Melodies and Motifs: "Star Wars" Quiz

Answer: The Force Theme ("A New Hope" - 1977)

This theme appears in every "Star Wars" movie. It is also sometimes called "Binary Sunset," which is the first track it appeared in. "Binary Sunset" plays when Luke looks off into the sunset on his farm on Tatooine. When the first movie was made, before anyone knew there would be a sequel, this song was meant to be Obi-wan Kenobi's theme.

The first time the leitmotif version is heard is when Princess Leia is placing the Death Star plans in R2-D2 in "A New Hope," along with a message for Kenobi.

Answer: The Imperial March ("The Empire Strikes Back" - 1980)

One of the most famous "Star Wars" pieces was the Imperial March, introduce in "The Empire Strikes Back." It is sometimes erroneously called "Vader's Theme," but it is a theme for the empire as a whole, for whom Vader is an agent.

Answer: Duel of the Fates ("The Phantom Menace" - 1999)

This is the rhythm line of "Duel of the Fates," before the main melody is played. Its name is a reference to the Jedi fighting the Sith, and in particular, Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-wan Kenobi fighting Darth Maul in "The Phantom Menace." It was used again in the other two prequel movies.

Answer: Rey's Theme ("The Force Awakens" - 2015)

Rey's Theme is first heard at the beginning of "The Force Awakens," when Rey is scavenging parts from a Star Destroyer. It can be paired well with other existing themes, and some parts are almost Kylo Ren's theme in reverse.

Answer: Cantina Band ("A New Hope" - 1977)

This tune was written to evoke 1930s jazz. The song's actual name is "Mad About Me." There are actually two cantina band songs in the movie; the second being creatively called "Cantina Band 2."

Answer: Anakin's Theme ("The Phantom Menace" - 1999)

"Anakin's Theme" is not talked about very often, but appears in all three prequel movies. It has a hopeful quality, but also has bits of the darker "Imperial March" woven in.

Answer: Across the Stars ("Attack of the Clones" - 2002)

"Across the Stars" was the big new piece of music created for "Attack of the Clones." It's a reference to Anakin and Padme, who were apart for ten years before meeting again and falling in love.

Answer: Kylo Ren's Theme ("The Force Awakens" - 2015)

John Williams, when writing this piece, wanted to evoke the sound of the "Imperial March" and Darth Vader. It also sounds similar to the "Emperor's Theme," but less plodding.

Answer: Parade of the Ewoks ("Return of the Jedi" - 1983)

This piece evokes a sense of curiosity and mischief. It's first heard the same time the Ewok Wicket (played by Warwick Davis) is seen on screen, investigating an unconscious Princess Leia.

Answer: Yoda's Theme ("The Empire Strikes Back" - 1980)

The most famous scene that uses this theme is when Yoda lifts Luke's X-wing out of the Dagobah swamp with the Force. It was reused for a similar scene in "The Rise of Skywalker," thirty years later.