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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 1, again, was started in 1989 when I was a sophomore and stretches to early 1990.  It 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 doubled the number of times I listened to it in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014

Young MC – Bust A Move

One of the first tunes I bought on cassingle, this one hit wonder had an impressive increase, despite not having been heard in nearly a year and a half.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 11/23/2013

New Kids Got Run Over By A Reindeer

I doubt I will ever track down this parody song from the Welch & Woody morning show on Z95.

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name

The old hit from Bon Jovi has only gotten 1 play in the last 3 years, and that was nearly 2 years ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/10/2013

B-52s –  Love Shack

I’m still waiting to pick up the full version of the song on MP3, which may explain why I’ve only listened to it once in the last three years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 7/2/2014

Paula Abdul – The Way That You Love Me

Paula Abdul got her first listen earlier this month.

2012 iTunes stats: 0 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 1 play, most recently on 3/12/2015

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting

The smash ballad that gave Marx his third straight #1 increased its play total by 2.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/26/2014

Side B

Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start The Fire

Billy Joel’s huge comeback hit becomes the first to not increase its total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 9/13/2011

Bon Jovi – Lay Your Hands On Me

The final single from New Jersey finally entered my listening rotation over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 0 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 4/6/2014

Bon Jovi – 99 In The Shade

Meanwhile, this album track still has not been listened to.

2012 iTunes stats: 0 plays

2015 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) is available on iTunes, but I still haven’t been moved enough to acquire it.

Skid Row – I Remember You

Only 3 new spins for the breakout pop hit from Skid Row.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/13/2014

Aerosmith – Janie’s Got A Gun

A respectable gain of four listens for Aerosmith’s big hit, which I originally recorded off of American Top 40.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 7/27/2014