One of the most enduring aspects of Star Trek has always been its music. From the soaring and operatic theme of the original series to the oddly controversial theme from Star Trek: Enterprise, each series' theme has its own unique appeal.
Let's revisit and rank five themes from the original series and beyond as we recall what makes each so special.
5. Star Trek: Discovery
Composed by Jeff Russo, the theme from Discovery incorporates elements from past themes, including operatic background singers and multiple string instruments. This creates a sensation of motion once it opens with a slow build and familiar, soft chimes that recall The Original Series opener. It also uses the first familiar and stirring 8 notes from that theme to bookend Discovery's signature music, closing it out with a tingle of Star Trek nostalgia.
4. Star Trek: Voyager
Written by the late Jerry Goldsmith, this is a beautifully orchestrated piece that has an operatic, sweeping sensation. It's not as fast-paced as the Discovery theme, which matches the show's theme of Voyager's travels and the search for a way home from the Delta Quadrant. It has a bold feel with notes of longing wrapped within, making this a favorite among fans.
3. Star Trek: Enterprise
I know I might get a few virtual rotten tomatoes lobbed at me for this ranking, but hear me out. Enterprise's theme song, "Going Where My Heart Will Take Me" ( or "Faith of the Heart"), gets criticism for having lyrics, which is unlike any other theme that came before it. Enterprise's producers wanted to break away from past themes and include something completely new. The theme, written by Diane Warren, matches the tone of the show and its theme of breaking away and exploration.
2. Star Trek: The Next Generation
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith, this beautiful, sweeping theme is a combination of several other previous themes, including music from Star Trek's original theme and from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which Goldsmith also wrote and arranged. It's truly a fantastic piece, multi-layered and bold, with a commanding arrangement despite the retooling.
1. Star Trek's original theme
Written by Alexander Courage, this is the mother of all other Star Trek themes. It's difficult to think about the franchise in general without William Shatner's line, "To boldly go where no man has gone before," as a lead-in to the series' music.
Gene Roddenberry famously (or infamously, depending on one's opinion) wrote lyrics to the Star Trek theme to snag a writing credit. You can find the lyrics here, and believe me, they make "Going Where My Heart Will Take Me" seem Emmy-worthy and would have distracted from the operatic and lovely theme every fan knows today.
Other Star Trek themes, such as the one from Deep Space Nine, deserve a nod. With so many series and themes to enjoy, it would take hours to discuss them all!