The Bridge: Getting Hot in Herre

In this mini-episode of Hit Parade, host Chris Molanphy is joined by Slate Culture Gabfest cohost Julia Turner, who launched the long-running podcast’s annual “Summer Strut” feature more than a dozen years ago. Julia says an ideal summer song doesn’t have to be fast but does need attitude and maybe a little drama. On that score, she says half-forgotten hits by Brenda Lee, Nelly Furtado and even the much-maligned Robin Thicke deserve their Song of the Summer status. Next, Chris quizzes a Slate Plus listener with some music trivia, gives him a chance to turn the tables with a question of his own, and previews the next full-length episode (coming in September). Slate Plus members can sign up for a chance to be our trivia contestant on a future episode here. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.