31 March 2012 - Olivia Newton-John - A Little More Love

In the late 70's, Olivia was everywhere.  From the radio, to television, to movies with ELO and roller skates.  Oh, and she played Sandy in Grease.

Olivia's music was country-infused - she was one of the first Australian artists to have a US Country hit - but in the late 70's, she moved to more straight-ahead pop. This was one of her earlier pop hits, around the time of the release of Grease.  I love her innocent sound, even though her songs are borderline dirty.  I hope you enjoy it.



(Update: 2 April 2018)  I had intended to post THIS SONG today, to match our cover by Juliana Hatfield over at Totally Covered.  Well, that didn't work out, so instead, I fixed a broken video on this post and I'm adding another.  Enjoy!

30 March 2012 - BulletBoys - Smooth Up In Ya

So a few weeks ago, on one of these Hair Metal Friday posts, I mentioned that the first concert I ever went to was Cinderella. What I failed to mention that day was that the BulletBoys were the opening act (I still haven't come to terms with the middle band...maybe in time). Here's the only BulletBoys song I remember. A ringing endorsement. Right?

29 March 2012 - Paris Hilton - Stars Are Blind

The pleasures don't get much guiltier than this.  But hear me out.

Paris Hilton certainly doesn't need a recording career.  She's got the Hilton Hotel billions behind her.  And her career as a party girl.  And her sex tape.   But she did it anyway.  Well, some people say she didn't actually do the singing.  I actually think it sounds like her.

Now, the song itself isn't about to win any awards.  It's straight-ahead pop music.  But it's also not pretending to be.  Lyrically, it's a sweet song, and one that appears diametrically opposed to the public persona of Paris Hilton herself.

Now, everyone, sit down and enjoy the video.

28 March 2012 - Information Society - What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)

Wicked Guilty Pleasures seem to pop up so often when I least expect them to. While at a party this weekend I was talking to a friend about WGP when this song played on our friend's 80s mix. I looked at him and said, "talk about a Wicked Guilty Pleasure." He agreed and we sort of laughed it off. Deep down though, we both knew I'd end up posting the video. So here it is. Forgive me for what I have done.

27 March 2012 - Tegan and Sara - Where Does The Good Go

Two folky young women, singing very earnestly.  Their harmonies bring to mind thoughts of Simon and Garfunkel.  And for some reason, despite all this, they still feel like a guilty pleasure.  I am not sure why that is - perhaps a discussion in the comments might help illuminate this matter - but it does.

This particular song has been featured quite prominently on the television series "Grey's Anatomy", as have songs from the previous two days.  Perhaps it's that fact that makes it a guilty pleasure.  At any rate, it's a song that always makes me smile, for its simplicity in music and vocals, and its raw lyrical honesty.

And yes, I did chose a fan-made video using footage from Grey's Anatomy on purpose.

26 March 2012 - Anna Nalick - Breathe (2 AM)

I've been wanting to post this video for a long time now. I've been reluctant to do so because I find it hard to think of Anna Nalick's Breathe (2 AM) as a guilty pleasure. It's simply a pleasure. Thanks to an almost unhealthy late-night YouTube video watching habit, I can probably also act out this video scene-by-scene as I watch it at least a few times a week.

25 March 2012 - Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes/Breakin' Up

OK, so we decided to change Non-Guilty Sunday to Guilt-Free Sunday.  I do hope you'll forgive us.

To celebrate the change in moniker, here are a couple of songs by one of my co-author Scott Colvin's favorite artists - Rilo Kiley.  Formed by a couple of former child actors - Jenny Lewis, best known for her work in the epic Shelley Long vehicle Troop Beverly Hills - and Blake Sennett, best known for the Nickelodeon series Salute Your Shorts - which was pretty funny, by the way.

Well, now they are best known for being in Rilo Kiley.  The closest this band - who had a large cult following -ever got to a hit was this song, which has been featured on the television series Grey's Anatomy on no less than two occasions.  It's a terrific straight-ahead rock song, the lyrics are clever, and I think you'll enjoy it.



Rilo Kiley got a major label deal and released Under The Blacklight (which Scott dislikes) on Warner Bros. Records in 2007.  Their cult following is enough that some fans got together and made this relatively well-produced and extremely well-choreographed video by themselves for a popular track off that album.  I think it's a lot of fun (even though Scott dislikes this album).  This is my second-favorite song by them, and the cheeriest song about a breakup I've ever heard.  I hope everyone not named Scott Colvin enjoys it.



Here's a little uncredited bonus for you.  This song, with a video courtesy of the CSU Chico film department,  is for my favorite song by Rilo Kiley.  Jenny Lewis, who has gone onto a solo career, does a terrific version of this song by herself, but with a full band backing her, it's so much richer and a little darker.