20 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would become 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. We last looked back at all 20 volumes three years ago to see which of my “favorite” songs still resonated in today’s digital world. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how, or if, things have changed in the past 3 years.
Volume 11 takes us late into 1993 and my sophomore year of college. It features mostly alternative and hip-hop hits, with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.
Side A
Shai – Baby I’m Yours
The second, and final, top 10 hit for the R&B quartet more than doubled its plays in the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 plays | 7 plays | 15 plays, most recently on 10/12/2018 |
Tears For Fears – Break It Down Again
Topping the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the comeback hit for the 80s sensations managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 plays | 9 plays | 18 plays, most recently on 7/28/2018 |
Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes
The only single from the band’s sophomore effort to chart, peaking at #38, the tune managed to pick up 10 additional listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 plays | 2 plays | 12 plays, most recently on 10/3/2018 |
4 Non Blondes – Spaceman
A mere 2 new listens for the minor follow up hit to What’s Up.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 4 plays | 6 plays, most recently on 1/10/2016 |
Pearl Jam – Go
Used as Paul Konerko’s walkup music during his final season, the first single from Pearl Jam’s sophomore effort picked up 5 new listens in the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 plays | 19 plays | 24 plays, most recently on 11/7/2018 |
Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana’s first release from their final studio album, ranked as the 10th greatest rock track ever by Kerrang! magazine, added 14 additional plays over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 plays | 9 plays | 23 plays, most recently on 12/27/2018 |
Radiohead – Stop Whispering
Peaking at #23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the lesser known follow up to the smash Creep tripled its plays over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 play | 2 plays | 6 plays, most recently on 11/7/2018 |
Side B
Dr. Dre – Let Me Ride
Winner of the 1994 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance, the third single from Dr. Dre’s seminal solo release added 16 new listens in the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 plays | 18 plays | 34 plays, most recently on 12/31/2018 |
Mr. Big – Wild World
The cover of the Cat Stevens hit more than doubled its number of listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 plays | 7 plays | 15 plays, most recently on 11/26/2018 |
Salt-N-Pepa – Shoop
Ranked #62 by the Village Voice in their list of top singles of the 90s, the first single from the band’s fourth studio album more than tripled its plays in the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 4 plays | 13 plays, most recently on 12/30/2018 |
Aerosmith – Amazing
The middle chapter of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy garnered a whole 3 new listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 5 plays | 8 plays, most recently on 9/3/2018 |
Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?
The solo debut from Snoop, the 62nd biggest single of 1994, added 34 plays to its total, including both the album version and the radio edit.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 plays | 15 plays | 39 plays, most recently on 11/6/2018 |
Pearl Jam – Daughter
The band’s first top 40 hit, which also topped the Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock charts, added 5 new plays over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 7 plays | 12 plays, most recently on 11/6/2018 |
Cranberries – Linger
Hitting #8 on the Billboard charts, the first hit single for the Irish band picked up a 16 listen increase, mostly due to the death of singer Dolores O’Riordan.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 plays | 9 plays | 25 plays, most recently on 12/27/2018 |