The Emperor's Theme

The Emperor's Theme is a recurring musical theme of the Star Wars movies. It was composed by John Williams and first appeared in the film Return of the Jedi.

It is first heard in the scene when Palpatine arrives on the second Death Star, and later is heard in several scenes taking place in the Emperor's throne room. It is an incredibly dark vocal piece performed by a foreboding male choir, thematically representing the pure evil that is Palpatine.

In The Phantom Menace, the Emperor's Theme is heard whenever Darth Sidious speaks to Nute Gunray. Additionally, the ending music (Augie's Great Municipal Band) is merely a rehashing of the contour of The Emperor's Theme, albeit in major as opposed to its original minor key. This is most likely an attempt to give the viewer a subtle clue as to newly-elected Chancellor Palpatine's true identity as Darth Sidious. Incidentally, the composition has led to much fan speculation that Palpatine's first name is "Augie", though this has never been confirmed. However, it has recently been confirmed via the Official Site's Databank that the Augie referred to in the song's title is in fact Augara Jowil, the Gungan composer of the song.

In Attack of the Clones, the piece is heard in the Lars' garage scene where Anakin confesses to Padmé about his slaughter of the Tusken Raiders. It is also heard in the scene towards the end when Count Dooku approaches The Works on Coruscant and meets with Sidious.

The theme is most prevalent in Revenge of the Sith. It is played when Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan Kenobi discuss Palpatine's intentions prior to Yoda leaving for Kashyyyk; after Sidious bestows upon Anakin the title of Darth Vader, and when the Emperor rescues Vader from Mustafar.

In 1999, The Emperor's Theme was the background music for the television commercials for Vector Prime.

One of the musical pieces in Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, played during several stages, incorporates an up-tempo variation of the Emperor's theme as its bridge. The normal version of the theme is included as well and is played on the 'Game Over' screen.

In X-wing vs. TIE Fighter, part of the Emperor's theme is played after a mission failure.

A more-prominent version of the theme is played throughout the final level of Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, "Yavin–Final Showdown", and is continuously used in the duel against Desann.

A variant of the Emperor's Theme is the background music for both the main screen and the Korriban areas in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, it is also the background music onboard the Ravager in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. A segment of the Emperor's Theme is played whenever the player has gained a dark side point in the latter game. The Emperor's Theme plays during the mission briefing screens in Star Wars: Republic Commando.

Prior to the DVD re-release of the movies in 2004, there was speculation that the Emperor's Theme would be included in Palpatine's scene in The Empire Strikes Back

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars: Republic Commando
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars: TIE Fighter
 * Star Wars: X-wing vs. TIE Fighter
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
 * Vector Prime television commercial