Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures

77:01

The Bangles: "Eternal Flame" (with Stu)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/10/04

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 BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love

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64:00

Sade: "Smooth Operator" (Rerun)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/09/27

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,

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52:51

Dan Hartman: "I can dream about you" (rerun)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/09/20

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

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67:18

Sixpence None The Richer: "Kiss Me" (Rerun)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/09/13

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

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57:15

Dolly Parton: "9 to 5" (Rerun)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/09/06

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 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 lots of episodes - stay awhile and listen to some more ;) Our theme music is by the incredibly talented Ian McGlynn

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76:44

Northern Lights: "Tears Are Not Enough" (Rerun)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/08/30

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

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69:29

Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Rerun)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/08/23

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 BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review on the podcast provider

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76:45

Rerun: Montell Jordan (not Williams) "This Is How We...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/08/16

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 BandFGuiltFree@gmail.com! We’d love your feedback—please rate and review on the podcast provider of

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50:54

Pete Townshend: "Let My Love Open The Door" (Muppet...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/08/09

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

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71:11

Jesus Jones: "Right Here, Right Now" (Frank's Time...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/08/02

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

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59:28

Roxette: "Joyride" (For Benjamin)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/07/26

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

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60:27

Tiffany: "I Think We're Alone Now" (The Dawn of Mall...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/07/19

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

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64:16

En Vogue: "Free Your Mind" (Um-Dahs and Cowbells)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/07/12

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

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79:14

Journey: "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/07/05

There are a lot of different Journey songs that we could have picked, but “Separate Ways” packs a special punch. It is certainly anthemic, but it’s more complicated when considering its musical and lyrical content. And its music video is legendary. Links: Official Video Cillian Murphy reading W.B. Yeats VH1 Behind The Music 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

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94:41

Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson: "Beauty and the Beast"...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/06/28

Tabitha VandenEnden returns to help us pay tribute to Peabo Bryson and dive deep into the 1991 classic, "Beauty and the Beast." It is quite the journey! Be our guest as we explore the history and analysis of the song, discuss Gaston's false economy, question whether the Beast looked better before the transformation (he does), and see if we can keep this whole episode on the rails. Links: Official Video Dance Scene from the movie Howard trailer Ariana Grande and John Legend Video Dance Scene from

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67:23

Chesney Hawkes: "The One and Only" (For Lara)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/06/21

This week's episode was a big hit in the UK but not so much in our own continent. Nevertheless, it has endured in our memory and in the the playlist of the cool people we know. One of them is a listener who recommended this song! We take a look at Chesney's life that led him to getting a number one hit at only 19 years of age. We also discuss how this tune helped us accept ourselves, and we hope, dear listener, you will also use this song as your own mantra.Links: UK Video International Video Doc

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75:56

Cutting Crew: "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight"...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/06/14

Dave Kitchen joins us for a wild episode that involves a go-go gadget trenchcoat, a sorryfans website, la petite morte, journals that should have never been written, and the introduction of a new genre: drama rock. Links: Official Video (Lesser seen UK Version) Official Video (US 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

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62:51

Parachute Club: "Rise Up" (Share your power)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/06/07

This week we are bringing you one of the key bands to come out of the Queen West music scene. They may not have had quite the same success outside of Canada, but that doesn't diminish the quality of their music. So if you've never heard The Parachute Club, prepare to be lifted up. If you have heard the band, then you know that you're in for a good time! Despite the meanness of Bryan Adams manager, we are all going to Rise Up for an incredible guilt-free pleasure!Links Official Video McCain

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74:15

Chicago: "Look Away" (Thumbs Up!)

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/05/31

Get ready to embrace your inner 80s ballad lover as we take a deep dive into the history, production, and legacy of Chicago's massive 1988 single, "Look Away." We unpack the details of how Diane Warren's heartbreak anthem climbed its way to number one but also set the stage for our own relationship woes. Come join us, open your hearts, and get guilt-free! Links: Original Video Diane Warren live version (with "I Get Weak") Thank you for listening! Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, etc., or send

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76:52

Kenny Rogers: "The Gambler" (Don Schlitz cracks an...

Bill and Frank’s Guilt-Free Pleasures ·

2026/05/24

It is hard to imagine a time when "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em" didn't exist. We are are now considering (especially with the advent of quantum mechanics) that perhaps it has existed for time eternal. There is so much to discuss with Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler." There's the story of its writing (rest in peace, Don Schlitz). There's many versions. There's the dead muppet (!). There's the punchouts in all those TV movies. And there's the many lessons to be found in the

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