DAILY DIRT: Hey, we changed the rules a bit — blame The Boss

There should be some sort of law against parents naming their kids such things as Diva Muffin and Moxie Crimefighter … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 807 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Today we conclude our look at what I feel were the top pop songs that are turning 30, 35 and 40 years old.

But first, a kind of disclaimer: I’ve changed the rules (ever so slightly) for this final installment. Today’s top five all turn 40 in 2024. I’ll be honest — I wound up liking the best of 1984 more than I did 1983. Hey, 2024 is only a few weeks away …

1. “Born In The U.S.A.,” by Bruce Springsteen: This was one of SEVEN top-10 hits from the “Born In The U.S.A.” album. And still my favorite.

2. “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” by Tina Turner: She had the No. 1 female female voice in the 1980s. And the best hair.

3. “I Just Called To Say I Love You,” by Stevie Wonder: My all-time favorite from Little Stevie.

4. “Dancin’ In The Dark,” by Bruce Springsteen: Who didn’t love the video for this song, particulary when The Boss was dancing with Courtney Cox? 

5. “Jump,” by Van Halen: Speaking of videos, this one was great, too.

2. Every so often, we feel the need to disclose some of the worst baby names parents have come up with, so here are a few more of “what were they thinking” when they named that kid?

• Exa Dark Siderael is the second child of Elon and Grimes Musk. They call the child “Y” for short.
• Techno Mechanicus is another Musk child. Nickname is “Tau”.
• Huckleberry is the son of adventurer Bear Grylls.
• Audio Science is the son of actor Shannyn Sossamon.
• Pilot Inspektor is the son of actors Jason Lee Beth Riesgraf.
• GravityBlue is the daughter of models/entertainers Lucky Blue Smith and Stormi Henley
• Diva Muffin is the daughter of singer Frank Zappa and wife Gail. Remember, the Zappas’ other kids are named Moon Unit and Dweezil.
• Moxie Crimefighter is the daughter of comedian Penn Jillette.

3. McDonald’s is opening a new chain called CosMc’s that will focus on coffee and other drinks, a step that is viewed as a challenge to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts as the Golden Arches giant seeks to boost afternoon sales, according to CBS News.

The company opened its first CosMc’s location in Illinois in Bolingbrook on Dec. 7, with plans to open additional restaurants in 2024. Bolingbrook is about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. CBS said the rationale for the restaurant stems for the growing demand for an “afternoon beverage pick-me-up occasion,” a $100 billion market where McDonald’s currently isn’t a strong presence, said McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski.

The new chain will allow the company to offer customized beverages — and McDonald’s favorites like the Egg McMuffin — according to Kempczinski.

Some of the coffee drinks that will be offered include a churro frappe, a S’mores cold brew and a tumeric-spiced latte, according to the company. CosMc’s will also sell non-coffee beverages, including a sour cherry energy burst, a blackberry mint green tea and a popping pear slush. 

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I can tell you right now, I will not be ordering anything called a popping pear slush.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. We’re going to open the first McSteve’s franchise soon.