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Every STAR TREK Opening Theme Song Ranked from Worst to Best

Find out which is the greatest opening in Star Trek television history. Star Trek is the most iconic television show ever. It’s also spawned one of the most successful movie franchises ever made.

Part of its success is the Star Trek theme song. The original song is so iconic people know it even if they’ve never seen an episode of the show. Over the years there have been many spin-offs of the show which each used a new theme song. Some have been brilliant and some have been horrible.

Most recently Star Trek: Discovery is airing   on CBS All-Access . Soon the upcoming Picard series will introduce a new theme song. We don’t know if the opening for Picard will match up with some of the others. But it’s time to look back at the history of the Star Trek opening songs and rank them from worst to best.

Make it so.

11. Star Trek: Enterprise Season 3-4 (2003–2005)

Composed by Dennis McCarthy

Enterprise’s theme song is the first (and last) time Star Trek uses a contemporary song for the opening. Dennis McCarthy scored the pilot episode. Executive producer Rick Berman promised something new for Star Trek’s sixth spin-off series. He said the opening would “be using a little bit more contemporary kind of music. […] It’s not all of a sudden that the show is going to be scored with electric guitars. It’s going to be a little hipper.”

The song “Faith of the Heart” is written by Diane Warren and sung by Rod Stewart for Robin Williams’ comedic-drama Patch Adams (1998). The song was a hit and charted at number three on the US Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and number 60 on the UK Singles Chart. It’s used for Star Trek and sung by Russell Watson . It’s a good song and some of the lyrics match up with the idea of space travel.

You have to inspire the courage of the producers for trying something new but it doesn’t work. There’s a tradition of Star Trek shows opening with a grand orchestral theme. This song sounds like a Rod Stewart concert. After fans complained the song is different in the third and final season of Enterprise .

The new version has a higher pitch and is sped up. They added tambourine and a more pronounced electric guitar. Star Trek managed to make a bad decision even worse.

10.  Star Trek: Enterprise  Season 1-2 (2001–2002)

Dennis McCarthy first made music for the Next Generation pilot episode and scored dozens of other episodes. McCarthy later composed the theme for the shows  Deep Space Nine and  Voyager. Plus he scored the soundtrack for movies like  Star Trek: Generations . 

The opening of  Enterprise uses the song “Faith of the Heart” sung by British crossover opera singer Russell Watson. Fans hated it so much that fans created many petitions to get rid of it. “[We] urgently request that you remove [‘Faith of the Heart’] and in its place utilize a score that is without vocals, as traditionally used by [the] ‘Star Trek’ television series,” one petition said.

“We wish to express our unmitigated disgust with the theme song that has been selected for the new ‘Enterprise’ series,” another online petition said. “It is not fit to be scraped off the bottom of a Klingon’s boot.”

“I’m in the horrible minority of people who like the song,” Rick Berman defended the song telling Sci-Fi Wire . “I think it fits beautifully. I think it’s a song that’s got a lot of hopefulness and uplifting qualities to it. And I like it. I’ve met a lot of other people who like it, but I’ve also heard a tremendous amount of banter about people who don’t. And what’s a Star Trek series without something for people to hate?”

Whatever you think of the song it was used as a wakeup call for NASA missions .

9. Star Trek: Enterprise Season 4 “Mirror Darkly” (2005)

Composed by Dennis McCarthy & Kevin Kiner

In 2005 the series Enterprise traveled to an alternate “evil mirror universe” for several episodes. To complete the feel that the show had traveled to another world they changed the opening. The theme song has a more militaristic tone and a darker feel.

It works well, especially when shown along with images showing how Earth entered into a long-standing war. Considering it replaced a pop song it’s even more impressive. Unfortunately, it only lasted a few episodes before going back to “Faith of the Heart”.

8. Star Trek: Discovery  (2017-2019)

Composed by Jeff Russo

When CBS started work on the Star Trek prequel Star Trek: Discovery they hired Jeff Russo to compose a new opening theme. Russo has started in a ’90s alternative rock band named “Tonic”. After that, he started composing songs for video games and television shows. He won an Emmy for his work on the FX series Fargo .

He describes himself as a life-long fan of Star Trek and Jerry Goldsmith’s work on The Next Generation in particular. The theme for Discovery sets itself apart because they decided to focus on emotion rather than exploration. It starts with the familiar fanfare for Star Trek and then uses stringed instruments to give a sense of mystery and hope. It ends with the theme again which implies the future of the franchise.

It’s a solid piece that relies on fan recognition. So it doesn’t stand out on its own.

7. Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–1969)

Composed by Alexander Courage

The theme for Star Trek played over every episode in the show’s three seasons. It’s called “Where No Man Has Gone Before”. It’s an instrumental piece and opens with a monologue by William Shatner starting with “Space. The final frontier”. The song itself relied on wind instruments and percussion by bongo drums, which was a popular instrument at the time.

Alexander Mair “Sandy” Courage Jr. was an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy Award-winning composer, arranger, conductor, and orchestrator of television shows and movies like Jurassic Park (1993), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), and Hello, Dolly! (1964).

Courage was inspired by the Richard Whiting song “Beyond the Blue Horizon,” giving him the idea for a song which was a “long thing that…keeps going out into space…over a fast-moving accompaniment.”

The original song is a masterpiece of its time evoking a feel of adventure and excitement and has been used in several pieces for Star Trek since then. Unfortunately, it feels dated. Bongo drums fell out of fashion decades ago. The operatic singing by  Loulie Jean Norman feels out-of-place. Iconic, but not quite as good as others.

6. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973–1974)

Composed by Ray Ellis (Yvette Blais), Norm Prescott (Jeff Michaels)

Raymond Spencer Ellis arranged many hit records in the 1950s and 1960s. He later started working with Filmation on their animated series. He used his wife’s name “Yvette Blais” as a pseudonym. Norman Prescott was co-founder and executive producer at Filmation Associates and worked with Ellis on the theme song. He used the pseudonym “Jeff Michael” after his sons Jeff and Michael.

Paramount decided to revive the original series for a Saturday morning cartoon. They decided to make the theme more modern.

Like the original song, it starts with Shatner’s monologue “where no man had gone before”. Then it moves onto a song with a much faster pace and tone than the original. The tone is slightly different as well but manages to capture the same feel of the original song. Plus, there’s no singing.

5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 1-3 (1993–1995)

Jerry Goldsmith was contacted to do the theme song but declined because of scheduling problems. Dennis McCarthy has done a ton of work on Star Trek and he admired the Star Trek: The Next Generation song. He said that he loved the trumpets and French horns in the theme so McCarthy used wind instruments to write the song for DS9 .

It’s different from other songs because it’s the first show to focus on a starbase instead of a spaceship. So the feel of the song is very different for the fourth television spin-off. Berman said he wanted to emphasize the loneliness of the station. McCarthy told SyFy he wanted the theme to say, “We are alone” and he accomplished it. It’s different but beautiful. In 1993 he won an Emmy for “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music” on DS9.

4. Star Trek: Picard (2019-)

Composed by Jeff Russo

CBS All Access went in a different direction with the theme song for Picard. Instead of relying on strings and a large orchestra to play the song it goes smaller. The song is thoughtful, serene and melodic. It’s not bombastic like the N ext Generation  theme or slow like  Deep Space Nine.

But it does owe a debt to the 90s Star Trek series. In the TNG episode “The Inner Light” Picard is knocked unconscious by an alien probe. He lives 40 years of life as an alien scientist named Kamin in the span of a few minutes. During the episode, he hears a flute song played by his “son” Batai (Daniel Stewart). After Picard returns to his normal life, he still remembers how to play and plays a melody on a flute. That flute and song have a special place in Picard’s life since it’s the family he never had but “lost”. It’s not a coincidence. The composer said he wanted to use a flute to evoke some of the feelings from the episode.

Russo told  The Ready Room  he wanted to “change to a feeling of emotional contentment for him because as we come to see, he lives on a chateau. And it’s sort of what we always thought would happen at the end of The Next Generation, and those movies where he would always sort of end up … That was his happy place. And then I wanted to … evoke how he has been awoken again.”

It ends with a small section of the theme from  Star Trek: The Next Generation . It’s lovely, thoughtful and moving.

