music like star trek

To Boldly Sing

Star trek has inspired plenty of pop culture, but nothing is as bizarre as the musical fandom following its warp trail..

 Filed under: filk , music , novelty music , star trek , star trek music , star trek songs

Hey all, Ernie here with a fresh one from David Buck , who is helping us maintain our mental-health-break status for this week. If you’re a Star Trek enthusiast, you will enjoy this one.

Today in Tedium : Some readers might have noticed my absence last month. Unfortunately, my father passed suddenly and I was out of commission for a while. As I looked through some of his stuff, I came across some things that reminded me of the times we would sit down together to watch Star Trek: the Next Generation or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . Thinking about those moments reminded me of some old files and pitches that I was working on a few years ago. I came across one idea and decided to flesh it out a bit: a piece on songs about a certain science fiction television show. If I recall correctly, the original outline of the piece was written for a certain site that ghosted me a few years ago. So, here it is, completely rewritten with fresh insights. So set your phasers to stun and beam up your sense of humor because in today’s Tedium, we’re going where no one has gone before: down the black hole of songs about Star Trek . — David @ Tedium

Today’s GIF comes from a claymation music video for the well-known novelty song “Star Trekkin’” by The Firm.

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“And on no other show do I police myself as much, because I’m such a fan of Star Trek that it’s important to me that we are as funny as we can be without breaking Star Trek at all times and without being mean about Star Trek. With the network and with the studio, the conversations are mostly when I’m pitching an episode, I’ll be like, ‘Here’s what inspired this episode.’ And it’s always coming from a thing that I love about Star Trek, and then ‘Here are the things that we love about these characters, here’s how we want to explore them, and then this is why it’s going to be funny.’”

— Mike McMahan , creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks , discussing his approach to comedy on the show in a 2021 interview with Collider .

Where no musician has gone before (well, not really)

Last year, I discovered something rather silly: a radio station with an apostrophe in its call letters. I joked with Ernie that it reminded me of the Klingon language. This led to a very interesting journey about Klingon that ended up going pretty far and even made an appearance on Vice’s Motherboard —something for which I am eternally grateful. Revisiting this idea only further brings home the point that science fiction television can be a goldmine for weird stuff.

Star Trek has always been a great source of humor. Where Deep Space Nine and Picard readily take on more serious themes, there’s something to be said about the ever present sense of humor that runs a deep vein through most Trek shows. It’s in “The Trouble With Tribbles,” all over TNG (especially in some of Riker’s most memorable scenes ), interspersed between more maudlin moments of DS9 , and encapsulated by certain characters on Voyager . And that’s only naming a few shows! It’s not difficult to see the humor in the shows.

A few years ago, a surprising new Star Trek show was announced, focusing on the non-bridge crew of a “second contact” starship called The Cerritos . That show was Star Trek: Lower Decks . Created by Mike McMahan (who also worked on shows like Rick & Morty and Solar Opposites ), the show centers on a few quirky characters who aren’t officers but perform the ship’s grunt work. It’s hysterical and the characters are quite fun to spend 22 minutes with each episode.

With Star Trek: Lower Decks already two seasons into its run and a plethora of Trek shows coming out, it’s almost as if a renaissance for the series is upon us. Also, Strange New Worlds looks amazing.

Lower Decks goes out of its way to take itself less seriously, proving there’s definitely some room for a bit of comedy interspersed with the more abstract seriousness the show often aims to hit. What Lower Decks does so well is how it leverages that crazy sense of humor into the fandom at large. It sort of reminds me of what happens when enthusiastic, musically inclined fans get together to write songs about the show.

Music has always been integral to Star Trek . From the opening theme of Star Trek (TOS) onward, music has been an integral part of Star Trek , inspiring viewers and musicians alike. While each show’s own music is instantly recognizable, the program also inspired a great deal of music by other artists (often related to TOS ). You’ve probably heard “ The Trouble With Klingons ,” a pastiche created by Dennis Williams for a certain novelty song contest or “Spock Rap” by the animators at Will Vinton Studios (under the name The Neural Paralyzers ) in the ’80s. Admittedly, not everything in this category is great, but there are plenty of gems around. Here are a few artists/songs that explore strange musical worlds, seek out new melodies, and boldly sing where no one has sung before!

You won’t find William Shatner’s The Transformed Man or Leonard Nimoy’s Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy here. Likewise, we won’t revisit the original Trek theme and its lyrics . Rather, these songs and sketches represent unique takes on Trek by various musicians and comedians past and present.

5. “Banned from Argo,” Leslie Fish & the Dehorn Crew

“ And we’re banned from Argo every one, banned from Argo just for having a little fun…”

Filk music is full of talented musicians who share a love of science fiction and community. Filk music—folk music with lyrics based on science fiction—has a rich history , with a strong connection to Trek.

Leslie Fish is perhaps the genre’s best known figure. With her 12-string guitar and larger than life persona, Fish writes about science fiction and beyond.

“ Banned from Argo ” is an upbeat shanty with slightly twisted lyrics. The Enterprise crew goes on shore leave and various hilarious hijinks ensue. It doesn’t reference TOS characters by name, it’s obvious which crew members she’s singing about.

The first few lines of a song explore the mischievous misadventures of the crew checking out “every joint and bar” on Argo during their shore leave. Listeners then learn about the Captain’s sinful tastes and complex methods, the engineer’s ability to “outdrink space marines and a demolition crew,” and the first officer teaches the computer how to swear. It’s a shame what happened to the doctor … but I digress.

Surprisingly, Fish doesn’t seem to like the song much. As she states in several interviews (notably her brief appearance in Trekkies 2 ), the tune was written as quickly to fill out an album. It rapidly became her best known song—something she is a bit cranky about .

