Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.
Volume 1 again, was started in 1989 when I was a sophomore and stretches to early 1990, and features a steady stream of hair metal, with a smattering of pop, rap and dance thrown in for good measure.
Side A
Warrant – Heaven
The massive hit that put Warrant on the map was taped off the radio, most likely from Z95.
iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/17/2011
Young MC – Bust A Move
Young MC’s one hit was taped from the cassingle.
iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 8/4/2011
New Kids Got Run Over By A Reindeer
Not a real song, but a bit from what I believe was the Welch & Woody morning show on Z95.
Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name
The first “out of sequence” song was taped from my sister’s cassette.
iTunes stats: 5 plays 5/11/2011
B-52s – Love Shack
Surprisingly, despite coming from the radio, it is the full version of the song, not the radio edit, unlike the MP3 I have today.
iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/29/2011
Paula Abdul – The Way That You Love Me
One of the lesser hits from Abdul’s debut was taped from my sister’s cassette.
iTunes stats: 0 plays
Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting
Marx’s smash hit is another Z95 radio entry.
iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/31/2008
Side B
Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start The Fire
Joel’s huge comeback hit was taped off the radio, Z95 to be specific.
iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 9/13/2011
Bon Jovi – Lay Your Hands On Me
The last single from New Jersey was taped off of the cassette.
iTunes stats: 0 plays
Bon Jovi – 99 In The Shade
The album track was also taped off of the cassette.
iTunes stats: 0 plays
Shana – I Want You
The “one-hit wonder” (if you can consider peaking at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 a hit) was taped off the radio, Z95 to be specific.
Skid Row – I Remember You
The breakout pop hit for Skid Row was taped off the radio, from what sounds like American Top 40.
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/6/2011
Aerosmith – Janie’s Got A Gun
The radio edit of Aerosmith’s big hit was taped off the radio, also from what sounds like American Top 40.
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/17/2011
[…] my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened […]