Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 19

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 19 stretches from late summer 1995 and into the fall semester of the first of my two senior years of college.  Again, it mostly features what was considered alternative music, with Coolio interjecting some street flavor for good measure.

Side A

Tripping Daisy – I Got A Girl

The one hit for Tripping Daisy managed to double its number of plays in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 7/22/2015

Foo Fighters – This Is A Call

The debut for Dave Grohl’s new venture earned a relatively paltry 4 additional plays in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 13 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 4/2/2015

Pearl Jam – Whipping

The final appearance of Pearl Jam, which I barely even recall, picked up 2 listens in the past 3 years, none in nearly 2.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 9/7/2013

Hootie and the Blowfish – Only Wanna Be With You

Hootie’s ode to, among other things, the Miami Dolphins added 3 new listens in the past 3 years, despite not having been heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 6/8/2014

Elastica – Stutter

The follow up from Elastica picked up 2 listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 2/10/2015

Cranberries – Ridiculous Thoughts

2 listens for the latest from the Cranberries in the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/2/2015

Green Day – J.A.R.

3 new listens for Green Day’s contribution to the Angus soundtrack.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Alanis Morissette – Hand In My Pocket

The second release from the juggernaut that was Jagged Little Pill tripled its number of listens in the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 3 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 1/15/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited – Volume 15

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. Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to. Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 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

The hit from Marvin! The Album picked up an impressive 6 additional listens over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 4/29/2015

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

The mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company nearly tripled its total for an amazing 16 play increase.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 25 plays, most recently on 6/23/2015

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

A modest 2 listen increase for this posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/14/2013

Warren G – This D.J.

An infinite increase for the lesser-received follow up to Regulate.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 7/3/2015

Cracker – Eurotrash Girl

The hidden track picked up 3 additional listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 10 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 2/10/2015

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song

The latest hit from STP added 4 new listens over the past 3 years, despite not being heard in over a year.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/3/2010

2015 iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 7/1/2014

Gin Blossoms – Allison Road

The Gin Blossoms latest nearly doubled its total over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 7 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/8/2015

Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)

The debut hit from Weezer added 4 new listens over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 9 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 4/14/2015

Side B

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Mix Tape Monday Revisited– Volume 11

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.  Three years ago, we looked back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listened to.  Today, we revisit those mix tapes and see how things have changed in the last 3 years.

Volume 11 takes us late into 1993 and my sophomore year of college.  It features mostly alternative and hip-hop hits, with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Shai – Baby I’m Yours

A modest 2-play increase for the last time anybody ever heard from Shai.

2012 iTunes stats: 5 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 11/7/2013

Tears For Fears – Break It Down Again

The comeback hit for the 80s sensation managed a small increase over the past 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 12/29/2014

Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes

I came to the conclusion that this is not a very good song when I last heard it in January.

2012 iTunes stats: Never played

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 1/9/2015

4 Non Blondes – Spaceman

A doubling of the number of listens for the minor follow up hit to What’s Up.

2012 iTunes stats: 2 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 9/17/2014

Pearl Jam – Go

The first hit from Pearl Jam’s second album more than tripled its number of listens, thanks mostly to being used as Paul Konerko’s walkup music during his final season.

2012 iTunes stats: 6 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 19 plays, most recently on 5/12/2015

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

Nirvana’s first release from their final studio album more than doubled its number of plays over the last 3 years.

2012 iTunes stats: 4 plays

2015 iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/24/2014

Radiohead – Stop Whispering

A small increase for the lesser known follow up to the smash Creep.

2012 iTunes stats: 1 play

2015 iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/7/2013

Side B

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iTunes Top 100 Artists: #72-80

itunes_image

My latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 2 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 100 artists that I’ve listened to as of 8/21/2013, according to iTunes. Today we look at the the the next batch, numbers 72-80, which includes a few comedians along with the usual favorites.

#72: Smash Mouth

iTunes stats: 33 plays

4 songs make up this total for the band from northern California.

#72: The Strokes

iTunes stats: 33 plays

The alternative band from New York makes the list thanks to 5 songs, including one mash-up with Christina Aguilera.

#74: The Rolling Stones

iTunes stats: 32 plays

The boys from Britain use 9 different tunes to make up this total.

#74: Warrant

iTunes stats: 32 plays

The hair band superstars use 6 different songs to make the list.

#76: Fiona Apple

iTunes stats: 31 plays

The first appearance by someone I have seen perform live, Apple makes the list thanks to 5 different songs.

#76: The Crystal Method

iTunes stats: 31 plays

The theme from Bones places the Crystal Method this high all by its lonesome.

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Mix Tape Monday – December 2001

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.

This is the first CD I burned in a post 9/11 world, and some of the songs on here were affected by the events of that fateful day.  This edition included new hits from Ozzy Osbourne, Bush, No Doubt, Pink, and Britney Spears.