Leslie Fish has a large ouvre of other songs, both Trek related and otherwise. Her exuberant performances and love for storytelling shine during her performances. If you’re not a fan of folk music and/or sea shanties, you may want to give this one a pass.

If you enjoy her Trek music, check out the song “Carmen Miranda’s Ghost” and its accompanying anthology . For the full Leslie Fish experience, give Folk Songs for Solar Sailors a spin—if you can find it .

4. “Everything I Do, I Do with William Shatner,” Warp 11

”I don’t want to go to work, just wanna hang with Captain Kirk and if I had my way, I’d make it so…”

Dedicated to all things Trek , Sacramento’s Warp 11 built a career playing Trek -themed music. Originally devised as a “band that only plays Trek songs” for a one-time video project of bass player/singer Karl Miller, the idea stuck and Warp 11 was born. Two decades and six albums later, the band is still on their musical journey.

Through incredible energy, crunchy electric guitar, and hilarious lyrics, “ Everything I Do, I Do with William Shatner ” from 2002’s Red Alert perfectly reflects the band’s “mission statement” —to convert listeners into Trek fans. Despite its title, the song is about Captain Kirk rather than Shatner himself.

Effortlessly juxtaposing the manic energy of The Presidents of the United States of America and the killer chops of The Ramones with a wider mix of blues, rock, and punk styles. Add their DIY punk-meets- TOS cosplay aesthetic, and you get one very eclectic listening/visual experience.

With Warp 11, you’ll find songs about Q and Betazoids, an entire album covering The Borg, and a few sporadic tunes about Voyager . The band’s healthy mix of TOS and TNG material is the epitome of Trek music created by fans, for fans.

While I enjoy their music, it skews toward a teenager/adult audience and is definitely not for kids. Warp 11 are well known for their sense of humor and double entendre and they can be a bit R-rated at times, with mildly NSFW album art. Some of their stuff can be a bit of an acquired taste, but if you dig pink, scifi, humor, and Star Trek , they’re worth checking out!

For those interested in Warp 11, start with Red Alert , then dive into any of their post-2007 work from It’s Dead Jim onward, available at their website and most streaming services.

3. “StarDrek,” Bobby “Boris” Pickett and Peter Ferarra

“ To boldly go where everyone has gone before !”

What do The Godfather , the most famous Halloween song of all time, and Star Trek have in common? Bobby “Boris” Pickett, of course. After having his breakout smash with “The Monster Mash” in 1962 (we wrote about this classic novelty tune in 2018 ), Pickett forged a career as a writer, playwright, comedian, and songwriter.

In 1975-1976, Pickett got together with producer Peter Ferrara to record “Godfather’s Respect”—a song about the 1972 film set to the tune of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”—and an original spoken word spoof of TOS called “Star Drek” (not to be confused with the MAD Magazine spoofs of a similar name).

The sketch follows the daily operation of a parody version of The Enterprise and its crew, focusing on the most exaggerated aspects of each character.

It isn’t an outright mockery of the franchise and its fans, either. “Star Drek” is a carefully crafted satire of the genre that plays to the absurdity of the occasional technobabble used on the show, taking a light hearted approach to the action. We won’t spoil the punchline for you here.

Barrett Hansen—a.k.a. radio host Dr. Demento—included the sketch on his 25th Anniversary collection, writing the two were on opposite coasts during the recording process so Peter ended up doing all the voices himself. They shared the credits, as Pickett helped write the piece.

The sketch is uproariously funny every time you hear it—a rare accomplishment for a comedy/novelty song—full of nuance and spot-on characterizations. Of course, your mileage may vary. The humor may be a bit dry for some, but it’s a fun piece that holds up remarkably well today.

If you like Pickett and Ferrara’s style consider listening to Pickett’s The Monster Mash LP. For more Peter Ferrara, watch the Jonathan Winters specials On the Ledge and Spaced Out .

(via Terry McGovern’s website )

2. “Beam me up Scotty,” Terry McGovern

”Beam me up Scotty, oh beam me up Scotty, life sure is trouble below …”

Terry McGovern is known today for his voice acting (he was the voice of Launchpad McQuack in the original Duck Tales ), but he began his career as a radio broadcaster . Later, he would work in movies and television as well. In 1976, he released a Trek song of his own, “Beam me up, Scotty” on Baseball Records as a B-side to his rendition of the classic tune “ Pachalafaka .” You can hear the entire thing on SoundCloud .

Not to be confused with an obscure country tune of the same name, McGovern’s song is a quiet rumination on how boring/awful life on earth can seem sometimes. The singer longs to join the crew of The Enterprise and escape the banality of modern life.

The song received airplay on various radio shows, but languished in obscurity for years until being officially re-released on a compilation album in the early 2000s. While it may not be the most well known Trek tune, it’s certainly well loved .

McGovern regularly attends conventions and teaches acting classes—on top of his legendary voice work.

1. “Star Trekkin’,” The Firm

“ There’s Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow… ”

The final entry in our list may be the best known: “Star Trekkin’” by The Firm. No, not Jimmy Page’s post Zeppelin band; this group was a side project of John O’Connor, a British music producer.

The song was popular in its own time—it hit Number One in the UK music charts and stayed there for quite awhile back in 1986—but took on new life in the internet age. It was used in one of the episodes of a Flash-based web series called Stone Trek (a mashup of The Flintstones and TOS ) and a claymation video makes the internet rounds every so often. Not bad for a novelty song that was rejected by every record company O’Connor approached. Then it became a million seller, prompting O’Connor’s move to America, where he went on to compose for television .

