Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures
There’s no shame in the music you love. Join us as we celebrate the open-hearted songs of the past 50 years (with a focus on the songs that shaped us from the 70s, 80s, and 90s).
Episodes
"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.
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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 i...
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!
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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.
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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 intr...
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!
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Last Days Disco Subway Dance Scene
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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.
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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...
"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 th...
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.
Hey now, hey now, we're bringing you one of the most comforting and reassuring songs we know. Dave Kitchen joins us for his 23rd episode (not to be too gauche about it) and we dive into the signature song of Crowded House. Beyond an in depth musical, lyrical, and visual analysis, we also discuss kiwis, a Hallmark movie set in New Zealand, and the feeling of floating down a lazy river to Neil Finn's soothing voice.
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A video featuring a seat belt outfits and a tattooed buttox might have made this song controversial, but this song has outlasted any naysayers. We dive into Cher's signature hit, "If I Could Turn Back Time," and discuss its history and lasting impact. Themes of regret and second chances speak directly to our heart, while a pitch for a time-travelling film featuring a bagel baker and whale calls speaks directly to our not-so-secret ...
Our final episode of hate month has Frank bringing his love for Mariah Carey’s “Hero” to the table while Bill brings his hatred. Can Frank turn Bill to the Mariah side? Will the podcast survive this song?
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Hate month continues with Bill bringing the most controversial song choice to our podcast. There is a lot of hate out there for Nickelback (and Frank “represembles” it in his reaction), but Bill is convinced he is not alone in his celebration of “Far Away.” He hopes you are convinced after this episode to give this song an open-hearted listen - are you ready to take up the challenge?
Hate month continues - this time it is Frank’s turn to bring a song to draw Bill’s ire. “Un-Break My Heart” is Toni Braxton’s signature song and it breaks Frank’s heart every time he hears it. It also causes Bill pain, but in a different way. Thank you for joining us! We’d love to hear where you stand on this tune.
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In order to shake things up, we are beginning a special series called "Hate Month," where one of us brings a beloved song that the other host hates. Bill draws first blood in this episode with “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls (much to Frank's dismay).
Links (if your podcast provider supports them):
Buffalo 4th of July Performance
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Beyond its surface reading, "Take Me Home Tonight" is also about the revival of the careers of Eddie Money and Ronnie Spector. This song is a triumph. In today's episode, we examine the histories of both artists that ultimately converge into this top ten hit, we analyse the song, and we bring back (albeit briefly) the theme of tender-hearted werewolves in a guilt-free pleasure.
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We recorded this on Frank's birthday and Bill chose this song in his honour. Despite Frank researching the wrong song, we feel it still all comes together. Stay tuned for the surprise birthday wishes at the episode's end!
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Schitt's Creek Clip with Noah Reid
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Mike V joins us to discuss this bonafide jam from 1995. We examine Montell Jordan's background and current status, analyse (and explain) the lyrics, discuss the Phrygian mode, and give an epic mixtape for the ages. We're all about conviviality here, so you can trust us when we say you will enjoy this episode: we never come whack on an old school track!
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The ending of a relationship may be painful, but it's far worse for the narrator of Holland-Dozier-Holland's "You Keep Me Hangin' On" - the ending never quite seems to come for this jilted lover. This song has resonated over the decades as evidenced by it's many versions, starting with original Supremes version and all the way up to recent times in Glee. Today we will be celebrating our favourite version: the hi-NRG Kim Wilde 1986 ...
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