The soundtrack features several covers. The
Cowboy Junkies' contribution to the soundtrack is a remake of a
Robert Johnson song, while the
Bad Brains and
Henry Rollins track is a cover of the
MC5 anthem
"Kick Out the Jams". "Stand" by Liquid Jesus is a new version of the
1969 song by
Sly & the Family Stone. Peter Murphy's exclusive track was later included on a special reissue of his 1988 album,
Love Hysteria, while
Sonic Youth's song appeared on their 1990 release,
Goo. An earlier version of
Soundgarden's "Heretic" appears on the 1985 Seattle band compilation album
Deep Six.
Concrete Blonde revisited "Everybody Knows" on their 2003 album,
Live in Brazil. The original, upbeat version of "Wave of Mutilation" appears on
Doolittle, the third studio album by
Pixies, while the UK Surf version was a B-side for a single from the album, "
Here Comes Your Man". A number of songs prominently featured in the film did not appear on the officially released soundtrack, including the original version of "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen, which appeared on his 1988 album, ''
I'm Your Man''. Although Cohen's version serves as the theme song for Mark's (
Christian Slater) pirate radio program during most of the film, he opens his final broadcast with the
Concrete Blonde cover that appears on the soundtrack. Another Cohen song appears briefly when Mark is talking about Malcom's suicide on the air. The song is "If It Be Your Will" from Cohen's 1984 release
Various Positions. Also present in the film but absent from the soundtrack are "Hello, Dad, I'm in Jail" by
Was (Not Was) from their 1988 album
What Up, Dog?, "Fast Lane" by
Urban Dance Squad from their 1990 album
Mental Floss for the Globe, "Weinerschnitzel" by
The Descendents from their 1981 EP
Fat, "Love Comes in Spurts" by
Richard Hell and the Voidoids from their 1977 album
Blank Generation, and "Talk Hard" by
Stan Ridgway. "Girls L.G.B.N.A.F." by
Ice-T is played on a boombox outside of the school by some boys. Not as prominently featured is a legendary early track by the
Beastie Boys entitled "The Scenario". Although the song appears only briefly in
Pump Up the Volume, it is notable because it never appeared in any official release. However, it is available on hard to find bootleg recordings. The song was cut from the Beastie's
Def Jam album
Licensed to Ill after being deemed too explicit.
Christian Slater's character explains this when he introduces it on the air saying, "Now here's a song from my close personal buddies, the Beastie Boys...a song that was so controversial they couldn't put it on their first album". == Track listing ==