DAILY DIRT: Disco? Just get down and boogie, oogie, oogie

Ahhh, the era of disco, which gave us the only song, I believe, to ever include the phrase “burn that mutha down” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 309 of The Daily Dirt.

1. The disco era was a major force in pop music for much of the 1970s, and it oozed into the early 1980s. It was either a travesty or a landmark in pop culture.

It was probably closer to “A” but still provided some great memories for connoisseurs of the turntable. Here’s one man’s pick for the top disco hits of that decade:

• 1. “Disco Inferno,” by the Trammps: The absolute best chorus of any song of the era. Remember when the Trammps told us: “Disco Inferno, (Burn baby burn) Burn that mutha down, (Burn baby burn) Disco inferno, (Burn baby burn) Burn that mutha down.”
• 2. “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” by Thelma Houston: To this day, I love this song. It’s one of my regular YouTube stops.
• 3. “Stayin’ Alive,” by the Bee Gees: All of these years later, I’m still amazed at how the Brothers Gibb reinvented themselves to become disco superheroes.
• 4. “Knock on Wood,” by Amii Stewart: Have you ever seen this video? Amii Stewart’s outfit is an all-time classic.
• 5. “Dancing Queen,” by ABBA: No group wore spandex better than ABBA.
• 6. “Fly Robin Fly,” by Silver Convention: Not much on lyrics, but it had a great beat and you could dance to it. (Yeah, I watched “American Bandstand” quite a bit …)
• 7. “Love Train,” by the O’Jays: The dance crowd could work up a serious sweat to this classic.
• 8. “Ring My Bell,” by Anita Ward: This was simply a slightly slower version of “Fly Robin Fly”.
• 9. “Boogie Oogie Oogie,” Taste of Honey: This was one of those songs that sucked you in and made it impossible to get it out of your head for days at a time. 
• 10. “That’s The Way I Like It,” by K.C. and the Sunshine Band: Was there ever a band with more repetitive lyrics than these guys?

2. Time for disgusting menu item of the week. Warning: Better pass the Pepto right now …

Considered the national food of Scotland, most travelers will encounter haggis at least once on their visit. The dish generally consists of sausage combined with sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, along with oatmeal, onions, spices, and salt for flavor (of course!). While that may sound bad enough, Scots take it bit further by cooking the confection in a sheep’s stomach to preserve the “taste”. Ready for the Pepto?

3. Here’s the latest in our expanding list of ridiculously named towns and places.

Today’s findings have an international accent:

• Titty Hill, England: It’s right near Wetwang and Shitterton. I’m not kidding.
• Anus, France: This town just has to be the butt of a lot of jokes.
• Batman, Turkey: No, Adam West was never elected mayor.
• Gogogogo, Madagascar: I read where you can “swim with the sharks” near Madagascar. No thanks.
• Condom, France: What’s with these French names?

Steve Thought O’ The Day
Everyone sing along with Steve … “Get down, boogie, oogie oogie … get down, boogie, oogie oogie …” Remember, lyrics weren’t that important during the disco era.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He is in hog heaven this weekend at the Grand Prix of Karting.