* HilariousInHindsight: Cliff gets a rock critic review that says he's terrible, but his [[Music/PearlJam backing band]] is pretty good.
** Cliff also mentions that his generation did not produce its defining song yet. Before the film even reached theatres Music/{{Nirvana}} released 'Smells like Teen Spirit'.
* RetroactiveRecognition:
** Creator/PaulGiamatti, in one of his first roles, plays the guy making out with a woman loudly while Steve and Linda are on the restaurant.
** Creator/JeremyPiven is the cashier who recognizes Steve.
** Creator/AllyWalker is Debbie's roommate Pam.
** Creator/VictorGarber is the guy Debbie ends up with.
* SophomoreSlump: Creator/CameronCrowe began making this film hot off the success of his first directing effort, ''Film/SayAnything'', but ''Singles'' was released to only [[SoOkayItsAverage moderate success and lukewarm reviews]]. He'd get his mojo back with the one-two punch of ''Film/JerryMaguire'' and ''Film/AlmostFamous''.
* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Counting the ways:
** Grunge and alt-rock is everywhere.
** Flannel is practically a dress code requirement (although somewhat TruthInTelevision in Seattle to this day).
** The dating service that Debbie uses involves VHS tapes instead of any variety of video disc or the Internet.
** Reference is made to building airplanes, as Boeing used to be by far the largest employer in the Seattle area (Boeing since has left the area; tech companies such as Creator/{{Nintendo}}, Microsoft, and Amazon are the local heavyweights now).
** Steve's friend Bailey storing phone numbers on his watch, as opposed to a cell phone.
----