TnT's Hit Songs From Mars
TnT's Hit Songs From Mars explores the stories behind some of pop music's most unlikely hits. Hosts Tom Thompson and Tyler Ralston examine the sociopolitical and cultural factors that helped these surprising outliers succeed. The show also looks at the impact these songs had on society. It blends music history, cultural analysis, and storytelling.
Episodes
Mary on a Cross - Ghost
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Tom gets ghosted by Brother Ty and his cryptic ways as they dig deep into the bizarre story of Ghost's "Mary on the Cross" and debate whether stranger things have happened. Join our unctuous undertakers as they take us on a journey from Mormonism to Satanism, relive their headbanging days and unravel the uncanny phenomenon that is Ghost. Trigger warni
My Sharona - The Knack
Send us Fan MailIn this twofer episode the gents take off their goodie two shoes and step into the muck as they examine The Knack's 1979 classics "My Sharona" and "Good Girls Don't". Some light mud wrestling ensues as they debate the tenets of new wave, the origins of heavy metal and the deeper meaning of Queening. Join the boyz as they weigh in on whether we should a
Whip It - Devo
Send us Fan MailIn this episode our nerdburgers with cheese de-evolve as they take on Devo's wild and wonky 1980 classic "Whip It". From the infamous Kent State shootings to Pee-wee's Playhouse, our whip smart music historians resist many an uncontrollable urge as they scrutinize the very thin line that separates the revolutionary from dorkdom. Demand your freedom of choice, or
Touch of Grey - The Grateful Dead
Send us Fan MailIn tribute to the late Bob Weir, our venerable gentlemen put on their specs and take a closer look at the Grateful Dead classic "Touch of Grey". As they amble down the road they rip a Page off of Jimmy, find themselves in a Bitches Brew, and come to the realization that aging is a Fact of Life and nothing WEIRd after all. Join the lads as they commemorate their 50th epis
Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the boyz say YO!... Ho, Ho, Ho from Hollis, Queens as they unwrap Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis" in this very special XXXMas episode. As they pull their presents from (Back Door) Santa's sleigh, they unwrap a bounty of New York Christmas classics (both naughty and nice).Songs:The Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through TechnologyRun DMC - Chr
Ghost Town - The Specials
Send us Fan MailIn this very special Hallowe'en episode, our beloved rude boys put on their drainpipe trousers and kick back to the spooky sounds of The Specials' #1 hit "Ghost Town." As they skank down the streets of Coventry they make a stop at Elvis Costello's bordello before clashing with the locals in Brixton. While they are by no means condemning the condom, they ma
Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads uncover a song...within a song...within a song...within a song as they excavate the layers of The Verve's 1997 hit "Bitter Sweet Symphony". As they descend into the musical mine they find The Rolling Stones, The Staples Singers, discuss magical musical moments in London, marvel at the bittersweet results of an international hit, and wretch a
Chant - The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
Send us Fan MailIn this episode our devilish monks walk the not-so fine line between self-discipline and self-pleasure as they ponder the mysteries of the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos' most unlikely double-platinum success Chant, which gently rocked the world in 1994 and changed the way we think about music. On their journey to a simpler, more monastic life our friends are temp
Spirit in the Sky - Norman Greenbaum (Listener Pick!)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, featuring a listener pick, our kindred spirits ponder the deeper questions of earthly existence and the afterlife, as they examine Norman Greenbaum's 1969 classic "Spirit in the Sky". Things get downright fuzzy as they nerd-out on classic guitar tones and jimmy (Jimi?) open the caskets of the guitar greats in search of clarity. Join the fellas on the
I Touch Myself - Divinyls
Send us Fan MailIn this touching episode, the boyz go way down south and get down and dirty down under with Divinyls' classic hit "I Touch Myself." In their journey of self discovery, they learn that women have always led the charge when it comes to songs about self-pleasure, leaving men in the dark. Join Tommy Two Tones and Titillating Ty as they work hand-in-glove to put their fin
