bandfguiltfree

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures

Music EN ↓ 261 episodes

We celebrate and defend the songs unfairly maligned by the gatekeepers of musical taste. We are storming the city gates. Come and join us!

Author

bandfguiltfree

Category

Music

Podcast website

bandfguiltfree.podbean.com

Latest episode

Jul 5, 2026

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Episodes

Steve Perry: "Oh Sherrie" (YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN GONE!!!!) 04.08.2024

It took us a while, but we finally feature "The Voice" on our show. We dive into the history, meaning, and video of Steve Perry's "Oh Sherrie." Brace yourself, because Frank cannot resist singing the first lines of this tune! Official Video Mixtape You can find us on Instagram , Facebook , and our website . You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com , too. Feel free to rate and review us whereve...

The Jets: "You Got It All" (Lullaby for Elijah) 28.07.2024

"You Got It All" is a sweet song with a bittersweet backstory, and just so happens to be the first song Bill sang to his newborn son. We discuss the background of The Jets family band and celebrate the sweetness of this standout track from their debut album. We also give one heck of a Hallmark movie. Thank you for spending your time with us! Official Video The Jets on Oprah Dick Clark Interview Ch...

Cathy Dennis: "Too Many Walls" (A Bonkers Great Songwriter) 20.07.2024

"Too Many Walls" is a song that was played everywhere in 1991. It may not have soared to the top of the charts (except the Billboard Adult Contemporary), but it had staying power on radio. Bill and Frank learn all about Cathy Dennis in this episode, and we come away with a much deeper appreciation for "one of the most influential people in the music industry." Also, we collaborate together to crea...

Snow: "Informer" (Boss Level Lyrical Analysis) 14.07.2024

Superfan Dan joins us and brings us our most challenging song yet! Who would have thought a Canadian from Toronto would bring us the highest selling reggae single of all time? In this episode, we revisit the history of this song and we tell you what it actually means.  Buckle up!  Official Video Mixtape Adrienne Clarkson Documentary Ali Spagnola Cover with Explanation Oliver's version of Informer...

Breathe: "Hands To Heaven" (and "Brian Boitano: Canvas of Ice") 05.07.2024

Breathe’s “Hands to Heaven” has been the soundtrack to many moments in our lives, whether it be to a slow dance with one you love or to the final moments before a devastating break-up. To us, however, “Hands To Heaven” will be forever paired with Brian Boitano’s passionate skating routine to express his love for Katarina Witt during the climactic moments of the 1988 ABC special “Canvas Of Ice.” An...

Barry Manilow: "Copacabana (At the Copa)" (Have a banana) 30.06.2024

What started out as a novelty song turned into one of the high points of Barry Manilow's career. We're here to celebrate the legacy that is "Copacabana (At the Copa)" by revisiting the history of the tune, analyzing the lyrics, and explaining the significance of bananas in the grieving process. Thank you for joining us! Mixtape Muppets and Liza Minelli Version The Simpsons' "Island of Sirens" Barr...

Mark Morrison: "Return of the Mack" (Imposter Syndrome?) 23.06.2024

It's "Return of the Mike" at Bill & Frank's Guilt-Free Pleasures as Mike V returns to discuss the ultimate R&B/Hip-Hop crossover hit of the 90s. We discuss Mark Morrison's fascinating past as well as what makes this song truly incredible. As a bonus - you will be treated to Frank's vaudevillian version of Mark Morrison's voice! Music Video Mixtape You can find us on Instagram , Facebook ,...

Spandau Ballet: "True" 16.06.2024

It's quite true that just hearing those guitar plucks on Spandau Ballet's enduring hit will set you adrift on memory bliss. Don't fight it; instead, join us as we celebrate this song and discuss its history as well as its incredible power. You will get to hear Frank do his best Al Green and Tony Hadley impressions while Bill reads from The Lovesong of J Alfred Prufrock and Lolita. And there is so...

The Beach Boys: "Kokomo" (Life's Too Short for a Bad Cocktail) 09.06.2024

Love it or hate it, "Kokomo" is a historic hit. With a 22-year-gap in number one hits, The Beach Boys were suddenly back on the scene. Despite Mike Love's notorious heel-turn at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, the band were able to muster enough goodwill to add one final great song to their catalogue, helped by its prominence in the stinker movie Cocktail but also in the episode "Beach...

Moving Pictures: "What About Me?" (The Cry of the Proletariat) 02.06.2024

Before The Way It Is, Another Day In Paradise, or any of those mid-eighties charity singles, there was Moving Pictures' "What About Me?" We discuss the background of the song and it's remarkable two chart runs. And, unlike the people in the song, we actually see the little people "who make the big people big." So listen to us as we listen to those little people whisper, "What about me?" music vide...

Pebbles: "Girlfriend" (We won't treat you so bad) 26.05.2024

We may not be visionaries at the same level as Pebbles, but we can see why this tune has maintained its power for over 30 years. We discuss the history of the song (and how it was snatched away from Vanessa Williams), explore the intricacies of the lyrics, and wrestle with the problem of doing too much research on an artist.  Thank you for joining us! Helpful links: official video mixtape You can...

The Proclaimers: "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" 19.05.2024

As far as we're concerned, The Proclaimers are more punk than any of the pop punk outfits that we grew up hearing on the radio. It took us a while to realize this, and we seek to remove our guilt for not appreciating this band enough when we were in our youth. It's not too late to enjoy what the twins have to offer, so we hope you will join us in celebrating "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)!" official vi...