3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 4-9 (1996–1999)

For the fourth season to the final season, the song changed. It’s actually better in many ways. The show had changed by the fourth season. New characters joined the show like Leeta (Chase Masterson) the Dabo girl. Other characters, like Worf (Michael Dorn) from Next Generation, returned. The starship USS Defiant was added to allow the show to travel to different parts of space.

All these changes led the producers and McCarthy to rework the theme song to make it lighter. The reworked song makes the show brighter and gives more hope. Star Trek is all about hope and it fits wonderfully.

2. Star Trek: Voyager (1995–2001)

Composed by Jerry Goldsmith

Jerry Goldsmith is a legend in the industry with a long list of awards including 18 Academy Award nominations. He won an Oscar for The Omen (1976) and was nominated for Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979.

Unlike The Next Generation which used music from his movie Star Trek: The Motion Picture, he decided to write a new song. The song is a beautiful sweeping theme that has stunning pictures of the ship soaring through space. The Voyager theme is somber and lonely but not sad. It’s uplifting.

The Voyager opening theme song is wonderful.

1. Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1-7 (1987–1994)

Composed by Dennis McCarthy, Jay Chattaway, Ron Jones, Alexander Courage, Jerry Goldsmith

When the producers were planning out the first Star Trek show in decades they wanted to make sure the music would meet fan expectations. So they turned to the work of Jerry Goldsmith and used a piece from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Specifically, they took a piece that played several times in the soundtrack. The first time is before the Enterprise’s first warp test.

The song is perfect for the opening as it has a feel of hope and majesty. The original song was performed by a 100-piece orchestra. Too much for a TV show so they scaled it back and McCarthy led the original orchestration of a slightly different version of the song.

It opens with the opening of the original Star Trek theme. Then Patrick Stewart says a version of the “Where no man has gone before” monologue. After that, the song begins and blows the doors off. It’s the best theme Star Trek has ever had and set the standard for all other openings.

Which is your favorite Star Trek theme song? Which one do you hate? Let us know in the comments below!

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Den of Geek

Every Star Trek TV Theme Song Ranked: From TOS and TNG to Discovery and Beyond

Star Trek has some of the best music in television history. And here's how the greatest themes stack up with one another.

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“Space… the Final Frontier.” Those words have a certain sound to them, and not just because you hear the voice of William Shatner or Patrick Stewart saying them. They have a sound to them because they’re associated with music, specifically some of the most iconic themes in television history.

Even more so than the cold opens that accompany most episodes of Star Trek , the themes need to capture the franchise’s sense of wonder, optimism, and discovery. They need to evoke in the mind of the watcher an endless horizon just waiting for a Starfleet crew to find.

Every Star Trek TV theme achieves this goal, albeit some better than others. So here’s our ranking of every theme song from the most pedestrian to the most inspiring.

11. Star Trek: The Animated Series

It’s so much easier to admire Star Trek: The Animated Series than it is to enjoy it. As much as the show manages to evoke the spirit and feel part of the Original Series on a cheap TV animation budget, one has to look past a lot of clunkiness to get to the good stuff.

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The same is true of the new theme music by Filmation composer Ray Ellis, under the pseudonym Yvette Blais and Jeff Michael. At times, the TAS theme captures the sense of wonder found in the Original Series theme. But too often it’s thin and tinny, hampered by flat orchestration and poorly-recorded horns. The composition itself isn’t too bad, but it feels quintessentially 1970s, dated in a way the best themes do not. Instead of boldly going, The Animated Series theme keeps things stuck in the world of Filmation.

10. Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard wanted to move the main character away from the respected captain we knew from The Next Generation . This was an older, more contemplative man, living in disgrace from even the organization through which he built his legend. The Picard theme by Jeff Russo reflects those intentions, a soft, almost discordant piece of music that eschews the stirring confidence of the other themes.

Russo works in elements of previous Star Trek music, namely the march of the TNG theme and the tune from “The Inner Light.” But no part connects with the other, feeling like a series of fragments more than a complete whole. Although one appreciates the daring in Russo’s composition for Picard , it’s much less enjoyable than most of the other themes. A good idea in theory, but not in execution, like much of Picard itself.

9. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

So much of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is about making something new with the familiar. Spun off from the very different Discovery , Strange New Worlds puts viewers back on the Enterprise , filled with familiar characters, including Uhura, Spock, and James T. Kirk himself. The theme by Jeff Russo tries to do the same, right down to the traditional spoken word intro, this time delivered by Anson Mount as Captain Pike.

Except, unlike the rest of SNW , the theme feels like a retread of glory days instead of a new interpretation of classic ideas. The song isn’t bad, combining the marching cadence of the TOS theme with the wistful hope of the modern themes. It’s a pleasing composition, but also unsurprising. It sounds more like an update of the classic Trek theme, which isn’t bad, but is a bit underwhelming.

8. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Almost every complaint lodged against the theme for Strange New Worlds also applies to Star Trek: Lower Decks . Although far more irreverent, Lower Decks goes back to a fan-favorite point in time, during the 1990s series, and its theme reflects that setting. Chris Westlake, who worked with showrunner Mike McMahan on Solar Opposites , emulates the tone of ’90s Trek shows, especially TNG .

The propulsive tune has the sense of adventure that one wants for a good Trek theme, threaded with notes of wonder and whimsey. Some might complain that the tune doesn’t indicate the show’s comedic elements, but that’s part of the Lower Decks charm. The show pokes loving fun at Star Trek , coming from a place of deep knowledge and respect for the franchise, which the theme song reflects.

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7. Star Trek: Discovery

The farther we get from the show’s first few seasons, the easier it is to see Star Trek: Discovery as the experimental, off-beat franchise entry that it is. That experimental aspect is reflected in the way the theme song from composer Jeff Russo integrates elements of the classic TOS theme, but then moves in its own direction.

Instead of just launching forward, the theme holds back. A bed of soft bass holds the theme together, giving space for playful strings. But the theme plays out in loosely connected pieces, never really coming together, even when it returns to notes of the TOS theme at the end. All of these elements signal an evolving series, one that has no one single identity—fitting for Discovery .

6. Star Trek: The Original Series

Alright, let’s just get this out of the way. The theme to Star Trek: The Original Series is iconic. There’s a reason that so many modern Trek themes quote the original. That said, there’s a reason that these themes only quote the start, the tinkling chimes that accompany the “Final Frontier” speech or the confident strings that follow.

No one quotes the rest of the theme, and there’s a reason for that. While the melody itself is pleasing and fits the exploration ideas of the show, nothing else in the song from Alexander Courage works. The vocals are cheesy and irritating, the bongos are too busy, drawing attention from the best parts of the song. Courage’s composition deserves credit for setting the standard, but no one is upset that the themes moved on from there.

5. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Many ( including folks at Den of Geek ) put Star Trek: Deep Space Nine at the top of franchise rankings. The show’s moral complexity, its vision of different people and groups trying to come together, and its embrace of concepts such as large-scale war and religion make it hard to beat as the greatest entry in Star Trek history.

However, the theme by Dennis McCarthy doesn’t really hint at these titanic stakes—even after it was revamped in later seasons. Instead, the slow, contemplative theme evokes loneliness and even stagnation. A solo trumpet drives the theme, playing over the warm strings that rise and fall away. It makes for a beautiful work, but not one that stays in the mind like others.

4. Star Trek: Prodigy

Star Trek: Prodigy is easily the most unique of the Star Trek shows. Directed at kids with an animation style that recalls the Star Wars series on Disney+, yet still a sequel to Star Trek: Voyager , Prodigy doesn’t necessarily sound like an idea that would succeed. And yet, with its team of plucky kids and fantastic stories about established characters like Janeway, Chakotay, and Wesley Crusher , Prodigy embodies the Trek ethos better than any other current show.

That unique approach is highlighted in the show’s theme, which comes from none other than Michael Giacchino. The tune owes a debt to Voyager , unsurprisingly, but there’s also a lot of his work from the Kelvin universe movies in there, too. A warm, confident melody pushes the song forward, giving way for occasional moments of reflective calm and explosive propulsion. The song reflects the excitement of the show, in which a bunch of rowdy kids follow in the footsteps of respected travelers.

3. Star Trek: Enterprise

Yes. Really. Of course, we all recoiled in disgust the first time that we heard the lyrics “faith of the heart” greeting us to Enterprise’s premiere “Broken Bow.” Why abandon the orchestral themes that have always been part of the series? And why abandon them for a terrible adult contemporary number, one written by Diane Warren for the awful Robin Williams vehicle Patch Adams ?