Cannonball - The Breeders
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads take the plunge off the deep end, diving into The Breeder's 1993 surprise hit "Cannonball." On their journey through 1990s alternative space, they consider the innovation of the era, including off-key intros, sado-masochistic lyrics, and the rhythmic beauty of bong water bubbles. Join the boyz as they make a divine splash into one of the mos
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Metal Health - Quiet Riot
Send us Fan MailIn this episode the lads take a stab at the darkness and aim to keep spirits up, all the while taking care of your metal health. Speaking of spirits, they finally get around to the "whisky challenge" making for a wobbly trip down memory lane. Along the way they go down some randy roads and engage in a heart-felt orgy with the Van Halen brothers. Put your headbands and stu
Do They Know it's Christmas? - Band Aid
Send us Fan MailIn the 40th episode of TnT's Hit Songs From Mars, our little elves wonder if "they really know it's Christmas" as they take a 40-year dive into Band Aid's 1984 song of a similar name. Tom reveals his vulnerable side by commending the stars of the day for putting their egos aside and coming together for a humanitarian cause, while Ty remains the same cynical
Tom's Diner - D.N.A. (feat. Suzanne Vega)
Send us Fan MailDa da da da DA da da DA da DA duh DUH duh DAT duh duhIn this week's ep-i-sodeTnT do Suz-anne Ve-gaThe lads go a-ca-pell-a with her hit song Tom's Di-nerIn the midst of their dis-cuss-ion they find their way to Rich-ard Buck-nerWho leaves and tra-vels well as he sings so-lo in the for-estDa da da da DA da da DA da DA duh DUH duh DAT duh duhFrom there they meet with Lu-ka,
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Send us Fan MailIn this very special Halloween episode, Tom and Ty get out their protective eyewear, turn around, and stare into the bright eyes of Bonnie Tyler's 1983 "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Nearly blinded by Jim Steinman's over-the-top songwriting, the two marvel at how he and Bonnie Tyler make the song work (in spite of Tom almost purging his Halloween candy over the m
They Don't Care About Us - Michael Jackson
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads pay homage to Michael Jackson's 1996 sleeper hit "They Don't Care About Us." On their pilgrimage (by llama of course), they are joined by the likes of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, Thomas Dolby Notorious B.I.G., and Spike Lee as they march to the other-worldly rhythms of Olodum. With the help of this braintrust, the fel
She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby
Send us Fan MailIn this episode the TnT Dork Collective get their nerd on with the geeky 1982 classic "She Blinded Me With Science." Tom blows Ty's mind with some little-known (and nerdy) Thomas Dolby trivia, including his associations with Foreigner, Joni Mitchell and Michael Jackson and then spazzes out when Ty nails his I'll-bet-you-didn't-know questions with the greate
In Dreams - Roy Orbison
Send us Fan MailIn this episode the fellas dream their way back to 1963 and stare in disbelief (and delight) as the legendary Roy Orbison upstages the Beatles not once but twice with his top ten hit "In Dreams." Little did Roy know that as Orbi-mania faded that the Candy Colored Clown was sound asleep aboard the HSFM mothership, existing in a state of suspended animation for 23 years, o
It's Oh So Quiet - Björk
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Tom goes berserk for Björk while Ty is blasé on her quirk. While Tom tries to convince Ty to not be a “jörk” about her work, the boys discuss the annoyingly unrepresentative hits that sometimes define an artist. While figuratively walking in the forest with Björk they manage to get into a discussion about primal guitar rock and the urge to jump off a cliff. Join the
Another Brick in the Wall pt. 2 - Pink Floyd
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads travel back to the disco era where they shake their boo-tays to none other than...Pink Floyd? As they try to dig the dark Floydian disco groove, they critique some hits (and misses) of rock bands attempting disco and marvel at how the genre penetrated every nook and cranny of the era that bears its name. Ty also offers Tom an olive branch for his unrelent
Tubular Bells (Pt. 1) - Theme From "The Exorcist"
