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 5 takes us from the end of my junior year of high school, through the summer, and all the way to spring of my senior year, from mid 1991 through early 1992, and once again features a healthy dose of hair metal and pop.  It also includes the appearance of my first CD player, a Christmas gift in 1991.

Side A

Firehouse – Don’t Treat Me Bad

The first hit from Firehouse was taped off the radio from an indistinguishable station.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 7/1/2011

Color Me Badd – I Wanna Sex You Up

The boy bands first hit was taped from the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 3/11/2009

Boyz II Men – Motownphilly

The debut hit from Philadelphia crooners was taped off the radio, most likely from the good folks at Hot 94.7.

iTunes stats: 1 play, most recently on 12/12/2008

Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)

The latest hit off of Dr. Feelgood was taped off the radio, from what I can only imagine was The Blaze.

iTunes stats: 18 plays, most recently on 3/12/2012

Slaughter – Fly To The Angels

The old hit was taped off the radio from “The Best of Rock, 103.5 The Blaze.”

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 9/10/2011

Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye

The follow-up hit was taped off the radio from Hot 94.7.

iTunes stats (Radio version): 11 plays, most recently on 3/16/2012

iTunes stats (Album version): 6 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex

The big hit from the first ladies of rap was taped off the radio, most likely, again, from Hot 94.7.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/7/2012

Side B

Color Me Badd – All 4 Love

The third hit from the funky boy band was taped from the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/13/2011

Poison – Your Mama Don’t Dance

Poison – Talk Dirty To Me

The 2 live versions were taped off the CD in preparation for my Christmas trip to Florida.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 2/8/2012

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011

Motley Crue – Home Sweet Home

The re-released hit was taped off the radio, with no real clues as to which station.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/7/2011

MC Hammer – Addam’s Groove

The minor hit from the movie was taped off the radio from what I must presume was Hot 94.7.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 1/31/2011

Guns N’ Roses – Don’t Cry

The first hit from the long-awaited follow-up to Appetitie was taped off the radio from 103.5 The Blaze.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 2/28/2012

Def Leppard – Let’s Get Rocked

The first hit from the long awaited follow-up to Hysteria was also taped off the radio from 103.5 The Blaze.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 2/25/2011