But something strange happens by the time you get to episode 8. You start singing along. The radio-friendly licks and obvious hooks sink in and feel, somehow, right. And when the more up-tempo version kicks in with season three, we’re all channeling our inner Russell Watson to belt out our feelings. I guess you could say it’s a long road to loving “Where My Heart Will Take Me,” but we all get there eventually.

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Yes, this is a cheat. The music used in Star Trek: The Next Generation first came from Jerry Goldsmith’s score for Star Trek: The Motion Picture . But, honestly, do you associate that stirring march with Kirk in his pajamas, staring at the viewscreen? Or do you picture Jean-Luc Picard and Data and Q? Of course, it’s the latter, even if we’re watching a way-too-long sequence of the saucer section of the Enterprise-D separating.

The theme is a better fit for TNG than TMP anyway because it’s all about moving forward. Goldsmith’s composition strides forward, not even pausing for a second to second guess itself. Even when it softens for a reflective middle section, the theme keeps marching ahead, boldly going, all the way to its final triumphant flourish, keeping Trek alive for the next generation and beyond.

1. Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager may be the least loved among the first five series, but it has the most perfect theme of the entire franchise. Jerry Goldsmith nails it, combining the forward march of TNG with the sense of wonder from TOS and the loneliness of DS9 . This is a show about a ship lost in a distant quadrant, holding to their exploration ideals while remaining confident that they’ll get home.

Those aspects combine in the central tension of the theme, with the brass punching out its main melody and soft strings rising up, adding hints of sadness. Throughout the song come occasional chimes, highlighting the hopeful moments in Voyager ‘s journey, while never forgetting the danger and sadness in their plight. It’s everything wonderful about Star Trek , all presented in one minute and 40 seconds.

Joe George | @jageorgeii

Joe George’s writing has appeared at Slate, Polygon, Tor.com, and elsewhere!

Star Trek Opening Credits Ranked

Every "Star Trek" series has a different theme and open credits sequence, all influenced by those that have come before. The original series featured a voice-over from William Shatner as Captain Kirk, explaining the mission of the Enterprise before the stirring music crescendos and the ship zooms off into space. Kirk's monologue has become a part of pop culture, and each series has tried to find a way to both pay homage to the original and tell their own story. As such, there are a wide variety of opening sequences, each trying to capture the themes and visuals of their specific show in a matter of minutes. Some are successful, with memorable, hummable themes that invoke a sense of nostalgia. Others are simply forgettable, while there are others still that I wish I could forget. With 11 different "Star Trek" TV shows in existence, there's quite a range of quality in their title sequences, so I've put together a handy ranking of them all, from the great to the truly terrible. 

11. Enterprise

Music:  "Star Trek: Enterprise" automatically loses points for being the only "Star Trek" opening with lyrics in its title music. While the other series feature an assortment of orchestral arrangements, for some mind-boggling reason the folks behind "Enterprise" decided to base the theme on a Rod Stewart song. "Where My Heart Will Take Me" by Russell Watson was adapted from "Faith of the Heart" by Rod Stewart, and it is  corny . And if the song's weird sentimentality sounds familiar, that's because Stewart also wrote a version of "Faith of the Heart" for the Robin Williams movie "Patch Adams," which was notoriously sappy itself.  

Visuals:  Unfortunately, the visuals are just as dated and sentimental as the song choice, showing the history of exploration on Earth before we took to the stars. The idea is kind of cool, but it ends up looking like a NASA recruitment video more than the opening of a "Star Trek" series.

Trek Factor:  While seeing the origins of exploration are neat, there's something about the misspelled "Enterprize" and the other various "old timey" elements that make the show feel weirdly dated, and not in an intentionally historical way. I imply cannot get over how hilariously late-'90s to early-'00s the intro feels, from the bizarre crossfades to the song that sounds a lot like the theme from "Firefly," which came out just a year after "Enterprise." Everything about it is trying to embody Americana, which feels oddly against the themes of intergalactic sharing of knowledge from the rest of "Star Trek." The whole thing feels corporate and sterile, and misses the point of "Star Trek" entirely. 

Music:  The instrumental theme by Jeff Russo is pretty excellent, though it doesn't have the same rousing spirit as many of its forebears. Then again, " Picard " focuses on a man in his twilight years, and isn't about exploring the cosmos or defending a pivotal gateway between universes. It's a little more contemplative, a little more somber, and the theme reflects that with its gentle string arrangements and hints of the theme from "Star Trek: The Next Generation." 

Visuals:  "Picard" unfortunately falls into the recent trend of overlaying a bunch of images in a semi-psychedelic looking way to create a title sequence. The trend started with shows like "Hannibal" and "Nip/Tuck," though those had a unique conceit tied to their show, before eventually blowing up with the incredible title sequence on the first season of "True Detective." After that, everyone tried to mimic the style in their own way, and the opening titles to "Picard" feel more like an attempt at being relevant than staying true to "Trek." 

Trek Factor: With no voiceover, a much more serene theme, and no footage of starships, planets, or really any of the things we have come to associate with "Star Trek," it's clear that "Picard" is just about Picard. That's fine and dandy, but it doesn't make for a good "Star Trek" opening. 

9. Discovery

Music:  "Star Trek: Discovery" features another theme by Russo, and it's significantly more "Trek" than the theme to "Picard." It's rousing and exciting with big orchestral swells — exactly the things that belong in a "Star Trek" theme. While it's not as instantly recognizable as some of the classic "Trek" themes, it still fits right in among them. 

Visuals:  " Discovery " has an interesting opening sequence, with blueprints and design schematics animated around the U.S.S. Discovery. It all looks very cool, but a "Star Trek" opening without stars just doesn't have the same feeling. The series was trying to set itself apart and become a bold new kind of "Trek," so the move away from the standard "ship flying through space" visuals is understandable. 

Trek Factor:  The title sequence to "Star Trek: Discovery" feels tangential to "Trek" without being directly a part of it. The visuals and music both hew closer to the sharp designs of the Kelvin timeline films, but at least it still feels "Trek"-adjacent. 

Music:  The opening sequence for "Star Trek: Prodigy" is scored by Michael Giacchino, who also composed the scores for the three Kelvin-timeline films starting with "Star Trek" in 2009. It's a rousing theme that sounds a little more "Star Wars" than "Star Trek," but since "Prodigy" is for kids , that whimsical, fantastical sound kind of fits. It's not the best "Star Trek" theme, but it's still pretty cool, and definitely feels age-appropriate. 

Visuals:  The visuals are where "Star Trek: Prodigy" really shines. The animation is gorgeous as the ship flies around the galaxy, zipping around planets and asteroid belts before more abstract but beautiful things start flying around the ship itself. The whole thing is designed to be awe-inspiring and get kids excited, and I can only imagine how thrilled I would have been watching these credits as a child. We even get a version of Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), made from stardust. How cool is that? 

Trek Factor:  This opening has all of the basic requirements for a quality "Star Trek" opening: a ship flying through space, a good theme, and some fun little visual treats, but it's still very clearly intended for kids and it's a little more fantastical than your average "Trek" opening. It's perfect for introducing young viewers to "Star Trek," but doesn't have the same nostalgic oomph as some of the other openings. 

7. The Animated Series

Music:  Composers Ray Ellis and Norm Prescott took the theme from "Star Trek: The Original Series" and turned it into something more befitting an animated series. The theremin and orchestral arrangements are replaced by something significantly more poppy and upbeat, and when the titles actually show up and the big swell into the theme happens, it sounds more like "The Love Boat" than "Star Trek." It's a product of its time, though it's honestly incredibly charming. 

Visuals:  There's a little animated Enterprise zooming around the galaxy, mimicking the credits from "The Original Series" in animated format. It's old, cel-shaded, hand-drawn animation, and by golly, it's fun.

Trek Factor:  William Shatner reads the original series voice-over, the theme is based on the original theme to some degree, and the animation is a near carbon-copy of the original series credits. You really can't get much more "Trek" than this, but it's just too much a product of its era to inspire more than amusement. If you want to feel like you've been teleported back in time to the 1970s, just watch this intro. 

