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.

We wrap up with Volume 20, which stretches over late 1995 and the fall semester of the first of my two senior years of college.  At some point, I noticed that the tape players on my boom box were slowing down and apparently could not be repaired, which spelled the end for these collections.

Side A

Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings

The first single from the Pumpkins double album opus was taped off the radio via what I assume was Q101.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

Melissa Etheridge – Your Little Secret

The first single from Melissa Etheridge’s underperforming followup to her smash hit album was taped off the radio from an undetermined station.

Lisa Loeb – Do You Sleep

Lisa Loeb’s latest was taped off the radio, also from an undetermined station.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/27/2011

Goo Goo Dolls – Name

The first hit for the Goo Goo Dolls appears to have been taped off a CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/21/2012

Collective Soul – The World I Know

The latest middling hit from Collective Soul was taped off Q101.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/2/2012

Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You

The hit from the Empire Records soundtrack was taped off the radio thanks to Q101.

iTunes stats: Never played

Garbage – Queer

The breakthrough hit for Shirley Manson and the boys was taped off Chicago’s new rock alternative.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/21/2012

Side B

Hootie and the Blowfish – Time

The latest pop hit from Hootie was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/27/2010