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

This one has been requested a lot over the years, and we're glad to finally bring our episode on Lisa Loeb's "Stay." We delve into Lisa Loeb's backstory, give a deep analysis of the lyrics, and discuss everything from Reality Bites to Martin Heidegger. We're glad you've been "thrown" into this moment, and we hope you enjoy what you hear! Links:  Official Video That 90s Show Hot Tub Time Machine 2 Dave Grohl's version Live at Daryl's House Yusei Kikuchi Walk Off The Earth's Version 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

In honour of Frank's birthday (this was recorded in August), we brought together a live studio audience for our deep analysis of Steve Winwood's "Higher Love," which may be a song about seeking spiritual enlightenment or about picking up at a club. This episode has been an editing challenge, and, despite the chaos of the recording, we feel the final result is something we can be proud of. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we did recording it! Links: Official Video Dave Letterman performance 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

We're back from our rerun break with a big one! The Bangles' irresistible "Eternal Flame" gave them a huge #1 hit, but also signalled the unfortunate downfall of the band (but not forever). Our good friend Stu joins us to discuss all sorts of flames, whether it's a true love, an Elvis memorial, or the Olympic torch. You had one job to do, Stu!!!   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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

This is our last rerun episode for the 2026 season! We thought that a perfect way to end this would be with Sade’s “Smooth Operator" - a recommendation from our good friend Jeff from the So Much Crime, So Little Time podcast. (You can find them here!) We learned a lot about Sade back when we recorded this (almost three years ago!), and the band continues to loom large in our guilt-free pantheon. We hope our journey through “Smooth Operator” brings you joy no matter what coast you are listening from, whether it be it the one that harbours L.A., or the one that harbours . . . Chicago? Links: Official Long 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

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 throughout the 1980s. It was a thrill to not only dive into "I Can Dream About You," but also to find out how special Dan Hartman was. It's a crime that he's not discussed more in pop music history. Helpful links: Our mixtape The official video featuring Dan Hartman as the bartender The scene from the movie featuring Winston Ford on vocals The first video with alternate Dan Hartman vocal over The Sorels Live version of "Free Ride" from the Edgar Winter Group Video for "Instant Replay" You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Mastodon, and our website. You can email us at [email protected], too. Feel free to rate and review us wherever you listen! Here is our Spotify playlist featuring every song we've featured. Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

It's a rerun of our "Kiss Me" episode! We want to send our condolences to Sixpence None The Richer on the recent passing of their bassist, Justin Cary. Here is the original show notes from our original release: 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! Links: Truffaut Video Hollywood Video Dave Letterman Interview Perfect Strangers: Pipe Dreams 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

To honour the great Dolly Parton, we are releasing this rerun of our 9 to 5 episode.  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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

Our friend Bruce Soderholm has recommended this week's rerun episode: "Tears Are Not Enough" by Northern Lights (the Canadian supergroup). This one was a joy to make and also an incredible challenge to research and edit. (We are grateful to Mel Bourque for assistance in the French portions of the song.) Enjoy!   Links: Superscaled Video Documentary Upscaled 40th anniversary doc A dedicated parody (tribute) version 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

Mike V. recommends this one from way back on April 5, 2024. It's a fitting tribute episode as well, since Bonnie Tyler's funeral was this past week. Thank you for joining us for our rerun season! We hope you enjoy the (re)listen! Links: Official Video Dan Band from Old School Nicki French Hi-NRG extended version 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

In honour of network TV, we are running reruns over the next few weeks. These will all begin with a listener recommendation and a bit of a reflection by us before we go into the classic episode. We hope you enjoy the revisit! (We never go whack on an old school episode) This Is How We Do It 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

This is one of those songs we imagine that many know this melody, but not necessarily the name of the song or its singer. It graced the soundtrack of several movies from the 90s and 00s, but its lyrical content was kind of a mystery. This episode aims to explain it all! Be prepared to find out "Who" Pete Townshend is, how Jesus inspired "Let My Love Open The Door," why we can't stop talking about The Muppets, and what era of music draws Frank's ire.  Links: "Official" Video Dan In Real Life scene 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

We're not sure that the sentiment has remained the same in recent years, but Jesus Jones' "Right Here, Right Now" captures the hope of the very early 90s, where the fall of the Berlin Wall meant everything good was possible. We not only cover the history of the song and look at its meaning in our lives, but Frank must also decide what he would in his time travel (fictional) biopic. Thanks for joining us! Links: Official Video Bob Dylan in Hamilton, 1986 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

Hot Tamale Pearson and Cold Fish Huizer are not stealing a car this week, but we are nevertheless taking you on a "Joyride!" Inspired by a sweet love note from songwriter (and vocalist) Per Gessle, "Joyride" represents Roxette at their peak powers: Per’s lyrically surprising verses, Marie Fredriksson’s powerhouse chorus, and a video for the ages. No wonder its namesake album is one of the best selling in Germany’s history. Special thanks to Benjamin for recommending this one. (Sorry it took us so long!) Links Note: We found out after the recording of this episode that there are two different versions of the video. We've included both links below: Original Video Updated Remastered 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

How has it taken us this long to finally cover Tiffany’s massive number-one hit? Well, here we are! Recorded when she was only 14, this track officially marked the first number-one song by an artist born in the 1970s, ushering in a whole new generation of teen pop royalty. Whether you’re Team Tiffany or Team Debbie, join us as we celebrate the dawn of mall pop. Links: Official Music Video Tiffany on Star Search at 12 years old! Robin Sparkles: "Let's Go To The Mall" Megapythod vs. Gatoroid Full House dance clip Umbrella Academy dance scene 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

Who would’ve guessed the R&B queens of En Vogue could rock this hard? But rock hard they do on this track off their sophomore album, proving they were genre-defying powerhouses. We’re diving into the history, the heavy riffs, and the enduring legacy of an anthem whose message still resonates today (unfortunately). Free Your Mind, and the rest will follow! Links: Official Video  Live Performance  Calhoun Tubbs 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 on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to share our podcast with your friends! We have lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn