TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

Tom Thompson, Tyler Ralston

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars seeks to unravel the stories behind some of pop's most unlikely hits. From simple curiosities to songs that changed the world, we examine the sociopolitical and cultural factors that contributed to the success of these surprising outliers, and the impact these songs had on society.

All episodes

Best episodes

Seasons

Top 10 TnT's Hit Songs From Mars Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best TnT's Hit Songs From Mars episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to TnT's Hit Songs From Mars for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite TnT's Hit Songs From Mars episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

10/23/24 • 60 min

Send us a text

In 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 multitudinous key changes...or maybe it was the meatloaf? Another slice, anyone?). The boys dig deep into how pioneering music video maestro Russell Mulcahy brought his spooky magic to the song, creating a perplexing masterpiece for the ages. Hold your headless horseman tight as we gallop into the dark forest of taboo in this episode of T(rick) n' T(reat).
Songs:
Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart
Police - Every Breath You Take
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Irene Cara - Flashdance (What a Feeling)
Bobby (Boris) PIckett - Monster Mash
Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London
Nikki French - Total Eclipse of the Heart
Bonnie Tyler - It's a Heartache
Meatloaf - You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth
Meatloaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Bonnie Tyler - Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever
Air Supply - Making Love Out of Nothing at All
Adam Ant - Strip
Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Ghost - Dance Macabre
Connect with us:
Instagram

Connect with us:
Instagram

In Dreams - Roy Orbison

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

07/16/24 • 69 min

Send us a text

In 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, only to be awoken by illustrious film director David Lynch. Lynch proceeded to revive not only the sandman but Roy's career as well. Join the boyz as they examine the unlikely trajectory of "In Dreams" and tip their sleeping caps to Roy's undeniable influence across the musical spectrum, including such diverse acts as Van Halen, Chris Isaak, Morrissey and U2.
Songs:
The Imperial March - John Williams
Round Midnight - Miles Davis
The Bird - Charlie Parker
Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
Roy Orbison - Ooby Dooby
Roy Orbison - Crying
Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman
Schrello Classic - Blackbird
I Dig a Pony - Beatles
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Beatles
That Lovin' You Feelin' Again - Emmylou Harris and Roy Orbison
(Oh) Pretty Woman - Van Halen
The Pee Song - Donovan
Handle With Care - Traveling Wilburys
Highwayman - The Highwaymen
Michael Feuerstack - Time to Burn
Not Alone Any More - Traveling Wilburys
End of the Line - Traveling Wilburys
Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
Love Hurts - Nazareth
Llorando - Rebekah Del Rio
She's a Mystery to Me - Roy Orbison
I D

Connect with us:
Instagram

Do They Know it's Christmas? - Band Aid

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

12/15/24 • 51 min

Send us a text

In 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 scrooge as ever. The boyz reconcile, in the true spirit of Christmas, by agreeing that "We are the World" sucked and for "Northern Lights", tears, and all of Canada's top talent, were not enough. O come all ye faithful and spread a little Christmas cheer with TnT.
Songs:
The Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
Howe Gelb - The Farm
Giant Sand - Shiver
Band Aid - Do They Know it's Christmas?
Boney M. - Rasputin
The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays
Ultravox - Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
USA For Africa - We Are the World
Northern Lights - Tears Are Not Enough
Hear N' Aid - Stars
U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday
David Bowie - Heroes (Live Aid)
Jimmy Page - Outrider
Band Aid - Do They Know it's Christmas? (2024 Ultimate Mix)

Connect with us:
Instagram

Tom's Diner - D.N.A. (feat. Suzanne Vega)

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

11/19/24 • 49 min

Send us a text

Da da da da DA da da DA da
DA duh DUH duh DAT duh duh
In this week's ep-i-sode
TnT do Suz-anne Ve-ga
The lads go a-ca-pell-a with her hit song Tom's Di-ner
In the midst of their dis-cuss-ion they find their way to Rich-ard Buck-ner
Who leaves and tra-vels well as he sings so-lo in the for-est
Da da da da DA da da DA da
DA duh DUH duh DAT duh duh
From there they meet with Lu-ka, who is on the se-cond floor
The boyz aren't really sure, but they think they've seen him be-fore
In the form of par-o-dy, and from there they each get ear-worms
From Mr. Pres-i-dent as Tom reveals a Dark Juicy secret...
Da da da da DA da da DA da
DA duh DUH duh DAT duh duh
Songs:
Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
D.N.A. (feat. Suzanne Vega) - Tom's Diner
Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York
Suzanne Vega (feat. Joe Jackson) - Left of Center
Suzanne Vega - Luka
Richard Buckner - Fater
Richard Buckner - Brief and Boundless
Richard Buckner - The Ocean Cliff Clearing
Richard Buckner - Pico
Luka Bloom - Dreams in America
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner (A Capella)
Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant
Otis Redding (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay
Soul II Soul - Keep On Movin
ZDoggMD (feat. Devin Moore) - My Name is Zika
Giorgio Moroder (feat. Britney Spears) - Tom's Diner
Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Polka Your Eyes Out
AnnenMayKantereit & Giant Rooks - Tom's Diner
Suzanne Vega - 99.9 F Degrees
Mr.President - Coco Jamboo
Katy Perry (feat. Juicy J) - Dark Horse
Van Halen - Atomic Punk
Van Halen - Jump!

