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 8 covers the winter and spring of 1993 and the second semester of my freshman year of college. The alternative influence starts to become more noticable, as both Pearl Jam and Nirvana make their first appearances alongside old mainstays like Poison, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard. Besides that, we are treated to a lot of hip-hop and hair metal, with a small sampling pop, as always.

Side A

Bell Biv Devoe – Gangsta

The intended first single from the second Bell Biv Devoe record, which flopped, was dropped from the album, and now is lost to history.

Pearl Jam – Jeremy

The first appearance on these tapes by Pearl Jam, the song had a modest increase over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 8/29/2014

Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker

The biggest song for butts since Sir Mix-A-Lot had a healthy 5 play increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/11/2015

Boyz II Men – In The Still Of The Night

The cover of the old doo-wop classic more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/10/2015

Arrested Development – People Everyday

The second hit for Speech and company had a healthy doubling of its plays.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 2/14/2015

Nirvana – In Bloom

The first appearance of Nirvana on these tapes, the song more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/1/2015

TLC – What About Your Friends

The final hit from TLC’s debut album doubled its lowly total over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/16/2014

Side B

Toad The Wet Sprocket – Walk On The Ocean

A big 8 listen increase over the last 3 years for the big hit from Toad the Wet Sprocket, despite not being heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 21 plays, most recently on 3/3/2014

Bon Jovi – Bed Of Roses

A 3-fold increase for the Bon Jovi hit, last listened to on Friday.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Def Leppard – Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)

A small total for the middling hit from the English band.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/8/2013

Metallica – Sad But True

The “ballad” from the Black album doubled its small number of plays, despite not having been heard in over 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/6/2013

Poison – Stand

2 new listens for the first release from the CC DeVille-less Poison.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

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

Shanice – Saving Forever For You

The hit from the 90210 soundtrack increased its play total infinitely over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/13/2014