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 10 covers the spring and summer of 1993, following my freshman year of college, and features the top rap and alternative hits of the summer, along with some pop and the last remnants of hair metal.
Side A
Pearl Jam – Black
The first song from Pear Jam’s post-video phase, falling victim to my Pearl Jam burnout, was only listened to once in the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/3/2014
Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind
The big hit from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bomb Last Action Hero, originally recorded from The Blaze during a nightly song battle, garnered only 2 additional listens over the last 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015
UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love
Somehow, the big hit from the Sliver soundtrack completely escaped my notice over the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012
Aerosmith – Cryin’
Only 2 additional listens for the first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy.
2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 4/24/2014
TLC – Get It Up
I did acquire the “hit” from the Poetic Justice soundtrack at some point over the past 3 years, but still have not listened to it.
2015 iTunes stats: Never played
4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?
A large increase of 7 listens for the ubiquitous debut from 4 Non Blondes.
2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 5/1/2015
Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)
The unofficial theme to the Bulls third straight NBA championship, who showed up for 90s night at the game I attended in February, added 5 new listens over the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/27/2015
Side B
Onyx – Slam
Only one new listen, from over 2 years ago, for the first and only hit for Onyx.
2012 iTunes stats: 11 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 2/18/2013
Radiohead – Creep
The first hit for the soon to be superstars garnered 3 additional listens over the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/20/2013
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Boom! (Shake The Room)
A doubling of listens for the last hit from the duo.
2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 1/20/2015
Vince Neil – Forever
The solo hit for the former Motley Crue frontman increased by 4 listens over the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 1 play
2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/12/2015
Tony! Toni! Toné! – If I Had No Loot
The feel good song more than doubled its number of plays over the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/18/2015
Jodeci – Lately
The live acoustic hit from MTV Unplugged was only listened to twice over the last 3 years, most recently over 2 years ago.
2012 iTunes stats: 11 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/2/2013
REM – Everybody Hurts
Only 1 additional listen for this magnum opus of sadness over the past 3 years.
2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays
2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/3/2014