Daily Dirt: Welcome, December … there’s ‘Something About You’

Daily Dirt for December 1, 2021

The calendar says it is now December. Whether that’s good or bad will likely not be decided for another 30 days … welcome to Vol. 144 of the Daily Dirt and today’s three thoughts.

1. It’s officially December. Do any of these contemplations touch a base — or nerve — for you?

• “It is December, and nobody asked if I was ready.” — Sarah Kay, poet. (I know the feeling.)
• “How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon … My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon.,” — Dr. Seuss. (About 5 o’clock each day I know that feeling, too. It’s barely December and I can’t wait for June when the sun won’t set until around 9.)
• “Make it a December to remember.” — Unknown. (Personally, all Decembers are special in one way or the other. I have no facts to back this up, but I would guess most of us have more memories based in December than any other month.)
• “December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come,” — Fennel Hudson, author. (Very well said, Mr. Hudson. Bring on December, except maybe for the snow … We’re one step closer to spring.)

2. My five favorite songs by the Four Tops:

Before I get to my top five, just a couple of notes about this famous Motown group. Levi Stubbs was the longtime lead singer who refused to have the group billed as “Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops,” which Motown preferred. He felt that set him apart from the rest and that was not fair, since all four voices made up the Four Tops. I always admired that about him. Secondly, Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton remained together for more than four decades, performing from 1953 until 1997 without a change in personnel.

The Four Tops continue to perform with Fakir — who will be 86 later this month — as the last surviving original member. For the record, Stubbs died at age 72 in 2008.

And now, my five favorite songs from this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group:

“It’s The Same Old Song.” (Surprisingly, this song did not reach No. 1, peaking at No. 5.)

“Baby I Need Your Loving.” (One of 24 of the group’s songs that reached the Billboard, top 40.)

“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).” (The group’s first No. 1 hit.)

“Ask The Lonely.” (One of seven top-10 hits for the Tops.

“Something About You.” (In their career, the group released 59 singles.)

3. It’s no secret I think “Yellowstone” is now the best show on television, and the reasons why are simple: Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler.

Beth, played by Kelly Reilly, is the daughter of Dutton family patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner). Rip (Cole Hauser) is John Dutton’s right-hand man who would do anything for the family and the Yellowstone ranch, and not necessarily in that order.Here are a few reasons why these two characters light up each Sunday night for yours truly:

Beth Dutton: “You are the trailer park. I am the tornado.” (Ahh … Beth being Beth.)

Beth Dutton: “The only thing I ask is that you outlive me, so I never live another day without you.” (Surprisingly, she does have a soft side, too.)

Rip Wheeler: “There’s sharks and minnows in this world. If you don’t know which you are, you ain’t a shark.” (I don’t remember exactly who Rip said this to, but I’m certain it was right before his fist drew first blood.)

Rip Wheeler: “I’m gonna give you one last chance. You leave now or you never leave.” (For the record, the person Rip was talking to opted to leave.)

Steve Fact O’ The Day Steve would now like to be called “Rip” in all future references.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. We will not be calling him “Rip” in all future reference.