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads become possessed by the unnerving creepiness of Mike Oldfield's unlikely hit "Tubular Bells", the theme music from the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist. Thankfully, special guest Joseph Trivers performs a successful exorcism on the dreadful scene, through his exploration of minimalist music and the mechanics of how it confounds, delights, a
Love Shack - The B-52s
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads got them a pod that's as big as whale and it's about to set sail! On route to the B-52s' "Love Shack" they head down the Atlanta Highway and pick up some shiny happy people including REM, Iggy Pop, Nile Rodgers, and Don Was (Not Was) and...the legendary John Lennon himself? Come Roam (if you want to) with TnT to that little old pl
Ball of Confusion - Love and Rockets
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Tom presents his Dissertation on Delay to Professor Ralston, who must choose the Hit Songiest Song From Mars from a number of worthy (and not so worthy) candidates. The challenge pits Love and Rockets against The Temptations, Edwin Starr, Tina Turner, Anthrax and Duran Duran. This ignites a compelling discussion on the unlikely bedfellows of Goth Rock, Reggae, Motow
Trololo - Eduard Khil
Send us Fan MailNow that the Falalalala season is over, time to get into the Trololo! Join the comrades as they revisit the "Golden Age" of YouTube (and perhaps the internet itself) with Eduard Khil's legendary non-lexical vocable masterpiece. As they travel along the Information Superhighway, they find the lost songs of their youth, search for the Sugar Man, and take an unexpected
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
Send us Fan MailO come all ye faithful and join the lads as they say pogue mahone to Christmas, with that most un-Christmassy of Christmas carols "Fairytale of New York." As they attempt (and fail) to find the true meaning of Christmas, the fellows examine the multi-year process that went into the making of this unlikely holiday classic, debate which Pogues album marked their peak, and e
More, More, More - Andrea True Connection
Send us Fan MailJoin the lads as they put on their skates and travel back to the roller disco era, grooving to the melodious tones of the Andrea True Connection's "More, More, More." As they try to keep their balance, the boyz marvel at the crisis turned opportunity that spawned not one but two top-ten hits (more than two decades apart, no less), ponder the origins of the death met
Chaise Longue - Wet Leg
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads kick back (all day long) on Wet Leg's "Chaise Longue." As they consume a six-pack of warm beer, they examine the Sprechgesang (speak-singing) approach to music and uncover a long history of talk-pop dating back to the 1960s. They also wrestle with life's bigger questions such as: how a chaise longue became a "lounge," the (in
Canon in D - Pachelbel
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the boyz go for baroque and bet the pot on Pachelbel's smash 1680 hit Canon in D. With the stakes high, the lads call the bluff of the artists who have incorporated Pachelbel's Canon into their music, up the ante on the idea of a collective unconscious, and are all-in on the importance of being in the right frame of mind to truly appreciate a work of art
Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
Send us Fan MailThis week, the boyz take a trip down the Old Town Road to Baseball Country with special guest Bryan Ruby, professional ball player and up-and-coming country phenom. Along the way, the trio discuss the true meaning of country, songs that come out of left field, and the arduous climb to recognition in the music industry. With the bases loaded they pay homage to the legendary John Fog
Enter Sandman - Metallica
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the lads revisit the summer of '91 and marvel at the gathering storm that will change music forever. The bleach-blonde remnants of hair-metal are blown into the gutter of Sunset Strip, making way for the arrival of grunge, funk-rock, and heavier genre-bending possibilities. Enter night, exit light, take Ty's hand...we're off to Never Neverland...Son
Hurt - Johnny Cash
Send us Fan MailIn this episode the boys untangle the knots surrounding the unlikely pairing of Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and Johnny Cash. Despite initial mistrust on both sides, the Reznor-penned "Hurt" takes on new depth and meaning sung through Cash's deep bass. Making it all happen, Rick Rubin walks the line with gentle persistence proving the power of a producer, as Ma
Valley Girl - Frank & Moon Zappa
