We begin our selection of musical tributes to Star Wars with the granddaddy of them all, “Weird Al” Yankovic’s immaculate “American Pie” rewrite “The Saga Begins”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcjgJSqSRU]
Of course, not all Star Wars tributes are quite as articulate. The ridiculous sci-fi punk rock trio Supernova went in the opposite direction for “Chewbacca”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RL14KW5NHE]
(More on Techland: Ten Jaw-Dropping Versions of the Star Wars Theme)
Nerdcore rap, part 1: “Irresistible Force” by 2 Skinnee J’s, here accompanied by Stormtrooper-costumed breakdancers.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyX9HqudlTU]
Nerdcore rap, part 2: MC Chris’s Boba Fett tribute “Fett’s Vette,” as featured in Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwcVXnTN7D4]
(More on Techland: What Star Wars Means to Me: How I Learned to Read Subtitles)
Half of the fun of Star Wars fandom, of course, is complaining about it: hence Hot Waffles and their unnervingly catchy number “George Lucas Raped Our Childhood” (which starts about a minute into this video).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzDIClx-_pY]
Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” isn’t actually about Star Wars, but you’d never have guessed from this spectacularly staged live performance:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB2vMGBzjh4]
Blink-182 went all-out with the lyrical tribute on “A New Hope”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXY9TgnoMUA]
(More on Techland: Lego’s Emperor Strikes Back Tribute)
Yes, of course, there’s Star Wars-themed ska-core, why do you ask? This is “Vader” by the Taj Motel Trio. Not many doughy shirtless guys can pull off a lightsaber and Vader helmet.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44pPB_FB4Rw]
(More on Techland: Star Wars Legacy to Get a Six-Issue Sequel)
Extra points to Anchorhead’s “Shredisode IV” for not only creating a speed-metal Star Wars song, but making the singer’s growl sound like Darth Vader’s breathing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whUr3Xxl9zc]
Finally, perhaps the ultimate Star Wars song, from Meco Monardo’s 1980 album Christmas in the Stars: “What Do You Get a Wookiee for Christmas When He Already Owns a Comb?”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSWCQ7ALEms]