Daily Dirt: Get on board, ‘The Love Train’ is getting ready to leave!

Daily Dirt for Friday, July 28, 2023

First top? Probably “Shambala” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 680 of The Daily Dirt.

1. In 1973, I was a year out of high school. That was (gulp!) 50 years ago, which seems like an eternity. 

The Oakland A’s were on their way to what would be a World Series championship. The top movies that year were “The Sting,” “American Graffiti” and “Papillon.” 

Honestly, I have forgotten more than I can remember from that time. What I CAN remember is the music from that period. It was great then, and it remains just that. The following are my 10 favorite songs from that marvelous year a half century ago:

• 1. “Love Train,” the O’Jays: The Ohio-based group’s biggest hit, and one of the all-time great sing-a-long songs.
• 2. “Shambala,” Three Dog Night: One of the super groups of my formative years. This song was one of its best, topped only by “Joy to the World.”
• 3. “I’m Doin’ Fine Now,” New York City: A relative minor hit on the national front, but I thought it was awesome.
• 4. “Why Me?” Kris Kristofferson: “Why me, Lord? What did I ever do … “
• 5. “Here I Am (Come and Take Me),” Al Green: The smoothest of all of those smooth soul singers from the ’70s.
• 6. “Crocodile Rock,” Elton John: The perfect summer song.
• 7. “You’re So Vain,” Carly Simon: Incredibly, Carly turned 80 in June.
• 8. “Delta Dawn,” Helen Reddy: Probably the best-ever from the late, great Ms. Reddy.
• 9. “One of a Kind (Love Affair),” the Spinners: It took longer than it should have, but the Spinners finally made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• 10. “Smoke on the Water,” Deep Purple: A true anthem from this period.

2. This week’s best from “Found on Facebook”:

• “Plastic Surgery Anonymous meeting tonight. Hope we don’t see any new faces.”
• “Ghosts like to ride elevators because it lifts their spirits.”
• “I’m going to start collecting highlighters. Mark my words!”
• “In search of fresh vegetable puns. Lettuce know.”
• “My boss wants me to sign up for a 401K. No way I’m running that far.”

3. At this writing, these are the MLB standings in the American League East, with accompanying team payrolls:

• 1. Baltimore: $67.8 million
• 2. Tampa Bay: $76.7 million.
• 3. Toronto: $213.1 million
• 4. Boston: $180.1 million.
• 5. New York Yankees: $279.7 million.

Steve Thought O’ The Day
The best thing about the Adams County Fair? The fair queen contest? Nope. The entertainment? Nope. The rides? Nope. The food? That’s a hard yes!

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. How does “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” by Tony Orlando and Dawn not make his list of top songs from 1973?