Editing Star Wars Main Title

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{{Music
|image=[[File:Main_title.png]]
|title="Star Wars Main Title"
|composer=[[John Williams]]<ref name="ANHS">[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (soundtrack)|''A New Hope soundtrack'']]</ref>
|written=[[1977]]<ref name="ANHS" />
|recorded=
|release date=
|represents=The entire ''[[Star Wars]]'' saga, [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]]<ref name="ANHS" />
|performedby=*[[London Symphony Orchestra]]<ref name="ANHS" />
*[[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]]<ref name="SOTES" />
*[[City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra]]<ref name="TCWS" />
|genre=Film score<ref name="ANHS" />
|length=1:25<ref name="ANHS" />
|key=B-flat major<ref name="ANHS" />
|tempo=March (Majestic)<ref>''Music from the Original Trilogy''</ref><br />(𝅗𝅥 = 100)
|texture=
|timesig=2/2
|meter=
|mode=
|lyrics=
|soundtracks=
|movies=*All [[Star Wars saga|saga]] films and [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|TCW]] {{C|in opening crawl/sequence}}
*All saga films excluding [[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones|II]] {{C|as leitmotif}}
*All [[Star Wars Anthology Series|anthology]] films {{C|as leitmotif}}
*[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|III]], [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|IV]], [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|V]], [[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|VI]] {{C|as Luke Skywalker's theme}}
|EU=See [[Star Wars Main Title#In the EU|below]]
|canon=
|media={{Audio|MainTitle.ogg|ANH}}<br />{{Audio|MainTitle CW.ogg|TCW}}<br />{{Audio|MainTitle TPM.ogg|TPM}}
}}
{{Quote|When I thought of a theme for Luke and his adventures, I composed a melody that reflected the brassy, bold, masculine, and noble qualities I saw in the character|John Williams on writing the "Main Title"|<ref name="ANHS" />}}
The "'''Star Wars Main Title'''" is the [[Musical score|theme]] played at the beginning of every theatrically released ''[[Star Wars]]'' film so far and almost every other piece of Star Wars media (video games, TV series, etc.). The film scripts refer to this opening theme as "war drums." It was composed by [[John Williams]] and performed by the [[London Symphony Orchestra]]. It quickly became one of the most recognizable theatrical motifs in the history of film.

The "Main Title" segues directly into a piece created specifically for each film. These are: "The Arrival at Naboo" or "Boarding the Federation Battleship" ([[Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace|''Star Wars'': Episode I ''The Phantom Menace'']]); "Ambush on Coruscant" ([[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones|''Star Wars'': Episode II ''Attack of the Clones'']]); "The Revenge of the Sith" ([[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']]); "Rebel Blockade Runner" ([[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]), which goes on to quote the ending of "Mars" from Gustav Holst's "The Planets"; "The Ice Planet Hoth" ([[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']]); "Approaching the Death Star" ([[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|''Star Wars'': Episode VI ''Return of the Jedi'']]); "The Attack on the Jakku Village" ([[Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'']]). "Main Title and Escape" ([[Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi|Star Wars: Episode VIII ''The Last Jedi'']]). "Fanfare and Prologue" ([[Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker|Star Wars: Episode IX ''The Rise of Skywalker'']]).

The theme is described by John Williams as representing the ideas of heroism and adventure, both of which are prominent throughout the films. He used numerous musical phrases to accent certain steps in the hero cycle, depicting the tales of [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]], the protagonist in the [[original trilogy]]. He used mainly brass to give the theme a majestic feel.

The theme seems to appear in-universe during a celebration of [[Life Day/Legends|Life Day]], in which [[Leia Organa Solo|Princess Leia]] sings a tune similar to the theme.

