Crusaders and Exiles: A Star Wars KOTOR Playlist

Going down the sarlacc pit of Star Wars extended universe lore, you can find a fair number of curious storylines that live along the edges of the canon films, sustained by books, comics, and video games. I've probably mentioned this before, but one of the storylines I would love to see turned into film would be those portrayed in the Knights of the Old Republic video games (also known as KOTOR). I am one of those weirdos who likes video games more for their plots than for their gameplay. For some context as to why the heck I'd make a playlist for this, see below. Spoilers, obviously.

KOTOR follows a Republic soldier with amnesia, who crash lands on an Empire-controlled world and begins discovering that he has Force abilities. With the help of the Jedi Bastila Shan and their comrades, he begins to unravel a dark plot set into motion by the Sith Lords Revan and Malak. Revan and Malak are particularly dangerous in that they were formerly Jedi. They had led many young Jedi to defy the will of the Council, and stepped in to assist the Republic's efforts to stop the Mandalorians' dreams of universal conquest. Revan and Malak had good intentions, to stop the bloodshed and protect others, but once embroiled in war they fell to the Dark Side. The solider eventually learns that he himself is Darth Revan. When defeated, the Jedi hid his memories, and ever since they have been lying to him in hopes he will redeem himself. Revan therefore has to choose: will he remain among the Jedi he once defied or return to the darkness?

KOTOR II is the story of the Jedi Exile. A Jedi who followed the lead of her mentor Revan, Meetra Surik defied the Council and went to war against the Mandalorians. Becoming a Knight and eventually a General in the war, in the last hours of battle she risked everything to ensure Republic victory. While she survived, she paid a terrible price and lost her connection to the Force. Though toughened and tarnished by her experiences, Surik did not fall to the Dark Side and was the only one to return to the Council to take responsibility for her actions. Cast out by the Jedi, she returned later to find that Revan had fallen, been redeemed, and then vanished, and that since then the remaining Sith had killed all but a handful of Jedi. As her powers slowly recover, she finds a way to seek new allies and confront the Sith.

For this playlist, I ordered the tracks to alternate between female and male singers to represent the stories of Meetra Surik (KOTOR II) and Revan (KOTOR I). The tracks reflect as the characters defy the Council, go to war with the Mandalorians, are drawn towards the Dark Side and exile, and eventually find ways to redeem their actions.

Fan art titled Lord Revan and the Exile by Reddit user Revannchist.

1. Control (Halsey)

And all the kids cried out, "Please stop, you're scaring me"

I can't help this awful energy

God damn right, you should be scared of me

Who is in control?

2. My God is the Sun (Queens of the Stone Age)

Heal them, like fire from a gun

Kneeling, my god is the sun

Heal them, with fire from above

Kneeling, my god is the sun

3. Black Wave (k. flay)

Black wave coming will it drop

I can see the fear yeah it's written on the wall

Who you gonna trust when the killer is the cop

Fire in my bloodstream, water in my lungs

4. Iron (Woodkid)

A soldier on my own, I don't know the way

I'm riding up the heights of shame

I'm waiting for the call, the hand on the chest

I'm ready for the fight, and fate

5. Missile (Dorothy)

I am a missile

I am the fire

Love is destruction

But this war is mine, this war is mine

6. Wild Thing (Jaxson Gamble)

We go down into the darkness

Like a stampede, chargin'

Follow me now

Follow me now

Follow me, down

7. Fury Oh Fury (Nico Vega)

Feel my pulse

My heart beats

So I hold it back

But the cancer's deep

8. Walk in the Wild (Rivvrs)

I've got nothing, got nothing to lose

Time is running out and I'm overdue

And I'm coming, I'm coming for you

With a hard head and a bad attitude

9. Grrls (Aviva)

I am the latest colors, I hate the newest songs

I can't stand the lyrics, I'd never sing along

10. The Wolf (SIAMES)

Every night again

Dancing in the moonlight

Somewhere far away

I can hear your call

11. Down (Marian Hill)

Didn't even really want to go

But if you get me out you get a show

There's so many bodies on the floor

So maybe we should go and add some more?

12. Blood//Water (Grandson)

Now I am the violence

I am the sickness

Won't accept your silence

Beg me for forgiveness

13. White Flag (Bishop Briggs)

Oh, won't wave my white flag, no

This time I won't let go

I'd rather die

Than give up the fight, give up the fight, give up the fight

14. Natural (Imagine Dragons)

That's the price you pay

Leave behind your heartache, cast away

Just another product of today

Rather be the hunter than the prey

And you're standing on the edge, face up 'cause you're a 

Natural

15. Monster Hospital (Metric)

I fought the war but the war won

16. The Hunter (Adam Jensen)

Take you to the red line

Bring you with the thorns

Buried deep in your mind

Soldier in the war, oh no

You can run but you can't hide

17. Ribcage (Mary Lambert feat. Angel Haze and k. flay)

Living in the darkness

I wear it like a crown

Oh I've got tough skin

Ready for my bow

All I've got is two hands

I tied them in the middle

Ready for the red tape

Open up my ribcage

18. Long Way Down (Robert DeLong)

Burning night in my eyes, blinding me from the truth

If there's a shadow in me

The dark is a tidal wave inside of you

19. Biting Down (Lorde)

The electronics of your heart

See how fast they fall apart

It feels better biting down

20. Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea (MISSIO)

The sweet surrender of silence forces me to live alone

Locked and loaded, where the hell is peace of mind?

21. Fire (The Last Internationale)

Gotta hold that fire

Or you lay that burden down

Carry it higher

Or you lay that burden down

22. Arsonist's Lullaby (Hozier)

All you have if your fire

And the place you need to reach

Don't you ever tame your demons

But always keep 'em on a leash

23. Run For Your Life (k. flay)

Don't count me out

Just 'cause I'm down

Boy I've been down before

Fate has a way

Of playing games

And I've been keeping score

24. Global Concepts (Robert DeLong)

Did I make money? Was I proud?
Did I play my songs too loud?
Did I leave my life to chance
Or did I make you fucking dance?