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 6 takes us through the end of high school, through the summer, and into the beginning of my freshman year of college. Sadly, this is not the original version of volume 6, which was lost after being borrowed by my sister for a party. The steady stream of hair metal and pop starts to become overtaken by alternative and hip-hop.
Side A
Genesis – I Can’t Dance
The second single from the 14th studio album from Genesis, which received a 1993 Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, nearly doubled its number of listens in the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 plays | 7 plays | 13 plays, most recently on 8/6/2018 |
Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You
Hitting #9 on the Billboard charts, the first hit for the California band put together a decent increase of 16 spins over the last 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 6 plays | 22 plays, most recently on 9/17/2018 |
Joe Public – Live and Learn
Ranked 16th on complex.com’s list of the best new jack swing songs of all time, the tune managed to double its plays since our last check.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 6 plays | 12 plays, most recently on 9/5/2018 |
Boyz II Men – Please Don’t Go
The final single from Cooleyhighharmony, which failed to crack the top 40, finally got a listen or 8 over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 plays | 0 plays | 8 plays, most recently on 8/3/2018 |
Def Leppard – Make Love Like A Man
The second single from Adrenalize, and the first video with new guitarist Vivian Campbell, nearly managed to double its plays over the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 6 plays | 11 plays, most recently on 8/30/2018 |
Guns N’ Roses – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
After going over 3 years without hearing the Bob Dylan cover, it picked up 5 new listens in the past 3 years.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 plays | 7 plays | 12 plays, most recently on 9/1/2018 |
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under The Bridge
The first appearance of “alternative” music on these collections, which became the 8th biggest single of 1992, nearly doubled its play total.
| 2012 | 2015 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 plays | 6 plays | 11 plays, most recently on 12/14/2018 |
