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