Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures

56:07

Kim Carnes: "Betty Davis Eyes" (not the boogie-woogie...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/05/17

This song knows how to make podcast pros like us blush. "Betty Davis Eyes" was a gigantic hit when it arrived in 1981. We discuss it's history, its legacy, and our varying degrees of comfort with the subject matter.Links: Video Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! 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

en

71:29

Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes: "Up Where We Belong"...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/05/10

Like Richard Gere and Debra Winger's characters in "An Officer and a Gentleman", "Up Where We Belong" had to persevere against the odds to become the massive hit that it is. We discuss Joe Cocker's redemption, Jennifer Warnes selflessness, the power of a "Sloppy Joe" piano, and so much more.Links: Still Standing Here Today Grammy Performance Official Video Academy Award Performance 1992 Performance Final Performance Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us

en

61:48

Whitesnake: "Here I Go Again" (Fancy Tough Guy Music)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/05/03

We finally delve into the iconic rock anthem "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake, a song that has a far more interesting background than neither of us could have imagined. Despite Robert Plant’s insistence that David Coverdale should be called David “Cover singer,” this huge hit is major part of rock n’ roll and music video history – and yes, we will be talking about Tawny Kitaen, too. Like Bill’s calculus class, this episode features a lot of tangents and as Holden Caulfield says, the digressions can

en

58:15

The Traveling Wilburys: "Handle With Care"

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/04/26

Show notes will be coming on Sunday!

en

55:36

Yvonne Keeley & Scott Fitzgerald & James Cromwell:...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/04/19

This one is a special one for Bill. We hope you enjoy our trip through If I Had Words, beginning with Camille Saint-Saëns' (Organ) Symphony No. 3 in 1886 and arriving at the movie "Babe" in 1995. Yvonne Keeley & Scott Fitzgerald Video James Cromwell Version Mice Version Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review on the podcast provider of your choice, and don’t forget to

en

66:26

Lionel Richie: "Hello" (He starts with "I Love You")

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/04/12

Only Lionel could lead with "I love you" when finding the girl of his dreams. We discuss why he can pull this off and why "Hello" is so amazing. We also do so much more! Get ready for an emotional ride. Links: The Number Ones by Tom Briehan The Epic Music Video Singing with Jimmy Fallon Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review on the podcast provider of your choice, and

en

55:58

Calloway: "I Wanna Be Rich" (and have just a little...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/04/05

It's refreshing to hear the bold honesty of Calloway. What do they want? They want to be rich! (And also for/full of love, peace, and happiness.) For this episode, we discuss money, lots and lots of money, we explore some incredible categories (the Hallmark movie is back!), and we also dive into the history of Calloway. From what we've learned, they got their wish in the end.Links: Official Video In Living Color Version New Version Flute Edit Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram,

en

60:48

David Foster: "Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" (from...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/03/29

We’ve never tried this before, but we’re going for it: today’s song is an instrumental. We kept a slight safety net, since a version with lyrics does exist, but the 'Love Theme from St. Elmo’s Fire' is best known for the way its keys, synths, and sax evoke their own kind of poetry. Join us for a journey involving dewy meadows, aggressive unicorns, and ski movie villains. Buckle up, friends.Link: Promotional Video Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an

en

70:58

Joe Jackson: "Steppin' Out" (with Dave Kitchen)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/03/22

Dave Kitchen brings us what he feels to be a "quintessential guilt-free pleasure." Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out" is undeniably of its time, but what a glorious time that was. We discuss the backstory of the song as well give a close reading of its lyrics. We also discuss the New York City of 1982, which is nearly a world away from the NYC of today. Be prepared to be transported back to another time as we step out into the night!Links: Music Video Live version with original drum machine Thank you for

en

55:02

Lou Bega: "Mambo No. 5" (Hi Monica!)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/03/15

This is a big moment for Frank - he's been wanting to do Lou Bega's giant signature tune for a long time. Bill isn't nearly as enthused, but this is not Hate Month, and so it's time to let a little bit of Angela, Pamela, Sandra, Rita, Monica, Erica, Tina, Sandra, Mary, and Jessica into our lives. Ladies and gentleman: here is our episode on "Mambo No. 5!"Link: Official Video Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send us an email at BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d

en

90:18

Thompson Twins: "Hold Me Now" (Adventures in...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/03/08

We're very excited to have The Julies back as guests! "Hold Me Now" suits both the aesthetic of our show as well as the taste of our friends. Beyond exploring the musical layers of the Thompson Twins' biggest hit, we unpack the memories tied to the track: namely, Frank's childhood longing for his babysitter. The Julies have a great new album out. You can find and buy Cherisher here and stream it on whatever service you use. Follow the Julies on Instagram or Facebook! More helpful links: Hold Me Now

en

67:12

Was (Not Was): Walk the Dinosaur (Boom Boom Acka...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/03/01

While often remembered as a catchy novelty track, Was (Not Was)’s “Walk the Dinosaur” is actually about our own imminent extinction through nuclear annihilation. Who knew the song would continue to be relevant almost forty years after its release? We trace the band’s humble beginnings in Michigan to their surprising success throughout the 80s, with guest vocalists that included Leonard Cohen, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Kim Basinger (!). For us, and maybe to the chagrin of the Was

en

63:35

Simply Red: Holding Back the Years (Holding ONNNNN)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/02/22

Mick Hucknall may be a polarising figure in the British media (well, I guess it mostly is only the "hate" pole), but how can anyone deny the power of "Holding Back the Years"? It's a song birthed in a stream of consciousness writing exercise but steeped in a history of childhood sadness. We discuss our own sadness, give a deep analysis of the song and video, and we also discuss why we refuse to pair a wine with this Simply Red.Links: Official Video Frantic Elevators version Simply Red Live from

en

68:45

Dan Hill: "Sometimes When We Touch" (Hold the last...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/02/15

Today, we dive into Dan Hill’s 1977 mega-ballad, "Sometimes When We Touch." Often labeled the ultimate "weeper," this track explores themes of masculine fragility and raw vulnerability. These concepts commonplace today but groundbreaking for the late 1970s. We discuss how a 19-year-old Hill penned these intense lyrics to compete for the affection of a polyamorous woman who was simultaneously dating a professional football player and a photographer. We also examine the song's unlikely collaboration

en

57:49

Mr. Mister: "Broken Wings" (You got to release the...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/02/08

We go deep in this week’s episodes by delving into the complexities of relationship-mending. For example, the only way to keep someone is to let them go. It’s the paradox of Broken Wings, and we are here to learn to fly again. Despite a bad coffee order to start things, we get right on track and discuss the enduring influence of Khalil Gibran on music - or at least on a few Beatles songs and this Mr. Mister tune. We discuss redemption, healing, and dangerous blackbirds. Frank also brings a Hallmark

en

53:44

Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair: "Opposites Attract"...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/02/01

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 BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love your feedback—please

en

77:24

Len: "Steal My Sunshine" (with Nathan Holmes)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/01/25

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

en

53:09

Seal: "Crazy" (The only way to survive)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/01/18

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 BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love your feedback—please rate

en

52:58

Mike + The Mechanics: "All I Need Is A Miracle"...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/01/11

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

en

62:13

The Outfield: "Your Love" (Sung in Stingsetto)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/01/04

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

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

O3L Media

Music of America Podcast

Tom Pollard

瓏賀哩共

賀瓏｜中廣流行網

Miss Indepodcast

Miss Indepodcast

YourClassical Daily Download

American Public Media