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 17 picks up in early 1995 and the second semester of my junior year and takes us into early summer.  At this point, it is nearly all alternative, with just one hip-hop breakthrough.

Side A

Hole – Asking For It

One of three Hole songs to feature a contribution from Kurt Cobain, the latest from Courtney Love and company doubled its play total, despite not being heard in 2 1/2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 10/11/2012

Cranberries – Twenty One

The minor hit from the band’s second album added its only play in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/25/2014

Veruca Salt – Number One Blind

The follow up single to Seether added a paltry 2 listens over the past 3 years, most recently over 2 years ago.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 5/1/2013

Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued

4 new plays for the latest from STP in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 6/26/2015

Pearl Jam – Better Man

The biggest hit from the grunge superstars’ 3rd album added a paltry 2 listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015

Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night

Only 1 new listen for the posthumous unplugged hit from the Seattle rockers.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/18/2015

Weezer – No One Else

Weezer’s latest picked up 3 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

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

Offspring – What Happened To You?

The final offering from Offspring’s debut album added 4 additional plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 8 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

Bush – Everything Zen

A healthy doubling of listens for the debut from Bush.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/19/2015

The Ass Ponys – Little Bastard

The only hit for the well named group added only 2 listens over the past 3 years, and none in the last 2 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 7/12/2013

Hole – Violet

Hole’s second appearance on this tape only was heard once in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 8/4/2014

Letters To Cleo – Here and Now

The first hit for the Boston rockers added 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 7/10/2015

Oasis – Live Forever

2 new listens for the first US hit for the boys from Manchester.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 2/25/2013

Collective Soul – Gel

The first hit from Collective Soul’s sophomore effort added an impressive 10 listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 7/5/2015

Dr. Dre – Keep Their Heads Ringin’

Dr. Dre’s contribution to the Friday soundtrack picked up 5 listens in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 12 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 3/9/2015

Better Than Ezra – Good

No change in the number of plays for the debut (only?) hit from Better Than Ezra.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 6/4/2012