Connect with us:
Instagram

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

09/06/23 • 74 min

Send us a text

This 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 Fogerty and watch Bryan hit it out of the park with his brand new rockin' cover of Centerfield. Put us in, coach, we're ready to play...today!
Songs:
Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
Bryan Ruby - Left Field
John Fogerty - Center Field
Luke Combs - Fast Car
John Mayer - Free Fallin'
Bryan Ruby - Centerfield
John Fogerty - Rock and Roll Girls
Chris Stapleton - Joy of My Life
Bryan Ruby - Baseball Country
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus - Old Town Road
Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart
Nine Inch Nails - 34 Ghosts IV
Grady Smith - That Ain't Country (Video)
Herman's Hermits - I'm Henry VIII, I Am
Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men - One Sweet Day
Walk Off the Earth - Old Town Road (Video)
Lil Nas X (Seoul Town Road Remix) ft. RM of BTS - Old Town Road
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, Mason Ramsey & Young Thug - Old Town Road
Keith Urban - Old Town Road
Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Oliver Anthony - Rich Men North of Richmond (Video)
Shawn Mullins - Lullaby
Luke Combs - Doin' This
Bryan Ruby - The Standouts
Colt Ford (with Jake Owen) - Back
Connect with us:
Instagram

Connect with us:
Instagram

Love Shack - The B-52s

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

03/04/24 • 62 min

Send us a text

In 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 place where we can get together...
Songs:
Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
Beyoncé - Texas Hold 'em
Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman - Fast Cars
B-52s - Love Shack
Milli Vanilli - Blame It On the Rain
Bad English - When I See You Smile
Billy Joel - We Didn't Start the Fire
Billy Joel - You May Be Right
B-52s - Rock Lobster
B-52s - 52 Girls
B-52s - Private Idaho
John Lennon - B-52s Interview
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Chime of Wrens - Billow
Echo and the Bunnymen - Bedbugs and Ballyhoo
David Bowie - Let's Dance
Chic - Le Freak
Was (Not Was) - Walk the Dinosaur
B-52s - Roam
REM - Shiny Happy People
REM - Me In Honey
REM - What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
Iggy Pop - Candy
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Going to a Go Go
Connect with us:
Instagram

Connect with us:
Instagram

Canon in D - Pachelbel

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

10/04/23 • 56 min

Send us a text

In 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. With their cards on the table, Ty calls out Tom's pronunciation of "mauve," but Tom keeps his pokerface, knowing he has an ace-in-the-hole with his cup of Red Rose tea. Who rakes in the chips? Tune in and find out...
Songs:
Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
Palliard - Canon in D -
Arthur Fielder - Sleigh Ride
Vangelis - Chariots of Fire
Aphrodite's Child - Rain and Tears
Démis Roussos - Forever and Ever
Top Pops - Oh Lord, Why Lord?
Parliament - Oh Lord, Why Lord?
Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry
Alphaville - Forever Young
Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It
U2 - With Or Without You
Beatles - Let It Be
Maroon 5 - Memories
Buddy Emmons - Canon in D
Raf - Self-Control
Beatles - Because
Bach - "Bouree"
Beatles - Blackbird
Walter Murphy - A Fifth of Beethoven
Gustav Holst - Mars
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Storm
Rachel's - Water From the Same Source
Philip Glass - The Grid
Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville

Connect with us:
Instagram

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

12/09/23 • 58 min

Send us a text

O 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 examine the life and legacy of the late, great Shane MacGowan. Happy Christmas your arse, we pray god it's no farce!
Songs:
Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology
The Pogues - Fairytale of New York
The Pogues - Fiesta
The Pogues - Turkish Song of the Damned
The Pogues - Bottle of Smoke
The Pogues - Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six
The Pogues - Worms
The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues - I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day
The Pogues - The Old Main Drag
Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind
The Pogues - Fairytale of New York (early demo)
U2 - New Year's Day
Shania Twain - That Don't Impress Me Much
The Pogues - Streams of Whiskey
The Pogues - USA
The Pogues - Yeah, Yeah ,Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Dire Straits - Money For Nothing
The Pogues - Fairytale of New York (Clean Version)
Jason Kelce & Travis Kelce - Fairytale of Philadelphia
KT Tunstall & Ed Harcourt - Fairytale of New York
John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band - Happy Xmas (War is Over)
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
Nat "King" Cole - The Christmas Song (Alternate Take)
The Pogues - South Australia

Connect with us:
Instagram

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

04/06/23 • 68 min

Send us a text

In 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 - Better Dancing Through Technology
Bruce Dickinson - Tears of the Dragon
Stan Rogers - Northwest Passage
Buddy Emmons - Bluemmons
Jean Guy Grenier on Pedal Steel
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Kris Kross - Jump
Wayne's World - Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen - Killer Queen
Queen - Death on Two Legs
Queen - I Want to Break Free
Queen - The Prophet's Song
Queen - Inside the Rhapsody
Judas Priest - Jawbreaker
Queen - Keep Yourself Alive
Queen - Good Company
Queen - Good Company Dissection
Queen - I'm in Love With My Car
Kinks - Top of the Pops
Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
Andrés Segovia - Capricho Árabe
Tuvan Throat Singing Masters: Alash Ensemble
David Lee Roth - Runnin' With the Devil (Vocals Only)
Mariah Carey - Emotions
Adam Ant - Crackpot History and the Right to Lie
Jeopardy Theme Song
Connect with us:
Twitter

Connect with us:
Instagram

I Touch Myself - Divinyls

TnT's Hit Songs From Mars

05/15/25 • 45 min

Send us a text

In 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 finger on the reasons for this shocking discrepancy.

Songs:

The Reverb Syndicate - Better Dancing Through Technology

The Deep Dark Woods - Ruby

Nick Cave - Frogs

Tilda - If We Were Twenty

Divinyls - I Touch Myself

Divinyls - Pleasure and Pain

Prince - Darling Nikki

Cyndi Lauper - She Bop

Olivia Newton-John - I Touch Myself

Pink - Fingers

Rod Stewart - Infatuation