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"Empire" is a song by the heavy metal band Queensrÿche, appearing on their 1990 album Empire. The lyrical content of the song warns of a foreboding and unstoppable "Empire" of drug trafficking within the United States and its related crimes, that will inevitably lead to the breakdown of civility in American society.

"Empire"
Single by Queensrÿche
from the album Empire
Released	September 1990
Recorded	Spring 1990
Genre	Heavy metal[1][2][3] progressive rock[4]
Length	5:24
Label	EMI USA
Songwriter(s)	Geoff Tate Michael Wilton
Producer(s)	Peter Collins
Queensrÿche singles chronology
"Last Time in Paris" (1990) "Empire" (1990) "Best I Can" (1990)
Audio sample
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Music video
"Empire" on YouTube

Known as a fan favorite, the group has played the song often live, doing so over a thousand times as of April 2016, and the track is the band's second most played song in its setlist history. It is exceeded only by "Eyes of a Stranger".[5]

Track listing

7" single

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Empire" (radio edit)	5:07

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Scarborough Fair"	3:53

12" single

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Empire" (radio edit)	5:07

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Scarborough Fair"	3:53
2.	"Prophecy"	3:58

CD single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Empire" (radio edit)	5:12
2.	"Scarborough Fair"	3:50
3.	"Prophecy"	3:59
4.	"Della Brown"	7:03

Chart performance

Chart (1990–91)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA Charts)[6]	150
UK Singles[7][8]	61
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock[9]	22

Personnel

• Geoff Tate – lead vocals
• Chris DeGarmo – rhythm guitar
• Michael Wilton – lead guitar
• Eddie Jackson – bass guitar
• Scott Rockenfield – drums

Additional personnel

• Randy Gane – message left on answering machine

References

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