DAILY DIRT: And today in Retro Week? Where were you in ’92?

I’ve always wanted to meet Sophie B. Hawkins, but more about her in a minute … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 462 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Just like yesterday at the onset of Retro Week, we’ll look at some of the events surrounding pop culture and music trends.

This time, we’re showcasing 1992, which if my math serves me correctly, was 30 years ago.

First, highlights from the world at large:

Gold medal: The Mall of America opened in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Bloomington, Minn. It’s always been a goal of mine to make a pilgrimage to this site, but I’ve never even made it to Minnesota yet. What some may not realize is that the Mall of America was built on the site of the old Metropolitan Stadium, where the Minnesota Twins once played baseball and the Minnesota Vikings played football.

Silver medal: Politically speaking, 1992 saw the ticket of Bill Clinton and Al Gore win the presidency. The Republican candidate was George H.W. Bush. Ross Perot was also on the ballot as an independent.

Bronze medal: “Barney and Friends” debuted on PBS and ran until 2010.

2. Musically, these accomplishments were medal worthy in 1992:

Gold medal: Sophie B. Hawkins’ “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” was groundbreaking 30 years ago. Not only was it a masterpiece in both music and lyrics, but its theme centered around the relationship of two women. Hawkins followed up this some with the equally pleasing “As I Lay Me Down.” And then she kind of disappeared …

Silver medal: The man, the myth, the legend — Billy Ray Cyrus. He broke on to the national scene in ’92 with “Achy Breaky Heart” from the album “Some Gave All,” which sold an astonishing 9 million copies.

Bronze medal: Whitney Houston has her 10th No. 1 single with the haunting “I Will Always Love You.” The song is from the film soundtrack for “The Bodyguard,” Houston’s first major acting role. What some did realize at the time was the song was a cover of Dolly Parton’s 1974 No. 1 country hit.

3. We’re nearing the end of the Great Plate Debate of 22.

Here are the top license plates I came across in recent days, plus the yearly leaders:

• HI DUDE 8
• PEARLL
• PANTHERS
• QU ALM 22
• 2 TROD
• TOWED 42
• CLARNT 1

The leaders in the clubhouse remain:

Gold medal: IMDUMB. 

Silver medal:OHYO ST8. 

Silver medal: 1 KWIKI.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I still miss Whitney Houston.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He says he’s over the Buckeyes’ loss to the Wolverines, but I think he’s lying.