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the dudes take it to the max and travel to LA's San Fernando Valley where they rock out to Frank & Moon Zappa's totally tubular 1982 hit "Valley Girl." After stopping by Ridgemont high for their goat yoga class, they ponder the deeper question of "does art imitate life, or does life imitate Zappa?" Join the boyz as they embark on
Mr. Roboto - Styx
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Tom and Ty sit down for a late-night session and attempt to decipher the strangeness that is Styx's 1983 sci-fi classic, Mr. Roboto. With their beer goggles on, they prove that they are just men whose circumstances went beyond their control: Tom flees for Panama on a horse with no name on the run from those Damn Yankees while Ty searches for a heart of gold, on
Ça plane pour moi - Plastic Bertrand
Send us Fan MailParlez-vous français, y'all? This week, join les garçons as they take a trip to Belgium where they rock out to Plastic Bertrand's unique 1978 hit (along with its evil English twin). Along the way, they examine the unlikely connections between punk and surf music, marvel at the wonder of the wah wah, and bring closure to a 50-year misunderstanding between two guitar legen
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Send us Fan MailIn this episode the fellas wax rhapsodic on the wildly successful Queen hit from 1975, Bohemian Rhapsody. It's a wild ride around Aurora, Illinois with your guides Wayne and Garth, featuring a detour to see the Judas Priest, and feelin' emotions courtesy of Mariah's vocal Hari Kari. It's an episode Magnifico you do not want to miss-i-o!Songs:Reverb Syndicate - B
Timothy - The Buoys
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the boyz bite off more than they can chew as they delve into some, shall we say, tender topics? Join T & T as they examine the Buoys' surprise 1971 hit "Timothy" and the consequences of trying (and failing) to get your own song banned. Along the way, they ponder the nature of fear and horror, reel at the medicalization of society, and converse
Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
Send us Fan MailFor this episode Tom gets on the rock'n'roll pulpit and preaches the TnT gospel as Ty removes water from the bottom of the ocean. As the boys dissect the Talking Heads classic Once in a Lifetime, they marvel at the genre-bending nature of this song which features one of the most iconic bass parts in music history, a 2-note stroke of genius. You may find yourself in an eas
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing - New Seekers
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Ty takes a break from teaching Tom to sing and focuses his efforts on world peace and harmony, with a lemon twist. As the boyz delve into the New Seeker's "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" made famous by Coca-Cola, they discuss the fine line between making a living in the music industry and selling out. In the process they question the legiti
Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
Send us Fan MailIn our first Listener's Pick edition of the podcast, the boys look into the remarkable success of Tubthumping by Anarcho-punk pranksters Chumbawamba. In the process they enter a spirited discussion of whether politics has any place in popular music and whether massive commercial success taints the revolutionary message. Get your whiskey drink, or your vodka drink, your lager d
Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie & Bing Crosby
Send us Fan MailIn this special holiday edition of the podcast, David Bowie descends from Mars and gives a lesson on the true spirit of Christmas. Joining forces with Bing Crosby, the Ghost of Christmas Past himself, the two conjure up one of the most unlikely (and perhaps surreal) Christmas classics of all time. Along the way, the fellas are joined by special guests Mariah Carey, The Pogues, Möto
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the skipper and Gilligan navigate the choppy waters surrounding the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the rebirth of its memory as a #1 hit by Gordon Lightfoot in 1975. Bound for Detroit, they circumnavigate the dangerous currents associated with taking on historical events in song and film. They seem to be heading toward a safe port with the common Great Lakes ex
Song 2 - Blur
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Tom and Ty unpack the runaway success of Blur's "Song 2", a ditty which far exceeded its humble beginnings in the 90s Britpop battle between Blur and Oasis. As they unravel this "joke song" that hit pay dirt, they discover a whole slew of these oddities that could almost be called a genre and marvel at the moments when record company execs
