And from out of left field, here’s our episode on Taco’s “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” It is both a fascinating and terrifying cover of Irving Berlin’s famous track, and we are here to guide you through it! 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 y…

"Invisible Touch" comes at a time when Genesis was at their commercial peak. Not only did this become their only Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, but it also found itself on the charts with songs by almost all other present and former members of the band. The song certainly has its haters, but you will not hear hatred from us: we love "Invisible Touch," a…

If you get a chance to watch Lisa Stansfield sing at Apollo (you can see that here), you can see why her singing can win everyone over, especially on the hit single "All Around The World." In this episode, Frank gives us his best Barry White impression and Bill recounts the story of how Stansfield ended up slapping Prince. Thank you for joining us!…

King Harvest's biggest hit was written as a response to a violent world - one that had nearly killed songwriter Sherman Kelly on a beach in St. Croix. We dive into the story behind the song, examine what makes this track so special (a toilet brush, for example), and then Bill takes Frank for a trip through the many versions of the song released ove…

Like so many of the sitcoms we grew up watching, we have finally made our Very Special Episode. Dave Kitchen joins us for the 16th time and brings us “Toy Soldiers” by Martika. Step by step and heart to heart, we bring you everything we’ve got as we plum the depths of (goth?) dance pop and drug addiction. Official Video Mixtape You can find us on I…

"Ride Like The Wind" is both yachty and naughty: a smooth song about an outlaw who has escaped hanging for the murder of ten men. In our (limited) knowledge of the so-called genre, we believe this is the only yacht rock song that dares to deal with this subject matter. Truth be told, the song is so enjoyable that it is hard to imagine that it is ab…

Listen folks: sometimes a peach is just a peach. In today's episode we dive into the history of this anthem to a tender fruit. We didn't realize we would be diving into the world of ninjas, LSD, and two string basses. Thank you for joining us! Peaches official video Mixtape You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us a…

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…

"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! Offici…

"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 musi…

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 Cove…

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 m…

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 Min…

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 …

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…

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 …

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 …

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 u…

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 c…

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…

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!Von bandfguiltfree

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! Her…

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 pr…

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 Offi…

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 t…

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 …

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 ha…

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, Faceb…

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 th…

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…

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 …

Dave Kitchen comes out of the bearded barley and joins us in the Winchester to discuss one of the sweetest (or most sinister???) songs of the past 30 years! Truffaut Video Hollywood Video Dave Letterman Interview Our Awesome Mixtape You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. Feel free…

We have so much goodwill for George Harrison that we had to do our best in this episode to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it right! Video 1 Video 2 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 p…

Kool & The Gang's "Cherish" is a song that takes you back to a simpler time but also brings you forward to what heaven will sound like. We hope you can luxuriate in the moment while you listen to our episode! Mixtape Official Video You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. Feel free …

Our good friend Nathan Holmes joins us again to discuss the type of music that we have avoided so far in over 130 episodes: the dance song. We navigate the rules of the genre, discuss our younger selves' reluctance to like dance music, and try to find out if we can answer Haddaway's question. Bill's Awesome Mixtape Official Sexy Draculas Music Vide…

This episode is being initially published in the dead of winter, but we are turning up the heat! Sade's smooth voice surpasses even the shifty operator of the song, and we are here to revel in the glory of Sade (the singer and the band). We discuss the history of Sade (the singer and the band), analyze "Smooth Operator," defend dodgy geography, and…

This song resounds so loudly for Frank that we're not sure what was left of him by the end of this episode. We're glad you've joined us for this examination of Paul Young's classic cover of a Hall & Oates deep cut (and as it turns out, a pretty "deep cut" in Frank's heart). At Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures, we take the shame away, but not t…

We welcome Kahlin Holmes to The Winchester to discuss a song that she has recommended for our podcast: "Fly" by Sugar Ray. We have a lot of fun in this episode as we attempt to come to terms with our own relationship to the band (and Mark McGrath in particular) and the fact that we actually like this song. As Frank says, it does embody "that Califo…

This is a short-ish episode from us, focusing on a Christmas (and beyond) mixtape just for you! Our Mixtape Ian McGlynn's "Our Favourite Christmas Movie" music videoVon bandfguiltfree

Both bonkers and reverent, Boney M's "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord" holds a special place in our hearts. We discuss the history of Boney M, the making of the song, and its enduring appeal. We also talk about Evie!!! Thank you for joining us, and Merry Christmas! Music Video with British Kids Alternate Music Video Evie's Version Mixtape Your brothe…

Like ABC, we just couldn't stop talking about the voice of Smokey Robinson during this episode. When we finally do get around to talking about ABC's classic 1987 hit, we are able to finally decipher the lyrics to the song, and it turns out that Martin Fry is not fearing violence when he hears Smokey sing. Frank also brings perhaps our best plot to …

We are used to Frank bringing his grouchy pants to the occasional episode, but in a rare moment, it's actually Bill who brings his grievances to the table regarding this week's song choice. Deep Blue Something's (DBS's?) "Breakfast at Tiffany's" means a lot to Frank as it was the soundtrack to his mid-90s self-actualization, but for Bill it was a r…

Chris Newkirk and Alex Yost of The Julies bring to us a special guilt-free pleasure for today's episode: Def Leppard's "Photograph." We put on our rock and roll clown faces and dig deep into the images that are evoked by this song both lyrically and musically. The Julies not only help us to understand the technical power of this song as well as its…

Grandiose ambition, inflated egos, giant budgets, dangerous behaviour - no, these are not (necessarily) descriptors of our podcast but rather the words one thinks of when Guns N' Roses comes to mind. "November Rain" may be the sound of a band breaking up or simply the sound of Axl Rose's singular creative vision, but it has left an undeniable mark …

We’ve never been on one, but we’re ready. Until then, we’ll let Janet Jackson take us on an “Escapade”! Our Awesome Mixtape Official Video You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, 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 ev…

England Dan and John Ford Coley could probably only exist in the 70s. Not the most exciting group name, and certainly one of the least exciting album covers we've ever seen. But, oh man - that song. Truth be told, Bill and Frank may not be the most exciting people you've seen, and maybe we can only exist in podcast land for this moment in time. We …

Frank builds well, Bill maths well, and Rockwell rocks well. Whether you're listening to this before Halloween or after, we hope you enjoy our spooky episode! We cover the history of the song, acknowledge the challenges of following in your father’s footsteps, and discuss the seriousness of financial malfeasance. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your …

We have been looking forward to this episode for over a year. Mike Balsom is a Niagara legend who was a wedding DJ in the 80s and 90s. If you were at a reception during those decades, there's a good chance you will have been blessed with his mastery of the two turntables (but no microphone!). He brings to our episode the ultimate wedding dance floo…

There are so many Johnny Rivers songs to choose from, but this is our special guilt-free pleasure. Due to it being released in our birth year, we don't have specific memories of how this was perceived when it first hit the radio, but we grew up with this song on - whether it be in the background at a family barbecue or playing in the car radio as w…

Frank has been excited to bring this song to the podcast for months! Although it was a significant hit in our home country of Canada in the 80s, it's been largely ignored (until now). For those who don't know yet, this is tune that is going to lift your spirits (and voices!) to the heavens and cause you to work for a positive change in this world. …