==Conception and development==
[[John Williams]] was referred to [[George Lucas]] by [[Steven Spielberg]] to be the composer of the score for [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']] (at the time just called ''Star Wars''). When creating the main theme for the film, John Williams attempted to compose a piece with an "idealistic, uplifting but military flare [''sic''] to it." He wanted the theme to mainly feature the strong brass section of the [[London Symphony Orchestra]], as he himself played brass when he was young. He tried to set it in the most "brilliant register of the trumpets, horns and trombones" in order to have a "blazingly brilliant fanfare" at the start of the piece, and thus the score. He also did this in order to have the title contrast with the second theme which was more lyrical, adventurous, and romantic in style.<ref name="FSM">{{WebCite|url=http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/features/williams.asp|title=John Williams interview|author=Craig L. Byrd|nolive=1|archivedate=20110828070030}}</ref>

==Symbolism==
The "Main Title" is symbolic of many aspects of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' saga. The most prevelant of these would be the idea of heroism and adventure. The following phrases each represent a particular step toward heroism:

#Opening fifth=reaching upward
#Descending triplet=gathering strength for another try
#Triumphant lift to an octave above the opening note=attainment of the goal
#Repeating of last four notes=reassurance of achievement
#Rounding out of the phrase=task completed<ref name="ANHS" />

The theme is also used to represent the character [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]] in the [[original trilogy]].<ref name="ANHS" /> However, due to the non-existence of Luke at the time, the theme is not used for this purpose in the [[prequel trilogy]], neither in the [[sequel trilogy]] or in the [[Star Wars Anthology Series|Anthology films]].

The title is also referred to in the scripts as "war drums".<ref>{{WebCite|url=http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Star-Wars-A-New-Hope.html|title= STAR WARS Episode IV A NEW HOPE From the JOURNAL OF THE WHILLS (4th Draft)|work=Internet Movie Script Database|archivedate=20230326191004}}</ref>

==Summary==
{{Quote|It's in my mind a very simple, very direct tune that jumps an octave in a very dramatic way, and has a triplet placed in it that has a kind of grab|John Williams in an interview with filmscoremonthly.com|<ref name="FSM" />}}
The "Main Title" starts off as a fast and rather complicated phrase for the brass. After the short intro, the theme goes into the most recognized melody, with the trumpets playing. The strings come in after the trumpet melody is played twice. The strings play a calmer, more peaceful melody before the brass comes back in with the main melody. The melody plays through twice before the strings finish the theme with a fast, diminuendoing phrase.<ref name="ANHS" />

==Similarities with other compositions==
Many people claim that John Williams' scores for the ''Star Wars'' saga (mainly the Original Trilogy) are very similar to (or even plagiarized from) other composers' works. One such connection has been made between the "Star Wars Main Title" and the main theme from the [[Wikipedia:Golden Age|Golden Age]] film "[[Wikipedia:King's Row|King's Row]]" by [[Wikipedia:Erich Korngold|Erich Korngold]]. The two themes share similar melodies and orchestration, with the first eight notes being identical, though the last three in "King's Row" are played slower than in the "Main Title". The two melodies then go in different directions. The "Star Wars Main Theme" resembles many "heroic" melodies, such as the "Siegfried Horn Call" from Wagner's Ring Cycle. Sections of the motif can also be heard in Carl Nielsen's Fifth Symphony. Curiously, the London Symphony Orchestra, who recorded the Star Wars soundtrack, had recorded the first complete Nielsen Symphony cycle under Danish conductor Ole Schmidt just the year before Star Wars. Also of interest is the [[Wikipedia:Paramount Pictures|Paramount Pictures]] 'logo theme' which shares the first (and only) six notes of this theme in a faster, sped up version.