The Firm released a full-length LP, Serious Fun , that’s worth at least a slip of gold pressed latinum. “Star Trekkin’” is the best and catchiest of the tracks. Good luck getting the tune out of your head.

The number of songs in the Star Trek musical Boldly Go! Written by a Caltech theoretical physics graduate , Grant Remmen, and his brother Cole, the show is a humorous and satirical take on The Original Series . With songs like “Dammit Jim, I’m a Doctor” and “Captain’s Log (As Great As I Know I Am),” the show is well worth watching for its two hour runtime. According to a 2016 Caltech ad for the show, Boldly Go! is ”a story about being true to oneself and one’s convictions, about friendship and love, about discovery and wonder, about the triumph of the individual over adversity, and about the joy of sharing with each other this vast and mysterious Universe.” For those interested in such things, it’s available in its entirety on YouTube .

When I originally outlined this —several years ago now—it had quite a few more songs. But over time, my interest and enthusiasm for Trek has waned somewhat.

And of course we couldn’t fit all of our favorite goofy science fiction songs into this piece. But there are plenty of great Trek bands around like “one-chord punk rockers” No Kill I (and NKI: the Next Generation and NKI:Deep Space Nine; they’re all different bands), modern filkers Ookla the Mok , and the Klingon metal group Stovokor , whose performances take Trek music to the next level.

Songs and sketches about Trek continue to endure well into the 21st century and beyond and it will be interesting to see what strange musical moments the future of Trek fandom holds.

And although this piece no longer resembles anything close to the original idea I had for it, I’m glad I was able to take a quick reprieve from the insanity of our modern world to find—and share—some humor from the bridge of The Enterprise that can still resonate with audiences today.

Thanks again to David for the great piece. Find this one a worthy read? Share it with a pal ! And see you all next week.

Your time was just wasted by David Buck

David Buck is a former radio guy/musician who researches and writes about all manner of strange and interesting music, legacy technology, Nintendo and data analysis.

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Star Trek: Ranking All 13 Movie Soundtracks

Which one will be stuck in your head today?

Unlike that other franchise whose name begins with "Star", Star Trek's cinematic musical identity has been surprisingly inconsistent over the past 40 years. With nearly every film came a new composer, leading to the franchise's near total lack of continued themes and leitmotifs across installments.

Without that thematic consistency, the franchise instead relied on tone – triumphant marches, sweeping overtures, romantic love themes, and catchy leitmotifs nudged the action along as much as any soaring vista, tragic death, or threatening space cloud.

Heavyweights like Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, and Micheal Giacchino have produced some of Trek's greatest music, while unknowns like Cliff Eidelman have delivered scores that are just as memorable. Of course there are some headaches in the bunch (sorry Beastie Boys don't count), but for the most part Star Trek's musical legacy is a beautiful and hummable one.

Here's our ranking of all 13 (and counting) Star Trek movie soundtracks from worst to best.

13. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home – Leonard Rosenman

Ditching all of the themes built across the previous two films by James Horner (to say nothing of Jerry Goldsmith's timeless material from Star Trek: The Motion Picture), Leonard Rosenman's music for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is an appropriately upbeat accompaniment to the film's comedic tone, if light on the expected fantasy and nobility of Star Trek film scoring.

Despite the score's Oscar nomination (the second and last for the franchises' music), much of the film lacks score due to director Leonard Nimoy's preference for more naturalistic dialogue scenes. What's left is a short soundtrack without much weight, heavily dated by the 1980s recording style and the inclusion of regrettable source music by The Yellowjackets. The structure of the main title is halting and let's not even talk about that odd Russian jig during Chekov's escape from the US Navy or the "look how much fun we're having" tone of the subsequent hospital chase sequence.

The highlight of this score is the brief but epic reprise of Alexander Courage's theme from Star Trek: The Original Series in the closing moments of the film ("Home Again and Credits" on the soundtrack album), but you'll probably just remember that profane punk song from the bus.

I played Shipyard Bar Patron (Uncredited) in Star Trek (2009).

People who like Star Trek might also like these artists.

Click on any name to travel along.

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Songs of the stars: the music of star trek.

A look back at the history of Star Trek film scores, as well as a few other space-themed hits.

Star Trek Beyond opened Friday (July 22, 2016), the third film in the rebooted franchise begun by J.J. Abrams in 2009. As a whole, the Star Trek franchise turns 50 this year, so let's take a look back at the series' long history in film and the music that has taken us as moviegoers on so many adventures with the crew of the Starship Enterprise (with some other notable films mentioned along the way)!

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

10 years since the original series was cancelled, syndication had made the show a huge hit. So in 1979, after much pressure from creator Gene Roddenberry, Paramount brought this universe to the big screen with the entire original cast. Though certainly not the most beloved of the series, it did set things in motion for many superior sequels. And through the craft of composer Jerry Goldsmith came one of the most memorable themes in the franchise, later used for Star Trek: The Next Generation :

What else happened around this time?

1979 was a big year for enduring sci-fi classics about space, particularly Alien (also with music by Goldsmith ) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (with those unforgettable five notes from John Williams).

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Where The Motion Picture is a bit lackluster to some, The Wrath of Khan has received almost universal praise as one of the best films in the franchise. The new composer, James Horner, was specifically told not to use any of Goldsmith's music from the previous film. But, wanting to retain some familiarity, Horner did adapt some of the original fanfare from the television series in the opening title music, which has its own swashbuckling, space-faring feel:

As far as memorable musical scores in 1982, it's hard to beat John Williams' work on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , especially that magical bicycle flying scene .

