April 8 is Rex Manning Day! Celebrate with the Empire Records soundtrack

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1995 saw the debut of “Empire Records,” a drama about growing up, which initially struggled at the box office but eventually amassed a dedicated fanbase. Directed by Allan Moyle, best known for “Pump Up the Volume,” this film boasts an impressive ensemble cast and a music-filled soundtrack.

Every year on April 9th, enthusiasts of that particular film mark the occasion known as Rex Manning Day by re-watching it and re-listening to its soundtrack. This special day is depicted within the movie itself, which takes place in a local record store named Empire Records.

1980s pop star Rex Manning, played by Maxwell Caulfield, appears for a signing event at the shop, causing a bit of frustration among staff members who were not around during his peak years.

Empire Records soundtrack is tremendous

In an interview after the movie’s premiere, Ethan Embry, who played a role in it, reveals that April 8th was selected as Rex Manning’s visit date to Empire because on that same day in April, we tragically lost our 90s music icon, Kurt.

The movie opens with employees discovering that their store is going to be taken over by the ominous Music Town chain, sparking the rallying cry, “Down with the boss! Save our Empire!” The story then unfolds in a single day, following a motley crew as they strive to rescue their cherished store.

Although Empire Records flopped at the box office with just $150,800 in earnings during its debut weekend, it has since amassed a loyal fanbase. Moreover, this film played a significant role in catapulting various cast members to stardom. Some of the notable actors from this movie include Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazar, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Robin Tunney, Renée Zellweger, and Liv Tyler.

As a die-hard gamer immersed in the world of Empire Records, I can’t help but appreciate the remarkable soundtrack that accompanied this flick. The responsibility of making it a hit fell on Mitchell Leib, the music supervisor for the movie, who had the daunting task of creating a soundtrack worthy of a record store, as Variety put it – a soundtrack that was “looking for its perfect match in a movie.

For Leib, this turn of events was particularly advantageous because his role involved delivering catchy tunes and a powerful soundtrack that would not just augment the overall experience of the movie, but also serve as a promotional tool to publicize the film and boost its initial release.

The success of the film’s main single, “Til I Hear It From You” by the Gin Blossoms, reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, thereby contributing to the album’s achievement. Additionally, two previously released songs were included in the album: “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins and “Ready, Steady, Go” by the Meices. Edwyn Collins’ single peaked at No. 32. In simpler terms, the hit song from the movie, “Til I Hear It From You,” helped make the album successful, while two other songs were already popular before being included in the album; one of these was “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins, which also became a hit.

1. The album featured Francis “Coyote” Shivers’ hit “Sugarhigh,” but the movie version deviated from the original to maintain a PG rating. The original song is included in the album. In the film, Renée Zellweger added new lyrics and vocals to the track. Zellweger played Gina in the movie, while Shivers, who was Liv Tyler’s stepfather at the time, portrayed Berko, the aspiring musician.

2. The album contained Francis “Coyote” Shivers’ song “Sugarhigh,” but the film version varied greatly from the original to secure a PG rating. The original track can be found on the album. In the movie, Renée Zellweger contributed new lyrics and vocals to the piece. Zellweger took on the role of Gina in the film, while Shivers, who was Liv Tyler’s stepfather during production, played Berko, the aspiring musician.

3. The album included Francis “Coyote” Shiver’s single “Sugarhigh,” but the cinematic version significantly deviated from the original to uphold a PG rating. The original song is part of the album. In the movie, Renée Zellweger contributed new lyrics and vocals to the track. Zellweger played Gina in the film, while Shivers, who was Liv Tyler’s stepfather at that time, portrayed Berko, the aspiring musician.

4. The album boasted Francis “Coyote” Shivers’ tune “Sugarhigh,” but the movie adaptation diverged substantially from the original to preserve a PG rating. The original song can be found on the album. In the film, Renée Zellweger lent new lyrics and vocals to the piece. Zellweger portrayed Gina in the movie, while Shivers, who was Liv Tyler’s stepfather during production, played Berko, the aspiring musician.

5. On the album, you’ll find Francis “Coyote” Shivers’ song “Sugarhigh,” but the movie version deviated from the original to ensure a PG rating. The original track is part of the album. In the film, Renée Zellweger contributed new lyrics and vocals to the piece. Zellweger played Gina in the movie, while Shivers, who was Liv Tyler’s stepfather at the time, portrayed Berko, the aspiring musician.

Among the notable bands showcased in the soundtrack are Better Than Ezra, Cracker, The Cranberries, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Evan Dando, who sings a cover of Big Star’s “The Ballad of El Goodo” with backup vocals by Liv Tyler.

The Empire Records soundtrack reached position #63 on the Billboard 200 album chart. In an interview, Leib shared, “I believe we managed to sell around 2 million copies, which is utterly astonishing for a film that earned just $147,000 at the box office.

Take a listen to the Empire Records soundtrack below.

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2025-04-08 13:02