==Use==
===In the ''Star Wars'' movies===
[[File:ESBOpeningCrawl.png|thumb|left|250px|The opening crawl from [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']].]]
Aside from the [[opening crawl]], the "Main Title" also occurs within the films themselves, notably: as a faster, dramatic variant in [[Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace|''The Phantom Menace'']], when [[Qui-Gon Jinn/Legends|Qui-Gon Jinn]] and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi/Legends|Obi-Wan Kenobi]] fight [[B1-Series battle droid]]s aboard [[Saak'ak/Legends|''Saak'ak'']],<ref>[[Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace|''The Phantom Menace'']]</ref> when the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems/Legends|CIS]] and [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Republic]] armies charge towards each other in [[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones|''Attack of the Clones'']],<ref>[[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones|''Attack of the Clones'']]</ref> when Obi-Wan delivers Luke to Tatooine in [[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Revenge of the Sith'']],<ref>[[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Revenge of the Sith'']],</ref> during the chasm shootout in [[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''A New Hope'']],<ref>[[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''A New Hope'']]</ref> when [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke]] flees from the [[Wampa/Legends|wampa]] in [[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''The Empire Strikes Back'']],<ref>[[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''The Empire Strikes Back'']]</ref> when Luke fights [[Jabba Desilijic Tiure/Legends|Jabba the Hutt's]] thugs over the [[Sarlacc/Legends|sarlacc]] in [[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|''Return of the Jedi'']],<ref>{{Film|VI}}</ref> and again during Poe Dameron's trench run on Starkiller Base (part of Scherzo for the X-Wing's) in [[Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens|''The Force Awakens'']].<ref>''[[Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens|''Star Wars'': Episode VII ''The Force Awakens'']]''</ref>

In ''[[Rogue One: A Star Wars Story]]'' even if there isn't an opening crawl, the theme is present during the appearance of [[C-3PO]] and [[R2-D2]].

Although the film lacks an opening crawl, the theme makes appearances in the score for ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]''. Notably, these appearances include the first appearance of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' in the film, as well as the ship's escape from [[Maw Cluster|the Maw]].<ref name=":0">''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]''</ref>

===In the EU===
In [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'']] (both the film and the [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars|TV series]]), a shortened version with an altered rhythm appears as the main title sequence.<ref>[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars|''The Clone Wars'' series]]</ref><ref>[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|''The Clone Wars'' film]]</ref> It also appears in the episode [[Slaves of the Republic]] when Anakin signals R2-D2.<ref>{{TCW|Slaves of the Republic}}</ref>

This theme is also played during the opening crawl of almost all ''Star Wars'' video games. Commonly they use the original version, segueing directly into "Rebel Blockade Runner". A notable exception is the opening crawl of ''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]'', which features a version of "[[The Imperial March]]."<ref>''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]''</ref>

The theme appears in all three of the ''[[LEGO Star Wars]]'' games as well as all four ''[[Battlefront]]'' games. It makes an appearance in ''[[Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds]]'' along with [[Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns|its expansion pack]]. The theme is also played in ''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]'' and [[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast|''Jedi Outcast'']]. ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'' and [[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords|''The Sith Lords'']] contain the theme. The theme also makes an appearance in ''[[Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter]]'', ''[[Star Wars: Starfighter]]'', [[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (video game)|''Star Wars: Rogue Squadron'']], [[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (video game)|''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire'']], and [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (video game)|''Star Wars:The Clone Wars'']]. The title also appears in the ''The Clone Wars'' games [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes|''Republic Heroes'']], [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance|''Jedi Alliance'']], and [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels|''Lightsaber Duels'']].

The theme also appears in all the videogames published in 1970s and 1980s, but as many not connected notes.

[[Leia Organa Solo|Leia Organa]] sings a [[A Day to Celebrate|song]] for the [[Life Day/Legends|Life Day]] celebration in ''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'', very similar in tune to the Theme. This is a superficial indication that "Star Wars Theme" exists in-universe. Some of the lyrics to this song include:

:''We celebrate a day of peace,''
:''a day of harmony,''
:''a day of joy we all can share together joyously;''
:''a day that takes us through the darkness,''<ref>''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]''</ref>

In the first episode of [[Star Wars (radio)|the ''Star Wars'' radio drama adaptation]], the theme is used as background music for an [[Imperial Academy/Legends|Imperial Academy]] recruitment commercial which [[Luke Skywalker/Legends|Luke Skywalker]] listens to in his home on Tatooine.<ref>[[Star Wars (radio)|''Star Wars'' (radio)]], episode 1</ref>

Similar indications exist with "Imperial March" (implied in ''[[The Paradise Snare]]'' to be the official in-universe martial anthem of the [[Imperial Navy/Legends|Imperial Navy]])<ref>''[[The Paradise Snare]]''</ref> and "[[Duel of the Fates]]" (heard from ghastly voices in the [[Ice Crypts]] of [[Coruscant/Legends|Coruscant]]).<ref>''[[The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

