Tag / Mix Tape

by admin

Mix Tape Monday – January 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.

The first CD I burned, in January of 2001, had multiple versions, and this is the one I kept for myself.  It contains a mix of current and old hits, along with some radio bits.  Of course, my song selection was limited at the time to the CDs and few MP3s I had on hand.

Offspring – Original Prankster

The latest hit from the Offspring kicked things off for this disc.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 4/25/2011

Soul Coughing – Super Bon Bon

A minor hit from 1996 for the band from New York.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/24/2012

Mexican Cheerleader – Our Party

This tune was included to introduce my friend Scott to some local punk music.  I don’t think it did much for him.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 9/17/2011

Howard Stern Show Parody – Dancing In Their Sheets

There was a song parody contest on the Howard Stern Show in 2000 and this ode to racism was one of the finalists.

Crew Cuts – Sh-Boom

Seeing as how I just bought this song from the iTunes store last week, I have no idea where I had gotten it from nearly 12 years ago.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 11/5/2012

Faith Hill – Breathe

Country’s cross-over into pop was big early in the century, and this was one of the bigger hits.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/26/2012

The Corrs – Breathless

The lasses from Ireland had their first big American pop hit at the time.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 11/9/2012

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Tape #1

Earlier this year, we looked at the 20 volumes of mix tapes that I had made between 1989 and 1995, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD.  In addition to those, I had 2 tapes that consisted of songs that I liked, but, for differing reasons, did not make it to the main set.  I thought it would be fun to take another look back at those two cassettes, how much I listen to those songs now, and why they did not qualify for the main set of mix tapes.

 

Side A

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Soul To Squeeze

This song was from the Coneheads soundtrack, released in 1993.  I’m not sure what held the song back, as it ranks high today in my list of favorite Chili Pepper songs.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 8/29/2011

Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion

At some point, I stopped putting old songs on the main series of mix tapes and shunted them off to this collection.  This Aerosmith hit, originally released in the 70s, was re-released as the single from the Pandora’s Box boxset.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 6/17/2012

EMF – Unforgettable

The one hit from EMF certainly should have made it to the main series of tapes.  Maybe I just never got it recorded until it was too late?

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 9/1/2011

REM – Drive (Live)

This live version of the debut single from Automatic For The People was recorded for Greenpeace.

Stone Temple Pilots – Plush

One thing I did notice was that for bands I ended up reallly liking, like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and STP, their first breakthrough hit did not make it on to my favorites tapes.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 10/13/2010

Motley Crue – Kickstart My Heart

Again, not sure why this wouldn’t have made it to the main tapes, unless it came out before those tapes started.  The timing would have been close.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 6/17/2012

REM – Stand

The title song from the Chris Elliot show Get A Life would have pre-dated the other collection of favorite songs.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 7/13/2012

Guns N’ Roses – Patience

With the overwhelming success of Appetite For Destruction, a quickie EP was released with previously released material and this song, which would have come out right around the time the other series of tapes was starting off.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Van Halen – Jump

Since this song came out in 1984, it was relegated to this backup tape as opposed to the main stream.

iTunes stats: 17 plays, most recently on 10/2/2012

Def Leppard – Bringin’ On The Heartbreak

This Def Leppard song easily pre-dates my collection of favorite songs, as it came out in the early 1980s.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

Side B

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 20

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.

We wrap up with Volume 20, which stretches over late 1995 and the fall semester of the first of my two senior years of college.  At some point, I noticed that the tape players on my boom box were slowing down and apparently could not be repaired, which spelled the end for these collections.

Side A

Smashing Pumpkins – Bullet With Butterfly Wings

The first single from the Pumpkins double album opus was taped off the radio via what I assume was Q101.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

Melissa Etheridge – Your Little Secret

The first single from Melissa Etheridge’s underperforming followup to her smash hit album was taped off the radio from an undetermined station.

Lisa Loeb – Do You Sleep

Lisa Loeb’s latest was taped off the radio, also from an undetermined station.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/27/2011

Goo Goo Dolls – Name

The first hit for the Goo Goo Dolls appears to have been taped off a CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/21/2012

Collective Soul – The World I Know

The latest middling hit from Collective Soul was taped off Q101.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 6/2/2012

Edwyn Collins – A Girl Like You

The hit from the Empire Records soundtrack was taped off the radio thanks to Q101.

iTunes stats: Never played

Garbage – Queer

The breakthrough hit for Shirley Manson and the boys was taped off Chicago’s new rock alternative.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/21/2012

Side B

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by admin

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

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 18

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 18 covers the summer of 1995 and the lead up to the first of my two senior years of college.

Side A

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

The Led Zeppelin cover was taped off the radio courtesy of, I assume, Q101.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/30/2012

PJ Harvey – Down By The Water

The surprise mainstream hit for the indie darling was taped off the radio from Q101.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/15/2012

REM – Strange Currencies

The latest from the Athens, GA boys was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Live – All Over You

Live’s latest was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011

Soul Asylum – Misery

The latest from Soul Asylum was taped off the radio from Q101.

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

Collective Soul – December

Collective Soul’s latest was also recorded from Chicago’s new rock alternative.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/24/2010

Elastica – Connection

Elastica’s hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 5/25/2012

Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat

The solo release from Juliana Hatfield was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/22/2010

Side B

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by admin

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

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 16

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

iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 5/24/2012

Live – I Alone

The Live hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/24/2012

Deadeye Dick – New Age Girl

The one hit wonder was acquired via Lafayette’s hit music station, 96.5 WAZY.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/15/2012

Nirvana – About A Girl

The unplugged performance was also recorded from the good folks at WAZY.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 5/17/2012

Aerosmith – Blind Man

The extra B-side thrown onto Aerosmith’s latest greatest hits package was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/9/2011

Real McCoy – Another Night

The international dance hit was taped off the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 1/11/2009

Warren G – Do You See

The Warren G release was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: Never played

Urge Overkill – Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon

The Neil Diamond cover was taped off the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/13/2011

Side B

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by admin

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

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by admin

Mix Tape Monday – Volume 14

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 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

The entry from The Crow soundtrack was taped off the radio, from what I’m guessing was the new Rock 103.5.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 10/2/2010

Aerosmith – Crazy

The final installment of the Alicia Silverstone video trilogy, now with extra Liv Tyler, was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun

The big hit for Soundgarden was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 3/17/2012

Green Day – Longview

The “debut” that pushed Green Day into the mainstream was taped off the radio, specifically Q101.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 3/30/2011

Hole – Miss World

The introduction of Courtney Love to a mainstream audience was taped off the radio, again from Q101.

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

Pearl Jam – Dissident

The latest from Pearl Jam was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/19/2012

Sarah McLachlan – Possession

The first hit for Sarah McLachlan was taped off what must have been a cassingle.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 3/31/2012

Side B

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by jim

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

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