"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. Portions of it also played when he was torturing Luke Skywalker before meeting his demise at the hands of the redeemed Darth Vader.

In The Phantom Menace, "The Emperor's Theme" is heard whenever Darth Sidious speaks to Nute Gunray.

In Attack of the Clones, "The Emperor's Theme" 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 Star Wars: 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

AppearancesEdit

• 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: The Force Unleashed
• Star Wars: TIE Fighter
• Star Wars: X-wing vs. TIE Fighter
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (First appearance)
• Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
• Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
• Vector Prime television commercial
• Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron

Compositions and motifs
Introduced in Episode I "Duel of the Fates" · "Anakin's Theme" · "Qui-Gon's Theme" "Funeral Theme" · "Droid Invasion Theme" · "Jar Jar's Theme" "Darth Maul's Motif" · "Shmi's theme" · "Arrival on Tatooine" · "Escape from Naboo" · "The Flag Parade" Introduced in Episode II "Across the Stars" · "Separatist Theme" · "Kamino Motif" · "Mourning Theme" · "The Arena" "Republic Motif" · "Jango's Escape" · "Bounty Hunter's Pursuit" · "The Meadow Picnic" Introduced in Episode III "Battle of the Heroes" · "General Grievous's theme" "Anakin's Betrayal" · "Padmé's Destiny" · "Padmé’s Ruminations" "Immolation Theme" · "Mystery of the Sith Motif" · "Anakin's Dark Deeds" Introduced in Episode IV "Star Wars Main Title" · "Princess Leia's Theme" · "Rebel Fanfare" · "The Throne Room" · "Binary Sunset" "Imperial Motif" · "Death Star Motif" · "Jawa Theme" · "Here They Come!" · "The Final Battle" · "Tusken Raider Theme" Introduced in Episode V "The Imperial March" · "Han Solo and the Princess" · "Yoda's Theme" · "Droids Motif" · "Boba Fett's Motif" "Lando's Palace" · "Betrayal at Bespin Motif" · "The Asteroid Field" Introduced in Episode VI "Parade of the Ewoks" · "The Forest Battle" · "Jabba's Theme" · "The Emperor's Theme" · "Luke and Leia" "Victory Celebration" · "Yoda's Revelation" · "Jabba the Hutt" · "Ewok Celebration" Introduced in The Clone Wars "Ahsoka's Triumphant Theme" · "Padmé's Theme" · "Clone Wars Victory Theme" · "Ahsoka's Theme" Introduced in Shadows of the Empire "Xizor's Theme" · "Dash Rendar's Theme" Introduced in The Force Unleashed "Kota's Theme" · "Force Unleashed Theme" · "Juno Eclipse's Theme" · "Redemption Theme" Introduced in Rogue Squadron "Rogue Squadron Main Title"
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Real-world music
Soundtracks The Phantom Menace · Attack of the Clones · Revenge of the Sith A New Hope · The Empire Strikes Back · Return of the Jedi Ewoks · The Clone Wars Shadows of the Empire · Republic Commando · Knights of the Old Republic Knights of the Old Republic II · Forces of Corruption · The Force Unleashed The Force Unleashed II · The Old Republic Original Soundtrack Anthology Composers John Williams · Joel McNeely · Clint Bajakian · Peter Bernstein · Jesse Harlin · Mark Griskey Frank Klepacki · Jeremy Soule · Joseph Williams · Jerry Hey · Kevin Kiner · Michael Giacchino · Chris Hülsbeck Performers London Symphony Orchestra · London Voices City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra · Maurice Murphy · Royal Scottish National Orchestra New London Children's Choir · Seattle Sinfonia Orchestra Sheet music books The Phantom Menace · Attack of the Clones · Revenge of the Sith · Music from the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition Other Bantha Music · Tusken Music
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