Breaking Down the Ahsoka End Credits Song

Music has always been integral to Star Wars storytelling, and it's no different in Ahsoka. Composed by long-time Star Wars veteran, Kevin Kiner, the soundtrack draws on a lot of different influences and inspirations, but also looks to the series' past to create new music. Thankfully, Lucasfilm has made one track available for fans to listen to while waiting for the full album, likely to come out later this year. Let's dive into the track that's been made available, the Ahsoka end credits song, and see what it says about the show's characters and its story themes.



As a disclaimer, there are no official live performances of Ahsoka's end credits. Neither are there official documents, sheet music, or written guidelines for how it is to be performed. Therefore, certain elements -- like what instruments are used -- are difficult to identify precisely by ear. I'll still do my best to determine these details as accurately as possible, but please forgive me if I'm slightly off.



https://youtu.be/uF5IPOEFndw?si=CNaTN6SPjY0ebuWo


<h2>A Theme of War</h2>


The track begins with a set of cellos performing one note repeatedly, sounding almost like a marching beat. Like many orchestral high-octane action themes, this section at the beginning establishes a chugging, train-like movement that helps listeners and the composition progress to the meat of the score. Take a listen to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack to get an idea of how this works.



Soon after this, Ahsoka's theme comes in. Ahsoka's theme has been around for a while, most famously played when Ahsoka left Anakin and the Jedi, and when Ahsoka faced off against Darth Vader in Star Wars: Rebels. I'll delve further into this version of her theme in a bit, but what's most fascinating about this section is the addition of Japanese taiko drums.



This isn't the first time that taiko drums have been used for Ahsoka's theme either, as they were also used prominently in Tales of the Jedi when she faced an Inquisitor. Historically, taiko drums were used as war drums for Japanese samurai on ancient battlefields. The implementation of taiko drums helps to create this image of the lone, wandering warrior that Ahsoka Tano has become, but it also helps to convey the idea of a war approaching with the reappearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn.



https://youtu.be/SbEi1ov0Ynk?si=Ql2E5U5IRMsftFay


<h2>A Theme of Trial</h2>


After Ahsoka's leitmotif is performed, it transitions into Sabine's theme. This musical motif was most prominently featured in Star Wars: Rebels in the 'Trials of the Darksaber' episodes where Sabine's tragic backstory was uncovered, and when Kanan was training Sabine on how to use the Darksaber. Interestingly enough, taiko drums were also used in that scene as well, again highlighting the warrior-like nature that Sabine also exemplifies.



Playing both Ahsoka's and Sabine's themes back-to-back helps amplify the master-apprentice relationship that they have. Yet, even here, the differences between the two themes say a lot about the two individuals. Consider how Sabine's theme is performed by multiple violins playing in unison, demonstrating the idea that Sabine belongs to a group of Mandalorians that work together. Contrast that to Ahsoka's theme which is performed by a lead solo cellist earlier in the song. It shows how at odds the two are.



But Sabine's theme remains unchanged, with no variation in notes from Star Wars: Rebels. This is likely intentional as Sabine's story in Ahsoka is similar to what it was in Rebels. Just like when Sabine explains to Kanan that her parents abandoned her, she also feels that Ahsoka abandoned her.



https://youtu.be/uu4Ic5c1hMo?si=AnJC9XZybe4UoDAr


<h2>A Theme of Hope</h2>


Ahsoka's leitmotif has gone through many iterations, but only recently has it sounded triumphant. As the composition moves out of Sabine's theme and back to Ahsoka, the music builds up and swells. But rather than sticking primarily with strings, the composition switches to large brass instruments leading the charge. It eventually crescendos into a fanfare moment with all of the orchestra behind her, as well as an entire fanbase.



This moment is such a stark contrast from almost every other iteration of Ahsoka's theme. In the version that most people recognize, 'Ahsoka Leaves,' Ahsoka's theme is much more subdued, played on a single bass shakuhachi (Japanese flute). Here in the end credits, it is much more celebratory. But, the roots of the character are still there as the end credits transition back to a single shakuhachi performing Ahsoka's theme. Ahsoka is still that lone samurai, she's always been. Yet, this version of her theme still sounds more positive as it's played in a higher pitch. And it doesn't end there as it then goes into Hera's theme, illustrating how Ahsoka will never truly be alone, and that there will always be helpers along the way.



https://youtu.be/QE3AMWnfVXM?si=uYlLrqLb5-u1e_sD


<h2>How the Ahsoka End Credits Music Is Representative of the Character's Journey</h2>


One of the central concepts in Rosario Dawson's version of Ahsoka is the idea that she is a wandering protector. From the moment she stepped onto our screens in The Mandalorian, up to this point, Ahsoka is primarily seen on her own, walking off to go someplace no one knows, and along the way, defeating evil where she finds it.



But as we've already seen -- and as the music likely indicates -- Ahsoka will have to learn to go beyond the lone warrior identity and she'll have to embrace her checkered past. She'll have to take on an apprentice just as broken as she is, but through it all, she'll also embrace hope.



Check back on Wednesday morning for our discussion of the latest Ahsoka episode and see if our interpretation of the end credits song is accurate to what the show has in store!



(L-R): Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) and Huyang (David Tennant) in Lucasfilm's STAR WARS: AHSOKA, exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. &amp; TM. All Rights Reserved.



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