Friday Night Karaoke – Episode 72: "It’s Gonna Be May! Boy Bands, Bangers & Harmonies"

Release Date: May 5, 2025
Hosts: Mike Whiston & Joe Rubin
Featured Artists: Eric Dabrowski, Rachel Everest, Glenn Carberry, Jessica Sparks, Jeff Smith, Zach Van Der Zand, Rick Mendoza, Jennifer Adams
Theme: Celebrating every era of boy bands—with harmonies, nostalgia, and unexpected takes.

Episode Overview

This episode is a vibrant celebration of boy bands, spanning from classic groups like The Drifters and The Beatles to modern acts like NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and 5 Seconds of Summer. The hosts highlight stellar karaoke performances from their Facebook group, riff on the definition of “boy band,” and share plenty of laughs, inside jokes, and community spirit. With each song, the hosts discuss vocal challenges, fun behind-the-scenes stories, and why karaoke brings people together.

Key Discussion Points & Performances

Opening: "Youngblood" – Eric Dabrowski

[00:00–03:26]

Eric kicks things off with "Youngblood" by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Memorable moment: Mike jokes about muting himself accidentally at the start:

"Did I really just do that? Did I start the podcast like that?" – Mike ([03:31])
The hosts praise Eric’s performance and discuss boy band song challenges:

"That's a tough song, too. And look, I'm not surprised that he crushed it, but he crushed it." – Joe ([04:00])
Mike riffing on pop artist mix-ups due to caffeine overload adds a playful tone.

Theme Introduction: "It's Gonna Be May" Boy Band Week

[05:40–07:59]

May’s theme celebrates boy bands of any era, with a cheeky nod to the viral “It’s Gonna Be May” meme (NSYNC).
Hosts encourage debate on what counts as a boy band—“The Drifters and The Beatles, that's just not the style. Boy band push back. Let's get that conversation going.” – Mike ([06:49])
Lighthearted speculation on future AI arguments about music genres.

Karaoke Challenge: The Art of Boy Band Songs

[08:32–09:23]

The hosts break down the difficulties of solo karaoke for group songs:
1. Singing all parts in one pass.
2. Layering harmonies (like Eric did).
3. Collabs with others, Smule/StarMaker-style.
Acknowledgment of the extra effort:

"It's a challenging week, so hats off to everyone that participated." – Mike ([09:23])

Rachel Everest – "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" (NSYNC)

[09:43–13:24] | [14:54–15:40]

Rachel’s rendition impresses with emotional connection and technical prowess.
Hosts sing her happy birthday—showcasing the community's warmth and humor.

"She just absolutely freaking nailed it. She, you know, she hits, like, all the little inflection points and just kind of owned it." – Mike ([14:58]) "You can always tell when a singer is not just singing the words to a song, but actually, like, the song is the singer." – Mike ([15:20])

Spirited Banter & Community Fun

[15:41–18:44]

The hosts launch into a playful (fake) business pitch about singing $400 Cameos and Ivy League admissions.
Shout-out to Shure microphones—props for gear love.

Glenn Carberry – "Save the Last Dance for Me" (The Drifters)

[19:35–23:41]

Glenn’s cover leads to a discussion on “timeless classics.”

"That song will be famous forever." – Joe ([25:08])
Mike notes the song’s history of being covered 100+ times, indicating its universal appeal.

Jessica Sparks – "As Long as You Love Me" (Backstreet Boys)

[27:57–31:41]

Another highlight from a community mainstay. The hosts call out Jessica’s “freaking” middle name in admiration.

"She killed it. She killed it. Yeah. Love it." – Joe ([31:35]) "She loved Backstreet Boys when she was a kid, she said... and then she sang it. Oh, really? I know this song really well." – Mike & Joe ([31:59–32:11])
Playful banter about the signs in her background and possibly “meta” tie-ins across episodes.

Jeff Smith – "I'm Still Fine" (Red Clay Strays)

[36:22–40:21]

Jeff’s heartfelt, in-car performance stands out for its authenticity and rawness.

"He just gets into it and, like, you could tell that… I need to get this out of me." – Mike ([40:33])
Joe praises the music discovery aspect:

"That's why I like the music discovery portion of this podcast. Songs I've never heard before, but I loved it now." – Joe ([41:10])

Zach Van Der Zand – "Incomplete" (Backstreet Boys)

[45:24–49:22]

First-time contributor, “action movie name,” sings and harmonizes with himself.
Joe notices the clever wardrobe change—different hats for different parts.
Discussion about how layering vocals in karaoke covers enhances the performance.