6. Deep Space Nine

Music:  The theme by Dennis McCarthy is great. It starts soft and builds into a big swell, as "Star Trek" themes are wont to do, but it stands just apart enough from the themes of the original series and "Next Generation" to clearly be its own thing. This is the first "Star Trek" opening without a voice-over, setting a precedent that would remain until "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." Since "Deep Space Nine" was trying to take "Trek" in new directions, a different kind of opening makes a lot of sense. 

Visuals:  We see the space station Deep Space Nine, located near both the planet Bajor and the wormhole that leads to the Gamma Quadrant. One of the coolest things about the "Deep Space Nine" opening credits is the way they change as the seasons progress, adding the docked Defiant and occasionally other docked ships, representing various plot points in the series. 

Trek Factor:  The lack of a voice-over (and Avery Brooks as Captain Sisko could have probably done a pretty cool one) and sheer length of this intro (it's nearly two minutes) unfortunately hold it back from being one of the best. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" may be my favorite "Trek" of them all, but its opening sequence just isn't quite as great as some of the rest.

5. Lower Decks

Music:  The theme by Chris Westlake is pretty much perfect, mixing the sounds of many of the older series together to create something entirely new. From the opening chords, it's impossible to think of anything but "Star Trek." "Star Trek: Lower Decks" is a comedy show, but there's nothing comedic about the score. It just rules.

Visuals:  "Lower Decks" uses the intro to show off the U.S.S. Cerritos, which doesn't get much screen time in the short episodes. We see it going on a bunch of missions and getting pelted by all kinds of space debris, which highlights the comedic aspect of the show. When we get a view looking down from above the ship, however, and we can read the ship's name and designation, it's fabulously nostalgic. 

Trek Factor:  Despite being a cartoon comedy series , the opening to "The Lower Decks" still  feels like "Star Trek." It's both a throwback and something new, which is what all the best "Star Trek" tends to be. 

4. The Original Series

Music:  The original theme by Alexander Courage is what started it all, inspiring the rest of the themes on this list in some way or another. (Except maybe "Enterprise," but that's on them.) The theme has the kind of a military march to it until Shatner finishes his voice-over and the title appears, then it softens and becomes a more melodic, joyful tune. The second half of the theme is exceptionally dated, but it evokes late 1960s television from the first note.

Visuals:  Speaking of exceptionally dated, the images of the Enterprise flying around in outer space aren't exactly modern marvels of special effects. When you remember that they were creating these effects with models, careful camera placement, and matte paintings, they feel a little less silly and more impressive, but they just can't hold a candle to the CGI-created starships in today's "Trek."

Trek Factor:  It's the original , there's no way to be any more "Trek."

Music:  Composer Jerry Goldsmith  really  knows how to write a great "Star Trek" theme. The theme for "Star Trek: Voyager" is one of the best, relishing in a big orchestral sound reminiscent of the themes from the original run of "Star Trek" films (probably because he helped with those, too). The theme to "Voyager" is spectacular, though not quite as catchy or memorable as the top two on the list. 

Visuals:  Yes, some of the CGI on the intro to "Voyager" looks a little dated, but it's not so outlandishly cartoonish that it detracts from the overall impression, which is that "Voyager" voyages. We see the ship zip around space, exploring planets, asteroid fields, and more, and it's really the first "Star Trek" opening that gave a real idea of the scope of Starfleet's exploration. We had seen the Enterprise zooming through space and around a few planets, and we had seen Deep Space Nine chilling next to Bajor, but this was the first time we got to see the full capabilities and range of a Federation starship in the opening credits. 

Trek Factor:  Pretty much the only thing holding " Voyager " back is the lack of a voice-over, because I need my captain to tell me the mission every episode, darn it! 

2. Strange New Worlds

Music:  Composer Jeff Russo got a  lot of practice writing "Star Trek" themes with his work on "Discovery" and "Picard," and it seems like he finally found the perfect vessel for his ideas in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." The theme to the new series has everything you could ask for from a "Star Trek" theme: orchestral swells and booms, hints of the original series theme, and even a theremin to give the end of the theme an otherworldly sound. 

Visuals:  The Enterprise gets to go on the kind of intro ride that Voyager did, exploring space and all of the various hazards it has to offer. The special effects are incredible, and the opening sequence is just gorgeous to watch. 

Trek Factor:  Starship bopping about the galaxy? Check. A smooth-voiced captain (Anson Mount as Christopher Pike) doing a voice-over monologue that starts with "Space... the final frontier"? Check. A theme that gets the blood pumping before delivering chills in its final moments? Check. "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is a throwback in many ways, but its opening proves that it's also updating and upgrading the old into something even more grand. 

1. The Next Generation

Music:  The theme for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is actually the theme  from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," composed by Jerry Goldsmith and based on the original score by Alexander Courage. When you ask the vast majority of "Star Trek" fans to think of a theme song, this is probably the one that's going to pop into their heads. It marries the original series, the movies, and "The Next Generation," making it  the "Trek" theme for more than one generation. 

Visuals:  I'm not going to lie: the visuals for " The Next Generation " are pretty lackluster. The Enterprise zips around the stars a bit, but we don't see anything else out there in space, and the zipping gets a little repetitive. Thankfully, this is also one of the shorter intros, so it's easy to just focus on the killer theme music and Patrick Stewart's phenomenal opening voice-over.

Trek Factor:  If Stewart doing the whole "these are the voyages of the starship Enterprise" thing followed by Goldsmith's theme doesn't get your heart pumping and the hair on your arms standing on end, you might be a Borg. This is "Star Trek" at its most "Star Trek," which is why it's the best opening of all of the series. 

All Star Trek Series Opening Credits Ranked

😲 Comment below (without indignation, if possible), or post your personal list. The visuals and the music of the opening credits have an impact on the perception of a TV series as a whole that should not be underrated. This is my personal ranking of the intros of all Star Trek series, ordered by how much I like music & visuals and how well I think they represent the series.

11 The Animated Series

The TAS opening sequence is much like an imitation of the one of TOS, only in animated form and with different yet similar music. There is not much special about it except for the peculiarity of the Enterprise that was lazily moved across the screen without a change of the perspective.

The intro of Picard, just like the one of Discovery, comes with elaborate but somehow undecided visuals. It features a calm but too low-key theme (actually the only one I couldn't whistle on request). These credits are technically excellent but they just don't give me Trek vibes. For season 2, the music was changed to sound more dramatic.

9 Discovery

Discovery abandons the theme of space exploration in its opening credits and shows props and graphics from the series with an odd palette that almost looks as if the colors were inverted. The music is subdued. This is all a bit indefinite, and doesn't really fit with the tone of the series either.

8 Strange New Worlds

The SNW opening has the classic Trek vibe. The visuals are spectacular. But the narration and the eight-note fanfare are shameless TOS knock-offs that prey for nostalgia where there ought to be none because it's a reboot. Also, there is little originality in the theme that essentially consists of the TOS melody with slightly different notes.

7 The Original Series

The classic opening credits of TOS appear old-fashioned today, even in the updated version for the remastered episodes. While the fly-by of the Enterprise is iconic, not to mention the music, the intro would and should be done differently for a modern series - like the one of SNW, for instance.

A bit like already the one of Lower Decks, the intro of Prodigy returns to "spacy" visuals and prominent music (that sounds a bit like an upbeat version of the DIS theme). The opening sequence is very dynamic and successfully relays the vastness of space, but I think there are still more memorable credits.

5 The Next Generation

TNG re-uses the title theme of the first Star Trek feature film, which perfectly suits the series with its unabashed optimism. On the visual side, it is much like an update of the TOS intro. I think it could be done somewhat better today, but it has grown on me.

4 Lower Decks

The whole continuity of Lower Decks is built upon the enormously successful Star Trek series of the 1990's, and its opening sequence reflects just that, featuring the ship's (awkward) journey through space and orchestral music for the first time after 25 years.

3 Deep Space Nine

DS9 was supposed to be a departure from TNG, and a toned down title theme was composed, orchestral but with less brass. The visuals illustrate the setting of the series on the station, and were later updated to include the Defiant and appear as more dynamic. An intro that has aged very well!

Voyager's opening credits come with visuals that are impressive for its time and with one of the most recognizable themes. These credits are still a bit more memorable than those of DS9 and overall a worthy runner-up.

