Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures

Scandal feat. Patty Smyth: "The Warrior" (Bang Bang)

An incredible song with an absolutely ridiculous video, "The Warrior" is pure guilt-free pleasure. Besides discussing the history of the band, the song, and the video, we also explore Knuckles from Sonic The Hedgehog and its significance in Bill's life. And most importantly, we examine what it means to be a warrior in the world of love. 
Links:
The Warrior video
Bon Jovi video with Scandal: Love's Got A Line On You
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.

Faith Hill: "This Kiss" (Ahhhhh)

We can't think of many songs with as much purity of heart than Faith Hill's "This Kiss." All the joy of early and enduring love is found here, as well as a remarkable story about how this song came together. We have a dearth of episodes on country music, but we hope this marks the beginning of more steel guitar days in the Guilt-Free Pleasureverse!
Links:
The video
1998 Country Music Awards performance
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.

Alias: More Than Words Can Say (I Need You Now)

The story of Alias is the story of tenacity. Coming out of the ashes of Sheriff, Freddy Curci and Steve DeMarchi were couriers by day and hard-working rockers by night as they honed their craft and waited for an opportunity to get back on the scene. The serendipitous resurrection of "When I'm With You" (check our previous episode) on the Billboard Hot 100 gave them the chance to get a record deal, which resulted in the release of this incredible power ballad. We discuss the band's history, the heroism of Curci and DeMarchi, and we discuss the power ballad's supernova as grunge began ascending. 
Official Video
Live Version
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.

Sheriff: "When I'm With You" (The ultimate Valentine’s gift))

One of the most unlikely success stories in Billboard Hot 100 history is Canada’s Sheriff. Despite having broken up years before, their ballad ascended to the peak of the charts to the chagrin of the record execs. The listening public will not be denied! Join us as we discuss the history of the song (a Valentine’s gift!) and the longest note in #1 pop history!
Links:
Music Video if it was actually made
Live Version
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.

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.