Rick Mendoza – "Love Me Do" (The Beatles)

[53:05–55:35]

Rick showcases multi-tracked harmonies.

"He sings with himself just like, you know, many of the others where they're recording multiple parts." – Mike ([53:05])
Spirited debate about the Beatles as a “boy band,” but hosts are happy to include them.
Heartfelt appreciation for the community’s connections:

"There's so many people in this community that I just, I would love to go out and grab a beer or 10 with and just hang out and for sure kick it back." – Mike ([57:14])

Community Announcements

[58:00–58:57]

Upcoming Friday Night Karaoke meetups in London (May 17–23) and New York (August 1–5).
Invitation to join the Facebook group for details and more karaoke fun.

Jennifer Adams – "It's Gonna Be Me" (NSYNC)

[59:37–62:53]

The perfect, playful closer: Jennifer harmonizes with herself, even for the iconic one-word "me" lines.

"Jennifer's an actual good singer. Like, she can actually take that song, which has, you know, many people singing, and just own the entire thing and make it her own." – Mike ([63:09]) "That was pretty hilarious that she did that. Just the one thing right in the middle of the song. For one word." – Joe ([64:29])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

[06:49] Mike: "I challenge. If you're going to listen to this podcast all the way through and you're gonna be like, you know what, the Drifters and the Beatles, that's just not the style. Boy band push back. Let's get that conversation going."
[15:20] Mike: "You can always tell when a singer is not just singing the words to a song, but actually, like, you know, the song is the singer."
[25:08] Joe: "That song will be famous forever."
[31:41] Joe: "Jessica freaking Sparks. That's her official name, by the way. Jessica. Middle name, freaking last name. Sparks."
[40:52] Mike: "He starts off, like, so, like, it's almost, like, timid… And then, like, he just gets to a part where he's, like... you could tell that, you know, this has been like, I need to get this out of me."
[57:14] Mike: "There's so many people in this community that I just, I would love to go out and grab a beer or 10 with and just hang out and for sure kick it back."
[63:09] Mike: "Jennifer's an actual good singer. Like, she can actually take that song, which has, you know, many people singing, and just own the entire thing and make it her own."

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00: Intro; Eric Dabrowski – "Youngblood"
05:40: What makes a boy band? This week's theme
09:43: Rachel Everest – "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time On You"
19:35: Glenn Carberry – "Save the Last Dance for Me"
27:57: Jessica Sparks – "As Long As You Love Me"
36:22: Jeff Smith – "I'm Still Fine"
45:24: Zach Van Der Zand – "Incomplete"
53:05: Rick Mendoza – "Love Me Do"
59:37: Jennifer Adams – "It's Gonna Be Me"
58:00 / 1:00:00: Community announcements, upcoming events

Throughout the Episode: Original Tone

Upbeat, irreverent, and inclusive—hosts riff on everything from AI arguments about genres, fake business ideas, to the joy of music discovery.
Community-focused: Regular shout-outs to contributors, open invitations for events, and deep appreciation for the Facebook group.
Playful self-deprecation: Mike and Joe riff on their own singing, business acumen, and podcasting quirks.

Final Segment: Next Week’s Theme Teaser

[65:39–67:06]

The next theme will be #FnKDarkSide (inspired by Star Wars Day—May 4th), focusing on "dark, angry, or villainous" songs.

Summary

Episode 72 of Friday Night Karaoke delivers a loving and humorous tribute to boy bands—classic, modern, and rule-bending—spotlighting passionate community performances. The hosts, Mike and Joe, infuse the show with camaraderie, running jokes, and genuine admiration for amateur karaoke artists. This episode is perfect fun for fans of harmonies, pop nostalgia, or anyone looking to ramp up their karaoke game and join a thriving musical community.

For more info, to participate, or to be featured:
Join the Friday Night Karaoke Facebook group. Tune in to the next episode for more musical adventures!

Friday Night Karaoke – Episode 72: "It’s Gonna Be May! Boy Bands, Bangers & Harmonies"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Performances

Opening: "Youngblood" – Eric Dabrowski

[00:00–03:26]

Eric kicks things off with "Youngblood" by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Memorable moment: Mike jokes about muting himself accidentally at the start:

"Did I really just do that? Did I start the podcast like that?" – Mike ([03:31])
The hosts praise Eric’s performance and discuss boy band song challenges:

"That's a tough song, too. And look, I'm not surprised that he crushed it, but he crushed it." – Joe ([04:00])
Mike riffing on pop artist mix-ups due to caffeine overload adds a playful tone.

