Daily Dirt: Janet Jackson, Meat Loaf and ‘December 1963’ makes for terrific top three

Daily Dirt for Friday, Oct. 25, 2024

The unsung star of today’s countdown could be Bryan Adams … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,096 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It’s time to bid adieu to our look back at the late summer and early fall periods of music history 30, 40 and 50 years ago. 

Today we examine The Daily Dirt’s favorite songs from 30 years ago — 1994, when Major League Baseball players went on strike (causing an eventual cancellation of the World Series), 95 million viewers watched the O.J. Simpson make his way through history’s most exciting low-speed freeway chase and “Friends” debuted on NBC.

And here are the top songs you were listening to while those events were unfolding:

• 1. “Again,” by Janet Jackson: Michael’s little lister gave us a romantic ballad, and it was tremendous. “Again” was also the closing song for the movie “Poetic Justice.”
• 2. “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That),” by Meat Loaf: I always thought it would have been great to have Mr. Loaf as a neighbor.
• 3. “December 1963 (Oh What A Night)”: My favorite Four Seasons song ever, unlike any other from the group.
• 4. “All For Love,” by Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting: It’s a downright shame these three never released a second single. This was magnificent.
• 5. “Linger,” by the Cranberries: Lead singer Dolores Mary Eileen O’Riordan had one of the decade’s most distinctive voices.
• 6. “Come To My Window,” by Melissa Etheridge: A great, great female voice.
• 7. “Said I Loved You … But I Lied,” by Michael Bolton: I admit it. There are actually a few Michael Bolton songs I like. Go ahead, hate me.
• 9. “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” by Elton John: Personally, I always felt Elton’s best songs have been his slower efforts, which were always much better suited for his voice.
• 9. “Don’t Take The Girl,” by Tim McGraw: “Mister, give it a whirl … but, please, don’t take the girl.” 
• 10. “Please Forgive Me,” Bryan Adams: In his prime, Adams’ voice may have only been topped by Sir Rod Stewart. 

2. Did you now (Part 165) …

• The most expensive beer at an NBA arena this season can be found in Boston, where it will cost you $20.60 for a 16-ouncer of your choice. The cheapest beer is in Cleveland, a much more reasonable $5.91. 
• Some of the foreign Lay’s potato chip flavors include Seaweed, Spicy Pepper, Roasted Garlic Oyster and Asian Barbecue Squid
• KFC is adding new sauces for its nuggets: Mango Habanero, Honey Garlic and Chipotle Ranch.
• In case you have missed it, a Kelce Mix cereal is now in most supermarkets. It features a combo of Reese’s Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms. And, of course, you get the mugs of Travis and Jason Kelce on the front of the box. What? No Taylor Swift, too?
• Subway is now offering “Spicy” Nacho Steak and “Fiery” Meatball sandwiches. Subway is also trying to tantalize us with “Ghost Pepper Bread”. 

3. Athletes who have fathered the most children:

• Gold medal: Former NCAA and NBA star Calvin Murphy has 14 kids with nine different women. One more and he would have three starting fives.
• Silver medal: NFL defensive back Antonio Cromartie has 12 children with eight women. He reportedly had a vasectomy in 2011, but twins arrived in 2014.
• Bronze medal: Former heavyweight world boxing champion and TV commercial star George Foreman has 12 kids with four women. George loses the tiebreaker, because two his kids are adopted. All of his boys are named George. One daughter is named Georgetta.

Steve Thought O’ The Day
In the 18th century, you were permitted to bring your cat or dog to the London Zoo and actually pay your admission by feeding your pet to the lions.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. If Steve lived next door to Meat Loaf, would he change his name to Mashed Potatoes?