Ever heard a filmtrack, wanted to buy something you hear three seconds of but been unable to identify it ? This page is an attempt to provide a reference guide to the huge number of music tracks which appear in the film Empire Records. This list corresponds to the version of the film on the 'Collector's Edition' DVD. That version doesn't really make sense (they strung together all the shots they had and didn't worry about the plot) but it's the most inclusive version. It's not complete because I can't identify some of the tracks. However, what I do know is here. I hope it helps someone track down some music they like from the film.
While I'm here I'd just like to point out something. There's one quote from the film which I see all over the net:
I do not regret the things I have done,
but those I did not do.
It's a very good quote. It's a wonderful quote. But it didn't originate with the film. The nearest I've found is by Zachary Scott:
As you get older, you'll find the only things you regret
are the things you didn't do.
But there's also Sidney J. Harris:
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time;
it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
I grant you that the phrasing used in the film is shortest, and therefore has the most impact.
Simon Slavin
| Character |
Says/Does |
Track
Name |
Artist |
| Opening credits | The Honeymoon is over | The Cruel Sea | |
| ?? | The obedience of a Saint | ... can change the course of history ? | The Dirt Clods |
| Lucas | The time to hesitate is through. | I Don't Want to Live Today | Ape Hangers |
| Lucas | I wonder if I'll be held responsible for this. | ? | incidental ? |
| Joe | Dammit ! Lucas ! | Hey Joe | The Dirt Clods |
| Corey | Happy Rex Manning Day ! | 'Til I hear it from you | Gin Blossoms |
| Mark | Naa haa ! | Seems | Queen Sarah Saturday |
| Joe | Rex Manning Day. | Say no more (mon amore) | 'Maxwell Caulfield' |
| Gina | "To the number one in her class" | Nice Overalls | Lustre |
| Mark | [giggle] [kiss Madonna picture] | She Walks | Poster Children |
| Debra | cuts her hair | Free | The Matinis |
| Lucas | What's with today today ? | ? | incidental ? |
| Corey | Why'd ya do that ? | Sorry | Sybil Vane |
| Debra | Thank you. | I Shot the Devil | Suicidal Tendencies |
| Eddie | Little tribute, man ! | Money (That's What I Want) | Flying Lizards |
| Joe | We are all losers. Welcome to Music Town | Infinity | Mouth Music |
| Mark | Not on Rex Manning Day ! | Video Killed the Radio Star | The Buggles |
| Mark | I notice you didn't leave the couch | ? | ? |
| Lucas | Is that with a 'c' or a 'k' ? | Whole Lotta Trouble | Cracker |
| Mark | Shoplifter ! | Ready Steady Go | The Mieces |
| Corey | Revealing clothing ! | Thorn in my Side | Quicksand |
| Max | Let's go to work ! | Little Bastard | Ass Ponys |
| Max | I don't like the chair. | Say no more (mon amore) | 'Maxwell Caulfield' |
| Warren | messes with magnet | I Don't Know Why | Sacrilicious |
| Warren | Who glued these quarters down ? | Real | Anyone |
| Lucas | Berko ! | Counting Blue Cars | Dishwalla |
| Joe | Look, could you put this off 'till -- | If You Want Blood (You've Got It) | AC/DC |
| Michell | I own this place. | Circle of Friends | Better Than Ezra |
| Joe | I said I'll handle it. Okay ? | ? | ? incidental ? |
| A. J. | Corey | Romeo & Juliet | Dire Straits |
| Berko | Like your hair. | Crazy Life | Toad the Wet Sprocket |
| Joe | I'm already sorry. | The Ballad of El Goodo | Evan Dando |
| Corey | Thanks, Joe. Thanks a lot. | Snakeface | Throwing Muses |
| Max | You're a sweet girl. | What You Are | Drill |
| Max | Rock and Roll. | How | The Cranberries |
| A. J. | I didn't say anything. Forget it happened. | How | The Cranberries |
| Gina | I can tell you what colour and what kind. | A Girl Like You | Edwyn Collins |
| Debra | One for Miss Teen America | Liar | The Cranberries |
| A. J. | Debra, you're just in time. | Say no more (mon amore) | Maxwell Caulfield |
| Lucas | Superb. | Chew Toy | Fig Dish |
| Rex | What ? No applause ? | Peg Boy | Hardlight |
| Berko | She quit, pal. | ? | ? |
| Corey | It's not gonna be fine. | Fitz of Depression | Power Shack |
| Debra | So I guess nobody really has it all together. | Bright as Yellow | The Innocence Mission |
| Mark | Eating brownies | Saddam a Go-go | Gwar |
| Mark | Gwar ! | Rock 'n' Roll/EGA | Daniel Johnston |
| Jane | D'ya need a new night manager ? | ? | ? |
| Lucas | Death is in the cards | ? | ? |
| Eddie | I'll do anything for you, Deb. | Tomorrow | Mouth Music |
| Debra | Jesus. I hate this funeral. | Here it comes again. | Please |
| Gina | I don't have the guts to even audition. | Surround You | Billy White Trio |
| A. J. | Warren, Get out the store. | Backdown Blues | Loose Diamonds |
| Warren | Good try, A. J.. | L. A. Girl | Adolescents |
| Jane | Here's six hundred dollars | ? | ? incidental ? |
| Mark | Damn the man. Save the Empire. | Plowed | Sponge |
| Joe | Mitch ? I quit. | Vinyl Advice | Dead Hot Workshop |
| Lucas | I knew you weren't happy. | Sugarhigh | Coyote Shivers |
| A. J. | I'm going to art school. | 'Til I hear it from you | Gin Blossoms |
| Closing credits | This is The Day | The The | |
| Eddie/Mark | [talk about bands] | Free | The Matinis |
There are some tracks credited in the closing credits, or tracks which appear on the soundtrack CD, which I haven't been able to place in the above table.
| Dark and Brooding | Noah Stone | |
| Candy | Full Tilt Gonzo |