Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures

Michael McDonald: "Sweet Freedom" (A special listener request)

When you send us requests, we do listen! This episode was recommended by frequent listener Jake Wiebe, who feels that Michael McDonald's "Sweet Freedom" is an essential guilt-free pleasure. We agree. 
Official Video
Running Scared Montage Sequence
Our mixtape on Spotify
Toad the Wet Sprocket and Michael McDonald
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Poison: "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" (Well, not every rose...)

This song has been frequented requested from listeners, and finally we are honouring that request (this one's especially for you, Maureen!). Frank is a huge fan of this song, while Bill is a bit more reticent about naming this as a guilt-free pleasure. Despite our differences and sharp disagreements, this podcast manages to survive the episode. We follow the history of Poison in general and this song in particular. We give a deep analysis of the song and even have a botanical specialist weigh in on whether every rose has thorns.
We are glad you have joined us!
Links:
Official Music Video
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.
 

Shannon: "Let The Music Play"

Dave Kitchen returns to discuss the song that birthed the freestyle movement! 
Our episode picture is Sara at the roller rink 🛼

Billy Joel: "Uptown Girl" (A song for us downtown guys)

We just cannot get enough of Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl." From the message that the common person has a shot at the seeming unattainable other to the infectious early 1960s throwback vibes, we are all in! We walk through a brief history of Billy Joel and the story behind the song (it involves Elle MacPherson, Christie Brinkley, and Whitney Houston!). We also give a detailed analysis of the tune itself in downtown guy terms. And we discuss the timeless video that is totally of its time!
Thank you for joining us!
Links:
Official Music Video
Our Mixtape
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.
 

Anne Murray: "Snowbird" (with Rich Terfry / Buck 65)

We are thrilled to have Rich Terfry (a.k.a. Buck 65) join us to talk about Anne Murray's "Snowbird." Anne Murray is a Canadian musical legend who has sold over 55 million records and it all started with "Snowbird." We cover the story of the song, its writer (Gene MacLellan), and we take a deep dive (as only Rich Terfry can do!) into our analysis of the song. Stay for a pretty epic mixtape to close the episode as we discover the surprising links between Anne Murray and hip hop. Also, for those still reading, you will find a bonus story at the end of our usual credits. Thank you for joining us!
Links:
Anne Murray on the Muppet Show
Our Mixtape
You can find Buck 65 on Bandcamp and his excellent Substack site, Vertices.
Rich also host's CBC Music's Drive each weekday. You can find it here or on the radio!
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.

Spice Girls: "Stop" (We all get guilt-free)

There are many great Spice Girls songs, but there is only one that altered the trajectory of our musical tastes as cynical young adults in the 1990s. One could argue (and we do) that the whole concept of a "guilt-free pleasure" was born when "Stop" was released. It may have been the first single to not top the U.K. charts for the Spice Girls, but it is nevertheless (arguably) their greatest sonic achievement. Beyond walking through the history of the band and the song, we also get a special message from frequent guest Dr. Nathan Holmes, who is able to get guilt-free and confess his love for great pop music.
Helpful Links:
Official Music Video
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.
 

Depressmas: Greg Lake ("I Believe in Father Christmas"), Meryn Cadell ("The Cat Carol"), and Hey Rosetta! ("Carry Me Home")

It's our annual Holiday greeting mini-episode! We thought we would change things up and bring in our good friend Dave Kitchen for our theme of "Depressmas" - songs that bring in the sadness of the season. It's short and (bitter)sweet! Merry Christmas, everyone. You have a home here at Bill & Frank's Guilt-Free Pleasures!
Links:
I Believe in Father Christmas music video
The Cat Carol music video
Carry Me Home music video
Here's a special treat. Tim Baker of Hey Rosetta! sings Carry Me Home with Choir! Choir! Choir!
Also, we didn't get to tell the fascinating backstory of The Cat Carol. Here it is. 
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.
 

Mariah Carey: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (An irresistible holiday classic)

Christmas has come early for Frank as we are finally doing his favourite holiday tune! We discuss the enduring popularity of this juggernaut, the competing stories behind it's beginning, the unrelenting anger of Mariah fans on Twitter, and the click of reindeer. 
Helpful Links:
Official Video 
Other Official Video (Black and White Version)
Official Video with Unreleased Footage
Recent Official Video (Make My Wish Come True)
Justin Bieber Duet Video
Mixtape
Mariah Carey Atlantic Article: A Historic Dialectic
You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and our website. You can email us at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com, too. We'd love to hear from you. Please rate and review us wherever you listen!
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.
 

Jeffrey Osborne: "On The Wings Of Love" (Brought to you by the letter "E")

Jeffrey Osborne needs to be talked about more. An incredible voice with incredible tunes. And "On The Wings Of Love" is our absolute favourite. 
Links: 
Mixtape
Top of the Pops video
Questlove Interview
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 song we've featured.
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.
 

Loverboy: “Working For The Weekend” (Fishing for Orcas)

We are starting from the start in this week’s episode. And we may not know what that means, but we do know that it is a fundamental fact that everyone is working for the weekend. We take you through a brief history of Loverboy and dig deep as we examine their most enduring hit. C’mon baby let’s go!
Links:
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 wherever you listen!
Here is our Spotify playlist featuring every song we've featured.
Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn.