They Write the Songs That Make the Whole World Sing
Another week, another maddening list.
This one comes from The New York Times. It’s the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters. Let the arguments begin!
There are some picks you really can’t argue with. Paul Simon. Diane Warren. Brian and Eddie Holland. Bob Dylan. Dolly Parton.
But the list is incomplete and ultimately pointless, not just because of who they didn’t include but for what it says about list-making in general.
All of the hallmarks of a bad list are here. Recency bias? Check. Odd, inconsistent criteria? Check. A need for the critics to create a list that’s “well-rounded?” Check. Plain ol’ bad taste and lame reasoning? Check and check.
Every list is bound to start a discussion. You forgot this person! You forgot that person! But when a list has this many obvious gaps, the list (and the people who made it) deserve to be ridiculed and corrected.
If they didn’t think Daryl Hall, Sting, Billy Joel, Marshall Crenshaw, and Jimmy Webb were worthy, something’s wrong.
The History of PEZ
I used to collect PEZ dispensers. That hobby lasted about six months, the same amount of time I spent collecting other things (cereal boxes, fancy sodas). CBS Sunday Morning has a look at the history of the candy.
Uploaded to YouTube by CBS Sunday Morning
Venus and Saturn and Pluto, Oh My!
I’m not the type of person who has a “favorite” planet. To be honest, I’ve never given it any thought.
But maybe you do! According to a recent YouGov survey, the favorite planet of Americans (other than Earth) is Mars. That makes sense. It’s probably the planet that people feel they know the most because of all of those science fiction stories.
I probably would have picked Saturn, which came in second. It has those weird, beautiful rings. Pluto came in fourth, even though it’s officially not even a planet anymore. Pluto is also the second-least favorite (Mercury is the least favorite for some reason).
My favorite planet name to say is Uranus. Because I am twelve years old.
Word of the Week
You know that nice odor you smell in the air after it rains? There’s a name for that. It’s petrichor.
They should sell petrichor candles. Wait, they do!
RIP Jarvis Rockwell, Ted Turner, John Sterling, Alex Ligertwood, David Allan Coe, Nicole Hollander, Doris Fisher, Beau Starr, and Dion Anderson
Jarvis Rockwell was an artist and the last living child of Norman Rockwell. He died last month at the age of 94.
Ted Turner created CNN and launched other TV networks, including Turner Classic Movies, TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network. His team won the 1977 America’s Cup yacht race and he once owned the Atlanta Braves. He died Wednesday at the age of 87.
John Sterling called New York Yankees games for 36 years. He died Monday at the age of 87.
Alex Ligertwood was the former lead singer of Santana. He died last week at the age of 79.
Uploaded to YouTube by Santana
David Allan Coe was known as one of the first “outlaw” country stars. He wrote the Johnny Paycheck song “Take This Job and Shove It.” He died recently at the age of 86.
Nicole Hollander created the “Sylvia” comic strip. She died last month at the age of 86.
With her husband Don, Doris Fisher founded the clothing store chain The Gap. She died Saturday at the age of 94.
Beau Starr played Lt. Welsh on Due South and Sheriff Ben Meeker in two Halloween films. He was also in movies like Goodfellas, Fletch, and Speed, and TV shows like A Nero Wolfe Mystery, The 4400, Providence, and NYPD Blue. He died last month at the age of 81.
Dion Anderson appeared in such films as The Shawshank Redemption and Havana as well as TV shows like The X-Files, Wiseguy, Matlock, and Days of Our Lives. He died last month at the age of 87.
This Week in History
Archibald MacLeish Born (May 7, 1892)
MacLeish is one of those people whose name I have heard but I really don’t know what they did. He was a poet, editor, and lawyer who served as the Librarian of Congress from 1939 to 1944. He won three Pulitzers, a Tony, a National Book Award, and in 1977 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Coca-Cola Sold for First Time (May 8, 1886)
Dr. John Pemberton’s creation was first served at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: Coca-Cola (May 5, 1928)
I have a pair of socks with that exact pattern, though mine are shorter.
It’s National Hamburger Month
The second week of May is also National Hamburger Week, and May 28 is National Hamburger Day. May must be Wimpy’s favorite month.
He could make this Grilled BBQ Burger from Fox and Briar or this Smash Burger from Natasha’s Kitchen. Delish has the recipe for a Pizza Burger, The Feel Good Foodie has an Avocado Burger, Modern Proper has a Classic Cheeseburger with Secret Sauce, and The Cookie Rookie has a Peanut Butter Burger.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Mother’s Day (May 10)
If you text your mom a “Happy Mother’s Day” (with a “thumbs up” emoji), don’t be surprised if she takes you out of her will.
Eat What You Want Day (May 11)
This is every day for most people. You could even have a hamburger.
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