The Untold Story Behind the ‘Star Trek‘ Theme: A tale of Royalties, Lyrics, and Betrayal
Table of Contents
- 1. The Untold Story Behind the ‘Star Trek’ Theme: A tale of Royalties, Lyrics, and Betrayal
- 2. The Composer and His Inspiration
- 3. The Royalties Controversy: Roddenberry’s Uncredited Lyrics
- 4. Courage’s Discontent and the Aftermath
- 5. Has the controversy surrounding the creation of the “Star Trek” theme affected your appreciation of the theme itself?
- 6. Interview: Unmasking the Untold Story Behind the ‘Star Trek’ Theme
- 7. The Genesis of a Classic Theme
- 8. The Controversy: Lyrics and Royalties
- 9. The Aftermath and Legacy
- 10. A Question for our Readers
Explore the complex history of the iconic ‘Star Trek’ theme song, uncovering the controversy surrounding royalties and Gene Roddenberry’s unexpected lyrical contribution.
The Composer and His Inspiration
The unforgettable theme music for Gene Roddenberry’s groundbreaking 1966 science fiction series, “Star Trek,” was the creation of Alexander Courage.A seasoned orchestrator with an impressive resume, Courage had lent his talents to classic film scores such as “Show Boat,” “Gigi,” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” his work also graced television shows like “Daniel Boone,” “Eight is Enough,” “Lost in Space,” and “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.” However, “Star Trek” remains his sole contribution as a main theme composer.
Courage revealed in an interview with the Archive of American Television that his primary inspiration for the “Star Trek” theme was “Beyond the Blue Horizon,” a popular 1930 train-themed song penned by Richard Whiting and W. Frank Harling. Yet, Courage’s rendition leaned more towards the 1960s pop opera sound, a departure from the crooning jazz of the original. The soprano voice that soared thru the “Star Trek” melody belonged to the talented Loulie Jean norman.
To this day, the opening four notes of Courage’s theme—E, G, B, C—are instantly recognizable and have been woven into subsequent “Star Trek” spinoffs and movies. The initial segment of the theme was even repurposed for “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in 1987, although Jerry Goldsmith’s theme for “Star Trek: The motion Picture” ultimately formed the core of the “Next generation” opening.
The Royalties Controversy: Roddenberry’s Uncredited Lyrics
While Courage composed the music, the show’s credits also list Gene Roddenberry as a co-author of the theme. This seemingly innocuous detail hides a contentious chapter in “Star Trek” history. roddenberry, without informing Courage, decided to write lyrics for the “Star Trek” theme. The catch? There were no plans to record or use these lyrics in the show. By claiming authorship of the lyrics, Roddenberry positioned himself to collect royalties as a co-writer of the music, a move that many consider ethically questionable.
The lyrics themselves have been described as, shall we say, *not* in keeping with the spirit of the show. Consider this excerpt:
Beyond the rim of the starlight.
My love is wand’ring in star flight.
I no 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.
The lyrics, while evocative, seem disconnected from the core themes of exploration, diplomacy, and humanity that define “Star Trek.” They feel more akin to a space-age love ballad than a reflection of the show’s optimistic vision of the future. The sentiment echoes the divisive reaction to the theme song for “Star Trek: Enterprise”, Rod Stewart’s “Faith of the Heart,” which many fans felt was out of sync with the franchise’s ethos.
Courage’s Discontent and the Aftermath
The financial implications of Roddenberry’s actions were meaningful.By claiming co-authorship, Roddenberry effectively halved Courage’s royalties. This perceived injustice allegedly led to Courage’s decision to not return to “Star Trek” after the first season. The situation highlights the frequently enough-murky world of intellectual property and the importance of clear agreements in creative collaborations.
This situation underscores the importance of understanding contractual terms in the entertainment industry. Similar disputes have plagued other iconic themes,such as the “Mission: impossible” theme,where composers have battled over royalties and recognition. The “Star Trek” case serves as a cautionary tale for creators to protect their intellectual property and ensure fair compensation for their work. This situation was confirmed by Snopes.
The legacy of Alexander Courage extends far beyond this controversy.His contributions to film and television music are undeniable, and his “Star Trek” theme remains a timeless classic, instantly recognizable and deeply ingrained in popular culture. It’s a testament to his talent that the theme continues to resonate with audiences, even decades later.
Has the controversy surrounding the creation of the “Star Trek” theme affected your appreciation of the theme itself?
Interview: Unmasking the Untold Story Behind the ‘Star Trek’ Theme
archyde: Welcome,Ms. Anya Sharma, to Archyde. It’s a pleasure to have you. For our readers, Ms. Sharma is a leading musicologist specializing in the history of television theme songs. Today, we delve into the captivating, and sometimes controversial, story behind the iconic “Star Trek” theme song.
Anya sharma: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss this fascinating piece of music history.
The Genesis of a Classic Theme
archyde: Let’s begin at the beginning. The theme was composed by Alexander Courage. But the inspiration apparently came from a quite unexpected source, could you tell us more?
Anya Sharma: Absolutely. Courage drew inspiration from “Beyond the Blue Horizon,” a song from the 1930s. Though, he gave it a distinctive 1960s Pop Opera touch. The soaring soprano vocals, by the talented Loulie Jean Norman, were also a crucial element of the theme’s unique sound. It’s a blend of influences that really created something new.
Archyde: the opening notes, E, G, B, C, are instantly recognizable. They’ve become integral to Star Trek’s identity. How would you say these notes have influenced the subsequent scores?
Anya Sharma: The theme set the stage for the franchise. The initial segment being repurposed for “Star Trek: The next Generation” shows its lasting influence.
The Controversy: Lyrics and Royalties
Archyde: The story takes a turn regarding royalties. Despite his musical contribution, Gene Roddenberry is also credited as a co-author. What’s the core of this controversy?
Anya Sharma: Roddenberry added lyrics without Courage’s knowledge, a move that allowed him to claim co-authorship and the resulting royalties.
Archyde: Can those lyrics be considered up to the high standard set by Star Trek’s writing?
Anya Sharma: They don’t reflect the core themes of exploration and future visions, as they take a space-age love ballad approach.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Archyde: What was the fallout from Roddenberry’s actions?
Anya Sharma: The financial implications for Courage were significant.Roddenberry’s actions cut Courage’s royalties in half and reputedly led to his decision not to return after the first season.
Archyde: This is a cautionary tale but also a testament to Courage’s musical genius. How do you feel he is regarded, despite the controversy?
Anya Sharma: his work on the “Star Trek” theme is a timeless classic, recognized across the globe! It’s a testament to his skill that the theme continues to resonate despite the controversy surrounding its creation. It’s a clear case of the music transcending the challenges it faced.
Archyde: Ms. sharma, thank you for your insights. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who appreciates quality music and understands the importance of protecting creative rights.
Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure.
A Question for our Readers
Archyde: We at Archyde are eager to gauge the fan’s response: Has the controversy affected your appreciation of the “Star Trek” theme?
