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 16 takes us from the early fall of 1994 towards the end of the year and the first semester of my junior year of college. The song selection is nearly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop and pop hits to go along with it.

Side A

Hole – Doll Parts

The latest hit from Courtney Love and company picked up an additional 7 listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 12 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 5/29/2015

Live – I Alone

The Live hit added 5 listens, though none in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

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

Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl

The one hit wonder, featured on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, has not been heard in over 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/15/2012

Nirvana – About A Girl

The performance from MTV Unplugged added an additional 2 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 1/10/2015

Aerosmith – Blind Man

The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s the then-current greatest hits package picked up 3 new listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/11/2015

Real McCoy – Another Night

An extra 3 listens for the international dance hit.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 10/9/2014

Warren G – Do You See

The Warren G release (hit being such a strong term) was heard 3 times in the last 3 years, but not once in the past year.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/26/2014

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The Neil Diamond cover, featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, added 5 additional plays over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

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

Side B

REM – Bang and Blame

A tremendous increase of 8 listens for the latest from the boys from Athens, GA.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/17/2015

The Murmurs – You Suck

The one semi-hit for The Murmurs added only 2 additional listens in the last 3 years, and hasn’t been heard for nearly a year and a half.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 2/10/2014

Weezer – Buddy Holly

The big breakthrough hit for Weezer managed 5 additional plays in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 6/6/2015

The Flaming Lips – She Don’t Use Jelly

A small increase of 2 listens for the one “hit” for the Flaming Lips.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 7/11/2015

Green Day – When I Come Around

Green Day’s latest doubled its number of listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

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

Veruca Salt – Victrola

The Veruca Salt follow-up nearly tripled its number of listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/15/2015

Liz Phair – Whip-Smart

A doubling of listens for the latest from Liz Phair.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 3/7/2015

Pearl Jam – Spin The Black Circle

The debut from Pearl Jam’s third album was only heard once in the past 3 years, over a year ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/21/2014

The Offspring – Gotta Get Away

Four new listens for the latest hit from The Offspring.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/14/2014