DAILY DIRT: To this day, ‘You Can’t Hurry Love,’ something the Supremes told us in 1966

There were lots of interesting songs and stories from this year, ranging from the Monkees to Steve Winwood to Levi Stubbs … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 815 of The Daily Dirt.

1. It’s day two of our countdown of the top songs from the best five years of pop music: 1965-69.

Today we break down one one my calendar favorites — 1966 — from this great period. If you’re a boomer, I’m sure you will remember each and every song in today’s top 10. This particular list took me quite awhile to compile. Trimming an original list of about 75 down to a top 10 was like trying to pick my all-time favorite Cleveland Indians players.

Welcome to today’s list of rock and roll gold:

• 1. “You Can’t Hurry Love,” by the Supremes: This super group had an incredible string of No. 1 hits in the mid-to-late 1960s, and this one was the very, very best. 
• 2. “I’m A Believer,” by the Monkees: If there was one song that personified the popularity of this made-for-TV group, this was it. Great intro. Great harmonies. The perfect song for a perfect time.
• 3. “Gimme Some Lovin’,” by the Spencer Davis Group: Incredibly, singer Steve Winwood was age 14 when he debuted with this group.
• 4. “Good Lovin’,” by the Rascals: I always felt like the Rascals, formerly the Young Rascals, peaked with this song.
• 5. “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg by the Temptations: Did you ever notice David Ruffin was the lead singer on all of the best Temptations songs?
• 6. “Kicks,” by Paul Revere and the Raiders: Who didn’t love these goofballs?
• 7. “You’re My Soul and Inspiration,” by the Righteous Brothers: The other great Righteous Brothers song.
• 8. “96 Tears,” by Question mark and the Mysterions: This song was so bad, it was good. In fact, it was great.
• 9. “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” by the Four Tops: Lead singer Levi Stubbs passed away in 2008 at age 72. He was the principal reason the Tops were ranked No. 79 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of top 100 groups of all time.
• 10. “Wild Thing,” by The Troggs: “Love is All Around” will always be The Troggs’ No. 1 song, but this wasn’t too shabby.

2. Some deep December thoughts:

• My daughter, Kaysi, told me, “My jeans say, ‘No more Christmas goodies, but leggings are like, ‘We got you, girl!'”
• I bought Kaysi a new handbag from Iraq for her recent birthday. She was so touched, she said, “Thanks for the Baghdad.” 
• I saw a joke about all Walmart stores being closed on Christmas Day so both cashiers can be with their families. At least I think it was a joke.
• Never laugh at your wife’s choices. Remember, you were one of them. 
• Once you lick the frosting off a cupcake, it becomes a muffin, and muffins are healthy. You’re welcome.
• If I ordered an axe from France and had it shipped, I would would have a foreign axe sent.
• Did you hear that Santa was asked by Dasher and Dancer were always taking coffee breaks? “Because they are my star bucks,” he said.

3. Sign of the times?

“When a cougar gets so old she needs a hearing aid, does she become a Def Leppard?”

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I ate a doughnut without sprinkles this morning. Diets are hard.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Some real dad joke groaners in this one for sure.