Modern-Day Jedis - or Wannabe Jedis - In Pop Music

​"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire." - Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars

Sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it? Almost like there somebody had put together a detailed, well thought-out story arc and not, as it happens, a bunch of half-formed plotlines and misfires that would tarnish the legacy of the first two movies and make the name "George Lucas" synonymous with "directorial overindulgence."

Still, there's no denying the cultural impact of the Star Wars films, or the popularity of the Jedi, the ancient order of warriors charged with upholding galactic order but who still managed to collapse like the Chicago Cubs at the end of the Clone Wars (hell, you can even join the Jedi Order yourself). And Sunday's performance of Star Wars: The Concert at the Toyota Center provides us with the perfect excuse to examine the Jedi's influence on modern music.

Wu-Tang Clan, "Shaolin Worldwide"

"Jedi only use the Force if you force me

Shaolin what?

Don't get it fucked up and cross me"

If you were to put together a list of all the Wu-Tang/Method Man songs referencing Star Wars and the Jedi, it'd only be second (though by an admittedly large margin) to those referencing Shaolin. We suspect the RZA is coming up with a plan to combine the two even as we speak.

Bloodhound Gang, "Jackass"

"I'm a pimped out Jedi Knight

Obi-Wan meets Dolemite"

Now that we think about it, Dolemite could easily be a Jedi: he battles against corruption and injustice, possesses uncanny fighting ability, and doesn't appear to have any emotional attachments to women. Give that motherfucker a lightsaber.

Twiztid, "Ain't a Damn Thing Changed"

"I'm like a Jedi knight

Bringing the Force and alliance"

If you can have a Jedi with tentacles on her head (Aayla Secura), facial stripes (Ahsoka Tano), and predator-style mandibles (Plo Koon), we guess it's okay to let in a couple of guys with bad clown makeup. As long as the Faygo spraying is kept to a minimum, that is.

Notorious B.I.G., "Hypnotize"

"Hit 'em with the Force like Obi"

Biggie falls into the popular trap of referring to the Jedi master by half his first name, though it's possible we're misinterpreting the song entirely and he's actually talking about Ron Howard's character from The Andy Griffith Show.

Weird Al Yankovic, "Yoda"

"Well, I left home just a week before

And I've never ever been a Jedi before

But Obi Wan, he set me straight, of course

He said, 'Go to Yoda and he'll show you the Force'"

We're not aware of any other list would include both the Wu-Tang Clan and Weird Al (maybe one for Most Unfortunate Hair), which just goes to show that whatever our accordion or footwear preferences, we can all find common ground in our obsessive knowledge of Star Wars.

Star Wars In Concert comes to Toyota Center, 1510 Polk, 6 p.m. Sunday, October 25. Memorabilia exhibit opens at 4:30 p.m. For tickets call 866-446-8849 or see www.toyotacentertix.com.