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. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

Volume 8 covers the winter and spring of 1993 and the second semester of my freshman year of college. The alternative influence starts to become more noticable, as both Pearl Jam and Nirvana make their first appearances alongside old mainstays like Poison, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard. Besides that, we are treated to a lot of hip-hop and hair metal, with a small sampling pop, as always.

Side A

Bell Biv Devoe – Gangsta

The intended first single from the second Bell Biv Devoe record was taped of the cassingle.  The single flopped, however, and the song ended up being dropped from the album.

Pearl Jam – Jeremy

The smash hit that put Pearl Jam on top of the world was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 10/10/2011

Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker

The biggest song for butts since Sir Mix-A-Lot was taped off the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/31/2011

Boyz II Men – In The Still Of The Night

The cover of the old doo-wop classic was taped off the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 6/13/2011

Arrested Development – People Everyday

The second hit for Speech and company was taped off the radio, most likely WAZY.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 10/10/2011

Nirvana – In Bloom

The final hit from Nevermind was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 6/8/2011

TLC – What About Your Friends

The final hit from TLC’s debut album was taped off the radio, B96 to be specific.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/17/2010

Side B

Toad The Wet Sprocket – Walk On The Ocean

The big hit for Toad the Wet Sprocket was taped off the radio, most likely from WAZY.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 9/2/2011

Bon Jovi – Bed Of Roses

The Bon Jovi hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 1/18/2011

Def Leppard – Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)

The latest hit from the boys from England was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 6/23/2010

Metallica – Sad But True

The “ballad” from the Black album was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 4/3/2012

Poison – Stand

The first release from the CC DeVille-less Poison was taped of the radio, likely WAZY.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/29/2011

Shanice – Saving Forever For You

The hit from the 90210 soundtrack was taped off of Lafayette’s Hit Music Station, 96.5 WAZY.

iTunes stats: Never played