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Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 17
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.
Volume 17 picks up in early 1995 and the second semester of my junior year and takes us into early summer. At this point, it is nearly all alternative, with just one hip-hop breakthrough.
Side A
Hole – Asking For It
One of three Hole songs to feature a contribution from Kurt Cobain, the latest from Courtney Love and company more than quadrupled its play total after not being heard in 2 1/2 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 4 plays | 17 plays, most recently on 12/4/2018 |
Cranberries – Twenty One
The minor hit from the band’s second album, helped in part by the death of singer Dolores O’Riordan, added a mere 5 plays in the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 plays | 1 play | 6 plays, most recently on 12/12/2018 |
Veruca Salt – Number One Blind
The follow up single to Seether added 8 listens over the past 5 1/2 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 plays | 9 plays | 17 plays, most recently on 12/18/2018 |
Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued
Peaking at #16 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, the track added 10 new plays in the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 plays | 13 plays | 23 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 |
Pearl Jam – Better Man
The biggest hit from the grunge superstars’ 3rd album, spending 8 weeks at the top of Mainstream Rock chart, added a paltry 5 listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 plays | 6 plays | 11 plays, most recently on 11/9/2018 |
Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night
The traditional American folk song, recorded for MTV Unplugged and released following the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain, picked up a mere 4 new listens.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 3 plays | 7 plays, most recently on 8/27/2018 |
Weezer – No One Else
Never released as a single but with plenty of radio airplay, Weezer’s latest picked up 7 new listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 plays | 10 plays | 17 plays, most recently on 10/4/2018 |
Offspring – What Happened To You?
The final offering from Offspring’s debut album, also never officially released as a single, added 8 additional plays in the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 plays | 12 plays | 20 plays, most recently on 10/14/2018 |
Side B
May Flowers
As May rolls in, we have another shot from last year’s trip to New York, with Angelina and Michael at the top of the Empire State Building.
Fitbit V: Week 13
Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 16
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.
Volume 16 takes us from the early fall of 1994 towards the end of the year and the first semester of my junior year of college. The song selection is nearly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop and pop hits to go along with it.
Side A
Hole – Doll Parts
The band’s first release after the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff in June 1994 picked up an additional 9 listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 plays | 19 plays | 28 plays, most recently on 12/9/2018 |
Live – I Alone
Ranked as the 62nd best song of the 90s by VH1, the band’s second single added 9 listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 7 plays | 16 plays, most recently on 10/2/2018 |
Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl
The one hit wonder, featured on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack, quadrupled its listens after not having been heard for over 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 2 plays | 8 plays, most recently on 8/9/2018 |
Nirvana – About A Girl
The performance from MTV Unplugged, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, added an additional 8 listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 plays | 15 plays | 23 plays, most recently on 8/7/2018 |
Aerosmith – Blind Man
The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s then-current greatest hits package picked up 4 new listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 plays | 8 plays | 12 plays, most recently on 11/9/2018 |
Real McCoy – Another Night
Ranked as both the 63rd best single of 1994 and the 6th best of 1995, the international dance hit doubled its total since last we checked.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 5 plays | 10 plays, most recently on 10/11/2018 |
Warren G – Do You See
The Warren G release, which failed to make the Top 40 in the US, hasn’t been heard in 2 1/2 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 plays | 3 plays | 4 plays, most recently on 7/1/2016 |
Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon
The Neil Diamond cover, featured on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, added 5 additional plays over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 plays | 13 plays | 23 plays, most recently on 11/14/2018 |
Side B
Book 10 (of 52) – The Forgotten Hours
The Forgotten Hours – Katrin Schumann
The Forgotten Hours, the debut novel from Katrin Schumann, tells the story of Katie Gregory, a young woman whose childhood was upended one summer when her father was accused of raping her best friend. With her father about to be paroled, Katie decides to get to the bottom of what happened, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about her family, friends, and herself.
I have no idea how I acquired this book, but I’m glad I did. Schumann put together an interesting tale with enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. I will certainly be on the lookout for her next work, whenever that comes.
Fitbit V: Week 12
Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 15
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.
Volume 15 takes us into through the summer of 1994 and into the fall and my junior year of college. The song selection is, again, mostly alternative with some west coast gangsta rap.
Side A
Frente! – Labour Of Love
Originally recorded via Chicago’s new rock alternative, Q101, the hit from Marvin! The Album picked up a single additional listen after going unheard for nearly 3 1/2 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 plays | 16 plays | 17 plays, most recently on 10/20/2018 |
Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
Ranked at #19 by Pitchfork Media on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s, the mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company increased its play total by 4 over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 plays | 25 plays | 29 plays, most recently on 10/9/2018 |
Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse
Released as a hidden track on the AIDS-benefit compilation album No Alternative, the posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle added 7 new listens since last we checked.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 plays | 11 plays | 18 plays, most recently on 9/23/2018 |
Warren G – This D.J.
Peaking at #9 on the Billboard charts, the second single from the rapper’s debut album added 6 new listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 plays | 4 plays | 10 plays, most recently on 10/11/2018 |
Cracker – Eurotrash Girl
The hidden track, originally recorded off the radio via Q101, picked up 5 additional listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 plays | 13 plays | 18 plays, most recently on 7/31/2017 |
Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song
Named the 58th best hard rock song of all time by VH1, the latest hit from STP added 17 new listens over the past 3 years, aided in part by the death of singer Scott Weiland late in 2015.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 plays | 5 plays | 22 plays, most recently on 11/29/2018 |
Gin Blossoms – Allison Road
Peaking at #20 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, the Gin Blossoms hit added 6 new listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 plays | 13 plays | 19 plays, most recently on 8/28/2018 |
Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)
The first single from Weezer, which hit #6 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, added 11 new listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 plays | 13 plays | 24 plays, most recently on 6/12/2018 |
Side B
Fitbit V: Week 11
Another Mix Tape Monday – Volume 14
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.
Volume 14 takes us into the early summer of 1994, following the end of my sophomore year of college. The song selection continues to be mostly alternative, with a little G-funk added for flavor.
Side A
Stone Temple Pilots – Big Empty
This entry from The Crow soundtrack picked up an additional 12 listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 5 plays | 17 plays, most recently on 11/30/2018 |
Aerosmith – Crazy
A 5 play increase for the final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 plays | 18 plays | 23 plays, most recently on 11/19/2018 |
Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
Winner of the Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy and nominated for Best Rock Song, the band’s biggest commercial hit picked up 8 plays over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 5 plays | 13 plays, most recently on 12/11/2018 |
Green Day – Longview
The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream, hitting #1 on the Alternative Songs chart, doubled its number of listens over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 7 plays | 14 plays, most recently on 8/25/2018 |
Hole – Miss World
Hitting #13 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience picked up 8 additional listens over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 plays | 14 plays | 22 plays, most recently on 8/20/2018 |
Pearl Jam – Dissident
The song, which peaked at #3 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, more than doubled its listens over the previous 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 plays | 8 plays | 17 plays, most recently on 7/10/2018 |
Sarah McLachlan – Possession
Inspired by letters written to McLachlan by two deranged fans, the 27th biggest hit of 1994 on the Alternative songs chart added a paltry 3 plays to its total over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 plays | 4 plays | 7 plays, most recently on 12/6/2018 |