===In the soundtracks===
[[File:WeequayLuke-ST.jpg|thumb|right|The "Main Title" is featured during the [[Battle of the Great Pit of Carkoon]] scene in ''Return of the Jedi'']]
The "Main Title" appears in each of the saga film's soundtracks during the opening crawl and the end credits. [[File:TCW_main_title.jpg|thumb|left|Sheet music for ''The Clone Wars''' "Main Title/A Galaxy Divided"]]However, many of the films and their soundtracks contain snippets of the theme in the film itself. In the [[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (soundtrack)|''The Phantom Menace'' soundtrack]], the piece occurs twenty seconds into "Panaka and the Queen's Protectors". The theme makes an additional appearance in the track "Fighting The Destroyer Droids" on the Ultimate Edition soundtrack.<ref name="TPMS">[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (soundtrack)|''The Phantom Menace soundtrack'']]</ref> In the [[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (soundtrack)|''Attack of the Clones'' soundtrack]] and [[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (soundtrack)|''Revenge of the Sith'' soundtrack]], the theme only appears in the opening crawl and the end credits.<ref name="AOTCS">[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (soundtrack)|''Attack of the Clones soundtrack'']]</ref><ref name="ROTSS">[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (soundtrack)|''Revenge of the Sith soundtrack'']]</ref> The theme appears in five tracks (excluding the opening crawl and credits) in the [[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (soundtrack)|''A New Hope'' soundtrack]]. These are "The Desert / The Robot Auction," "Land of the Sandpeople," "Mouse Robot and Blasting Off," "Rescue of the Princess" / "Tractor Beam/Chasm Crossfire," and "The Last Battle."<ref name="ANHS" /> In the [[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (soundtrack)|''The Empire Strikes Back'' soundtrack]], the piece is featured in "Luke's First Crash" and "Carbon Freeze/Luke Pursues The Captives/Departure of Boba Fett".<ref name="TESBS">[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (soundtrack)|''The Empire Stikes Back soundtrack'']]</ref> In the [[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (soundtrack)|''Return of the Jedi'' soundtrack]], the piece occurs in *"The Pit of Carkoon" / "Sail Barge Assault" (1:35) or "The Return of the Jedi", "The Emperor Arrives" / "The Death of Yoda" / Obi-Wan's Revelation" (3:58), "The Battle of Endor", and "Sail Barge Assault (Alternate)" (0:51).<ref name="ROTJS">[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (soundtrack)|''Return of the Jedi soundtrack'']]</ref>

In the score for ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'', the theme appears in several tracks, including "L3 and Millennium Falcon," "Reminiscence Therapy" and "Into the Maw."<ref name=":0" />

The theme is also used in several [[Star Wars Legends|Expanded Universe]] soundtracks. In the [[Shadows of the Empire (soundtrack)|''Shadows of the Empire'' soundtrack]], the motif is used strictly in the first track and is performed by the [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]].<ref name="SOTES">[[Shadows of the Empire (soundtrack)|''Shadows of the Empire soundtrack'']]</ref> In [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (soundtrack)|''The Clone Wars'' soundtrack]], the first and last tracks contain the only occurrences of the theme. This recording is performed by the [[City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra]].<ref name="TCWS">[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (soundtrack)|''The Clone Wars soundtrack'']]</ref>

The "Main Title" segues directly into a piece created specifically for the event occurring after the opening crawl in each film. These are: "The Arrival at Naboo" or "Boarding the Federation Battleship" ([[Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace|''Star Wars'': Episode I ''The Phantom Menace'']]); "Ambush on Coruscant" ([[Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones|''Star Wars'': Episode II ''Attack of the Clones'']]); "The Revenge of the Sith" ([[Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith|''Star Wars'': Episode III ''Revenge of the Sith'']]); "Rebel Blockade Runner" ([[Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope|''Star Wars'': Episode IV ''A New Hope'']]), which goes on to quote the ending of "Mars" from Gustav Holst's "The Planets"; "The Ice Planet Hoth" ([[Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back|''Star Wars'': Episode V ''The Empire Strikes Back'']]); "Approaching the Death Star" ([[Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi|''Star Wars'': Episode VI ''Return of the Jedi'']]).

