DAILY DIRT: ‘Brown-Eyed Girl,’ ‘The Letter’ and ‘Light My Fire’ headline the 1967 countdown

Big names like Aretha, Tommy James and the Supremes help anchor today’s top 10 … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 816 of The Daily Dirt.

1. In yesterday’s post, I said 1966 was one of my favorite years in this 1965-69 countdown of the best five years in pop music.

That was true — 1966 was ONE of the best. But 1967 is THE best. Hands down.

Welcome to some more classic memories in this 1965-69 countdown:

• 1. “Brown-Eyed Girl,” by Van Morrison: This classic was my favorite song 56 years ago, and remains among of my all-time personal top 10 to this day. The Sweet Inspirations, who also sang backup to Aretha Franklin, were featured on the record. This will always be Morrison’s signature song. It remains an emotional moment in any concert featuring Van the Man, who is now 78
• 2. “The Letter,” by the Box Tops: One of the shortest No. 1 songs ever: 1 minute, 58 seconds.
• 3. “Light My Fire,” by the Doors: This was the song that made lead singer Jim Morrison an international superstar.
• 4. “Here Comes My Baby,” by the Tremeloes: Few know this was a song written by Cat Stevens.
• 5. “To Sir With Love,” by Lulu: She sang this epic ballad to Sidney Poitier in the film of the same name.
• 6. “Expressway to Your Heart,” by the Soul Survivors: A one-hit wonder group whose hit song included horn honking and car sounds.
• 7. “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone,” by the Supremes: Another monster hit for this monster group.
• 8. “Respect,” by Aretha Franklin: No one ever performed this song better than the first lady of soul.
• 9. “Kind of a Drag,” by the Buckinghams: This was the song that started this group’s long success story.
• 10. “I Think We’re Along Now,” by Tommy James and the Shondells: If you were in junior high when this was a hit song, this was your anthem.

Tomorrow: 1968.

2. Funniest thing I’ve heard anyone say this week:

“I never called you stupid, but when I asked you to spell ‘orange,’ and you asked me if I meant the fruit or color … well, it kind of caught me off guard.”

3. Boomer alert: Christmas is right around the corner.

Do you have all your presents wrapped? If not, be sure you don’t sit down on the floor to start wrapping them unless you have a plan on how to get back up.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I find it quite interesting that the Titanic sank on the same day fabled Fenway Park opened in 1912.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Bags > wrapping.