...Tatooine.

This summer marks the 20th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back, arguably the best film in the entire Star Wars franchise. I saw the film opening night at the Hunt's Casino Theater in Wildwood, NJ (pictured). Much like the rest of the audience in attendance, I sat there, jaw agape, wondering how they could possibly end the film so abruptly and on such a downbeat note. Not to mention the only minutes-old shock of finding out that (spoiler alert) everyone's favorite Dark Lord of the Sith (until Darth Maul came along) was that whiny Jedi-wannabe's Dear Ol' Dad. Aside from my own memories and lifelong attachment to Star Wars, there's little I can add to what has already been said about Empire, so I won't even try.

Instead, I bring you this hastily-put together list:

FAVORITE STAR WARS-RELATED SONGS OF ALL TIME
(in no particular order)

"Yoda" -"Weird Al" Yancovic
The first Star Wars parody song I remember and still one of the funniest.

"Star Wars Gangsta Rap" - Bentframe
When I first heard this song, I played it over and over again, because I just. Plain. Loved it.

"Chewbacca" - Supernova
From the original Clerks soundtrack. The big fuzzball deserved his own song, don't you think?

"Star Wars Theme/Disco Version" - MECO
Yes, it's real. Yes, it was officially sanctioned. Yes, it's still AWESOME! You want to see really bad Star Wars-themed disco? Watch THIS drug-induced nightmare!

"Star Wars Cantina" - Richard Cheese
This guy put a lot of thought, time and effort into turning an awful 70's Barry Manilow song into three minutes of sonic joy. We applaud you wherever you are, Mr. Cheese!

"A New Hope" - Blink 182
Not my favorite band by a loooooongshot, but I like the song.

"Fett's Vette" - MC Chris
If Eminem inhaled helium while taking 'shooms and watching Empire, he might have recorded this... (Warning: NSFW) My backpack's got jets!

"O.B.1" - Thingy (song clip)
Possibly the most low-key and melodic of the songs listed from a very cool indie band.