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

This film and its immediate successor are notable for being directed by Leonard Nimoy, who portrays Spock in the series. Following the plot directly after The Wrath of Khan , this story pits the Enterprise crew against Klingons, who were frequent antagonists in the series. James Horner remained on board for this film, and wrote a brooding, ominous theme to represent this new (old) threat:

Though not the most revered of science-fiction films, particularly in comparison to its source material, David Lynch’s Dune does have some particularly memorable music from the band Toto with additional work by Brian Eno.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

Probably the most broadly appealing entry of the six films based around the original series cast, this time-travel caper brings the crew of the Enterprise to present-day Earth (in 1986, that is). This time around, Leonard Rosenman took the reins as composer after Horner declined to return. Given the modern setting, Rosenman inflected his score with a number of eclectic elements, from traditional classical-inspired sounds to music that feels very much at home in the 80s . But he kept that timeless fanfare music for the opening theme of course:

In another case of James Horner coming in to do the sequel to a franchise that had begun with Jerry Goldsmith, Aliens was one of his three collaborations with director James Cameron, and the music was suitably more action-oriented like the film , contrasting from Alien’ s focus on horror.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

This is yet another film in the series directed by one of its stars, this time by the leading man, Captain James T. Kirk himself: William Shatner. After a poor showing with critics and at the box office, The Final Frontier tends to be one of the more forgettable films in the franchise. Still, this is when Jerry Goldsmith returned to the franchise, 10 years after scoring the first film. And finally, we have a marriage of the two defining musical elements of the series:

Though it doesn't take place in outer space, The Abyss has all of the hallmarks of an alien encounter story, and features music by science-fiction veteran Alan Silvestri .

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Much better received than its predecessor, this movie has prominent themes of espionage and subterfuge, given the political climate of the Cold War that had just ended. Suitably, the new composer Cliff Eidelman wrote a score that was much darker and less bombastic than previous Star Trek scores. He essentially composed everything from scratch and did not base his material on older themes from the series:

https://youtu.be/DzqJSaM41S4

While 1991 did not have many successful space oriented movies, the following year brought another film in the Alien franchise, Alien 3 . Scored by Elliot Goldenthal, one of the most striking moments in the score is during the famous 20 th Century Fox fanfare , which then melds into this haunting track .

Star Trek Generations

Worlds collide as the old meets the new! Featuring the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation , as well as William Shatner, James Doohan, and Walter Koenig of the original cast, this is the passing of the torch to the new Enterprise crew, who would go on to star in the next three films. Though not a smash hit with critics, it was an important moment of transition for the series at the least. Dennis McCarthy, composer for the numerous Star Trek TV series from The Next Generation onward, scored this film.

In somewhat a reverse of Star Trek's trajectory, Roland Emmerich's 1994 film Stargate spawned a television franchise of its own 3 years later! David Arnold composed the music for this film , as well as another popular Roland Emmerich sci-fi hit a couple of years later...

Star Trek: First Contact

Since the Klingons had made peace with the Federation by the time of The Next Generation , the series was in need of a new set of recurring antagonists. Enter the Borg, a hivemind of different species assimilated into a cybernetic Collective. Present throughout the TV series, the Borg made their theatrical debut with this film, where they attempt to rewrite history in order to rule supreme in the future. Directed by cast member Jonathan Frakes (William Riker), First Contact was received positively, and Jerry Goldsmith even returned as composer!

https://youtu.be/X9rtsG21ncg

You have David Arnold to thank for providing rousing music to President James Whitmore's equally rousing speech in 1996's event of the summer: Independence Day . And how about those end credits ?

Star Trek: Insurrection

Continuing the trend of every other Star Trek movie receiving praise and every other movie receiving mixed to negative reactions, this film is decidedly… mixed. Still, Paramount was on a roll with releasing a Star Trek film every couple of years or so, and given that this one was right on the cusp of the new century, they took advantage of growing movie technology by creating every space scene with CGI. Like it’s predecessor, Insurrection was also directed by Jonathan Frakes, and it was the 4th film in the series for Jerry Goldsmith.

There were a number of science-fiction movies about space or aliens in 1998, but none of them seem to quite top the popularity and bombast of Michael Bay’s Armageddon . With former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin taking on the music, some of it has a distinctly different quality than many of the films mentioned on this list, but it seems to suit its director perfectly.

And it was only a year later that we were treated to what many might consider the greatest Star Trek movie of all: Galaxy Quest . Okay, sure, it doesn’t actually have Star Trek in the title, but with so many references and nods to the fans, this meta-parody is a loving homage to the series that even Star Trek cast members love . And as far as the music goes, David Newman created a unique score that pays homage to the series much like the movie itself.

Star Trek: Nemesis

Perhaps a bit bittersweet for fans of The Next Generation and Jerry Goldsmith, this film was the last Star Trek entry to feature both. Unfortunately, critical response was not kind to this one either, and going all the way back to The Motion Picture , the gap between this and the next Star Trek film was the largest in the series (7 years). Of note, however, is the inclusion of Tom Hardy in one of his first film roles, who has now become quite a bankable star with films like Inception , Mad Max: Fury Road , and The Revenant under his belt. Fittingly, Goldsmith’s score still holds on to that famous Star Trek fanfare from the TV series, but with a noticeably darker aura to fit the film’s plot:

Given that CGI was on a big upswing at this time, science-fiction movies were coming in left and right. But there’s one score that seems to outshine its own movie: James Newton Howard’s music from Signs . To be fair, Signs does not seem to be as reviled as future M. Night Shyamalan suspense films like Lady in the Water or The Happening , but the music seems so absolutely crucial for this film’s success, and it certainly provides some heart-racing suspense .

