33 years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, I put together the first of what would eventually 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.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes for the fourth time and see how, or if, the soundtrack of my youth still resonates in today’s digital world and how much has changed over the past four years.

Both Def Leppard and Guns ‘N Roses make their final appearance on this entry.  By 1993, alternative music had taken over the rock world and these two stalwarts from the 80s were holding on in similar ways: both had released long-awaited albums during my senior year of high school and both followed those up quickly with either an album of covers (GnR) or a compilation of B-sides (Def Leppard).  Both made their first appearance, back to back, on Volume 5 and each ended up with seven tracks overall on these tapes.

From this point on, there are no more entries from 80s rock bands.  No more Poison.  No more Bon Jovi.  No more Slaughter or Great White.  And no more Def Leppard or Guns ‘N Roses.  Following volume 12, which covers the summer of 1993 and into the fall and my sophomore year of college, my tastes turned towards the alternative, with hip hop and the occasional pure pop song still making an appearance.

Side A

10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night
iTunes stats: 34 plays, most recently on 7/5/2022

The Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith written hit, from the group’s MTV Unplugged appearance which was Natalie Merchant’s swan song with the group, picked up just four plays over the past four years.

Cracker – Low
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 2/26/2022

The first single from Kerosene Hat, which reached #3 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, picked up six listens in the last four years.

Def Leppard – Miss You In A Heartbeat
iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 3/1/2022

Just four new plays for the final US top 40 hit for the band, which peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Cher w/ Beavis & Butthead – I Got You Babe
iTunes stats: 38 plays, most recently on 7/9/2022

Cher’s threesome with the animated duo, from the hit film Beavis & Butthead Do America, earned a small four play increase over these past four years.

Guns N’ Roses – Estranged
iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/8/2022

The nearly 9 1/2 minute opus, which hit #16 on the Mainstream Rock chart, picked up five new listens over the past four years.

Lemonheads – Into Your Arms
iTunes stats: 29 plays, most recently on 12/23/2021

The only Lemonheads track to appear on the Billboard chart, peaking at #67, the tune added ten additional plays over the last four years.

Side B

Gin Blossoms – Found Out About You
iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 8/16/2022

The 51st biggest hit of 1994, and the only Gin Blossoms hit to top the Modern Rock Tracks chart, garnered eight additional listens over the past four years.

Stone Temple Pilots – Creep
iTunes stats: 36 plays, most recently on 8/19/2022

After losing its old playback history, the third single from the band’s debut album, which is finally represented by both the album and radio version, picked up a combined sixteen listens between four years ago and now.

Nirvana – All Apologies
iTunes stats: 24 plays, most recently on 6/16/2022

Nominated for two Grammys in 1995, for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song, the second single from In Utero added seven new listens to its total from four years ago.

Guns N’ Roses – Since I Don’t Have You
iTunes stats: 30 plays, most recently on 10/5/2022

The final appearance from Guns N’ Roses on these collections, which hit #69 on the Billboard charts, added eleven new listens to its total from four years ago.

Ace of Base – The Sign
iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 6/23/2022

The smash hit from the Swedish sensations, which spent six weeks atop the Billboard charts and was the top single of 1994, more than doubled its number of listens.

James – Laid
iTunes stats: 32 plays, most recently on 5/9/2022

Hitting #3 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the one hit for the lads from Britain saw an seven-play increase over the past four years.

Crash Test Dummies – Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
iTunes stats: 31 plays, most recently on 3/1/2022

The debut single from the band’s sophomore effort, which cracked the top five on the Billboard charts, added eight plays over the past four years.

Cracker – Get Off This
iTunes stats: 37 plays, most recently on 7/28/2022

The follow up hit from Kerosene Hat, written as a response to fans who accused Cracker of selling out, picked up six listens in the last four years.