Fun facts and sidetracks

Al and Marty
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Into random facts? This could be the podcast for you. Good mates Al & Marty take a fun look at all sorts of pop culture stories they remember or have discovered. The goal is aways to bring you interesting trivia and have a laugh while they're at it. From music to movies and TV, to things that might have happened two hundred years ago or two days ago. There's plenty to dig into, and even more sidetracks to explore.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Mismatched Stars and Michelin Stars

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    57 min

  2. MAR 12

    Strange Song Stories and City Names

    Al and Marty share stories behind famous songs: Split Enz’s “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”,  allegedly pulled from UK radio during the Falklands War; Mart adds trivia about migrating on the SS Canberra, later used as a Falklands hospital ship. They discuss alleged inspirations and feuds including Taylor Swift/Katy Perry, “Uptown Girl,” “Black Velvet,” Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” Toto’s “Rosanna,” Pink’s “So What,” Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know,” multiple songs about Courtney Love, Clapton’s songs about Pattie Boyd, Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”  They cover origins of English town-name suffixes (Saxon, Viking, Roman), outline the Hearst media empire and Patty Hearst’s kidnapping/conviction/pardon, and end with a Pulp Fiction fact: DeVito’s company helped finance it, and Vincent/Jules nod to Twins. If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    40 min

  3. FEB 19

    Cracking covers, Ketchup and the Card Calendar

    Episode 10 Timeline  Season Two Kick-off: Cracking covers, Ketchup and the Card Calendar Al and Marty return for season two of “Fun Facts and Sidetracks,” describing the show as light, non-political conversation about music, movies, history, and anything that makes them laugh.  00:00 Season 2 Kick-off: What This Show’s About (Fun Facts, Sidetracks & No Politics) 01:21 Cover Versions 101: Why Covers Matter & What Counts as a Cover 02:48 From Slavery Songs to Ram Jam: The Wild History of “Black Betty” 03:43 Personal Faves: Joe Cocker, Beatles Covers & Making a Song Your Own 06:35 Deep Cuts & Classics: Ian Moss, Amy Winehouse, Talking Heads, Hendrix & More 13:22 When Covers Become Samples: Grammys, Pop Hits & “Sampling the Samples” 15:23 Listener Picks + Fun Facts: “Yesterday” as the Most-Covered Song Ever 21:00 New Segment: Famous Companies—The Origin Story of Heinz 23:36 57 Varieties & Superfactories: Heinz’s Branding, Worker Benefits & Growth 26:38 Heinz in Wartime & Royal Approval: Beans for the Queen 27:35 Ketchup Goes to Space: NASA, ISS, and Bean Jokes 29:48 Corporate Shake-Ups: Burger King CEO, McDonald’s Split & Kraft Heinz Merger 31:25 Challenger Anniversary Sparks a Time Travel Chat 34:00 Mind-Bending Timeline Facts: Dinosaurs, Mammoths & Ancient Civilizations 41:54 Deck of Cards = A Calendar? The Hidden Math & Fortune-Telling Origins 52:51 Sampling Gone Wrong: P. Diddy, Sting & $2,000-a-Day Royalties 54:39 Wrap-Up: Send Your Fun Facts & Favourite Covers   Check out some of our favourite covers: Ray Charles – Eleanor Rigby (Check out the kooky set design and dancers too.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK2HF-5-b-Q   Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) - Georgia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhFXjzRRv4w&list=RDNhFXjzRRv4w&start_radio=1   Spiderbait – Black Betty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU1VfYYKMDk&list=RDnU1VfYYKMDk&start_radio=1   The Lemonheads – Mrs Robinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C0sANgB9Qk&list=RD2C0sANgB9Qk&start_radio=1   David Byrne – Don’t fence me in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuMvkNDuOuQ&list=RDuuMvkNDuOuQ&start_radio=1    The White Stripes – I just don’t know what to do with myself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzDG0jA3XVY If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    48 min

