Daily Dirt: Love is in the air, and who better to talk about that than Stevie Love, the physician of feelings?

Daily Dirt for Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022

Music and chocolate are two items close to the heart of Stevie Love. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 208 of The Daily Dirt.

1. We’re just a few days away from the World Series of Love for those who consider Valentine’s Day the most important holiday on the calendar. If you and your significant other have big plans in mind for Feb. 14, make sure music’s an integral part of the day and night.

There’s where I come in, the Doctor of Love … also known as Stevie Love.

For about 15 years, the prince of passion (that would be me!) has served as a go-between — the physician of feelings, if you will — for those struggling with love’s day-to-day problems and simply trying to work their way through this thing we call life.

Instead of offering our familiar forms of advice today, Stevie Love is providing a sure-fire blueprint for a Valentine’s Day guaranteed to be filled with memories.

Here’s the simple formula: Take your special lady (or man) out for a nice, quiet meal, then retire to the homefront for an evening filled with nothing but music while you snuggle on the sofa.

Here, my friends, is a musical lineup guaranteed to help create those Valentine’s Day memories that will last for years to come. The following songs are fully endorsed by the office of the Dr. of Love:

• “What If I Said,” by Steve Wariner and Anita Cochran: When either or both are asking, “What if I told you, what if said …?” during the final stages this classic, I guarantee you will be brought to near tears. (An added note: This is the song that Stevie Love and his wife, Mrs. Love, danced to at their wedding 23 years ago.)
• “Church Of Your Heart,” by Roxette: The late Marie Fredikkson, the female half of the successful Roxette duo, died from cancer in 2018 … so in a way it can be rather sad to watch this underrated offering. But it remains a great, great song.
• “I Do,” by Paul Brandt: One of my all-time favorite choruses, regardless of genre:
  “Will I promise to be your best friend,
  “And am I here until the end,
  “Can I be sure I have been waiting for you,
  “And did I say my love is true,
  “Baby I will, I am, I can, I have, I do.”
• “I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston: There are no words needed for this masterpiece.
• “Eres Tu,” by Mocedades, featuring lead singer Amaya Vranga: This dates to 1973, but judging by the 40 million plays on YouTube, there are still plenty of fans. If, for some reason, this song is unfamiliar, treat yourself. You won’t regret it. Make sure you play the Spanish version.
• “I Can’t Help Falling In Love,” by Elvis Presley: Arguably the greatest love song ever.
• “Your Song,” by Elton John: This was Sir Elton’s initial major hit. I feel it is still his best.
• “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” by Bryan Adams: I’ve said it in this space before, but if Rod Stewart ever had a son we never knew about, his name is Bryan Adams.
• “It’s Your Love,” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: I firmly believe this was the song that catapulted Tim McGraw to superstardom. There is also a great, great video to accompany this from 1987.
• “Higher and Higher,” by Jackie Wilson: This upbeat performance is best played early on Valentine’s Day evening.
• “Take My Breath Away,” by Berlin: You may remember this from “Top Gun.” The song was far better than the film.
• “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” by Foreigner, featuring Lou Gramm: As Valentine’s Day evening is winding down … keep this among the final songs. A timeless classic.
• “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” by Ray Charles: Sixty years later, this one still gives me chills.
• “I Don’t Wanna Talk About it,” by Rod Stewart: Oh my … emotion with a capital E.
• “Love is Blue,” by Paul Mauriat Orchestra: One of the two finest “love” instrumentals of all-time.
• “Theme From A Summer Place,” by Percy Faith and his Orchestra: .. and this is the other.
• “When You Say Nothing At All,” by Alison Krauss or Keith Whitley (take your pick, they’re both awesome): Another of those love songs that sounds just as good today as it when it debuted, and each version is equally memorable.
• “Baby I Love You,” by the Ronettes: I predict you will stand and cheer when Ronnie Spector blasts “Come on, baby!” near the end of the song.

2. These are the three most interesting candy-related items tied to Valentine’s Day that I found:

• Most interesting: 47 percent of people say they will buy themselves a box of chocolates this year.
• Almost as interesting: 58 million pounds of chocolate will be purchased during Valentine’s Day week.
• Not first or second, but still pretty cool: It takes manufacturers 11 months to produce enough chocolate to satisfy customer demand during the six weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. (Facts and figures were found on candystore.com)
  

3. Some equally interesting Valentine’s Day facts for Illinois and Missouri, also compliments of candystore.com

Illinois

• No. 1 Valentine candy in 2022: Conversation hearts.
• No. 2: Chocolate roses.
• No. 3: M&Ms.
• Comment: Hmmm … seems like people in Illinois are rather … ummm … cheap?

Missouri

• No. 1 Valentine candy in 2022: Conversation hearts.
• No. 2: Heart-shaped box of chocolates.
• No. 3: Hershey kisses.
• Comment: And Missouri folks are even cheaper.

Steve Fact O’ The Day
If any reader wishes to drop off a Valentine for Steve at the Muddy River News home office in downtown Quincy, feel free to go with Kit Kats and/or Nestle Crunch bars.

Who did the Prince of Passion turn to for advice on love before he became Stevie Love?