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.
Last week, we finished up the last of the 20 volumes. The 287 songs from 144 different bands or performers have been played an average of nearly 16 times each, according to my iTunes stats, up from just over 8.5 times 3 years ago. Let’s take one final look back at the bands and songs that made up my youth.
Most Played Song
48 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
43 – Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)
42 – Veruca Salt – Seether
39 – Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?
38 – Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
Least Played Song
4 – TLC – Get It Up
4 – Warren G – Do You See
4 – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart
5 – Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You
5 – Bon Jovi – Lay Your Hands On Me
5 – Shanice – Saving Forever For You
5 – Ace of Base – The Sign
Most Played Song – Largest Total Increase
30 – Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)
24 – Snoop Dogg – What’s My Name?
24 – Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
23 – Color Me Badd – All 4 Love
20 – Stone Temple Pilots – Creep
20 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
Least Played Song – Smallest Total Increase
0 – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart
1 – Warren G – Do You See
1 – Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita
1 – Bon Jovi – In These Arms
1 – Frente! – Labour of Love
Most Played Song – Largest Percentage Increase
2000% – Stone Temple Pilots – Creep
1200% – Ugly Kid Joe – Busy Bee
700% – Paula Abdul – The Way That You Love Me
700% – The Simpsons – Do The Bartman
500% – Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes
500% – Jodeci – Cry For You
500% – The Cranberries – Twenty One
Least Played Song – Smallest Percentage Increase
0% – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart
6.25% – Frente! – Labour of Love
9.09% – Bon Jovi – In These Arms
13.33% – Alanis Morissette – All I Really Want
16% – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
Most Represented Band
11 – Poison
10 – Aerosmith
10 – Pearl Jam
7 – Def Leppard
7 – Guns N’ Roses
Most Played Tape
342 – Volume 15
303 – Volume 5
296 – Volume 14
285 – Volume 12
270 – Volume 17
Least Played Tape
90 – Volume 20
146 – Volume 1
162 – Volume 4
167 – Volume 7
172 – Volume 9
Most Played Tape – Largest Increase
148 – Volume 5
137 – Volume 13
134 – Volume 15
133 – Volume 11
132 – Volume 12
Least Played Tape – Smallest Increase
44 – Volume 20
72 – Volume 7
76 – Volume 9
81 – Volume 4
84 – Volume 1
Most Recently Played
1/3/2019 6:35 AM – Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings
1/2/2019 11:15 PM – Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat
1/2/2019 4:29 PM – Toad The Wet Sprocket – Walk On The Ocean
12/31/2018 5:34 PM – The Rembrandts – I’ll Be There For You
12/31/2018 10:28 AM – Dr. Dre – Let Me Ride
Least Recently Played
3/7/2015 2:07 PM – Liz Phair – Whip-Smart
6/25/2015 4:46 PM – Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita
1/10/2016 8:49 PM – 4 Non Blondes – Spaceman
7/1/2016 4:34 PM – Warren G – Do You See
3/21/2017 9:58 AM – Madonna – Vogue