  4. 08/16/2025

    Muhammad Ali to the Mandela Affect

    Exploring the Wonders of Japan & Diving into Iconic Pop Culture Memories In this engaging episode of Fun Facts and Sidetracks, Marty and Al  discuss Marty's recent trip to Japan. They  celebrate their podcast's ninth birthday and delve into nostalgic pop culture, recalling old shows like HR PufnStuf and Banana Splits. They discuss the Mandela Effect, revealing misremembered movie quotes, and share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from the Rocky franchise's music selection. The episode wraps up with an entertaining story of a bar incident involving undercover cops and a detailed retelling of the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. 00:00 Welcome to Fun Facts and Sidetracks 00:31 Mart's Adventures in Japan 02:06 Podcast Milestone: Ninth Birthday 02:23 Listener Feedback and Nostalgia 05:14 The Mandela Effect Explained 09:21 Rocky and the Eye of the Tiger 14:48 A Crazy Bar Story 20:12 Unbelievable Coincidences 21:00 Listener Requests: Muhammad Ali 21:27 The Legend of Muhammad Ali 23:34 Ali's Iconic Fights 25:31 Ali's Legacy and Personal Life 36:14 Debbie Harry's Surprising Shopping Trip 37:49 Wrapping Up and Listener Engagement If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    39 min

  5. 08/01/2025

    Music regrets and a gig to forget

    Music regrets and a gig to forget: From Court Cases to Space Elevators In this episode of 'Fun Facts and Sidetracks,' hosts Marty and Al explore the controversial world of music plagiarism, discussing famous cases such as George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' vs. The Chiffons' 'He's So Fine', Vanilla Ice vs. Queen and David Bowie, and many others. The episode delves into the nuances of creativity, subconscious influences, and some downright weird aspects of music litigation. The boys then shift to share fascinating facts about the history of flight, from the first hot air balloons to the rapid progression from the Wright brothers' first flight to the moon landing, and even talk about future concepts like Japan's space elevator. As usual Mart has a hilarious stories about a gig he’d rather forget and the  lively English-style pub parties at his home in suburban Brisbane.   00:00 Welcome to Fun Facts and Sidetracks 00:27 Exploring Famous Plagiarism Cases in Music 01:07 The George Harrison vs. The Chiffons Case 04:09 Vanilla Ice and the Under Pressure Controversy 04:46 John Fogarty Sued for Sounding Like Himself 05:40 Blurred Lines and Marvin Gaye's Legacy 06:58 The Rolling Stones vs. The Verve 07:52 Ghostbusters and Huey Lewis 09:43 The Beatles and Chuck Berry 11:38 A Regrettable Job Experience 17:57 Fun Facts About Flight 19:42 Man Lands on the Moon: A Giant Leap in 66 Years 20:32 The International Space Station: Orbiting Every 90 Minutes 21:28 NASA's Countdown: Inspired by a Silent Movie 22:29 Bert Hinkler Museum: A Tribute to Aviation 26:25 Space Elevator: The Future of Space Travel 30:26 Growing Up as a 10 Pound Pom in Australia 32:26 Building Bars and Boxing Day Parties 37:15 Conclusion  If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    38 min

  6. 07/20/2025

    Baby, Baby to Babysitters

    Fun Facts and Sidetracks: The Ones That Got Away, Surprising Celebrity Babysitters and Stolen Inventions In this episode of 'Fun Facts and Sidetracks,' Al and Marty discuss famous songs that were initially intended for other artists, including tracks by The Supremes, Kylie Minogue, Seal, and Kenny Loggins. They delve into amusing and surprising stories about celebrity babysitters such as Alice Cooper babysitting Keanu Reeves and Cher babysitting Anthony from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Additionally, the episode explores intriguing facts about famous buildings like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China, and uncovers the true origins of well-known inventions, revealing famous figures like Thomas Edison who capitalized on others' innovations. The hosts wrap up with a discussion on LEGO and other noteworthy inventions. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:55 The Ones That Got Away: Iconic Songs Rejected by Artists 09:12 Celebrity Babysitters: Unexpected Connections 15:56 Hollywood Connections: Keifer Sutherland and Gwyneth Paltrow 16:57 Builder's Journey: From Music to Construction 18:07 Famous Buildings Around the World 22:38 Lego: The Ultimate Building Block 25:32 Famous Inventions and Their True Origins 32:06 Wrapping Up: From Supremes to Eiffel Tower If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    33 min