And here we are with a rebooted universe that sort of takes place within the original series’ timeline… but not quite. This new, flashy franchise from J.J. Abrams features an entirely new cast in the roles of the original Enterprise crew, with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto taking the roles of series leads Kirk and Spock, respectively. Though some die-hard fans of the series have likely been turned off by these newcomers, it can’t be denied that the new film series has allowed for a new fan base to develop. Much like Star Wars: The Force Awakens , this revival is drawing in an entirely new generation and getting them interested in a decades-old franchise that has endured so strongly. Plus, with music by frequent Abrams collaborator Michael Giacchino (kind of a Spielberg-Williams thing), there are some suitably exciting new themes for the series:

Speaking of frequent director-composer pairings, the James Cameron-James Horner train started a good thing with Aliens , and both would subsequently be involved in the two highest-grossing films of all time: 1997’s Titanic , and 2009’s Avatar . A sprawling epic, Avatar has a fairly familiar story of the soldier joining the local indigenous tribe to fight against his imperialist masters, but the film’s unique look and sound is what seemed to make it such a success, with a score from Horner that draws from a number of musical styles found around the world.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Though generally well-received, this film had a bit of controversy over some of the story elements and its main villain, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. Given that it’s a relatively recent release I won’t spoil any of it, but Abrams was definitely taking a cue from previous films in how he approached this one. Still, it delivered what was essentially promised from the 2009 film: an action-packed space adventure with attractive young actors and actresses sharing witty banter. And Giacchino returned with his usually thrilling action cues, as well as some more somber moments like this Philip Glass-esque track:

For 2013 movies set in space, Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity took a strong lead with breath-taking visuals, and a tense, Academy Award-winning score by Stephen Price that really tries to get under your skin.

It’s interesting to see how much the music for this genre has evolved over the years, yet also what elements remain the same. The idea of space as the “final frontier” seems to inspire a sense of adventure and looming danger, which many of these scores also attempt to evoke in their own unique way. I suppose we’ll see where the music of space boldly goes next!

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By Michael Vincent on April 5, 2019

The words “Space: the final frontier”, and the opening notes of Star Trek’s theme song written by Alexander Courage in 1964, have become ingrained in the imaginations of all of us.

In a video released by Canada’s CBC Music , host Tom Allen and members of the Gryphon Trio,  explore the connection between the iconic song and some of history’s greatest classical music composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler.

The video was shot in one continuous take at Paul Hahn Piano Company, right here in Toronto.

Watch here:

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Star Wars vs Star Trek: Which Franchise Has Better Music?

Fans of Star Wars and Star Trek have an ongoing rivalry and now even arguing among themselves, but each franchise's fandom loves their sagas' music.

The rivalry between Star Wars and Star Trek is as legendary as the sagas. While the fans of both debate their flaws and merits, there is one arena where the challenge is truly evenly matched. The music that accompanies these shows and films is iconic, so which is better: Star Wars or Star Trek ? It's not an easy question.

Of course, in recent years, the rivalry among fans has turned more internal. Both Star Trek and Star Wars are in their third wave of new stories. Older fans lament how the new entries don't match their expectations. Even though Star Trek: Discovery saved the franchise , Trekkies are divided over its value. Similarly, the new series of films and shows from Lucasfilm have divided the fanbase like Jedi and Sith. However, one thing none of the fan base disagrees with is the high quality of music associated with each production. From the way Picard Season 3 honored the franchise's past to each new bit of music from (and inspired by) John Williams, the soundtracks earn far less vitriol than the movies and shows. Comparing the two musical canons is difficult. Star Trek is a 60-year-old saga with dozens of composers creating its sonic vocabulary. Meanwhile, outside of a few series, Star Wars is effectively the magnum opus for the greatest living composer, John Williams.

RELATED: Why Star Trek: Legacy Could Be a Feature Film Testing Ground

Star Trek's Music Boldly Goes Where No Sci-Fi Saga Has Gone Before

Save for the theme song from Enterprise and the Yellowjackets' tracks in Star Trek IV , the music in Star Trek is almost wholly orchestral. Still, it began with television composer Alexander Courage who devised an ethereal, out-of-this-world theme song for Star Trek: The Original Series . Other composers, like Gerald Fried, who scored the "Amok Time" episode , became definitive motifs for the franchise. They would be used in parodies and even referenced in the score for Strange New Worlds . Before Star Trek was a feature film franchise, even non-fans could identify the music.

Once the movies happened, producers turned to composers like Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Dennis McCarthy and Leonard Rosenman to build on Star Trek 's musical vocabulary. Goldsmith's themes for the Enterprise, the Klingons and Spock resonate through the franchise. Horner's music evokes his former mentor's score and also delivers a wholly original sound. McCarthy and Jay Chattaway built on this foundation for their Deep Space Nine and Voyager scores. In the 21st century, Michael Giacchino added his own unique sound to the canon. Yet, in between tracks like "Enterprising Young Men" and "Nero Death Experience," he still adds references to Goldsmith, Courage and the rest.

Jeff Russo handles the score for most modern series, from Discovery to Strange New Worlds . Stephen Barton and Freddie Weidmann added their unique style to Picard Season 3 while filling the score with references to every piece of important Star Trek music. The music fits together while simultaneously defining each individual era. It's fitting a saga about a diverse collective of people working together produced such a dynamic but coherent musical landscape.

RELATED: Diego Luna Compares Andor's Themes to SAG-AFTRA Strike's Goals

Star Wars Music Is Only Just Branching Out Beyond John Williams

George Lucas famously wanted Star Wars to have a traditional score because it added gravitas to his space opera. He turned to John Williams, a lucky break for him and fans of film scores. The first trilogy of music was immediately iconic. When Williams returned for the prequels and the sequels, he got the rare chance to build on that body of work. He's created new music for Star Wars in every decade since the original film's release. His last entry was the theme for Obi-Wan Kenobi . Yet, even if Williams wasn't in his 90s, there is simply too much Star Wars for him to score exclusively.