1 Enterprise

The montage about the history of space exploration, accompanied by "Faith of the Heart", is easily my favorite Star Trek series intro - despite or just because the bad rap of the song. This all perfectly illustrates the theme of Enterprise (although the series itself needed some time to live up to it).

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I Don't Care If Modern Star Trek Breaks Established Canon

Star trek's genius 1960s story trope still causes the same big problem today, star trek accidentally created 2 of hollywood's biggest current stars.

Star Trek has featured some of the most iconic theme songs of all time, generally scoring the final frontier with thrilling orchestral marches. From the very beginning, with Star Trek: The Original Series , the music was an important part of the show. And while the types of music used to score the actual episodes has evolved over the years, the theme song remains consistent - in all but one case, an orchestral composition laid atop a title sequence listing the main cast members.

While the importance of an opening tune may not always be obvious, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry certainly understood the value of the theme song. Roddenberry wrote lyrics to the TOS theme song so he could collect half the royalties, damaging his relationship with composer Alexander Courage. Many of Star Trek 's theme songs have become so iconic they're part of the cultural lexicon, while a select few are widely reviled.

Related: Star Trek's 6 Most Controversial Captains (& Why)

12 Star Trek: Enterprise

A prequel set a century before the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Star Trek: Enterprise features the most infamous theme song in the entire franchise. Rather than a traditional orchestral theme song, Enterprise was headlined by "Where My Heart Will Take Me," a saccharine pop ballad by Russell Watson. Using a pop song for a Star Trek theme is not an inherently bad idea, but "Where My Heart Will Take Me" is a substandard power ballad that doesn't fit with the spirit of Star Trek . Enterprise 's theme was almost U2's Beautiful Day , which would have been a huge improvement.

11 Star Trek: The Animated Series

Star Trek: The Animated Series was something of a half measure. While Star Trek: The Original Series began to explode in popularity in syndication in the 1970s, it still wasn't yet financially feasible to fully revive the series. A cheaper, safer option was Star Trek: The Animated Series . The entire TOS cast, except for Walter Koenig, returned to voice their characters, largely thanks to Leonard Nimoy. The opening theme is a weak retread of the TOS theme song, created by Funimation's in-house composers. Like everything else about The Animated Series , the song is largely forgettable, a Star Trek footnote at best.

10 Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek: Discovery , the adventures of mutineer-turned-Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), borrows a bit of Alexander Courage's iconic fanfare before twisting the melody slightly and storming off into new territory. Jeff Russo's theme is propulsive and pretty, but apart from the Courage flourishes, it feels like it could be the theme song to any CBS legal drama. It's a song that could soundtrack multiple relatively mundane scenarios, but maybe not a space epic. It's an understated piece that never quite takes flight in a satisfying, stirring way, ironically mirroring Star Trek: Discovery 's occasional narrative issues in executing its lofty ambitions.

9 Star Trek: The Original Series

Alexander Courage's fanfare that introduces Captain Kirk's "Space, the final frontier..." narration is one of the single most iconic musical cues in modern pop culture. The theme song that actually follows that fanfare is just sort of passable. The theme for Captain Kirk and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is very dated sounding, clearly a product of the 1960s, and the theme itself is not strong enough to overcome the old-fashioned production. There are a few different mixes of the song, but the most infamous is the one that cranks the female soprano singer's voice to the forefront, which is somewhat cringe-inducing.

8 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

For the pre-Kirk adventures of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) aboard the USS Enterprise, composer Jeff Russo reimagined the theme song from Star Trek: The Original Series . The fanfare is still great, and the theme song itself is much improved in this new form, featuring a more sophisticated arrangement and big, foreboding strings. The use of the theremin at the end of the theme is a nice nod to TOS. Like many aspects of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , the TOS theme song has been freshened up and made appealing for modern audiences.

7 Star Trek: Picard (Seasons 1 & 2)

The surprise return of Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: Picard was again given its theme song by composer Jeff Russo. It's a lovely, twinkling, slightly sad theme, as violins swirl around the signature flute piece, an homage to Picard's experience in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Inner Light." It's not exactly thrilling, but it's emotionally resonant, and it sets the stage perfectly for Picard's late life adventure to save Commander Data's (Brent Spiner) synthetic offspring Soji (Isa Briones).

6 Star Trek: Lower Decks

The adult animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks is often thought of as a lovingly irreverent spoof, but in many ways it understands Star Trek as well as any series in the franchise. Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) may be an anxious neurotic, but he also understands what Starfleet stands for about as well as anyone. Composer Chris Westlake's theme song is clearly channeling the Star Trek series of the 1990s, structured and composed in ways that would make old school Star Trek producer Rick Berman proud.

5 Star Trek: Prodigy

One of the most impressive aspects of the alternate reality Kelvin timeline films was the score, composed by current Hollywood powerhouse Michael Giacchino. He returned to the franchise to lend his talents to the theme song for Star Trek: Prodigy , Paramount+'s first series aimed squarely at children and families. Giacchino doesn't disappoint, providing a confident, galloping theme song that feels like a thrilling companion piece to his Kelvin timeline Star Trek work . It immediately became one of Star Trek 's finest themes.

4 Star Trek: Picard (Season 3)

Star Trek: Picard season 3 made some sweeping changes to the series, most notably putting Admiral Picard back on a Federation starship and reuniting him with his command crew from the USS Enterprise-D. The show's music also made a change; the opening credits were moved to the end of each episode, and Jeff Russo's theme was replaced by a new arrangement of the late Jerry Goldsmith's main theme from Star Trek: First Contact . Goldsmith's First Contact piece is one of the most beautiful in all of Star Trek , and hearing it while viewing the dazzling LCARS screens all over the bridge of the USS TItan-A is a nerdy delight.

3 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine has a reputation for being one of the darkest entries in Star Trek , and the theme song somewhat backs that up. The somber, reflective theme song begins with a single echoing horn, a fitting metaphor for the space station's position in a relatively remote part of space. The simple, mournful theme song got a musical overhaul at the beginning of season 4, beefing up the melodrama and intensity at the dawn of the brutal Dominion War.

2 Star Trek: Voyager

An argument can be made that the best thing about Star Trek: Voyager is its theme song. Written by legendary Star Trek composer Jerry Goldsmith, Voyager's theme song is all bombastic strings and horns, a dramatic melody that underscores how dire the situation is for Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and her surviving crew. It also manages to shoot that tension through with the sort of hopefulness that defines the best of Star Trek . it's one of Goldsmith's most affecting pieces of Star Trek music, which is saying something.

1 Star Trek: The Next Generation

The original plan was for Star Trek: The Next Generation to have a fully original theme song, but late in pre-production it was decided to use a combination of Alexander Courage's fanfare from Star Trek: The Original Series and Jerry Goldsmith's main theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture . The result is the single most iconic theme song in all of Star Trek , a confident march that hits every note with intense purpose. For many Star Trek fans, it's the defining sound of adventure and space exploration.

• Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Star Trek: Voyager

Every Star Trek Opening Titles Ranked Worst To Best

Which intro to Star Trek leaves you cold and which leaves you hungry for more?

If there is one double-edged sword of the streaming era, it's the ability to skip the intros on our favourite shows. When most of the Star Trek series were airing, one had to sit tight while the credits rolled, checking to see if there were any new names in the list. Spoiler, there usually weren't.

However, that pushed the creators to work on introductions that were worth the investment, including beautiful visuals and stunning music where possible. Not every Star Trek show managed to pull it off, yet all of them have offered something truly unique to the franchise.

The currently airing Treks - Discovery, Picard and Lower Decks - could be forgiven for phoning it in, knowing that people would most likely skip this part of the episode anyway. However, thankfully none of them have opted to do this and there are another three very different, compelling, opening credits to enjoy for this list.

Beginning with the lowest-ranked introduction (which does tug at my heart, I won't lie) we have ranked each series based on music, visuals and length, beginning with the only choice for the bottom pick.

9. Enterprise

To be fair, it grows on you!

The introduction to Enterprise features many images of the achievements that mankind has made throughout time, leading up to the advancement into space travel and the launch of the Phoenix. The message behind the credits roll was to show exactly what we've done to get to where we are. It has indeed been a long road.

However, the decision to add vocals over the credits is what rockets this intro to the bottom of the list. It is so tonally different from what had come before, or what has come since, that it stands out in quite a negative way. There was an attempt as the show went into its third season to jazz it up a bit, though even that was bizarre as the show had entered its darkest period.