  7. 07/03/2025

    Sharks, Shakespeare and a Shotty

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    37 min

  8. 06/22/2025

    Rescued recordings and kooky kids tv

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    33 min

  9. 06/07/2025

    Sci-Fi, Spinal Tap and Simpsons

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    36 min

  10. 05/23/2025

    Ep3 Costello, Carrie and the Crazy Piano Pushbike

    In this episode, Marty and Al dive into the fascinating world of famous songs that were initially turned down by well-known artists, revealing surprising backstories behind hits from Kylie Minogue, John Denver, Aerosmith, and Tina Turner. They explore quirky celebrity pseudonyms, bizarre historical coincidences, and fun facts about the British royal family. The duo also shares a hilarious personal anecdote about a musical bike performance at the 1988 Brisbane Expo. Tune in for a mix of music trivia, royal insights, and laugh-out-loud moments. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter 01:09 The One That Got Away: Iconic Songs Rejected by Artists 02:36 Unexpected Song Origins and Artist Stories 08:31 Celebrity Hotel Aliases 10:42 Crazy Coincidences in History 15:44 Random Facts and Trivia 16:54 Reflecting on Elvis and Austin Powers 17:32 The Story of the Traveling Wilburys 19:08 Fast Facts About Royalty 22:58 Bicycle Fun Facts and History 26:47 The Mobile Piano Player at Expo 88 33:11 Wrapping Up with Final Thoughts If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    34 min

  11. 05/07/2025

    Music, martial arts and toy mayhem

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    24 min

  12. 04/23/2025

    Twists of Fate and Ten Pound Poms

    Al and Marty chat about all sorts of fun facts and take a few side roads along the way.  The ones that got away The boys discuss songs that were passed on by famous artists. We all know who ultimately made these songs a hit but who were they offered to first? Call me, Toxic, Umbrella, Physical, We built this city, Don’t you forget about me and Golden Years.   Ten Pound Poms A fun discussion about the scheme initiated by the Australian Government in 1945 after the Second World War to increase our population. The Ten Pound Poms were British citizens who migrated with assisted passage to Australia on chartered ships and aircraft. Paying the princely sum of ten pounds for adults and free travel for kids. As a Ten Pound  Pom himself, Marty recalls his family’s adventure of making the big move from London to Brisbane in the sixties. And we chat through a list of famous Aussies from the fields of sport, music and public life who we’re glad also made the trip to this wide brown land.   Dangerous toys We discuss dodgy and dangerous toys from our childhood. Especially Click Clacks and the Slip ‘N Slide.  Of course, Marty has a cracking story to share about some highly dangerous fun from when he was knocking around in The Gap as a kid.   Random facts that changed history These events prove that the truth really is stranger than fiction. You can’t help but wonder how things might have been if they hadn’t happened. Bill Murray becomes a stand-up comedian. A key moment in the Titanic disaster. The man who survived two atomic bomb blasts. Elanor Rigby’s grave.   Random fun facts The Night's Watch cloaks Lemons and limes A T-Rex with feathers? Say ‘Prunes’ A crazy Pulp Fiction fact Apparently Quentin Tarantino’s favourite Bewitched scene. Here’s the link:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3cFkXSgfjg   If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    40 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Into random facts? This could be the podcast for you. Good mates Al & Marty take a fun look at all sorts of pop culture stories they remember or have discovered. The goal is aways to bring you interesting trivia and have a laugh while they're at it. From music to movies and TV, to things that might have happened two hundred years ago or two days ago. There's plenty to dig into, and even more sidetracks to explore.

Information

  • Creator
    Al and Marty
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fun facts and sidetracks
  • Show Website
    Fun facts and sidetracks

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