===In other merchandise===
The theme is also used in several other forms of merchandise. This includes numerous audio cards and a Tooth Tunes tooth brush.

===In popular culture===
The "Main Title" has become one of the most recognized theatrical themes ever written.

On the [[January 21]], [[1978]] episode of [[Wikipedia:Saturday Night Live|''Saturday Night Live'']], [[Wikipedia:Bill Murray|Bill Murray's]] lounge singer character sang a version of the ''Star Wars'' theme with lyrics. Some of the lyrics include:

''Star Wars,''<br />
''Nothing but Star Wars,''<br />
''Give me those Star Wars,''<br />
''Don't let them end''

''Ah, Star Wars,''<br />
''If they should bar wars,''<br />
''Please let these Star Wars,''<br />
''Stay!''

''And hey!,''<br />
''How 'bout that nutty Star Wars bar?,''<br />
''Can you believe all the creatures in there?,''<br />
''And hey!,''<br />
''Darth Vader in that black and evil mask,''<br />
''Did he scare you as much as he scared me? Ah!''

''Star Wars,''<br />
''Those near and far wars,''<br />
''Star Wars!''<ref>{{WebCite|url=http://maddogmovies.com/2005/06/02/star_wars_nothing_but_star_wars|title=“Star Wars, Nothing but Star Wars…”|date=2005-06-02|work=Maddogmovies.com|archivedate=20230724131454}}</ref>

The song was also performed after the [[20th Century Fox Fanfare]] in set one of the international tour of [[Star Wars: In Concert]]. The concerts were conducted by [[Dirk Brosse]].<ref>{{WebCite|url=http://starwarsinconcert.com|title=''Star Wars: In Concert''|nolive=1|archivedate=20150317145724}}</ref>

The theme appears in the end credits of the special ''[[Robot Chicken: Star Wars]]'', where it is sung by chickens.<ref>''[[Robot Chicken: Star Wars]]''</ref> [[Wikipedia:Disco|Disco]] artist [[Wikipedia:Meco|Meco]] released a disco version of the theme in [[1977]] on the album ''Star Wars and other Galactic Funk''. It reached #1 on the [[Wikipedia:Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on [[October 1]]. It held that position for two weeks. The single became the biggest-selling instrumental single in the history of recorded music, being the first to be certified platinum (2 million units) by the [[Wikipedia:RIAA|RIAA]]. Meco's version eventually was used officially in the ''Star Wars'' franchise with ''Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike'', where it played in the arcade mode of the game upon approaching the arcade cabinets. Similarly, it also played when pressing certain buttons on Kamino in the game ''LEGO: Star Wars''. Harry Williams is a fat cunt.

It has also been heard in ''The Lego Movie'' when Emmett and the Master Builders are arguing how to access Lord Business' tower.

==Sources==
{{Incomplete_list}}
*''[[The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire]]''
*{{InsiderCite|160|Join Us!}}
*{{InsiderCite|200|The Wonder Column}}
*{{SW|url=news/swca-2022-attack-of-the-chords-panel|text=SWCA 2022: 4 Things We Learned From the Attack of the Chords Panel}}
*{{SW|url=news/kangdaniel-star-wars-interview|text=KANGDANIEL: K-Pop Star and ''Star Wars'' Fan}}

==Notes and references==
{{Scroll_box|content={{Reflist}}}}

==External links==
*{{WP|Star Wars (Main Title)}}
*{{WebCite|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/7749339|title=The man behind the music of 'Star Wars'|author=Jamie Gangel|date=2005-05-06|nolive=1|archivedate=20121110175131}}
*{{Blog|darkstar-swt|8|Thoughts on a STAR WARS Theme|The Music of Star Wars: A Journey into the Soundtrack|JediOrillia|date=2007-12-04}}

{{Themes|saga=1}}
{{RWM}}

{{Interlang
|es=Star Wars Main Title
|ka=Star Wars Main Title
}}

[[Category:Themes and leitmotifs]]
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