When The Clone Wars debuted 15 years ago, Kevin Kiner stepped in to handle the music. He deployed Williams' themes and motifs liberally while still creating his own iconic themes. One character, Ahsoka Tano , has a theme that feels perfectly in line with any of Williams' work. Other composers have stepped up for series like The Mandalorian or Andor . Giacchino does rare double-duty, having scored Rogue One . Even when the music deliberately eschews Williams' work, it never strays too far from it. Star Wars has a much more cohesive musical saga behind it, in larger part because of Williams.

Star Trek never had the luxury of using a single composer like Williams. Making music, especially for TV, is hard work. Ironically, Star Wars is only now encountering this problem. Each collective score has its own value. Star Wars represents an almost singular vision that evolved over 45 years. Star Trek is more dynamic , with composers adding their stylistic flair that closely ties the score to individual films or shows. As for which is better? That's simply a matter of taste. In two fandoms where agreement is often rare, almost everyone knows the music helps these space sagas soar to heights they wouldn't reach without them.

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Star trek: why prodigy's music sounds just like jj abrams' movies.

Star Trek: Prodigy's musical score hits many familiar beats as J.J. Abrams' Star Trek 2009 because both themes were scored by Michael Giacchino.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Prodigy  episodes 1 & 2, "Lost & Found."

There are good reasons why Star Trek: Prodigy 's exciting musical score sounds very similar to the orchestral themes of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies. Star Trek: Prodigy stars Kate Mulgrew, who returns as the hologram of Captain Kathryn Janeway . The Janeway hologram mentors an all-new and eclectic group of young alien rebels who find a Starfleet ship, the USS Protostar, and use it to escape their brutal enslavement in the Delta Quadrant. Star Trek: Prodigy is a joint production by Nickelodeon and Paramount+ aimed at young audiences but the animated series is enjoyable for Star Trek fans of all ages.

Star Trek: Prodigy and the rest of the growing lineup of new Star Trek shows on Paramount+ wouldn't be possible without the success of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies. The franchise was dormant after Star Trek: Enterprise was canceled in 2005, but Abrams' breathed new life into Star Trek with his 2009 reboot film starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as a younger Captain James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock. Set in the alternate Kelvin timeline, Star Trek 2009 turned the classic tropes and iconography of Gene Roddenberry's 1960s TV series into a big-budget modern blockbuster with spectacular visual effects. Star Trek was a global hit that reinvigorated the franchise and spawned two sequels, 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness and 2016's Star Trek Beyond, the latter directed by Justin Lin. However, one of the secrets to J.J. Abrams' Star Trek success is the spectacular score composed by Academy Award winner Michael Giacchino.

Related: Star Trek: Every TOS & New Alien In Prodigy's Cast

Michael Giacchino returned to Star Trek and composed the main title theme for Star Trek: Prodigy  while Nami Melumad composes the episodic scores. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Giacchino's Star Trek: Prodigy  theme sounds remarkably similar to his music for J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies . There are similar beats that build momentum throughout Star Trek: Prodigy 's exciting action sequences and the score crescendos when Dal (Brett Gray), Gwyn (Ella Purnell), Zero (Angus Imrie) and the other young rebels find and launch the USS Protostar are a musical echo to Kirk and Spock's breakneck adventures aboard the Starship Enterprise. In Star Trek: Prodigy, Giacchino and Melumad's music follows Michael's personal belief that the score is another character in the film who 'speaks' to the audience and guides them on how to feel as the heroes fight evil villains in outer space.

It's evident from watching Star Trek: Prodigy 's premiere that Michael Giacchino was the right choice to compose the series' theme.  Prodigy has thematic similarities to J.J. Abrams' Star Trek 2009: both projects are about a young crew of neophytes who take over a starship against impossible odds. In Star Trek 2009, Kirk led a crew of cadets fresh out of Starfleet Academy who had to rise to the occasion and save Earth from the time-traveling Romulan, Nero (Eric Bana). Star Trek: Prodigy 's young alien heroes are even less skilled; having come from a mining planet in the Delta Quadrant, Dal, Gwyn, and the others have never even heard of the United Federation of Planets. But their adventures are just as fast-paced and energetic as Kirk's exploits in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek trilogy.

Star Trek scores are a vital component of every Star Trek movie and TV series , all of which have memorable themes that are beloved by Trekkers. Jerry Goldsmith's score for Star Trek: The Motion Picture is one of the all-time great science fiction compositions and it later became the theme of Star Trek: The Next Generation . Michael Giacchino's Star Trek 2009 theme succeeded at the daunting task of creating a sweeping new sound to accompany the Starship Enterprise while also incorporating the nostalgia of Alexander Courage's original Star Trek theme from 1966. With Star Trek: Prodigy , Michael Giacchino crafted a score worthy of the next generation of Star Trek heroes (and their new younger audience) that ideally harkens to the best parts of his Star Trek 2009 music.

Next: Star Trek Finally Resolves A TNG Season 3 Tease

11 Sci-Fi Shows to Binge If You Love ‘Star Trek’

Set a course for these adventures in space.

There is no dearth of shows set in the world of Star Trek nowadays. Thanks to Paramount+ (previously known as CBS All Access), Trekkies can enjoy all kinds of fare, from darker serialized stories in Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard to old-school episodic style of storytelling in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . We also have animated fare that appeals to adults, like Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Prodigy , that’s geared to younger generations.

