Poll of the Week: A Song of Stars

[Jo Marshall]

It's difficult to think about Star Trek and not have the theme music of a favoured series pop into the head. From the first time the Original Series popped onto television screens, the soundtrack composed by Alexander Courage has ensured Star Trek remained firmly in hearts and minds for years to come. Several composers have attempted their own version of this since, emulating and expanding upon one of the most iconic and well-loved pieces of orchestral composition.

As with music tastes throughout the ages, the spin-offs of Star Trek have each introduced their fresh take on a theme. Over the years, we've seen some of these enter the hallowed halls of classical music and venerated with the same respect as movie themes known and loved the world over, while others have become pop sensations. Now, we move into a new era of Star Trek with Discovery and Picard, and a new generation of composers bring their interpretation and ideas.  

This week, we want to know which of these themes strummed your heartstrings and plucked your imagination chords. Do you rock along to the dulcet tones of Russell Watson, the bongo drums of the Original Series or feel the stirring inspiration from Deep Space Nine?

Which of these soundtracks is your hallowed favourite?

[Lorian Lovar]

Faith of the Heart. The only one I can really jam out to.

[Martin Oliver]

Have to go with Enterprise as it sounds different to the others and fresher being new at the time.

 I do like the others though 

[Pholin Duyzer]

I have to go for Voyager's theme. It's mostly nostalgia for me, although the tune's amazing.

[Ben Garcia]

Tough one between TNG and Voyager. 

Voyager just wins out. Something epic about it that links to the perseverance of trying to find their way back home.

[Piravao sh'Qynallahr]

Enterprise, Faith of the Heart is the only one I can sing along to as it plays

[Thalas th’Koro]

For me it's definitely close between the banger that is 'Faith of the Heart' and the TOS theme. However, I have to go with the Original, it's what started the lineage of all this great music!

[+ Hutch]

I like the classics! I've opted for TNG as I think it's a good improvement on the original theme and is instantly recognisable as Star Trek. Plus, like some others have said, it has a nostalgia factor.

Faith of the Heart, unfortunately, I absolutely cannot stand! Sorry!

[Solaris]

I have... very serious concerns about the results of this poll... I picked Voyager, because it was my first Trek, so it will always be my favourite theme...

[Noa T'Nessa Levinson]

Can I just go with "everything"?

[+ Salkath]

Y'all missed the best theme of all! 🤣

 

[Samira Neathler]

When listening to them all in one playlist and it hits TNG, I'm always like: wauw amazing, but then when Voyager starts I'm sold every single time again. Can't explain it, but it has something extra. So Voyager it is!

(Mind you, most of them are amazing. 🙂 )

[Lorian Lovar]

5 hours ago, Solaris said:

I have... very serious concerns about the results of this poll... I picked Voyager, because it was my first Trek, so it will always be my favourite theme...

So what you're telling me is... you dont have faith... oF THE HEAAART!! ::air guitar::

[Jo Marshall]

No love for the two newest ones?! 

[Alieth]

Even if my fav show is DS9, the Voyager theme with the visuals just made the game for me. Still the most GORGEOUS intro in my opinion. I've TNG one quite close to this too since it was my first trek show. 

 

In any case.... I'm... concerned about you and THAT sing along song *shivers* 😜

[Pholin Duyzer]

3 hours ago, Jo Marshall said:

No love for the two newest ones?! 

I've gotta say, the Discovery theme has definitely started growing on me. They're both a very different style though, so I can understand why we all love the classics. 😆

[Alieth]

if we speak about soundtrack as a whole (not only theme song) discovery is quite solid tbh. 

[Jo Marshall]

I like the ethereal sound to Disco and Picard! Almost like an optimistic sound to them?

[Solaris]

7 hours ago, Jo Marshall said:

No love for the two newest ones?! 

Ive heard both of them a handful of times... and for the life of me... I couldnt describe what they sounded like if you asked me. They have no substance to them as far as themes go. That doesnt make them good themes (even if they might be otherwise competent pieces of music). Meanwhile after one or two viewing of any other Trek show I could describe and hum each of their themes.

[Jo Marshall]

I wonder if that's the issue with them, then. They're just not as memorable as the orchestral crescendos?

[Solaris]

Oh I just noticed, Faith of the Heart was not composed by Dennis McCarthy. (Also apparantly the Enterprise version is titled 'Where My Heart Will Take Me")... but its a reused song from Patch Adams. It was composed by Diane Warren.

[Noa T'Nessa Levinson]

if we're not specifically discussing the opening themes, I'm actually a big fan of a few of the tracks in the Discovery and Picard soundtracks, as well as a couple of ones from TNG by Ron Jones!

[Pholin Duyzer]

58 minutes ago, Adingo said:

if we're not specifically discussing the opening themes, I'm actually a big fan of a few of the tracks in the Discovery and Picard soundtracks, as well as a couple of ones from TNG by Ron Jones!

If we're expanding it, I'm a huge fan of Archer's theme. Might be even better than Voyager's theme in my humble opinion.

[Noa T'Nessa Levinson]

2 minutes ago, Pholin Duyzer said:

If we're expanding it, I'm a huge fan of Archer's theme. Might be even better than Voyager's theme in my humble opinion.

Oh right, how could I forget about Archer's Theme?! I love it!!

[Jo Marshall]

Archer's theme is pretty nifty! I am pretty partial to the Short Treks ending  sounds suitably noir