Theme Introduction: "It's Gonna Be May" Boy Band Week

[05:40–07:59]

May’s theme celebrates boy bands of any era, with a cheeky nod to the viral “It’s Gonna Be May” meme (NSYNC).
Hosts encourage debate on what counts as a boy band—“The Drifters and The Beatles, that's just not the style. Boy band push back. Let's get that conversation going.” – Mike ([06:49])
Lighthearted speculation on future AI arguments about music genres.

Karaoke Challenge: The Art of Boy Band Songs

[08:32–09:23]

The hosts break down the difficulties of solo karaoke for group songs:
1. Singing all parts in one pass.
2. Layering harmonies (like Eric did).
3. Collabs with others, Smule/StarMaker-style.
Acknowledgment of the extra effort:

"It's a challenging week, so hats off to everyone that participated." – Mike ([09:23])

Rachel Everest – "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" (NSYNC)

[09:43–13:24] | [14:54–15:40]

Rachel’s rendition impresses with emotional connection and technical prowess.
Hosts sing her happy birthday—showcasing the community's warmth and humor.

"She just absolutely freaking nailed it. She, you know, she hits, like, all the little inflection points and just kind of owned it." – Mike ([14:58]) "You can always tell when a singer is not just singing the words to a song, but actually, like, the song is the singer." – Mike ([15:20])

Spirited Banter & Community Fun

[15:41–18:44]

The hosts launch into a playful (fake) business pitch about singing $400 Cameos and Ivy League admissions.
Shout-out to Shure microphones—props for gear love.

Glenn Carberry – "Save the Last Dance for Me" (The Drifters)

[19:35–23:41]

Glenn’s cover leads to a discussion on “timeless classics.”

"That song will be famous forever." – Joe ([25:08])
Mike notes the song’s history of being covered 100+ times, indicating its universal appeal.

Jessica Sparks – "As Long as You Love Me" (Backstreet Boys)

[27:57–31:41]

Another highlight from a community mainstay. The hosts call out Jessica’s “freaking” middle name in admiration.

"She killed it. She killed it. Yeah. Love it." – Joe ([31:35]) "She loved Backstreet Boys when she was a kid, she said... and then she sang it. Oh, really? I know this song really well." – Mike & Joe ([31:59–32:11])
Playful banter about the signs in her background and possibly “meta” tie-ins across episodes.

Jeff Smith – "I'm Still Fine" (Red Clay Strays)

[36:22–40:21]

Jeff’s heartfelt, in-car performance stands out for its authenticity and rawness.

"He just gets into it and, like, you could tell that… I need to get this out of me." – Mike ([40:33])
Joe praises the music discovery aspect:

"That's why I like the music discovery portion of this podcast. Songs I've never heard before, but I loved it now." – Joe ([41:10])

Zach Van Der Zand – "Incomplete" (Backstreet Boys)

[45:24–49:22]

First-time contributor, “action movie name,” sings and harmonizes with himself.
Joe notices the clever wardrobe change—different hats for different parts.
Discussion about how layering vocals in karaoke covers enhances the performance.

Rick Mendoza – "Love Me Do" (The Beatles)

[53:05–55:35]

Rick showcases multi-tracked harmonies.

"He sings with himself just like, you know, many of the others where they're recording multiple parts." – Mike ([53:05])
Spirited debate about the Beatles as a “boy band,” but hosts are happy to include them.
Heartfelt appreciation for the community’s connections:

"There's so many people in this community that I just, I would love to go out and grab a beer or 10 with and just hang out and for sure kick it back." – Mike ([57:14])

Community Announcements

[58:00–58:57]

Upcoming Friday Night Karaoke meetups in London (May 17–23) and New York (August 1–5).
Invitation to join the Facebook group for details and more karaoke fun.

Jennifer Adams – "It's Gonna Be Me" (NSYNC)

[59:37–62:53]

The perfect, playful closer: Jennifer harmonizes with herself, even for the iconic one-word "me" lines.

