Friday Night Karaoke – "FNK ExFiles: Breakup & Heartbreak Songs"

Episode 70 | Season 3 | March 28, 2025
Hosts: Mike Whiston & Joe Rubin

Episode Overview

This heartfelt, hilarious, and occasionally explicit episode of Friday Night Karaoke celebrates the pain, drama, and catharsis of breakups and heartbreaks. Mike and Joe spin their favorite karaoke covers of classic and contemporary breakup anthems, all performed by members of their vibrant Facebook group. The episode revels in community spirit, playful banter, and the healing power of song, while highlighting performances ranging from raw and bitter to humorous and triumphant.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Opening Performance & Episode Theme

• [00:00] Mike kicks things off with Jane Lutz dipolito’s haunting, jazzy cover of Radiohead’s "Creep." Both hosts are blown away by her vocal presence.
  • "That got better. Every single, like, every next verse was better than the previous one. That was amazing." – Joe Rubin [04:53]
  • "Completely blown away... Hat off. I had to take my hat off for a second there. Just show some respect. Respect because – wow." – Mike Whiston [05:01-05:32]
• Theme Announcement: "FNK X Files – Breakups & Heartbreak Songs" (wordplay on "ex" and "X Files"), picking up the heartbreak vibes after Valentine’s Day. [06:12-08:31]

2. Community & Podcast Vibe

• [09:10] The Friday Night Karaoke Facebook group is celebrated for its inclusive, ad-free, and positivity-focused environment (36,000+ members).
  • Each week features a new theme; this week brings eight member performances on heartbreaks and breakups.

3. Featured Karaoke Performances

A. Jane Lutz dipolito – "Creep" (Radiohead)

• [Opening Song]
• Noted for its unique postmodern jukebox/lounge style.
• Exceptional vocal control and presence.

B. Anthony Gorby Sr. – "I Can Still Make Cheyenne" (George Strait)

• [11:17-15:32]
• A heartfelt country tale of a rodeo breakup, delivered with sincerity by a new group member.
  • "What a way to enter the group… he immediately records something and puts it out there for all of us to hear." – Mike [15:38]
  • "Nicely done, sir. Nicely done. Well played, sir." – Joe [16:14-16:24]

C. Angel Lark – "Love Stinks" (J. Geils Band)

• [19:10-23:45]
• Upbeat, gritty rendition with comedic ad-libs about cellphones and a "mini mart rose."
  • "How is she not famous?… That was phenomenal. And I loved everything about it." – Both [23:39-25:06]
• Playful speculation about Angel’s true identity (“Are you Jewel?”).

D. Mike Whiston – "Somebody Kill Me" (from The Wedding Singer)

• [26:42-28:53]
• Mike performs his favorite breakup song with comic self-deprecation.
  • "That hurt. That was painful to watch back. I don't know why I included that." – Mike [28:43]
• Joe teases Mike’s video performance style.

E. Karen Pavkov – "No More Fucks to Give" (Thomas Benjamin)

• [34:29-37:27]
• Explicit, hilarious, and cathartic; described as "queen of postmodern jukebox style."
  • "That song was absolutely phenomenal… The lyrics of that song were hilarious." – Mike & Joe [37:32-38:04]
  • The hosts marvel at the song’s evolving choruses and suggest it'd be a karaoke crowd-pleaser.

F. Eric Dabrowski – "It’ll Be Okay" (Shawn Mendes)

• [41:58-45:36]
• An emotional, subdued breakup ballad delivered with touching nuance.
  • "That was deep… my love life was flashing before my eyes all at once." – Mike [45:40-45:49]
• Discussion about the importance of vocal dynamics and softer songs in karaoke.

G. Dana Lavelli – "Gives You Hell" (All-American Rejects)

• [51:10-54:24]
• Multitrack, high-energy cover with chorus harmonies and Brady Bunch video style.
  • "Super well coordinated. I loved watching that." – Joe [54:54]
• Noted connection to TV show "Castle" and nostalgia for Firefly/Nathan Fillion.

H. Kevin Paris Sr. – "The Breakup Song" (Greg Kihn Band)

• [59:02-61:58]
• An iconic garage-style singalong, perfect for group karaoke.
  • "The second we get to the [chorus], everyone’s gonna be like—aaaah, and like, they only have to know the words." – Mike [62:28]
  • Surprise among hosts about discovering the song title and the artist.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Get tested." – Mike, riffing on abrupt and dark dedications to exes [10:19]
• "That song… would be perfect if I brought this to karaoke and just unleashed it on people." – Mike, about Karen Pavkov’s song [39:01]
• "You, too, can have maple syrup whiskey." – Mike [49:21]
• "I can't dance. I can sing. I can't dance." – Joe, joking during Mike's call-out [58:05]
• "We both used to be in Connecticut, but been in Japan for three years… trying to make it work. It’s a long distance relationship… but you know, we Skype each other every now and then. I wear sexy…" – Mike [69:22+]
• [Explicit content warning for Karen Pavkov’s "No More Fucks to Give."*] [34:29]

Community, Group Dynamics & Ongoing Humor

• The community’s ad-free, supportive culture is highlighted repeatedly ([09:10-10:01], [51:10-65:13]).
• Playful inside jokes about group membership, hosts’ beards, technical recording mishaps (Mike forgetting to record an entire episode), and the possibility of being "punked" by a secretly famous singer.
• Regular references to mod team contributions, and the geographical reach of the group.
• Suggestions and playful bickering over the next week’s theme, ultimately settling on "FNK Spring Break" – party vibes for the coming season ([65:34-68:24]).
• The hosts end on a note of camaraderie and mutual appreciation.

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:00] Opening: Jane Lutz dipolito – "Creep"
• [11:17] Anthony Gorby Sr. – "I Can Still Make Cheyenne"
• [19:10] Angel Lark – "Love Stinks"
• [26:42] Mike Whiston – "Somebody Kill Me"
• [34:29] Karen Pavkov – "No More Fucks to Give"
• [41:58] Eric Dabrowski – "It’ll Be Okay"
• [51:10] Dana Lavelli – "Gives You Hell"
• [59:02] Kevin Paris Sr. – "The Breakup Song"

Tone & Language

The hosts are warm, irreverent, and encouraging—brimming with nostalgia, self-aware humor, and genuine admiration for the performers. They balance heartfelt commentary with light roasting and playful profanity, making for an episode that's as much about community as it is about cathartic singing.

For Listeners

This episode is a joyride through every shade of post-breakup emotion, from the angsty to the absurd. You’ll leave both laughing and reflecting on the power of music and the value of community. Whether or not you’ve sung karaoke in your life, you’ll feel the urge to belt out your heartbreak and join in.

To get involved or featured on the podcast:
Join the Friday Night Karaoke Facebook Group and add your voice to the weekly theme!

Next Week’s Theme

Party Like It's Spring Break! — FNK Spring Break
Get ready for springtime jams, party anthems, and fresh new covers from across the Friday Night Karaoke community.

(Skip the intros, outros, technical tangents, and sponsor chit-chat—jump right to the song showcases for the best community heartbreak karaoke on the internet!)