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 1 again, was started in 1989 when I was a sophomore and stretches to early 1990, and features a steady stream of hair metal, with a smattering of pop, rap and dance thrown in for good measure.

Side A

Warrant – Heaven

The massive hit that put Warrant on the map was taped off the radio, most likely from Z95.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 9/17/2011

Young MC – Bust A Move

Young MC’s one hit was taped from the cassingle.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 8/4/2011

New Kids Got Run Over By A Reindeer

Not a real song, but a bit from what I believe was the Welch & Woody morning show on Z95.

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name

The first “out of sequence” song was taped from my sister’s cassette.

iTunes stats: 5 plays 5/11/2011

B-52s –  Love Shack

Surprisingly, despite coming from the radio, it is the full version of the song, not the radio edit, unlike the MP3 I have today.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 6/29/2011

Paula Abdul – The Way That You Love Me

One of the lesser hits from Abdul’s debut was taped from my sister’s cassette.

iTunes stats: 0 plays

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting

Marx’s smash hit is another Z95 radio entry.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/31/2008

Side B

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