The fourth season two-parter In A Mirror, Darkly uses a different, Terran inspired opening sequence that is far superior to the standard vocal. Archer's Theme, composed by Dennis McCarthy to accompany the captain, had originally been slated as the overall theme, until Rick Berman and Brannon Braga decided to take this series in another direction. Unfortunately, that makes this sequence justifiably skippable.

Writer. Reader. Host. I'm Seán, I live in Ireland and I'm the poster child for dangerous obsessions with Star Trek. Check me out on Twitter @seanferrick

Theme from Star Trek

The "Theme from Star Trek " (originally scored under the title "Where No Man Has Gone Before" [1] and also known informally as the " Star Trek Fanfare ") is the instrumental theme music composed for Star Trek: The Original Series by Alexander Courage . First recorded in 1964 , it is played in its entirety during the opening title sequences of each episode. It is also played over the closing credits, albeit without its signature opening fanfare.

During the opening credits, the theme's opening fanfare is accompanied by the now-famous "Space: the final frontier" monologue spoken by William Shatner (with the exception of the pilot episodes, " The Cage " and " Where No Man Has Gone Before "). Throughout the opening credits, the theme is punctuated at several points by the USS Enterprise flying towards and past the camera. These "fly-bys" are accompanied by a "whoosh" sound effect created vocally by Courage himself. (Documentary: Music Takes Courage: A Tribute to Alexander Courage )

• 1 Conception and original use
• 2 Vocalization and lyrics
• 3 Later use
• 4 Other recordings and uses
• 5 External link

Conception and original use [ ]

Creator Gene Roddenberry originally approached composer Jerry Goldsmith to write the theme for Star Trek . Goldsmith, however, had other commitments and instead recommended Alexander Courage. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture (The Director's Edition) commentary)

Courage was not a science fiction fan, referring to the genre as "marvelous malarkey." He thus saw the theme he was writing as "marvelous malarkey music." Courage composed, orchestrated and conducted the theme in one week. He drew inspiration from a Richard A. Whiting song he heard on the radio as a child called "Beyond the Blue Horizon". This song had a drawn-out tune with a steady, fast-paced beat underneath it, which Courage emulated when composing the theme. (Documentary: Music Takes Courage )

The theme used in " The Cage " – the unaired first pilot – featured a wordless melody line by soprano Loulie Jean Norman supported by electronic underpinnings. When a second pilot was ordered and the series was picked up, Norman's vocalizations were dropped from the theme.

The first season of The Original Series used two versions of the theme. On the original NBC and syndicated runs, five episodes – "Where No Man has Gone Before", the second pilot, along with " The Man Trap ", " Charlie X ", " The Naked Time ", and " Mudd's Women " – used a mixed electronic/orchestral arrangement for the opening credits, with the main melody line created electronically and accompanied by more traditional instrumentation, including a flute and an organ for both the opening and closing themes. When the series was remastered for video in the early 1980s, only "Where No Man Has Gone Before" retained this version of the theme over both the opening and closing credits, while the opening was restored to the other four episodes and placed on five others when the series was remastered again for DVD release. The closing credits for the other nine episodes, however, used a version that had only an orchestral arrangement. The mixed arrangement was first heard on " The Corbomite Maneuver " (the tenth episode aired, although it was the second episode produced), after which the show opened with the orchestral-only arrangement.

Vocalization and lyrics [ ]

For the second and third seasons , Loulie Jean Norman's wordless accompaniment was re-added to the theme. However, Norman's voice was made more prominent than it was for "The Cage".

When originally written (and as heard in "The Cage"), Courage had Norman's vocalizations and the various instruments mixed equally to produce a unique sound. According to Courage, however, Gene Roddenberry had it re-recorded with Norman's accompaniment at a higher volume above the instruments, after which Courage felt the theme sounded like a soprano solo. Roddenberry's version can be heard during the opening credits of each episode in the second and third seasons; Courage's version is heard during the closing credits.

Further souring the relationship between Roddenberry and Courage, Roddenberry wrote lyrics to the theme without Courage's knowledge – not in the expectation that they would ever be sung, but in order to claim a 50% share of the music's performance royalties. Although there was never any litigation, Courage commented that he believed Roddenberry's conduct was unethical, to which Roddenberry responded, " Hey, I have to get some money somewhere. I'm sure not going to get it out of the profits of Star Trek . " [2] Although the lyrics were never included on the series, they have been printed in several "TV Theme" songbooks over the years.

Later use [ ]

Portions of the Theme from Star Trek have been used in all 13 Star Trek feature films . Most of the Star Trek films' opening themes start by quoting the opening fanfare from Courage's theme, before seguéing into the film's own theme. However, there are multiple exceptions to this tradition. Star Trek: The Motion Picture did not use the fanfare at all in the opening or closing music, although a subdued version of the Theme from Star Trek was created by Courage at the request of the film's main composer, Jerry Goldsmith . [3] This arrangement of the theme was used for the " Captain's Log " cues. The theme was quoted again in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home , most extensively in the final scenes.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country , scored by Cliff Eidelman , broke with the tradition again. The Theme from Star Trek did not appear in the opening music, although it was used towards the end. Star Trek Generations , scored by Dennis McCarthy , on the other hand, did use the fanfare in the opening credits (and extensively throughout the score) but it did not appear until the end of the main title music.

The score for Star Trek , composed by Michael Giacchino , again did not use the fanfare in the opening title music: instead, Giacchino subtly quoted the opening notes and various other Star Trek themes from past films throughout his score. For the end credits, a re-arranged version of the Theme from Star Trek , fully orchestrated and with The Page La Studio Voices accompanying the melody line, was used. This version was also used for the end credits of Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond .

The theme's opening fanfare was adapted by Dennis McCarthy as the opening for the Star Trek: The Next Generation theme (the remainder of which was an adaptation of Goldsmith's theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture ). Courage's original theme can also be heard in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode " Trials and Tribble-ations ", the Star Trek: Voyager episode " Shattered ", and the Star Trek: Enterprise series finale, " These Are the Voyages... "

Courage's theme was re-recorded for the remastered Star Trek episodes , with Elin Carlson emulating Norman's wordless vocalization.

Star Trek: Discovery composer Jeff Russo included Courage's fanfare at the end of the Discovery main titles. The theme returned in full at the end of the Season 1 finale, " Will You Take My Hand? ", playing over the closing credits after the USS Discovery intercepts a distress call from the USS Enterprise .

In the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode " Spock Amok ", at least a portion of the theme became diegetic (heard in the fictional universe) when a few notes of the fanfare could be heard on the PADD used to keep track of tasks for " Enterprise bingo ".

Other recordings and uses [ ]

TOS star Nichelle Nichols recorded a disco version of the theme. However, Nichols used different lyrics than those written by Gene Roddenberry. The late jazz musician Maynard Ferguson and his band also recorded a rendition of the song, a fusion version that was released on his 1977 album Conquistador . Ferguson's version was used as the opening theme for The Larry King Show on the Mutual Radio Network. The satirical rock band Tenacious D and the lounge band Love Jones recorded versions of the theme, as well, using Gene Roddenberry's lyrics.

Roy Orbison was a Star Trek fan and often opened his concerts with his band jamming to theme. [4]

The 1992 Paramount Pictures comedy Wayne's World was the first non- Trek film to use Courage's theme. In the film, the character of Garth Algar (played by Dana Carvey ) whistles the theme while he and Wayne Campbell ( Mike Myers ) lie on the hood of Wayne's car, looking up at the stars. When Garth finishes the tune, he tells Wayne, " Sometimes I wish I could boldly go where no one's gone before. But I'll probably just stay in Aurora. " The theme can also be heard in the films Muppets from Space (1999, starring F. Murray Abraham ) and RV (2006, starring Robin Williams and featuring Brian Markinson ).

At the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards, TOS star William Shatner and opera singer Frederica von Stade performed a live version of the theme, with Shatner reciting the opening monologue and von Stade singing the wordless melody line.

In 2009, the theme was used as the wake-up call for the crew of mission STS-125 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis .

For the 2021 inauguration of US President Joe Biden , acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma played the fanfare of the theme as a prelude to his performance of another song significant to Star Trek , " Amazing Grace ". [5]

External link [ ]

• Theme from Star Trek at Wikipedia
• 2 Daniels (Crewman)

All 9 Star Trek TV show theme songs ranked from worst to best

Who doesn't love a good intro song? Let's look at all the ones that had us jamming before our favorite Star Trek episodes.

Welcome to the ultimate cosmic countdown where we traverse the musical star fields of the Star Trek universe . Our mission? To rank the iconic opening anthems that have been the gateway to countless adventures among the stars.

These theme songs have done more than just precede episodes of our favorite Star Trek TV shows – they've captured the essence of exploration and the pioneering spirit of the beloved franchise. From the whimsical to the wondrous, the serene to the soaring, every intro has left an undeniable mark on the hearts of Trekkies across the galaxy and in the fandom of science fiction as a whole. But which ones truly stand out as the best in Star Trek's expansive universe of shows?

Buckle up as we set our phasers to 'fun' and warp into the world of Star Trek intros – where each note tells a story and every melody takes us boldly where no one has gone before. Oh yeah, and let's rank them as we do so.

9. Star Trek: Enterprise ("Where My Heart Will Take Me")

The theme song for Star Trek: Enterprise , delightfully titled "Where My Heart Will Take Me," is a refreshing departure from the classic sounds that have long accompanied the voyages of the Starfleet. Featuring the vibrant voice of Russell Watson, this pop ballad injects a warm, human touch into the saga, striking a chord with its buoyant message and Watson's earnest performance. Though it falls into the ninth spot in our musical trek through the stars (ha), its unique melody captures the essence of adventure in a way that's as endearing as it is unexpected.

In a collection of scores that speak to the grandeur of space exploration, "Where My Heart Will Take Me" stands out as a song that, while straying from the orchestral majesty typically linked with Star Trek , and celebrates the franchise's pioneering spirit in its own right. It's a testament to the diversity of the Star Trek universe, a place where human (and alien) emotions finds its voice amidst the echoes of the unknown.

8. Star Trek: The Animated Series

Now to take some time to acknowledge what might just be the most overlooked chapter in Star Trek history. That's right, it's time to appreciate the short-lived  Star Trek: The Animated Series , which ran on NBC for two seasons between 1973 and 1974, and continued the adventures of our favorite universe after the premature conclusion of the original series some years earlier.

Falling into the eighth spot on our chart, the zippy theme tune from the underrated animated show is memorable in its own right. Picture this: the song is like a mini rocket, packed with all the zip and zing of the Starship Enterprise's animated shenanigans. It's not the big, booming orchestra we're used to, but hey, it gets the job done with a wink and a smile.

Now, this song might not have all the bells and whistles, but it's got its own kind of magic. It's like the fun-loving cousin of the Star Trek theme family – not as flashy , but just as ready to launch us into a new adventure. It might not be the biggest star in the galaxy, but it sure knows how to light up our adventurous spirits.

7. Star Trek: Voyager

Imagine zooming through the cosmic playground that is space, weaving through stars and dodging asteroids, all from the snuggly comfort of your Earthly room. That's what you get from the memorable intro theme of Star Trek: Voyager . This song takes you on a couch odyssey that will be destined to get your pulse dancing to the rhythm of the blinking stars. Each note is a touch of adrenaline, each beat a leap between worlds. It's not just an intro, it's rocket fuel for the imagination, ready to launch you into a thrilling adventure.

A thrilling adventure is exactly what you're in for from this one, and with seven seasons of the show all introduced by this theme song, you are always ready for what's to come when watching it.

Now, the Voyager theme song may be the underdog among the other Star Trek intros, but doesn't mean it's not a good one. It's like that one friend who never raises their voice, but still turns all the heads when they stroll into the room. This tune doesn't scream for attention, it earns it with its blend of charm and daring. So hit play, lean back, and let this sleeper hit serenade you with its subtle power.

6. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Sitting at number six on our star chart of Trek-tastic intros, Dennis McCarthy's musical masterpiece featured in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a bit two-sided. On one side, it's got this majestic beat that marches along with the pride of a space station that's seen it all. It's not adventuring through the stars like the other Star Trek ships, but it's got its own kind of cool aura about it, standing firm in the starry sea.

The  Deep Space Nine intro theme might not make you want to zoom out of your seat like a photon torpedo, but let me tell you, this intro certainly has its own flavor – and then some. Imagine a symphony in space – there's a plethora of brass instruments giving you what feels like a grand space opera, the kind that's perfect for a show that's deep (pun intended) with plots and space-politics.

So, while it may not be the theme that makes you want to leap into hyperspace, for those who dig the twists and turns that Deep Space Nine has to offer us, this intro is like a warm blanket on a cold night in the cosmos.

5. Star Trek: Picard

Swooping into the number five spot is the out-of-this-world intro tune for Star Trek: Picard . This was the series that Star Trek fans had been waiting years for, as it finally brought back one of the most familiar faces from the whole of the franchise – and boy was it worth seeing Patrick Stewart again in his most iconic role. And then there's the theme song.

Jeff Russo is the maestro behind this little gem, and boy, does it take you on an interstellar emotional ride or what? It's like a space-aged scrapbook of the one and only Jean-Luc Picard, with each note feeling like you're flipping through pages filled with adventures of the past and snapshots of new frontiers.

Now, why does this theme deserve a high-five in our space odyssey of sounds? Whether you've been a Star Trek fan well before this show or just beamed aboard, this song is your personal invite to join Picard on his latest quest. It's not just an intro, it's a musical voyager that captures the heart of the show and plants it right into ours – a stellar addition to the Star Trek universe that resonates with fans of all ages and galaxies near and far.

4. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

The newest entry in the ever-expanding franchise, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a Star Trek show for a whole new generation. It brings back some popular characters from the franchise's past (albeit played by new actors) while also serving as a new installment, with the Star Trek: Discovery spin-off offering up some wonderful adventures of its own.

The theme song for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is like a warp-speed ride through the stars. It kicks off with a zippy tune that'll have all of you old-school Trekkies grinning from ear to ear, tipping its hat to the classic The Original Series that started it all. But hold onto your phasers, because this isn't just a throwback, we're cruising into new territory here.

As soon as Anson's soothing voice Captain Pike beams us up with his heart-lifting words, the music zooms off with an energy that's all its own, sparkling and spinning like a galaxy of fireworks. It's like the theme knows just where we've been and is super excited to show us where we're headed next. It's an ode to the awesome legacy of Star Trek, and it promises fresh space shenanigans and cosmic curiosities.

3. Star Trek: The Original Series

We're going way back to where it all began for the franchise now.

The opening jingle of Star Trek: The Original Series is not just any old tune – it's an interstellar icon and legend. Coming in at number three on the chart of Star Trek's musical kick-offs, this intro is the brainchild of the maestro Alexander Courage. You hit play, and whoosh – there you are, zooming past stars and through galaxies with your crew, all without leaving your couch. It's like this theme has its own warp drive, propelling us straight into the heart of adventure and mystery, making it the perfect soundtrack for our very own starship daydreams.

Now, let's talk about this earworm that's traveled light-years across the fandom universe. This isn't just a show intro – it's a staple for science fiction lovers everywhere. From the first twinkling note to the last, it's a musical "beam me up" that instantly teleports us to the Starships of our favorite Starfleet heroes. So next time you're stargazing or just needing a little nudge to your inner explorer, hum along to Star Trek's theme and watch the magic happen – it's literally an overture to the stars, inviting us to boldly go where no one has gone before.

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Strap in and let your ears take you on a ride with the Star Trek: The Next Generation theme song. It says it in the show's title, but this really was the Star Trek show for a whole new generation, carrying on its predecessor's legacy and introducing the franchise to a new legion of supporters. To help with that, it needed the right theme.

It's the one intro song I heard over and over as a child, and one that my own children have heard in their young years as well. Jerry Goldsmith, the mastermind behind the tune, totally knocked it out of the park when he composed this iconic tune for Star Trek: The Motion Picture . But it was such a good intro that it found its forever home with the TV crew of  TNG .

Every time those notes hit, it's like a high-five to adventure and thumb wrestling with the unknown. It's not just a bunch of snazzy sounds – it's like the Starship Enterprise of tunes, boldly taking your imagination where it's never gone before. While for some that aren't as into Star Trek, it's may be the silver medalist of space anthems, but for the vast majority of Trekkies, it's pure gold.