"Jennifer's an actual good singer. Like, she can actually take that song, which has, you know, many people singing, and just own the entire thing and make it her own." – Mike ([63:09]) "That was pretty hilarious that she did that. Just the one thing right in the middle of the song. For one word." – Joe ([64:29])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

[06:49] Mike: "I challenge. If you're going to listen to this podcast all the way through and you're gonna be like, you know what, the Drifters and the Beatles, that's just not the style. Boy band push back. Let's get that conversation going."
[15:20] Mike: "You can always tell when a singer is not just singing the words to a song, but actually, like, you know, the song is the singer."
[25:08] Joe: "That song will be famous forever."
[31:41] Joe: "Jessica freaking Sparks. That's her official name, by the way. Jessica. Middle name, freaking last name. Sparks."
[40:52] Mike: "He starts off, like, so, like, it's almost, like, timid… And then, like, he just gets to a part where he's, like... you could tell that, you know, this has been like, I need to get this out of me."
[57:14] Mike: "There's so many people in this community that I just, I would love to go out and grab a beer or 10 with and just hang out and for sure kick it back."
[63:09] Mike: "Jennifer's an actual good singer. Like, she can actually take that song, which has, you know, many people singing, and just own the entire thing and make it her own."

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:00: Intro; Eric Dabrowski – "Youngblood"
05:40: What makes a boy band? This week's theme
09:43: Rachel Everest – "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time On You"
19:35: Glenn Carberry – "Save the Last Dance for Me"
27:57: Jessica Sparks – "As Long As You Love Me"
36:22: Jeff Smith – "I'm Still Fine"
45:24: Zach Van Der Zand – "Incomplete"
53:05: Rick Mendoza – "Love Me Do"
59:37: Jennifer Adams – "It's Gonna Be Me"
58:00 / 1:00:00: Community announcements, upcoming events

Throughout the Episode: Original Tone

Upbeat, irreverent, and inclusive—hosts riff on everything from AI arguments about genres, fake business ideas, to the joy of music discovery.
Community-focused: Regular shout-outs to contributors, open invitations for events, and deep appreciation for the Facebook group.
Playful self-deprecation: Mike and Joe riff on their own singing, business acumen, and podcasting quirks.

Final Segment: Next Week’s Theme Teaser

[65:39–67:06]

The next theme will be #FnKDarkSide (inspired by Star Wars Day—May 4th), focusing on "dark, angry, or villainous" songs.

Summary

For more info, to participate, or to be featured:
Join the Friday Night Karaoke Facebook group. Tune in to the next episode for more musical adventures!

It’s Gonna Be May! Boy Bands, Bangers & Harmonies

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Summary

Friday Night Karaoke – Episode 72: "It’s Gonna Be May! Boy Bands, Bangers & Harmonies"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Performances

Opening: "Youngblood" – Eric Dabrowski

Theme Introduction: "It's Gonna Be May" Boy Band Week

Karaoke Challenge: The Art of Boy Band Songs

Rachel Everest – "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" (NSYNC)

Spirited Banter & Community Fun

Glenn Carberry – "Save the Last Dance for Me" (The Drifters)

Jessica Sparks – "As Long as You Love Me" (Backstreet Boys)

Jeff Smith – "I'm Still Fine" (Red Clay Strays)

Zach Van Der Zand – "Incomplete" (Backstreet Boys)

Rick Mendoza – "Love Me Do" (The Beatles)

Community Announcements

Jennifer Adams – "It's Gonna Be Me" (NSYNC)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Throughout the Episode: Original Tone

Final Segment: Next Week’s Theme Teaser

Summary

Summary

Friday Night Karaoke – Episode 72: "It’s Gonna Be May! Boy Bands, Bangers & Harmonies"

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Performances

Opening: "Youngblood" – Eric Dabrowski

Theme Introduction: "It's Gonna Be May" Boy Band Week

Karaoke Challenge: The Art of Boy Band Songs

Rachel Everest – "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" (NSYNC)

Spirited Banter & Community Fun

Glenn Carberry – "Save the Last Dance for Me" (The Drifters)

Jessica Sparks – "As Long as You Love Me" (Backstreet Boys)

Jeff Smith – "I'm Still Fine" (Red Clay Strays)

Zach Van Der Zand – "Incomplete" (Backstreet Boys)

Rick Mendoza – "Love Me Do" (The Beatles)

Community Announcements

Jennifer Adams – "It's Gonna Be Me" (NSYNC)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Throughout the Episode: Original Tone

Final Segment: Next Week’s Theme Teaser

Summary