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.
Last week, we finished up the last of the 20 volumes. The 287 songs from 144 different bands or performers have been played an average of just over 8.5 times each, according to my iTunes stats, up from just over 5 times 3 years ago. Let’s take one final look back at the bands and songs that made up my youth.
Most Played Song
30 – Veruca Salt – Seether
28 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
25 – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
22 – Motley Crue – Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
22 – Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise
22 – Cher with Beavis and Butthead – I’ve Got You Babe
22 – Great White – Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Most Played Song – Largest Total Increase
16 – Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
13 – Pearl Jam – Go
12 – 10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night
11 – Boyz II Men – It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye
11 – Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise
Most Played Song – Largest Percentage Increase
800% – REM – Bang and Blame
700% – Roxette – The Look
500% – Collective Soul – Gel
500% – Green Day – Geek Stink Breath
400% – 6 songs
Most Represented Band
11 – Poison
10 – Aerosmith
10 – Pearl Jam
7 – Def Leppard
7 – Guns N’ Roses