Composed by John Williams for The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, the Imperial March became Darth Vader's defining theme and a symbol of the Empire throughout Star Wars. Its instantly recognisable brass motif spread far beyond the films through parodies, sports entrances, television references and internet memes, where it signals villainy with a single phrase. Because the melody needs no explanation, creators still use it to give ordinary scenes instant cinematic weight and a clear sense of looming authority.