Advertise on podcast: Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures

For a good few years, Paula Abdul was an unstoppable force in music. We discuss her beginnings and the creation of her bestselling debut album. It all culminates in this song - her 4th #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit featuring a rapping randy alley cat. It's a natural fact! Links: Official Video Video before rotoscoping Paula Abdul in 1978 - "The Party Song" Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.  

Nathan Holmes rejoins us for an episode that will bring you back those summertime vibes even if it is the coldest time of the year (as it is for us at this moment in Canada). Len's "Steal My Sunshine" holds a special place in our hearts as the three of us all feel personally connected to the song. Bring out your butter tarts and your eight-foot heap slurpees: let's have a million miles of fun as we dive deep into this late 90s gem! Links: Official video Video Shoot Day 5 Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.  

Although written about the world events that marked the end of the 1980s, Seal's "Crazy" can easily be about our own tumultuous times. Join us as we discuss the song's backstory and give our contemporary analysis of its lyrics. So fire up your speedboats and get ready for a montage sequence: it's time to get a little crazy.  Links: Official Video Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.  

Bill is very excited to bring this episode to you. Not only is it a song out of the Genesis Extended Universe (GEU), but it also features Paul Carrack (which means this is part of the Carrackverse). It is also a song about long shots, which means this resonates with Bill's love life - Miracles DO happen. Get off your phone, Frank! Links Original Version Video '96 Version Video Top of the Pops '86 Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Where did Josie go after all? And can her friend be trusted? We certainly know that Josie's boyfriend isn't a man of honour, unless Frank's Hallmark movie is to be believed. Besides these questions, we cover the history of The Outfield, analyse "Your Love," and give a deep analysis of its music video. We're glad you joined us! Links:  Official Video SNL Sketch Acoustic Version Katy Perry Version Bruno Mars Version Family Guy Version Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

"That’s the challenge of the song: he’s giving us these people at Christmas and forcing us, in the spirit of the season, to find grace for them. He’s channeling the fundamental nature of Christmas." - Dave Kitchen In honour of Bill's brother-in-law, Kurt, we are finally featuring the song that Nick Cave said spoke with "profound compassion to the marginalised and the dispossessed." It's a Christmas song unlike any other.  Links: Official Video Live Version on Top of the Pops 1992 Demo Version #2 Jon Bon Jovi version Vance Joy version Bill Murray version Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill tribute performance Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.    

We are joined by our friends Dee and Jeff from the true crime review podcast So Much Crime, So Little Time to discuss a song based on a true crime. The Cranberries' "Zombie" is a song written in reaction to the 1993 Warrington bombings by the Provisional IRA that killed two children. We delve into the history of the band as well as the background behind the writing of the song. We also discuss Dee's lived Irish experience and how it measures up to Frank's independent study for his grade 12 history class on the IRA. Jeff brings us into the 1993 Time Machine (one of our favourite parts of "So Much Crime, So Little Time") while Bill brings a mixtape that can be only described with guttural 1990s rock sounds. We're excited for you to hear this crossover "very special episode!" Links: Zombie Official Video So Much Crime, So Little Time podcast website Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

The King has come to Guilt-Free Pleasures! There are many great Elvis songs, but this one is our favourite. Get on your white superhero sequined jumpsuit and get your karate kicks kicking - it's time to revisit 1972 Elvis Presley! Live Elvis Version Bruno Mars and his nephews Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

When compared to the other songs featured in this podcast, this song is virtually brand new! We discuss Miley's early career and dive deep into the song that sent her career up to new heights. We also discuss the importance of enjoying the journey rather than the destination, but also acknowledge that is rarely said by those who tumble to their destruction while climbing the mountain. Links: The Climb Official Video The Climb in the Hannah Montana: The Movie Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Disclaimer: We were wrong! Aretha Franklin sang "America The Beautiful" at Wrestlemania 3, not Wrestlemania 1. Hope month goes into episode 4 with this number 1 hit by Aretha & George. Faith and Hope abide, as the apostle Paul says. But the greatest of these is love, and you can feel it throughout this entire song. We dive into the hilarious stories behind the recording of the song and give you a deep, deep analysis of the intricacies of "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)." Grab a rack of ribs and enjoy! Helpful links: George Michael on recording with Aretha Franklin Live Version Official Video Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

You can't get much more hopeful if you are hopping on a love train! We discuss the O'Jays' biggest hit and do our best to situate you in the history and geography of the early 1970s. Get on board! Links: Original Video Last Days Disco Subway Dance Scene Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Welcome to the "cry-iest" episode of our podcast. Frank cannot contain his emotion when discussing James Ingraam's voice and the plight of Fievel and Tanya from "An American Tail." We also welcome Tabitha VandenEnden to discuss kids choirs, the power of an alto voice (even if you wish you were a soprano), and a song full of hope despite that big somewhere out there.  Links: Official Video Movie Version First Live Performance Community Episode Highlights If you are in the Niagara area and are interested in Tabitha's community children's choir, you can find out more at singout.ca.  Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Today we are beginning a new series called "Hope Month" as we examine and celebrate the songs that point to a brighter future. What better way to start than with Styx who make a pointed request to the Divine as they scramble for hope: "Show Me The Way."  We (briefly) discuss the band's history and take a deep dive into the meanings behind the song, including an examination of how Dennis DeYoung is able to use his illusion (I and II) to bring himself to higher ground.  Links: Official Video Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

"Sweet Dreams" gives us the chills (in a good way!). We do our best to bring you the song in its original context - not on a Halloween playlist but within the wider context of Eurythmics' second album (which brought their career to epic heights). We take a close look at how the song effectively mesmerizes the listener while still giving the unsettling feeling that something sinister is out there. Hold your head up as you move on through this episode! Helpful links: Original Video Our mixtape Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Fidelity, Phil Collins, and Draculas - we cover a wide range of topics in this week's episode on Howard Jones' "No One Is To Blame." Besides our customary song analysis, we also revisit Bill and Frank's earlier jobs (in shoes and construction) and the lessons learned from staring at restaurant menus without eating any food. Official Video Howard Jones on Top of the Pops with the mime Rachael Sage cover (Live) Thank you for being part of our journey! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at [email protected]! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.