DAILY DIRT: From Rod to the Rolling Stones, what an era it was

I really don’t understand the fascination with TikTok. More about that in a minute … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 488 of The Daily Dirt.

1. As promised yesterday, here’s my 10 favorite songs from Billboard’s top five each year of the epic 1966-71 era:

• 1. “Maggie May/Reason to Believe,” Rod Stewart (1971): The song(s) that made Rod the Mod a worldwide phenomenon. It’s hard to believe that was 51 years ago. I still remember the first time I heard “Maggie May.” Seems like only yesterday …

• 2. “Joy to the World,” Three Dog Night (1971): I remember this song blasting on the radio on the way to a Cleveland Indians game — a loss, I’m sure — in the summer of ’71.
• 3. “Love Is Blue,” Paul Mauriat (1968): Without question, the finest instrumental ever.
• 4. “Sugar, Sugar,” Archies (1969): I may played this .45 more than any other in my life.
• 5. “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” Jimmy Ruffin (1966): Jimmy Ruffin and David Ruffin (Temptations) were brothers. Jimmy died at age 78 in 2014. David died at age 50 in 1991 of a drug overdose.
• 6. “To Sir, With Love,” Lulu (1967): The song was better than the movie.
• 7. “The Letter,” Box Tops (1967): Lead singer Alex Chilton died at age 59 in 2010.
• 8. “I’m A Believer,” Monkees (1967): This was the song that pout the Monkees over the top. Hard to believe drummer/co-lead singer Mickey Dolenz is only member of the band remaining.
• 9. “Honky Tonk Women,” Rolling Stones (1969): One of the Stones’ all-time great sing-a-along efforts.
• 10. “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” Bee Gees (1971): This might be the best of all the Bee Gee songs. If not, it at least makes the medal stand.

Honorable mention: “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon and Garfunkel (1970).

2. Some things I am tired of hearing about:

• Any subject that deals with one or more of the Kardashians.
• Just about anything Whoopi Goldberg has to say.
• Carlos Correa’s contract issues.
• Anything to do with Jennifer Lopez.
• Wind-chill factor.
• Streaming. Just tell me what channel or whatever I need to find to watch a program.
• Electric cars.
• Tom Brady.
• The World Cup. Oh wait, never mind. It’s (finally) over.
• TikTok. Apparently, this is one of those generational issues. To me, three words best describe TikTok: Waste. Of. Time.

3. Here’s my updated picks for Saturday’s College Football Playoff semifinal games:

Michigan 45, TCU 17: At best, TCU would likely be the fourth-best team in the Big Ten. This should be a major rout.

Ohio State 42, Georgia 39: If Ohio State is to win, the Buckeyes will have to put A LOT of points on the board. This will be C.J. Stroud’s swan song at Ohio State, and he will leave having never beaten Michigan in two tries. A win of this magnitude, however, would make that pill a little easier to swallow.

An all-Big Ten national championship game? What would those SEC fans say about that? #KingB1G.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — The ice cream sundae was invented in 1892. You’re welcome.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Please check on him Saturday night after tOSU gets jackhammered.