But just because we live in an age of "All Trek All the Time", doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some excellent science-fiction adventures outside the United Federation of Planets. Shows set in space have been around forever, though some have been forgotten. The shows on this list have vastly different tones and production values, and every viewer will have their own favorites. If you love Star Trek, or episodic adventures in space, then you may want to catch up with these shows in between seasons.

RELATED: Star Trek Day Programming and Global Pop-Ups Revealed for Paramount+ Event

An astronaut from Earth finds himself aboard the living spaceship Moya as the ship and its crew fight to escape a fascist military operation known as the Peacekeepers. Farscape aired in the early noughties, in an attempt to capture audiences who were losing interest in Star Trek , but unlike Star Trek the central crew aren’t always upstanding citizens. The protagonist, John Crichton ( Ben Browder ), is a great audience stand-in, with his pop culture retorts and easy-going air about him keeping him relatable. His perfect match turns out to be Aeryn Sun, played by Claudia Black , a no-nonsense former soldier who thaws into a compassionate character by the end of the series. Their dynamic is a big appeal of the show , as are the visuals and animatronics that bring this sci-fi universe to life.

Set aboard the titular space station, the space opera Babylon 5 focuses on what happens when humans and aliens must work together to bring peace to a galaxy that's still learning diplomacy. Babylon 5 doesn’t hold back on the horrors of war and the toll that it takes, while the show even touches on humanity’s darker aspects with plot lines featuring Xenophobic groups as well as the impact of political and religious influences. Parts of the show echo the atmosphere of Deep Space Nine , not only with its space station setting (there was some controversy around how similar the settings were) but also by showcasing how large-scale galactic events can affect the most ordinary of individuals.

Stargate is a sprawling franchise of shows based on the Roland Emmerich film, beginning with Stargate SG-1 , which debuted in the late 1990s and remains a favorite among genre fans. Later shows added to the canon of the franchise — the main premise revolves around Earth's discovery of a "Stargate," which is a cosmic portal that can ferry humans across vast distances. Of course, human beings decide to exploit this discovery for potential resources, which results in humanity battling aliens, especially the snake-like Goa'uld. Stargate is heavy on lore for sci-fi fans to immerse themselves in, but more importantly the show serves as "comfort viewing," with a fun and likable cast of characters.

Dark Matter

In the future, six people wake up on a spaceship with no knowledge of who they are and how they got there. They have to work together to discover the truth, but how can they trust each other? Based on the comic series of the same name, one of the most comparable aspects of Dark Matter to Star Trek is the introduction of The Android ( Zoie Palmer ), a character who is the smartest person in the room but knows little about human interaction. Though the show was canceled after only three seasons, it did develop a loyal fanbase, thanks to its combination of humor and darkness, with a diverse cast and a seemingly omnipresent villain. Dark Matter was less about the epic part of sci-fi, and more about the dynamics between people — something Star Trek fans will enjoy, since that franchise also emphasizes eclectic partnerships and friendships.

Killjoys deserved a lot more love than it received. This underrated sci-fi adventure follows Dutch ( Hannah John-Kamen ), Johnny ( Aaron Ashmore ), and D'avin ( Luke Macfarlane ), three bounty hunters who bungle every mission they’re on and still survive to tell the tale. The three protagonists have great chemistry and riff off each other perfectly. There’s a lot of quips mixed in with the brawls and space-hopping. What especially works for this Canadian show is that it’s a little more LGBTQIA+ friendly than Star Trek used to be, making for welcome change within the space opera genre. The show began with more episodic storytelling like older Trek , before introducing season-long villains like Deep Space Nine and Enterprise had. Also, one theme that appealed to fans of Killjoys was the concept of a found family — a quintessential theme of all Trek properties.

The Mandalorian

Star Wars and Trek are sometimes pitted against each other as franchises, which has never made sense. Now that Star Wars has debuted its own live-action series on Disney+, the differences between the franchises have decreased even more. You want an adventure in space? The Mandalorian has that as our hero flies from system to system to protect his young charge. You want aliens, betrayal, new and unconventional bonds formed? All of that can be found aboard the Razor Crest. What about epic battles, duels, and scheming villains — it’s in there! The Mandalorian is its own show, with a unique visual style, but the seasons so far definitely fill the void whenever you’re craving more Star Trek content, and you don’t feel like re-watching your favorite installment yet again.

Battlestar Galactica

If you’re a Trekkie, Battlestar Galactica has most likely been on your watchlist for a while. The reboot of the 1970s show is set aboard the titular spaceship, which leads the fleet carrying the last remaining humans in the universe. Admiral Adama ( Edward James Olmos ) oversees a crew consisting of fan-favorite characters like Katee Sackhoff ’s Starbuck and Jamie Bamber ’s Apollo, among others, alongside the newly-appointed President Laura Roslin (two-time Oscar nominee Mary McDonnell) . Adama has a destination in mind, but his hopes may be dashed as the fleet battles an old enemy in new form. The Cylons are like the Borg, insidious and relentless. Worse, the Cylons in the reboot can look like humans, so trust is at a premium in the show. Some of the storylines and character arcs on the show were controversial up to and including the series finale, but Battlestar Galactica continues to be thought-provoking, and the characters will easily become some of your favorites.

