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 7 covers the fall of 1992 and the end of the first semester of my freshman year of college.  Once again, we are treated to a dose of hair metal and pop, with a little dance alternative and hip-hop thrown in for good measure.

Side A

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

Only 2 new plays in the last 3 years for the nearly 9 minute opus.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/25/2014

Def Leppard – Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad

Another big ballad from an 80s rock staple also gains only 2 listens since 2012.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/30/2015

Toad The Wet Sprocket – All I Want

A healthy increase of 7 for the first hit from Toad the Wet Sprocket.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/23/2013

Tesla – Signs

Only 1 additional listen in the past 3 years, and it took place just over 2 weeks ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 4/15/2015

Soup Dragons – Divine Thing

5 additional listens from the first hit from the Soup Dragons, although it has been nearly a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 6/16/2014

Ugly Kid Joe – Neighbor

Ugly Kid Joe, who debuted much too late for their 80s hairband style, doubled the small amount of plays they had for this first single from their first full length album.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/21/2014

The Heights – How Do You Talk To An Angel

The theme song from the short-lived FOX show, which came up recently on an episode of the Adam Carolla Show, doubled its number of plays.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 4/23/2015

Side B

Bon Jovi – Keep The Faith

The first single from the reunited Bon Jovi earned an additional 2 listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/6/2015

Color Me Badd – Forever Love

I had once again completely forgotten about this ballad from the obligatory remix album, which isn’t even available in the iTunes store.

Bobby Brown – Good Enough

A three-fold increase for Mr. Brown, despite no listens in nearly 1 full calendar year.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/7/2014

Guns N’ Roses – Yesterdays

An uptick of 1 for the Guns ‘N Roses tune, which I last listened to on my 40th birthday.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 10/27/2014

Saigon Kick – Love Is On The Way

A sligh increase for the only hit from Saigon Kick.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/10/2015

Shai – If I Ever Fall In Love

The a capella hit has not been heard in 3+ years, which seems odd considering its highish total from 3 years ago.

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/2/2011

House Of Pain – Jump Around

An impressive doubling for the faux-Irish rappers.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 8/16/2014