DAILY DIRT: ‘So I just call myself the U.S. male — that’s M.A.L.E., son’

What a great, great license plate … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 883 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Is the driver a fan of Elvis?

Or possibly a letter carrier enjoying a play on words?

Whatever was behind the license plate choice, a major Daily Dirt tip o’ the hat goes to the pickup truck owner with the US-MALE license plates — the new No. 1 in our Great Plate Debate of 2024.

The Daily Dirt Great Plate research staff spotted US-MALE Friday evening in Quincy, a gold-medal choice that may be difficult to knock off that coveted top perch.

For those wondering about the Elvis reference, one of the King’s hit songs from 1970 was titled “U.S. Male”. Here’s the first verse: 

I’m a U.S. male ’cause I was born
In a Mississippi town on a Sunday morning
Now Mississippi just happens to occupy a place
In the southeastern portion of this here United States
Now that’s a matter of fact, buddy
And you know it well
So I just call myself the U.S. male
That’s M.A.L.E, son, that’s me!

Gold medal: US-MALE.

Silver medal: DA LIFE. 

Bronze medal: 2 N TENSE.

Best of the rest this week:

• SUNSHN 7
• TOOF
• QY SHOT 1
• GO LAKE 1
• SKATEY
• 2 CYBER

2. Over the weekend, I mentioned what a great year 1987 was for pop music.

Another year in the Big ’80s that wasn’t too shabby was 1985. Here’s my top five from ’85:

• 1. “The Power of Love,” by Huey Lewis and the News: One of three No. 1 songs for Huey. In addition, this one was used in the film “Back to the Future”.
• 2. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” by Wham!: My second-favorite George Michael release. No. 1 is “Freedom,” the 1984 version.
• 3. “Take On Me,” by A-ha: I thought these guys would be huge. I was wrong.
• 4. “Like A Virgin,” by Madonna: Still considered by most Madonna critics as her best song ever.
• 5. “Easy Lover,” by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey: This might be the best overall Phil Collins release ever. So many of his songs tended to be downers, but this was upbeat and a great one to sing along with in the car.

Honorable mention

6. “Money For Nothing,” by Dire Straits: Great, great lyrics. “Get your money for nothin’ and your chicks for free.”

7. “Don’t You Forget About Me,” by Simple Minds: From the 1985 film “The Breakfast Club”.

3. Here are the NBA players with most career ejections. I’m mildly shocked that Draymond Green is not No. 1.

• 1. Rasheed Wallace, 29 ejections.
• 2. Draymond Green, 20 ejections.
• 3. Dwight Howard, 17 ejections.
• 4-tie. Anthony Mason, 16 ejections.
• 4-tie. Charles Barkley, 16 ejections.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — For those wondering, next on that ejection list are Shaquille O’Neal and DeMarcus Cousins, each with 14.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. It’s more shocking that Ron Artest, or Metta World Peace, isn’t on that ejections list.