The Theme from Star Trek (Star Trek: TOS official theme song)
| Title: | The Theme from Star Trek |
| Creator: | music by Alexander Courage, added later lyrics by Gene Roddenberry |
| Date(s): | 1968 |
| Medium: | audio |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | info on Wikipedia |
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Alexander Courage was the composer of the instrumental music for the original Star Trek: TOS theme.
Added Lyrics
Without Courage's knowledge, much less permission, Gene Roddenberry wrote his own lyrics to Courage's music. In 1968, these lyrics were published in the book The Making of Star Trek by Roddenberry and Stephen Whitfield.
Roddenberry did this in order to pocket 50% of the royalties for his role as lyricist. While Courage never took legal action, he has been quoted as saying that Roddenberry's action was unethical. Roddenberry was quoted as responding, "Hey, I have to get some money somewhere. I'm sure not gonna get it out of the profits of Star Trek." [1]
Many sources claim that these lyrics were never meant to be heard or performed. Roddenberry himself, however, recorded these lyrics in 1977 on the vinyl 45 record, Themes from Star Trek . An ad for that recording said: "Now you can own these exciting new versions of the Star Trek Theme, featuring the first Vocal Edition ever recorded with Lyrics by Gene Roddenberry. Beautifully performed by the Tristar Orchestra and Chorus on Stereo 45 r.p.m."
The Lyrics
The titles of at least two fanzines got their title from Roddenberry's lyrics. They are Starry Seas, Earthly Planes and Rim of Starlight.
The lyrics:
Beyond the rim of the star light, my love is wandering in star flight. I know he'll find in star-clustered reaches love, strange love a star woman teaches. I know his journey ends never. His star trek will go on forever. But tell him while he wanders his starry sea remember, remember me.
As a Fan Activity
An event at Star Trek America in 1979: "An added surprise to the guest speeches was a dance done by Angelique Pettyjohn as Shana, to the ever-popular strains of the Star Trek theme."
On his show (unknown date), Lawrence Welk called STAR TREK "one of the most popular shows of the 60s" as he introduced a Bobby Burgess-Cissy King dance number to the rock version of ST's theme song. The set resembled a lunar landscape with a starry backdrop.
See "The Theme from Star Trek" (originally scored under the title "Where No Man Has Gone Before") -- Malibu Celebration of Film Presents Music Takes Courage: A Tribute to Alexander Courage (part 1) (March 2006).
Lyric Canon Appearances
The lyrics were featured in an issue of the DC Comics Star Trek comic book, "performed" by the character Uhura.
Similar Items
- The Theme from Star Trek (1975)
- Themes from Star Trek (1977)
- Starfleet and Crystal Crackin' (1977 or 1978)
- If We...by Heash (1977 or 1978)
- Arcturus (1981)
Further Reading
- ‘Star Trek’: Words and Music: The theme to the original 'Star Trek' television series officially includes never-used lyrics. (1999)
- Star Trek: The Original Series' Theme Had Lyrics (And They're Terrible) (2021)
- Sci Fi Bytes: There Were Lyrics to the Star Trek Theme Song? (2021)