Will To Power: "Baby I Love Your Way / Freebird Medley (Free Baby)" 12.05.2024

In this week's episode we get back to the basics of what are podcast is all about by exploring one of the few medleys to ever top the Billboard Hot 100. Will To Power's combined version of the Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd classics was certainly divisive amongst fans of the originals, but this sound is what we are all about. (At least it is for Bill - we're unsure where Frank stands on this!)...

The Guess Who: "These Eyes" (For Frank Pearson Sr) 05.05.2024

For the first time in our show's history, we are doing a song from the 60's. Who better to have this incredible distinction then arguably the most successful Canadian rock band of all time: "The Guess Who?" More show notes will be forthcoming!

Asia: "Heat of the Moment" 28.04.2024

Dave Kitchen joins us to discuss Asia’s biggest hit. We cover corporate rock, time signatures, iambic pentameter, and incidences that arise from circumstance.  Official Video Our Mixtape You can find us on Instagram , Facebook , and our website . You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com , too. Feel free to rate and review us wherever you listen! Here is our Spotify playlist featuring every son...

Neil Sedaka:"Laughter In The Rain" (A triumphant comeback story) 21.04.2024

Neil Sedaka was an American pop star who fell victim to the British Invasion, only to climb back to the top by conquering Britain himself. “Laughter In The Rain” is his triumphant comeback. We are here to celebrate all things Neil in today's episode! Links:  Official Video Mini-Concert on Laughter in Rain You can find us on Instagram , Facebook , and our website . You can email us at BandFGuiltFre...

Bonnie Raitt: "Something To Talk About" (Flowers for Shirley Eikhard) 14.04.2024

There's so much to praise about this song. Bonnie Raitt's later period success suprised everyone with "Nick of Time," but then came Luck of the Draw. And then "Something to Talk About" changed everything. We work through our own feelings about this song in high school, as well as how it continues to speak into our lives. We also take the time to praise songwriter Shirley Eikhard and we hope you ge...

Bonnie Tyler: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (The apotheosis of Jim Steinman) 05.04.2024

This is an earlier episode drop than usual, in hopes of capitalizing on the total eclipse frenzy that is currently happening in our part of the world. There is not a better song to feature for this time of year than Bonnie Tyler's immortal (like a vampire!) and timeless hit. We've been waiting to do this one for years: the time is now! Mixtape Official Video "Literal" Video You can find us on Inst...

Starship: "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (Bill & Frank Go To The Movies: Mannequin) 31.03.2024

We are ending our special series on our favourite soundtrack music with this classic track from 1987's Mannequin. Now, this Andrew McCarthy vehicle was certainly no award winner, but it remains surprisingly watchable 37 years later. Grace Slick may have written off "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," but we won't turn our backs on this positive anthem to the enduring power of love! Official Video Mixta...

Peter Cetera: "Glory of Love" (Bill & Frank Go To The Movies - The Karate Kid Part 2 / Rocky IV) 24.03.2024

We always knew that we had to feature this song on our podcast, but we weren't ready until this moment. Welcome to our episode on "Glory of Love" by one of the most iconic voices in soft rock history: Peter Cetera. We deep dive into The Karate Kid Part II and Rocky IV as we trace the fascinating history of how this song arrived into our world. Let us be the podcast that fights for your honour! Off...

Joe "Bean" Esposito: "You're The Best" (Bill & Frank Go To The Movies: The Karate Rock Universe - The Karate Kid / Rocky III) 17.03.2024

We continue our special series on movie music with one of the great montage sequence songs in 1980s film: Joe "Bean" Esposito's "You're The Best." We discuss its history (and connections to Rocky III) as well as Esposito's remarkable career. Besides analyzing the song, Frank proposes a crossover series that may be one of the greatest ideas we've had on this podcast: The Karate-Rock Universe. *Note...

Jon Bon Jovi: "Blaze of Glory" (Bill & Frank & Kate Go To The Movies: Young Guns II) 10.03.2024

We are continuing our special music movie series, and we've brought Kate Angle back to discuss this banger from Young Guns II. I'm not sure if we use the word "bonkers" or "auspicious" more in this episode, but we are certain that Jon Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory" is great, while Young Guns II is not! Video Mixtape You can find us on Instagram , Facebook , and our website . You can email us at BandF...

Ryan Gosling: "I'm Just Ken" (Bill & Frank Go To The Movies: Barbie) 03.03.2024

Welcome to our first episode in our special series on "Bill & Frank Go To The Movies!"   Bill and Frank are feeling the Kenergy this week as the Academy Awards approaches and our fellow Canadian Ryan Gosling is up for best supporting actor and best song. We are well aware that we are in danger of mansplaining the Barbie movie, but we are confident that our own Ken-like obliviousness will keep...

The Cars: "Drive" (with Derek Veenhof) 25.02.2024

We have finally brought Derek "Deekatello" Veenhof back to bring his thoughtful analysis of The Cars' "Drive" to our show. This is one of those songs that immediately transports you back to a time and place once those opening notes begin. We hope this episode brings you joy even as we examine the possibly sinister lyrics! Official Video Our Awesome Mixtape You can find us on Instagram , Facebook ,...

Deee-Lite: "Groove Is In The Heart" (Succotash Wishes) 18.02.2024

Deee-Lite struck it big with this sample-filled disco/funk/house/hip hop/dance/pop track. It would be a dizzying array of styles if it were not so fun! We discuss the history of the song and Frank comes to terms with his formerly conservative grade 8 self so he can finally declare his love for "Groove Is In The Heart." Helpful links: Video Mixtape You can find us on Instagram , Facebook , and our...

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