The Top Ten Best Star Wars Songs

Star Wars songs are extremely famous because of the acclaim the movie series has gotten and also with John Williams running the show, it’s bound to have lots of extremely deep and loved songs. Spotify has often dared to take the challenge of choosing the “best” and has always failed. In this post, I will complete what Spotify cannot.

This list is what I think are objectively the best Star Wars songs. I made a playlist on Spotify with several more great ones that didn’t make the top ten list or the honorable mentions list if you would like to check it out it is called “Greatest Hits Star Wars Playlist”

1. “Main Title/...” from the beginning of every 'Star Wars' movie (except solo films)

The song that is definitely the most important song is the main title theme that plays at the beginning of every Star Wars movie and also the end. This theme is beloved by all and rightly so because it is bombastic and brilliant. What makes it so fantastical in my PERSONAL opinion is Williams’ use of the quarter note triplet line incorporated in the middle.

2. “Cantina Band” from 'Episode IV: A New Hope'

This song is probably the catchiest song of all the Star Wars songs and also created its own genre. In the Star Wars universe, this music is categorized as “jizz.” “Cantina Band” is probably the most recognized and popular of all of the Star Wars songs and deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest Star Wars songs of all time.

3. “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)” from 'Episode IV: A New Hope'

John Williams is famous for his impeccable motif writing and this song is the best example of it. The Imperial theme that Williams creates is recognized by young and old and is also used throughout the Star Wars series and takes its own tone that is then translated into a similar style them of Kylo Ren’s theme in the modern series.

4. “Rey’s Theme” from 'Episode VII: The Force Awakens'

Now this may have been a recent addition to the Star Wars universe but this song/theme is so well done it deserves to be high on this list. This song truly defined the character of Rey in the way that the force theme helped flesh out Luke to us in the original series. It has a familiar yet freshness that was not only perfect for this new movie but also perfect to not stray from what old fans are used to.

5. “Duel of the Fates” from 'Episode I: The Phantom Menace'

“Duel of the Fates” is a extremely dramatic song that is certainly the best from the prequel series. The use of dynamics and vocals in this song truly define the mood and energy of this song. The beauty of this song also is how repetitive it truly is but it can send completely different messages based on where in the song you are at.

6. “Yoda’s Theme” from 'Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'

Again Williams is so brilliant with his use of motifs and leitmotifs within this song. This song not only defines the character through motifs by using the force motif showing the strong bond between Yoda and the force but also with instrumentation and it’s tone. One can’t help but feel serene and calm while listening to this song filled with lilting harp and flute.

7. “Across the Stars” from 'Episode II: Attack of the Clones'

Williams’ love themes aren’t as strong as some of his other themes but still soar above all other love themes there are. While Anakin and Padmé’s love theme may have been the strongest thing about their love that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve the recognition. It hits a tone in us of bittersweetness and also has a feel of older times in the way the melody is constructed thus reflecting the movie and the relationship excellently.

8. “Rogue One” From Stand Alone Film, 'Rogue One'

This song does a great job of using themes introduced in the original movies and rearranging them around a bit so they sound different. It also has a great mood and militaristic feel that illustrates the scene brilliantly. Shoutout to Michael Giacchino who wrote the Rogue One soundtrack. It’s got to be hard to fill the shoes of John Williams.

9. “The Throne Room/End Title” from 'Episode IV: A New Hope'

If there is a song that better captures victory, I truly invite you to share it with me because this song does such a phenomenal job of capturing that feeling of absolute bliss and accomplishment in my opinion. I put this song farther down on the list because the end title part has several themes/ideas/songs I’ve already named.

10. “The Jedi Steps and Finale” from 'Episode VII: The Force Awakens'

The theme that is introduced in this song is such a mysterious idea that it just draws you in inviting you to find out its secrets. This song has such a powerful presence in the movie and also in the soundtrack as it is one of the strongest songs in both. Williams creates interest in the next movie by introducing us to a new theme and also giving us the "Binary Sunset" theme at the end to go into the main theme. This is lower in the list for the same reason as “The Throne Room/End Title”

Honorable Mentions for the list:

“March of the Resistance”

“Guardian of the Whills Suite”

“Imperial Attack”

“The Rebellion is Reborn”

“Princess Leia’s theme”