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 6 takes us through the end of high school, through the summer, and into the beginning of my freshman year of college.  Sadly, this is not the original version of volume 6, which was lost after being borrowed by my sister for a party.  The steady stream of hair metal and pop starts to become overtaken by alternative and hip-hop.

Side A

Genesis – I Can’t Dance

The last hit for Genesis has more than tripled its number of listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 4/12/2015

Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You

The first hit for the band who came up a few years too late has put together a decent increase over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 8/7/2014

Joe Public – Live and Learn

The one hit for the so-called new jack swing group managed to double its plays since our last check.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 4/2/2015

Boyz II Men – Please Don’t Go

I still haven’t listened to the final release from Cooleyhighharmony.

2012 iTunes stats: Never Played

2015 iTunes stats: Never Played

Def Leppard – Make Love Like A Man

The second hit from Adrenalize also managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 8/16/2014

Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Somehow, I haven’t listened to this song at all over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under The Bridge

The mainstream breakthrough hit for the Chilli Peppers, and the first appearance of “alternative” music, has had a healthy increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

Side B

Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back

The massive hit from Sir Mix-A-Lot put together a healthy increase over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 10/22/2014

Boyz II Men – End of the Road

The massiver hit from the Boomerang soundtrack, which spent 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, doubled its already impressive total.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 3/13/2015

The Cure – Friday, I’m In Love

The first (and last) song played on Q101 went up modestly over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Sophie B. Hawkins – Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover

The theme song to Dylan and Kelly’s summer fling while Brenda was in Paris on 90210 had a small rise in listens.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 8/28/2013

Tom Cochrane – Life Is A Highway

A four-fold increase for the one hit wonder.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 10/11/2014

Bobby Brown- Humpin’ Around

Another four-fold increase, this time for the former New Edition singer.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 4/10/2015

Slaughter – Real Love

To be honest, I can’t even remember what this song even sounds like.