1. Star Trek: Discovery

Beam me up, Burnham, because every single time that first note of the Star Trek: Discovery theme hits, it sends me. It's like the composer has this magic wand, right? And with a flick, I'm sprinkled with this stardust that takes me light-years away. It's this absolutely gorgeous mix of old-school Trek vibes with a dash of the new, and it really captures what  Discovery really is: a fresh new take on an old world we all love.

And let's talk about that intro sequence – it's not just ear candy, it's a full-on feast for the eyes. The way it matches up with the music is just… chef's kiss . It's as if someone took the essence of adventure, bottled it up, and poured it all over the screen. I'm hooked from the first glimpse of those stars and spaceships, and by the end of it, I'm practically in my Starfleet uniforms, ready to join the crew (preferably Admiral Charles Vance).

So there we have it – our interstellar journey through the sound waves of Star Trek. We've been to the final frontier and back, and sitting pretty at the top is Star Trek: Discovery , with its epic blend of the heart-racing old and the spine-tingling new. But hey, let's appreciate all the intros, as they have been our launchpads into the universe of  Star Trek for decades. Each one has its own flavor of awesome, sprinkling a little bit of starlight on our Trekkie hearts.

Which of the Star Trek TV show themes do you prefer? Do you have a favorite?

The Star Trek Theme Song Has Lyrics

The Star Trek theme song is familiar to pretty much anyone who lived in the free world (and probably elsewhere, too) in the late 20th century. The tune is played during the show's opening credits; a slightly longer version is played, accompanied by stills from various episodes, during the closing credits. The opening song is preceded by William Shatner (as Captain Kirk) doing his now-legendary monologue recitation, which begins: "Space, the final frontier ..."

The show's familiar melody was written by respected film and TV composer Alexander Courage, who said the Star Trek theme's main inspiration was the Richard Whiting song "Beyond the Blue Horizon." In Courage's contract it was stipulated that, as the composer, he would receive royalties every time the show was aired and the theme song played. If, somehow, Star Trek made it into syndication—which, of course, it ultimately did—Courage stood to make a lot of money. And so did the person who wrote the lyrics.

WAIT... THERE WERE LYRICS?

Gene Roddenberry, the show's creator, wrote lyrics to the theme song.

"Beyond the rim of the star-light, my love is wand'ring in star-flight!"

Why would Roddenberry even bother?

The lyrics were never even meant to be heard on the show, but not because the network (NBC) nixed them. Roddenberry nixed them himself. Roddenberry wanted a piece of the composing profits, so he wrote the hokey lyrics solely to receive a "co-writer" credit.

"I know he'll find in star-clustered reaches Love, strange love a star woman teaches."

As one of the composers, Roddenberry received 50 percent of the royalties ... cutting Alexander Courage's share in half. Not surprisingly, Courage was furious about the deal. Though it was legal, he admitted, it was unethical because Roddenberry had contributed nothing to why the music was successful.

Roddenberry was unapologetic. According to Snopes, he once declared, "I have to get some money somewhere. I'm sure not gonna get it out of the profits of Star Trek ."

In 1969, after Star Trek officially got the ax, no one (Courage and Roddenberry included) could possibly have imagined the show's great popularity and staying power.

Courage, who only worked on two shows in Star Trek 's opening season because he was busy working on the 1967 Dr. Doolittle movie, vowed he would never return to Star Trek .

He never did.

If you're looking for an offbeat karaoke number, here are Roddenberry's lyrics, as provided by Snopes :

Beyond The rim of the star-light My love Is wand'ring 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.

All 9 Star Trek TV show theme songs ranked from worst to best

By camila domingues | nov 7, 2023.

Who doesn’t love a good intro song? Let’s look at all the ones that had us jamming before our favorite Star Trek episodes.

Welcome to the ultimate cosmic countdown where we traverse the musical star fields of the Star Trek universe . Our mission? To rank the iconic opening anthems that have been the gateway to countless adventures among the stars.

These theme songs have done more than just precede episodes of our favorite Star Trek TV shows – they’ve captured the essence of exploration and the pioneering spirit of the beloved franchise. From the whimsical to the wondrous, the serene to the soaring, every intro has left an undeniable mark on the hearts of Trekkies across the galaxy and in the fandom of science fiction as a whole. But which ones truly stand out as the best in Star Trek’s expansive universe of shows?

Buckle up as we set our phasers to ‘fun’ and warp into the world of Star Trek intros – where each note tells a story and every melody takes us boldly where no one has gone before. Oh yeah, and let’s rank them as we do so.

9. Star Trek: Enterprise (“Where My Heart Will Take Me”)

The theme song for Star Trek: Enterprise , delightfully titled “Where My Heart Will Take Me,” is a refreshing departure from the classic sounds that have long accompanied the voyages of the Starfleet. Featuring the vibrant voice of Russell Watson, this pop ballad injects a warm, human touch into the saga, striking a chord with its buoyant message and Watson’s earnest performance. Though it falls into the ninth spot in our musical trek through the stars (ha), its unique melody captures the essence of adventure in a way that’s as endearing as it is unexpected.

In a collection of scores that speak to the grandeur of space exploration, “Where My Heart Will Take Me” stands out as a song that, while straying from the orchestral majesty typically linked with Star Trek , and celebrates the franchise’s pioneering spirit in its own right. It’s a testament to the diversity of the Star Trek universe, a place where human (and alien) emotions finds its voice amidst the echoes of the unknown.

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Adventure Awaits With Stellar Theme Nights!

September 17, 2024

As Star Trek: The Cruise approaches, it’s time to prepare for one of the most exciting parts of the voyage— the stellar theme nights! These special events are your chance to immerse yourself in all things Star Trek while showing off your creativity. To help you gear up, here’s a quick reminder of the unforgettable theme nights waiting for you on board.

Holodeck Malfunction Mashup

The Holodeck has a reputation for getting out of control, and this theme night lets your imagination run wild! The “Holodeck Malfunction Mashup” invites you to combine characters, eras, and even entire universes into one epic costume. Want to mix Starfleet with ancient Rome or combine Borg technology with a Western sheriff? Anything goes when the Holodeck glitches—prepare for a fun, genre-bending night.

Read the Description

Q’s Costume Contest

Hosted by the mischievous Q, this costume contest is a night to let your most creative, quirky, and over-the-top costume ideas shine. Whether you’re dressing as a Star Trek character with a twist or embodying something completely out-of-this-world, Q’s night is all about standing out and having fun. Expect surprises, wild designs, and a visit from Q himself!

See the Costume Categories

Star Trek Mirror Universe Night

The Mirror Universe flips everything we know about Star Trek on its head. It’s a place where good is bad and bad is good. For this theme night, channel your favorite Starfleet officers with a ruthless Mirror Universe makeover. Think sleek uniforms with sharp edges, bold gold accents, and a more rebellious attitude.

The Star Trek Formal

It’s time to put on your finest attire for Star Trek Formal Night. This is your chance to walk the decks in style, whether you’re wearing a dress uniform or an elegant outfit inspired by one of the many cultures in the Star Trek universe. Whether you choose a classic Starfleet look, Vulcan robes, or your own formal interpretation, this night is all about sophistication with a galactic flair.

Risa’s Festival of the Moon Party

Expect cool rhythms and good vibes at Risa’s Festival of the Moon Party. Think beachwear, bright colors, and tropical fun, with a Star Trek twist! This is the perfect night to break out your vacation attire or invent your own version. Relax, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and let the fun in the moonlight begin!

Gorn’s Pajama Party

End your night in comfort with Gorn’s Pajama Party! Whether you’re cozying up in Starfleet PJs, a onesie, or your own creation, this theme night is all about kicking back and enjoying the evening. Come ready to laugh, lounge, and have a great time with your fellow Star Trek fans.

Get Ready for The Un-Conventional Voyage!

The theme nights on Star Trek: The Cruise are more than just parties—they’re a way to fully immerse yourself in the adventure. Whether you’re stepping into the Mirror Universe, rocking tropical Risa vibes, or embracing the chaos of the Holodeck, these events are sure to be the highlight of your voyage. So, start planning your costumes, pack your bags, and get ready for an unforgettable experience onboard Star Trek: The Cruise! Book now!