Only Women Bleed - Alice Cooper
Send us Fan MailIn this Halloween episode, Tom and Ty run the gauntlet of horror: from the very real horror of spousal abuse as depicted in Alice Cooper's "Only Women Bleed," to horror as entertainment, and back again. In the process, they consider how the perception of a song can change depending on its interpreter, have a chuckle over misunderstood lyrics, and ponder the deeper m
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm - Crash Test Dummies
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Tom and Ty (along with their alter-egos Clark and Tarzan) examine the 1993 surprise hit Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. Join the gent (and the ape-man) as they ponder the proper dosage of a musical formula and marvel at the universal appeal of the hum (hum hum hum). Along the way, they consider why some hits become all-time classics, why others remain encased in the liquid ambe
I've Never Been To Me - Charlene
Send us Fan MailThis week, TnT examine the phenomenon of the sleeper hit with Charlene’s #3 (and #97) hit “I’ve Never Been to Me.” On this journey to Nice and the Isle of Greece (sic), Tom and Ty analyze how a song that goes nowhere in one zeitgeist transforms into a number 3 hit in another. Join the boys as they spend this episode exploring the "subtle whoring that costs too much to be fre
Our House - Madness
Send us Fan MailThis week Tom and Ty descend into madness as they try to suss out why the Brits love to sing about the mundane (and why they scurry for curry). The lads take a deep dive into the ska sensation and analyze its off-beat allure, while making sure to get in a few jabs, in what might be their most explosive episode to date! Put on your two-tone shoes and skank away the blues with TnT! T
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
Send us Fan MailToday, Ty throws Tom a grapefruit, who hits it out of Nostalgia Park... all the way to Scotland. Join the boyz as they delve into the mysteries of sibling harmonies, ponder the concept of self-plagiarism, and address questions of identity as they showcase musicians who boldly proclaimed, or downplayed, their heritage in song. Aye, lassies and laddies, put on your brogues and walk 5
Didn't You Kill My Brother? - Alexei Sayle
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Tom and Ty tussle over the concept of music comedy and debate whether these odd bedfellows can co-exist peacefully. During their examination of genre crossing, Tom callously forgets about a precious TnT moment and Ty breaks Tom's heart by declaring that the guitar is at an all-time low. They reconcile over their shared belief that limitations can be overcome
Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A.
Send us Fan MailThis week, Tom and Ty get explicit about the origins of Rap and Hip-hop, observe the Hegelian dialectic in play between the forces of authenticity and appropriation (they think they're so smart) and address the dangerous allure of censorship. As usual, the fellas take us on a wild, adventurous ride to get there. From Bach to bagpipes, with an inevitable stop in Metalville, Le
Der Kommissar - Falco
Send us Fan MailThis week, Tom and Ty riff on the power of the riff and divergent perceptions of music, as they follow Falco’s Der Kommissar down the rabbit hole into the strange, fascinating, and twisted wonderland of early '80s pop. Join the lads as they explore the thin line between nod and rip-off, and ponder the version of the version as they unpack the concept of "Laura Branigan S
Tiptoe Through The Tulips - Tiny Tim
Send us Fan MailJoin Tom and Ty as they decide whether to tiptoe through... or trample...Tiny Tim's tulips! This week, the boys examine different approaches to singing, the conundrum of imitation, and the originality of the copy as they ponder the deeper questions of authenticity and risk-taking. There is also a spirited discussion of the strange paradox of hyper masculinity in drag within
White Horse - Laid Back
Send us Fan MailIn this episode Tom and Ty seek to unravel the mysterious success of White Horse by the Danish band Laid Back. Released in 1983, the song became a surprise hit in North America and a number one smash on the dance charts. Join the lads as they track the white horse from the frontiers of electronica, through the shadowlands of innuendo, and into the land of the equally mysterious wh
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