Daily Dirt for Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Day 2 of the ten-decade countdown of the greatest love songs has begun. Welcome to The Daily Dirt’s Vol. 1,356: Three Thoughts for Today.
1. The 1970s proved to be a mother lode when it came to great love songs.
Something must have been in the air throughout that decade, whether it was pop, country, or soul. It was difficult to select only ten of the best love songs because there were so many amazing ones, but we have a list.
As the love train continues, decade by decade through the 1990s, here are our favorite picks from the 1970s. The overall top 10 will be announced on Friday.
My buddies, have fun in the 1970s. I have a good feeling that at least one of the following tunes will make you smile and think:
1. Elton John’s “Your Song” (1971):Do you recall Elton’s statement, “I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss,” from the song? Elton was an office boy for a music publishing company when he and longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin were writing the song. The rest, as they say, is history. One day, the two had breakfast on the top of that office building. It may surprise you to learn that Three Dog Night was the first to record this classic.
2. Fantastic Evening, In 1978, Eric Clapton:This song, which I once read, described the most moving reminder of all the positive aspects of a relationship. There is no dispute here.
3. John Denver’s Annie (1974):This, in my opinion, is Denver’s most significant contribution to any musical genre. And while riding a Colorado ski lift, he penned it in ten minutes.
4. Ray Price’s “For the Good Times” (1970): This song is not only fantastic, but it also constantly reminds me of supper with friends in the early 1970s. My friend Dave, who, to his credit, had a wonderful voice of his own, sang along with the Ray Price recording when this song came on the jukebox, and the other patrons gave him a standing ovation.
5. Elvis Presley’s “Always On My Mind” (1972): This song is always heartfelt and is likely to be played again later this week. This was recorded by Elvis soon after he and Priscilla split up. The Jordanaires’ background work is nearly flawless.
6. The Final Acclaim: You’re In My Heart (1977) Rod Stewart:Even though you play for Celtic and United, I think you’re the greatest team I’ve ever seen, sweetie.
7. Kiss and Say Goodbye, Manhattans (1976): Originally, songwriter Blue Lovett thought a country music icon like Glen Campbell or Charley Pride would be the ideal fit for this 1970s hit. He made the proper decision with the Manhattans, in my opinion.
8. The Wonder of You, Elvis Presley (1970): Here are a few facts about Elvis His favorite female singer was Anne Murray. Snowbird was the song that Elvis listened to the most.
9. Let’s remain united, Al Green (1972): During the early to mid-decade period, Green had a remarkable run of hits, and this one may be the finest.
10. Three years after the release of the iconic Muskrat Love, Do That To Me One More Time, Captain and Tennille (1979) was released.
Underappreciated: Lobo’s 1972 work I’d Love You to Want Me:Lobo, whose full name was Robert Kent LaVoie, was a major influence on the soft rock sound of the 1970s. It all began with a dog named Boo, you, and me.
Rod Stewart’s First Cut is the Deepest (1977); Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1972); Kenny Rogers’ You Decorated My Life (1979); Barry Manilow’s Mandy (1974); Blue Swede’s Hooked on a Felling (1974); Barry White’s Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (1974); and If You Leave Me Now, Chicago (1976) are a few more that merit mention.
1a.
Remembering Ryno
On Monday night, just after the news emerged that Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg had passed away from cancer-related complications, I was speaking with a friend. Sandberg was sixty-five.
My friend, a lifelong Cardinals supporter, stated, “I loved Ryno, but I was never a Cubs fan.”
I knew precisely what he was talking about. Due to superstation broadcasts of Cubs games in the 1980s and 1990s, Sandberg was a national celebrity among MLB fans and a symbol of both skill and class.
The controversies of the era, especially the drug and steroid problem(s) that plagued MLB, never damaged Sandberg’s reputation. Above all, Ryno was a ball player, and I believe that at the time, his persona was very reassuring. He was the All-American kid who also happened to be a Gold Glove winner and a home run hitter.
Sandberg will also be remembered for his commitment to The Game and for playing it the proper way. In 2005, the Cubs retired his number 23.
He once remarked, “I saw a reward at the end of the tunnel, so I didn’t play the game right.” I learned that you should never, ever treat your management, your team, your opponent, or your company disrespectfully. You should also never, ever treat your uniform disrespectfully.
Because that was the appropriate thing to do, Sandberg did play the game correctly. And we will never forget it about him.
According to Hall of Fame chair Jane Forbes Clark, Ryne Sandberg had an unwavering work ethic and an unflinchingly optimistic vision. He motivated everyone he knew with it.
2. Did you know (Part 440)
- That when Caitlin Clark was recently sidelined with injury problems, WNBA television ratings plummeted 55 percent.
- That the longest MLB plate-appearance streaks without a strikeout are: Dave Cash, 223 (1976 Phillies); Nellie Fox, 185 (1962 White Sox); and Bill Buckner, 184 (1972 Dodgers).
- That becoming a vegetarian is a big missed steak.
- That whoever came up with a penny for your thoughts, don t nickel and dime me, and another day, another dollar sure knew how to coin a phrase.
- That one Roman emperor stopped aging after he turned 19. His name was Constant Teen.
3. Appalachian Word of the Day: Ammonia.
A phone call from an Appalachian: “Hey, could you come outside and ammonia your porch?”
Steve’s Daily ThoughtAre the suspensions of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers for gambling isolated incidents, or are they the beginning of something bigger that might turn out to be the next major Major League Baseball scandal?
Every day, Steve Eighinger contributes to Muddy River News. The ammonia yard, what about it?
