Pop Music

25 March 2016

The Gist: The Year of Travolta

11 March 2016

The Gist: Eight New Billboard Hits

30 December 2015

The Gist: 1971: When the ’70s Started Sounding Like the ’70s

16 October 2015

The Gist Live: Craig Finn From the Hold Steady

8 October 2015

The Gist: That Groovy Summer of Love

18 September 2015

The Gist: The Year Disco Became a Dirty Word

28 August 2015

The Gist: That’s Just Sand in My Eye!

7 August 2015

The Gist: Easy Listening Wasn’t Easy in 1975

9 July 2015

The Culture Gabfest: The “Very First Concert I Ever Attended” Bonus Segment

8 July 2015

The Culture Gabfest “Quinquennial Strut” Edition

1 July 2015

The Gist: 1990: The Year Before Music Changed Forever

26 June 2015

The Gist: Why Karaoke Carries a Torch for 1984

22 May 2015

The Gist: 50-Year-Old Hits

16 April 2015

Listen to Our October Music Roundup

30 October 2014

All Things Considered: How the Hot 100 Became America’s Hit Barometer

1 August 2013

How is it that, more than half a century later, we still follow a chart called the Hot 100 to measure which songs are dominating our earbuds, our dancefloors, our lives?