Lost in Space

For fans of space and exploration, the 2018 reboot of Lost in Space (yes, another reboot!) will be right up your alley. The show follows the Robinson family, Molly ( Maureen Robinson ), John ( Toby Stephens ) and their three children, aspiring doctor Judy ( Taylor Russell ), budding writer Penny ( Mina Sundwall ), and science-enthusiast Will ( Maxwell Jenkins ), as they travel to outer space. The Robinsons face several obstacles in space — from the environment, alien species, robots, and even their fellow humans — but always find a way to power through. As long as this family are together, they can overcome anything. Although they do need more than a little help from their friendly, albeit, taciturn, robot. Who else will loudly proclaim ‘Danger, Will Robinson’ at the first signs of trouble?

The Expanse

Set in the 24th century (like several Star Trek shows), The Expanse is one of the more critically-acclaimed science-fiction shows of the new millennium. Based on a series of novels by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck , the series follows several characters unwittingly intertwined in a giant conspiracy that threatens to destabilize the already teetering state of peace in the Solar System. The characters are distinct and compelling, but it’s the political storylines that keep you hooked. Shohreh Aghdashloo is particularly riveting as United Nations member Chrisjen Avasarala, as is Frankie Adams , who joined the show in the second season as gunnery sergeant Bobby Draper. The dynamics among the crew of the Rocinante ship are another reason you’ll continue to tune in. With The Expanse, come for the space adventure, stay for the political intrigue.

Quantum Leap

The original Quantum Leap and its 2022 sequel capture the core values of Star Trek —understanding, tolerance and a love of all people, irrespective of their differences. While the original show may feel a little dated nowadays (well, so does some of Star Trek ), through Sam Beckett ( Scott Bakula ) ‘leaping’ into other people, the show examined tough topics including racism and women’s rights. It helps that Bakula also starred as Captain Jonathan Archer on Enterprise . The sequel series stars a diverse cast including Raymond Lee, Caitlin Bassett, Mason Alexander Park, Nanrisa Lee and Ernie Hudson . The show is an absolute delight with heartwarming stories brought to life by Lee’s effortless performance and a deeper relationship between the lead characters than there was in the original . The stories are also more representative, and include an episode with an Indian immigrant family, as well as an episode about a trans teenager who just wants to play basketball. There’s an extra layer of mystery added in that will keep you tuning in for more.

The long-lasting British science-fiction show Doctor Who has the episodic, planet-hopping, and alien-encountering fun of Star Trek , but brings its own distinct flavor. Every era has its own appeal, and now that the show has broadened its horizons to cast more women, people of color, and trans actors as leads, Doctor Who is becoming more representative with every series. The show is quirky and silly, but can be scary (Weeping Angels, anyone?), thought-provoking, and somber ( just take a look at Donna Noble's tragic companion arc ). Everyone will have their own favorite Doctor, but there are a lot of companions to cheer for as well. There’s never a dull moment when the Time-Lord steps into their Tardis and decides which planet or year to fly off to. Every episode is an unforgettable adventure, and one never knows if the Doctor will meet a strange new alien, a historic figure from Earth’s past, or something else completely out of this world.

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50 Cent Demands J. Cole Call Him ‘Right Now’ After Kendrick Lamar Diss Apology: ‘WTF’

50 has been the central figure of rap beefs with several of his peers including Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, and more.

50 Cent  wants to talk with  J. Cole  about his apology to  Kendrick Lamar  at the 2024 Dreamville Festival.

On Monday, 50 hopped on social media after news got out that Cole  admitted he didn't feel right dissing Kendrick Lamar on "7 Minute Drill."  According to 50, he was surprised and couldn't believe he missed Cole's apology on Sunday night when he was already there to perform the day before . 

"WTF how I miss this,  @realcoleworld  call my phone ☎️ right now!  @bransoncognac   @lecheminduroi ," 50 wrote.

50 is no stranger to engaging in rap beef as he's squared up with the likes of Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and more throughout his career. Some fans online remembered those quarrels and used that to critique Cole waving the white flag. 

"50 Cent didn't snatch Ja Rule's chain, jump Gunplay, have a shootout with Game in front of Hot 97, leave dead rats at Jimmy Henchmen's door step, black Fredro Star's eye, & brought Rick Ross kids shopping with Floyd for J Cole to apologize to Kendrick for a mid diss track," one person said. 

Another tweeted, "50 Cent boutta be the first OG to sit both men in a room and start a beef back up."

50 Cent didn’t snatch Ja Rule’s chain, jump Gunplay, have a shootout with Game in front of Hot 97, leave dead rats at Jimmy Henchmen’s door step, black Fredro Star’s eye, & brought Rick Ross kids shopping with Floyd for J Cole to apologize to Kendrick for a mid diss track 😔 — TY-RIN (@GothamCityGoon) April 8, 2024

Cole shocked the hip-hop world during his set at the Dreamville Festival when he expressed not feeling right dissing Lamar on "7 Minute Drill" on the newly released mixtape  Might Delete Later .  

"I was conflicted because: one, I know my heart and I know how I feel about my peers. These two n***as that I just been blessed to even stand beside in this game, let alone chase they greatness," he said. "So I felt conflicted 'cause I'm like, bruh, I don't even feel no way. But the world wanna see blood. I don't know if y'all can feel that, but the world wanna see blood."

He continued, "That shit disrupts my fucking peace. So what I want to say right here tonight is in the midst of me doing that, trying to find a little angle and downplay this n***a's fucking catalog and his greatness, I want to say right now tonight, how many people think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest motherfuckers to ever touch a fucking microphone? Dreamville, y'all love Kendrick Lamar, correct? As do I." 

Cole went on to say dissing Lamar was "the lamest, goofiest shit" and it put him in a place where he wasn't moving in unison with his spirit. With his apology, Cole hoped that God would get him back on his purpose and that Lamar didn't feel a way by his diss.

He also said that "7 Minute Drill" would be removed from streaming services. However, the song is still available on DSPs as of press time.  

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