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 videobandfguiltfree

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. …

Dave Kitchen brings a prototypical guilt-free pleasure to the table today. "Your Wildest Dreams" is a triumph for our peculiar genre and more importantly for The Moody Blues, who proved to the world that a 60s band could continue to generate hits in their third decade. We discuss the story behind the song, as well as how this song finds its way int…

Rick Nielson may have squashed the demo tape after he first heard this tune, but this song could not be snuffed out - The Flame endures! We dive into the history of Cheap Trick and the circumstances that forced them to accept a song by outside writers. We also discuss the power of a guilt-free pleasure, how this song fits into our podcast's wheelho…

An almost hypnotic track about desperation in a failed relationship, Lovefool taps into the pain of our past (real and imagined) attempts at finding "the one." Our good friend Nathan Holmes drops in to help us explore the power of the song and to encourage Frank that his (possible) date night seeing "Romeo + Juliet" was one of the most adorable thi…

Are you ready for your earworm for the week? We can't get enough of Sheena Easton's #1 hit, and there is so much to discuss. Join us as we delve into what brought Sheena into the spotlight, whether the lyrics speak of a sustainable relationship, and how the universe conspired to have two number one hit songs with the same name in the span of only a…

Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" is a sneaky song. It might seem like a fun bouncy pop song, but that masks its revolutionary intent. There's the reality of an unfair system that seeks to break us, but we got dreams it'll never take away. You better remember that, Bossman! Music Video Our Mixtape Dolly Parton's America: Dollitics episode You can find us on …

Our good friend Bruce Soderholm joins us for a discussion on one of the early forerunners of what became known as "yacht rock." We discuss Player's early success (they topped the charts even while Bee Gee fever was running wild!) and take a deep dive into the intricacies of "Baby Come Back." And despite our best efforts, we can't stop talking about…

Ah, Nelson. For that brief period of time you were the shining lights of pop glam rock with your third generation musical pedigree and your insanely perfect long blonde hair. But then the world caught a whiff of Teen Spirit and the tide turned against you (while Beavis and Butthead sniggered at your video). We're here to celebrate Nelson's incredib…

Rick Astley most emotional song deserves an equally emotional episode. We dig deep to find out what makes us cry, why we need to cry, and why Rick Astley is still incredible. Links Official Music Video Amazonics version You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. Feel free to …

DeBarge may have been falling apart, but this track is one of the greatest summer jams of all time. We dive into the history of the band, song, and create one of the greatest mixtapes of all time. Links: Mixtape Music Video You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. Feel free…

Frank has finally gotten his wish: we feature the king of freestyle's biggest song on our show. We cover the scrappy history of Stevie B and the culmination of his career in producing this giant hit that spent four weeks in December of 1990 at the top of the Billboard charts. Also, we dive deep into the song, discussing its divine origins and our o…

If you went to a wedding from the mid-80s to the mid-90s, you were pretty much guaranteed to hear Chicago's "You're The Inspiration." Chances were also good that this would have been the song for the first wedding dance. Peter Cetera and David Foster's collaboration was a match made in musical heaven, even if it spelled the demise of Cetera's relat…

Once you hear that irresistible (and nearly impossible) snare drum sound, you know you’re in for 3 and a half glorious minutes of pop perfection. We discuss the history of the band as well as the complicated process that resulted in this incredible track. Nathan Holmes joins us again to bring his thoughtful analysis and to take us on a little trip …

Join us as we explore the impact of "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by John Parr. We discuss Parr's journey, his connections in the industry, the tight deadline he faced with David Foster, and the true inspiration behind his lyrics. It doesn't matter that its namesake movie is a stinker, because its association with Rick Hansen will always keep t…

Time after Time is truly timeless. Dave Kitchen joins us for his record 11th episode to celebrate the greatness of both the song and its "so unusual" singer. We cover the early history of Cyndi Lauper, the making of her iconic ballad with Rob Hyman, and the stories behind the "Time after Time" music video. Links: Cyndi Lauper and Hulk Hogan at the …

Swing Out Sister's "Breakout" has been a mainstay on easy listening stations throughout our lives, and we want to give it the proper praise it deserves. We discuss the history of the song and why we all love it! Helpful links: The music video (in colour) Our incredible mixtape You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and our website. You ca…

You're not fooling us, John. You ain't missing her at all? Why did you then call your song "Missing You" and not "Ain't Missing You?" This is just a fraction of the type of high quality analysis that you'll find in this week's episode. We also dig deep into our own pain and suffering - all for your enjoyment! We're joined by our good friend Stu, wh…

Ouch. Bill and Frank are not (registered) therapists, but we know that this is not how you seek reconciliation after being unfaithful. Still, this song sounds incredible. Special thanks to Rich and the Wolfman for requesting the song! Helpful links: Our Mixtape Official Music Video You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and our website. Y…

Who would have thought that an album opening with a song involving electric drills shredding guitars would close with such a sweet sing-a-long tune? Walt Whitman was right - we all contain multitudes. This is our 100th episode - thank you for joining us as we celebrate with the song our sisters loved! Helpful links: Our Mixtape Official Music Video…

There was a time when Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" could probably be found playing on a radio station at any given time of the day. This was not a bad thing. We dive into one of the great pop songs of the early aughts. Come and fall into the sky with us! Our mixtape Terry Crews iconic White Chicks performance The incredible music video The …

In this episode, we examine one of the most iconic "advice songs" in rock. For those of us who grew up on radio, we probably know of Night Ranger's "Sister Christian" as "MOTORIN'!" We dive into the story behind the song, discuss its strengths, and propose a Hallmark movie for the ages. Links: Our Mixtape The music video You can find us on Instagra…

We welcome back our good friend Rick Morency to discuss the Billboard topping hip-house banger by the man futurely known as Mark Wahlberg. We discuss is history, the song's irresistibility, and even attempt to appreciate the lyrics. Go ahead - rap along like no one's listening ;) Helpful links: Our mixtape The music video The Arsenio Hall performan…

Every once in a while we stumble upon a song that opens up a fascinating world that we have never before visited. Dan Hartman was not just the creator of a memorable guilt-free pleasure from 1984, but an accomplished singer-songwriter-producer who found success in rock with The Edgar Winter Group, in disco as a solo artist, and in soundtrack work t…