Daily Dirt: Once the calendar turns to 2025, we’ll have a few great anniversaries to celebrate

Daily Dirt for Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024

Yes, Mick Jagger was actually 21 years old a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,127 of The Daily Dirt.

1. For those who lived with transistor radios glued to their ears as teenagers, there will be some nifty anniversaries to celebrate in 2025. Take a look:

Songs turning 60 in 2025:

• “Unchained Melody,” by the Righteous Brothers: There are a handful of rock classics that are absolutely timeless. This is one of them.
• “Barbara Ann,” by the Beach Boys: Personally, I have always considered this one of the top three songs the Beach Boys ever provided us.
• “Satisfaction,” by the Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger was 21 years old when singing lead on this early Stones hit.

Songs turning 55 in 2025:

• “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” by Simon and Garfunkel: This was the song that officially vaulted Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel into superstardom.
• “I’d Like To Teach The World to Sing,” by the New Seekers: Lead singer Judith Durham died in 2022. The Australian-based group originally emerged on the world front in the early 1960s.
• “American Pie,” by Don McLean: At age 79, McLean is still touring — and performing this iconic song.

Songs turning 50 in 2025:

• “Bohemian Rhapsody,” by Queen: Interestingly, the song never reached No. 1 in its initial U.S. release, but spent nine weeks atop the UK chart.
• “You Sexy Thing,” by Hot Chocolate: One of the great sing-a-longs from the 1970s.
• “Born to Run,” by Bruce Springsteen: The song that officially stamped Springsteen as The Boss. 

Songs turning 45 in 2025:

• “Call Me,” by Blondie: From the film “American Gigolo”.
• “On The Road Again,” by Willie Nelson: Part of country’s impact on pop music in the 1980s.
• “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,” by the Police: The group’s second-best song, topped only by “Every Breath You Take”. “King of Pain” is probably the other song on the Police medal stand.

Songs turning 40 in 2025:

• “Power of Love,” by Huey Lewis and the News: This monster hit was originally written for the soundtrack of “Back to the Future” back in 1985. 
• “Take On Me,” by a-Ha: One of the best videos — ever.
• “How Will I Know,” by Whitney Houston: If her career had not spiraled downward due to outside sources, she may eventually have been considered the premier female vocalist of her generation.

2. Did you know (Part 202) …

• The “Satisfaction” single by the Rolling Stones sold 5.2 million copies.
• One of the most underrated lines of any lyric belongs to Eric Clapton in “Rock ‘N Roll Heart” when he tells us, “I get off on ’57 Chevies, I get off on screamin’ guitars”.
• Sprite recently dropped a winter-inspired soda flavor called Winter Frost.
• Pepsi’s much-anticipated Wild Cherry and Cream flavor will be on shelves at some point in January.
• That Sour Cream and Onion Goldfish Crisps are now available at Walmart.

3. Since we’re on a music kick today, who are your favorite groups from the 1980s? Here’s my top five:

• 1. Blondie: Debbie Harry’s commanding stage presence was the key. 
• 2. Heart: Ann Wilson’s voice and a string of above-average videos — anchored by “Alone” — elevated Heart to supergroup status.
• 3. KISS: Love ’em or hate ’em, KISS was the king of theatrical rock.
• 4. Journey: Nobody, and I mean nobody, could sing a ballad like Steve Perry.
• 5. AC/DC: If for no other reason than the song “You Shook Me All Night Long.” (“Now I’m back in the ring to take another swing .. “)

Steve Thought O’ The Day
Honorable mention on that 1980s group top five would go to Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Bon Jovi and Huey Lewis and the News.