The history of Star Wars soundtracks and The GRAMMYs
By Jacklyn Krol
A look at the history of Star Wars film soundtracks, Galaxy’s Edge soundtrack, John Williams, and the GRAMMYs (The Recording Academy).
Did you know that Star Wars soundtracks hold more Grammys than most musicians today?
At the 2020 Grammy Awards, film composer John Williams took home his 25th Grammy win for his Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite creation. Williams was inspired by Disneyland’s park and created the score for the land, leading to his win for Best Instrumental Composition. Fans can now hear his music at both Disneyland and Disney World theme parks.
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The Star Wars films have been frequent nominees and winners for their musical compositions. Whether the films were in Tatooine, Naboo or Endor, there was a soundtrack being played while fans watched their favorite characters explore the galaxy.
Aside from 2002’s Episode II — Attack Of The Clones and 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, all other originals, prequel and sequel trilogy series have been nominated for Grammy Awards.
From the Cantina Band’s epic jam session to the film’s intro theme song to Darth Vader’s Imperial March, music plays a big role in the films and in the parks.
1977- Episode IV: A New Hope
The first Star Wars film didn’t just get nominated once, but four times. The album won for Best Pop Instrumental Recording, Best Instrumental Composition and Best Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special. The soundtrack even made its way into one of the “big four” categories for Album of the Year, but ultimately lost to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors. Because of the album’s success, it was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.
1980- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
The second film earned an impressive five nominations. “Yoda’s Theme Song” was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Instrumental Composition while “Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)” was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition as well. Yoda and Darth Vader up for the same Grammy award, who would have thought? The soundtrack won for Best Album Of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special and Best Instrumental Composition.
1983- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Unfortunately, the Ewok-language chant did not get nominated, however, the record was nominated for Best Album Of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special.
1999- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode I’s soundtrack lost to Bug’s Life by Randy Newman for Best Instrumental Composition Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media. The album was recorded in the famed Abbey Studios in just seven days. This year, Williams also conducted an orchestra performing the Star Wars theme song during the awards telecast.
2005- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The record was composed and conducted entirely by Williams with the London Symphony Orchestra and London Voices performing. “Anakin’s Betrayal” was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition while the record itself was once again nominated for Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. Ironically, Williams’ other non-Star Wars work, “Ferry Scene,” was nominated in the Best Instrumental Composition category as well.
2015- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Star Wars took home their first Grammy Award in 35 years for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media. The album featured an impressive 23 tracks with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. Prior to this record, music streaming services did not exist.
2017- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
This year, the soundtrack was nominated for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media, Williams wrote every track on the album, including the previously released songs from older films. Williams was also nominated for Best Instrumental Composition for his work on “Mine Mission” this year.
2020- Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite
DJ Rex (R-3X) has his own official playlist inside Oga’s Cantina in both Disneyland and Disney World, obviously, he deserved a Grammy Award being the only droid DJ on earth.
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What is your favorite Star Wars soundtrack?