After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

Christmas time has come in the year 2002, and for some reason I celebrated by slapping 6 Run-DMC and Kool Moe Dee songs to the end of this CD, which also featured new songs by Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and Eminem.

Puddle Of Mudd – She Hates Me

This song became Puddle of Mudd’s second single to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/30/2011

Soul Asylum – Somebody To Shove

The debut single from Grave Dancer’s Union.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

The Breeders – Divine Hammer

The second hit for the Deal sisters.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 12/18/2012

Nirvana – You Know You’re Right

The final song recorded by Nirvana.  Courtney Love fought for years to block its release.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/29/2012

Foo Fighters – All My Life

Meanwhile, Dave Grohl has this side project he’s been working on…

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 9/26/2012

Primitive Radio Gods – Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand

The hit from the Cable Guy soundtrack featured a sample of B.B. King.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The cover of the Neil Diamond hit was featured in Pulp Fiction.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/16/2012

The Wonders – That Thing You Do

The big hit for the faux-60s rockers from That Thing You Do.

iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 7/25/2012

PJ Harvey – This Is Love

The song, featured on the Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack, earned Polly Jean a Grammy nomination.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/26/2012

Christina Aguilera – Dirrty

Christina Aguilera returns to prove she’s no longer the squeaky clean teen pop-star from her debut album.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 11/29/2012

Missy Elliott – Work It

Tied Foreigner’s 1981 hit “Waiting for a Girl Like You” as the longest-running U.S. number-two single that did not reach number one.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 9/19/2011

Eminem – Lose Yourself

The new track from Eminem’s movie Uncensored Rap Battles.  Or 8 Mile.  Whichever you prefer.

iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 9/26/2012

Kool Moe Dee – How Ya Like Me Now

Exciting 80s rap!

iTunes stats: Never played

Run-DMC – Hit It Run

More exciting 80s rap!

Run-DMC – Mary Mary

Even more exciting 80s rap, this time with a 60s twist thanks to The Monkees.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/2/2012

Run-DMC – You Be Illin’

Still more exciting 80s rap.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 7/7/2012

Run-DMC – Walk This Way

Yet more exciting 80s rap, this time with a 70s twist thanks to Aerosmith.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/21/2011

Kool Moe Dee – Wild Wild West

And finally, some exciting 80s rap.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/24/2012