DAILY DIRT: ‘Think of all your liberties and recall, some gave all … ‘

It’s that time of year to remember there is more to the July 4 holiday than fireworks and hot dogs … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 994 of The Daily Dirt.

1. We’re one day from celebrating the birthday of the greatest nation in the history of the world, and fortunately we’re all citizens of that country.

In honor of the upcoming July 4 celebration, here’s the Daily Dirt’s medal-worthy patriotic country songs:

Gold medal: “Some Gave All,” by Billy Ray Cyrus: The first time I heard this song back in 1992, I literally had to sit down and let it all soak in. And then I immediately went out and bought the CD. 

All gave some, some gave all
Some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Silver medal: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” by Toby Keith: This song came into prominence after the terrorist attacks on our nation back in 2001. If you’re old enough to recall the day the twin towers fell, I’m sure you remember this was one of the songs our nation rallied around.

Hey Uncle Sam, put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fist
And the eagle will fly it’s gonna be hell
When you hear mother freedom start ringin’ her bell
And it’ll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Oh, brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue

Bronze medal: “God Bless the U.S.A.,” by Lee Greenwood: The song was released in 1984, and I still get goose bumps every time I hear it.

And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

Honorable mention: “Only in America,” by Brooks and Dunn: This country duo is the genre’s best ever, and this 2001 release was one of their finest ever.

One kid dreams of fame and fortune
One kid helps pay the rent
One could end up goin’ to prison
One just might be president

2. Did you (Part 55)

• That Queen Isabella of Castile proudly boasted she took two baths in her entire life, one of them at birth. She died at age 53 in 1504.
• That the Beatles had the most No. 1 songs (18), both overall and for male groups, during the 1960s, according to the Billboard magazine Hot 100.
• That the Supremes had the most No. 1 songs (12) among female groups in the 1960s, also according to Billboard.
• That the top three songs on July 3, 1967 were: “Windy” by the Association, “Groovin'” by the Young Rascals and “Little Bit O’ Soul” by the Music Explosion.
• That the Doors appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” late in the summer of 1967 to perform “Light My Fire”. Sullivan had requested that the line “Girl we couldn’t get much higher” be changed for the show, but lead singer Jim Morrison sang it the way it was written and the band was banned from the show forever as a result.

3. Here’s our monthly tribute to the most notable celebrity passings. The following all died in June:

• Actor Donald Sutherland: The well-respected Canadian actor, who was the father of Kiefer Sutherland. Sutherland’s marvelous career spanned six decades. He was 88.
• Actor Taylor Wily: The 56-year-old Wily was a familiar face on “Magnum P.I.” and the second version of “Hawaii Five-O.” Wily, a former sumo wrestler who died during a recent hurricane, was 56.
• MLB Hall of Famer Willie Mays: We’re going to miss you, Say Hey. Mays was 93.
• MLB Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda: One of the classiest players ever, whose nickname is as legendary as his talents: “The Baby Bull”. Cepeda was 86.
• Actor Martin Mull: Mull captured the public’s fancy with his early contributions to Norman Lear’s “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and “Fernwood 2 Night”. He was 80.
• NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West: It’s kind of sad there was no ESPN or similar outlets at the time when West played. I’m pretty sure he would have been on the same plateau of respect as Michael Jordan. He was 86.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Most underrated actress since 2000? How about Aisha Tyler.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American Way.