Ozzy Osbourne – Gets Me Through

A few short months before the reality show that would change the world’s perception of him, Ozzy released this first track from his new album.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/29/2012

Bad Religion – Infected

I saw Bad Religion opening for Pearl Jam at Soldier Field back in 1995.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 11/7/2012

Bush – Speed Kills

The comback attempt by Bush was retitled The People That We Love following 9/11, since the original title was deemed inappropriate.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/29/2011

Garbage – Shut Your Mouth

The third release from Garbage’s third release.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 8/10/2012

Blondie – One Way Or Another

The new wave hit from 1979 was used as the theme song for the television show Snoops.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/21/2010

Remy Zero – Somebody Save Me

The theme song from Smallville is likely the only Remy Zero song anyone knows.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/1/2012

Atomic Kitten – Eternal Flame

The British girl group had a minor hit with this cover of the Bangles classic.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 11/18/2012

Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me

The first hit from the band from Nashville via Texas.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/17/2012

The Strokes – Last Night

The debut album from The Strokes was slated to be released on the Tuesday after 9/11 with a song featuring the lyric “New York City Cops, they ain’t too smart.”  The album was delayed and the song was removed from the American version of the album.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/24/2012

Sublime – Date Rape

The hit that pushed the ska rockers out of LA and into the national consciousness.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/17/2011

Continue reading →

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 19

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 19 stretches from late summer 1995 and into the fall semester of the first of my two senior years of college.  Again, it mostly features what was considered alternative music, with Coolio interjecting some street flavor for good measure.

Side A

Tripping Daisy – I Got A Girl

The one hit for Tripping Daisy was taped off the radio courtesy of Q101.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/2/2011

Foo Fighters – This Is A Call

The debut for Dave Grohl’s new venture was taped off Q101.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 10/10/2011

Pearl Jam – Whipping

Pearl Jam’s latest was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Hootie and the Blowfish – Only Wanna Be With You

Hootie’s ode to, among other things, the Miami Dolphins was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 8/28/2009

Elastica – Stutter

The follow up from Elastica was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Cranberries – Ridiculous Thoughts

The latest from the Cranberries was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Green Day – J.A.R.

Green Day’s contribution to the Angus soundtrack was taped off the radio, likely Q101.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 10/11/2011

Alanis Morissette – Hand In My Pocket

The second release from the juggernaut that was Jagged Little Pill was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/31/2011

Side B

Continue reading →

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 17

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 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

The latest from Courtney Love and company was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 2/7/2011

Cranberries – Twenty One

The latest from the Irish lads and lass was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Veruca Salt – Number One Blind

The latest from Chicago’s indie darlings was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Stone Temple Pilots – Unglued

The latest from STP was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 8/19/2011

Pearl Jam – Better Man

The latest from the grunge superstars was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/19/2012

Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night

The posthumous unplugged hit for the Seattle rockers was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 4/23/2012

Weezer – No One Else

Weezer’s latest was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/23/2012

Offspring – What Happened To You?

The Offspring’s latest was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012

Side B

Continue reading →

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 15

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 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

The hit from Marvin! The Album was recorded via Chicago’s new rock alternative, Q101.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 4/20/2012

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

The mesmerizing tune from Hope Sandoval and company was taped off WKQX Chicago.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

Nirvana – Verse Chorus Verse

The posthumous B-side from the trio from Seattle was, again, obtained from Q101.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/1/2012

Warren G – This D.J.

The follow up to Regulate was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Cracker – Eurotrash Girl

The hidden track was taped off Q101.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011

Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song

STP’s latest was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 10/3/2010

Gin Blossoms – Allison Road

The Gin Blossoms latest was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 3/19/2012

Weezer – Undone (The Sweater Song)

The debut hit from Weezer was taped off Q101.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 5/3/2012

Side B

Continue reading →

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 13

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 13 takes us into late spring of 1994 and my the end of my sophomore year of college. The song selection is now mostly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop hits to go along with it., with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Alice In Chains – No Excuses

The Alice in Chains hit was taped off the radio, possibly 93.5 KHY, Lafayette’s rock station.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/6/2012

Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm

The follow up to Today was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/1/2011

Counting Crows – Mr. Jones

The debut smash for the Counting Crows was taped off 96.5, WAZY.

iTunes stats: Never played

The Cranberries – Dreams

The Cranberries big hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/13/2011

Jodeci – Cry For You

The Jodeci hit was taped off the radio with no indication of what station.

iTunes stats: Never played

Julianna Hatfield Three – Spin The Bottle

The hit from Reality Bites was taped off the radio courtesy of Q101.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 10/9/2011

Aerosmith – Dueces Are Wild

Aerosmith’s contribution to the Beavis and Butthead album was taped off the radio, again with no identifying bumpers or DJs.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 10/9/2011

Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita

The minor Gin Blossoms hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/30/2011

Continue reading →

Mix Tape Tuesday – Volume 11

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 11 takes us late into 1993 and my sophomore year of college.  It features mostly alternative and hip-hop hits, with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Shai – Baby I’m Yours

The follow up hit for Shai was taped off the radio, most likely B96.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 7/5/2011

Tears For Fears – Break It Down Again

The comeback hit for the 80s sensation was taped off the radio, most likely Lafayette’s hit music station, 96.5 WAZY.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Bell Biv Devoe – Something In Your Eyes

The non-hit from the second BBD album was taped of the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

4 Non Blondes – Spaceman

The minor follow up hit to What’s Up was taped off the radio, WAZY to be exact.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/19/2012

Pearl Jam – Go

The first hit from Pearl Jam’s second album was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 12/28/2010

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

The first hit from Pearl Nirvana’s second album was taped off the radio, likely Q101.

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

Radiohead – Stop Whispering

The follow up to the smash Creep was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/31/2008

Side B

Continue reading →