Soundtraxx: The Star Wars Edition
Welcome to the first installment of Soundtraxx, a new feature where we will countdown the best music in the world of action entertainment.
What better way to kick things off (especially given the date) than with the music from the Star Wars Universe… a franchise that will be celebrating its 45th Anniversary later this month! Joining me on this trip to a galaxy far, far away is my Bulletproof Action co-founder Chad Cruise, our resident Star Wars super fan Ryan Campbell and friend of the site Ian Garriott.
Without any further adieu, enjoy the countdown and May the Force Be With You!
Ian Garriott: The Cantina Band, what can I say? It’s Unique. It’s Funny. It’s Bouncy. It’s from the Outer Rim. It’s Perfect. It helps the bar patrons forget that they’re on a hopeless planet. The music is so good, the Modal Nodes only stop when someone loses an arm.
Chad Cruise: For new fans of the Star Wars Universe this might be the song that sets them off. It feels like something that would fit right into an old John Ford movie without batting an eye. The Mandalorian rocked our collective worlds with its entry into the greater Disneyfied Star Wars Universe and this is one of the songs that will be most remembered decades from now.
Ryan Campbell: While “Duel of the Fates” and “Battle of the Heroes” get most of the prequel love when it comes to music, “Across the Stars” is one that really stands apart. Beyond being the melodic theme for much of Padme and Anakin’s love story it has a tragic undertone that when used to underscore the doom that exists over their relationship it takes on a new meaning. As the song grows to an epic conclusion it goes beyond just a love song and becomes a feeling of foreboding as we all know what lies ahead for the two lovers. It’s really unlike anything else John Williams has done for Star Wars. As the kids say these days “it’s a whole vibe”.
Ryan Campbell: Speaking of foreboding… “Anakin’s Betrayal” (aka “Order 66”) is one of those classic Star Wars songs that just by listening to can make you feel the same emotion you would have if you were there watching the film. Decades of knowing what was coming for the Jedi all culminate in one moment, one command that ushers in an entirely new era. Many times since Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars has returned to this moment in The Clone Wars, in The Bad Batch and in Jedi Fallen Order. Every time it never ceases to bring the same emotions back and much of that is due to John Williams’s perfect score.
Ryan Campbell: Balls-out Epic Awesomeness is the only way to describe “Battle of the Heroes”. If Duel of the Fates set the tone “Battle of the Heroes” takes it to 11. Finally seeing Vader and Obi-Wan go toe to toe had so much pressure on it. The actors worked hard and were adamant that it had to live up to the hype and be the best battle ever. You can argue if it is a little overdone or not but with that score overtop and the emotion it delivers on every aspect. The part where Obi-Wan and Anakin spin their sabers around the other to finally connect at the same time makes me audibly pop still no matter how many times I watch it. The bellicose choir and the horns Williams brings here just create an absolute masterpiece of cinema score.
Chris the Brain: It is the music that accompanies my favorite scene from any of the Star Wars movies, a scene filled with life lessons and a scene stealing performance from Yoda, the Jedi Master! “Yoda and the Force” is exactly as advertised, I can see Yoda using The Force and the X-Wing emerging from the muck and the mire of the Dagobah swamp in my mind’s eye as the music builds… I have chills right now thinking about it… it’s magic.
Ryan Campbell: To me, “Binary Sunset” aka “The Force Theme” is the actual Star Wars theme. Since the iconic main theme never plays in the actual movie except in the credits “The Force Theme” is the glue that ties the entire series together. It’s like the Tatooine of songs, it’s been in every series and represents the soul of the franchise. Whether it’s Luke, Anakin or yes even Rey this theme is the hope, joy, and wonder of Star Wars wrapped up nicely. It’s also entirely adaptable in so many ways, you can strip it down and it is emotional or you can jazz it up really make it epic and it triggers a whole new feeling (check out Samuel Kim’s version to see what I mean). The two suns is an everlasting imprint of Star Wars and “The Force Theme” is playing right there behind it.
Ian Garriott: From a guy who has zero musical talent, but truly appreciates movie soundtracks, when I listen to the Star Wars Main Theme it brings a memory of excitement and definite action. I feel so much excitement that when I hear it in a movie theater I’m compelled to clap. I’m THAT guy.
Chris the Brain: If there is one song as synonymous with Star Wars as the “Main Title” theme, it would have to be “The Imperial March”. The song exudes power and instills fear, the perfect compliment to “The Dark Lord of the Sith” himself, Darth Vader. In my opinion there is no more badass theme in cinematic history than this masterpiece and it is one of the many things that The Empire Strikes Back brought to the table to take the Star Wars franchise to the next level. Honorable Mention to “Darth Vader’s Death” from Return of the Jedi that incorporates some of the iconic music from “The Imperial March” and slows it down to somber levels… the strings that play this beautiful music may as well be my heartstrings.
Chad Cruise: As the doors slowly open, revealing a hooded Darth Maul, a quiet hush could be heard across the crowd. It was the moment everyone had been waiting for. This new, exciting, and unique looking character who just so happened to be the most incredible saber fighter that we had seen to date. As “Duel of the Fates” starts ramping up and the light sabers whizz through the air, a collective audience held their breaths in awe of the epic majesty. A film franchise that had lasted for decades with characters whose names are famous throughout the world and this is the song that is most revered by our voters. It should say something about the talent of John Williams and the vision that he had when connecting his music to the stories and the characters. GOAT level stuff from a true master of his craft.
