Spoiler alert, I love Star Trek music. Trek has consistently produced epic theme music from the minds of master composers such as James Horner and Jerry Goldsmith. Trek music has influenced countless other sci-fi franchises.
With that in mind, let’s rank this body of work. For this list, I am looking at both the TV shows and movies together. Moreover, I am only ranking the theme music for each show, not the entire soundtrack. I have combined some shows into a single entry, since they share the same theme (for example, the theme to the Motion Picture and The Next Generation is the same). I included YouTube videos for each of the themes. I apologize in advance for all the ads in front of these.
With all that preamble out of the way, this list begins in the worst possible place.
20 – Enterprise
The winner of last place is an obvious choice. Enterprise ran on the ill-fated UPN network in the early 2000s. Showrunners Brannon Braga and Manny Coto made the bold (and extremely stupid) decision to ditch the traditional symphonic sound an adopt a lame, limp dick power ballad “Where My Heart Will Take Me” as its theme. The theme is a remake of a lame, limp dick power ballad “Faith of the Heart” from Rod Stewart which was previously used in the lame, limp dick movie Patch Addams. The song is godawful. As if the cavalier retconning and insipid story telling were not bad enough for Enterprise. Here listen to this abomination, and you will be transported back to one of the lowest of low points in Trek history.
19 – Insurrection
This movie and its theme are both unmemorable. It starts with an obvious rip off of First Contact’s theme and then transitions into elevator music. Boring. This theme kicks off Trek’s “Dark Era” from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. During this period Trek produced mediocre shows and equally bland theme music.
18 – Picard
Picard is a thematic and narrative mess. The first season’s theme is thin, aimless, and repetitive. It feels like composer Jeff Russo fed Picard’s Inner Light flute melody (from the TNG episode of the same name) into an AI engine and had it spit out multiple, overengineered versions. He then stitched those versions together, and promptly cashed his royalty check. The theme never builds to any satisfying climax. Only at the end do we get a whiff of classic Trek melodies. The series was equally tepid, with a convoluted story of androids, life after death, and Romulans humping. In season 2, Russo attempted to rework this theme into something darker and more bombastic, which only made it worse.
Finally in the third season, show runner Terry Matlas threw the theme as well as a few of the lamer characters into the trash and gave us what we all really wanted: a nostalgic TNG/First Contact inspired theme. This theme is great. I am not going to rank this theme separately, since it is a TNG theme, which ranks much higher on this list (as you will see).
17 – The Animated Series
It is difficult to belittle the Animated Series (TAS), since it was produced with the loose change found in Roddenberry’s couch. The theme is a blatant and bland rip off of the TOS theme, without using any of Alexander Courage’s notes, so they did not have to pay him royalties. It has a cheesy 1970s sound that only gets worse on subsequent takes. The theme wins a few points for nostalgia, but other than that it has nothing else going for it.
16 – Generations
A frustrating theme if there ever was one. The entire tune is a long, drawn out build up to repetitive, blaring Courage fanfare. Fan-made Trek content loves to use this theme when they want to create a huge reveal. The theme feels cheap. Like a pair of subpar sun glasses from a sleazy truck stop. Generations blew their budget on Shatner, Stewart, Malcolm McDowell and elaborate sets in the mountains of Utah. They clearly did not have anything left for the theme, so they grabbed Trek music staffer Dennis McCarthy from the break room and told him to throw a theme together. It feels like he composed this theme over a long weekend while drinking cheap whiskey and screaming about what a dickhead Rick Berman is. McCarthy also did the score for Enterprise, which explains a lot.
15 – Nemesis
I like what this theme tries to do, but there is not enough of it. It starts with the standard Courage fanfare, then moves into a synthesizer fueled driving beat that effectively captures that early 2000s Blue Man Group sound. It starts strong and unique, but then evaporates just as it gets interesting. It almost feels like Goldsmith gave up halfway through composing the theme. Nemesis marked the end of Trek’s Dark Era. The franchise went on ice until JJ Abrams rebooted it in 2009.
14 – Strange New Worlds
While SNWs is one of the best Trek shows made, its theme music is mediocre at best. It is little more than a modernized version of the TOS theme. It starts strong and sentimental, with a modern version of Courage’s intro (and great visuals). Just as it hits the climax, the entire tune shits the bed and transforms into a light contemporary adult rock muzak version of TOS with the brass dialed down and a Casio-synthesizer drumbeat tacked on top. Note to Trek management, stop hiring Jeff Russo for music.
13 – Deep Space Nine
When DSN came out, it was a notable departure from typical Trek. It was set on a space station and ditched the episodic format. The theme felt equally different. It is a melodic, brassy tune with epic highlights and soaring high notes. The climax feels a little too intense, like the melody track is dialed up a few decibels too loud. This conveys a sense of desperation. I like this theme, but it did not age as well as others. I think what ultimately hurts this theme for me is that it sounds like the theme to show that is mimicking Trek, like the Orville or Galaxy Quest. That certainly was not the composer’s intent, but over time if you want to rip off a Trek theme, you make it sound like DSN.
12 – Voyager
Voyager’s theme is extremely similar to DSN, but more distinctive. What places Voyager ahead of DSN is that wonderful timpani drum in the beginning. I have a real fondness for timpani drums, as you will find out later in this list. The theme is upbeat and regal. The theme matches Kate Mulgrew’s personality. When I hear it, I can instantly see Janeway sipping coffee and snapping orders to an eye-rolling Seven of Nine.
11 – Prodigy
This theme is profoundly better than it needed to be. Prodigy was a kids show. Paramount could have paid Russo to throw another crappy theme together and it would have been fine. Instead, we got a magical paring of accomplished composer Michael Giacchino and up-and-coming composer Nami Melumad. The theme and title sequence for Prodigy are absolutely gorgeous. It is a driving, melodic, soaring tune filled with hope and youthful energy. The only reason Prodigy is way down here at number 11 is because Prodigy as a show is a frustrating experience. It is extremely well-crafted, with brilliant writing, outstanding voice-acting, and stories that embody everything Trek means, and of course Paramount cancelled it. It also has Ella Purnell, who is just the best thing since sliced bread. Arrrgh! Damn you Paramount!
10 – The Original Series
I think I placed this theme here merely out of sentiment. The original Trek theme is so worn out at this point, that it is difficult to listen to. Moreover, when you compare the TOS theme to others, it feels incomplete. Its not much more than Alexander Courage’s opening fanfare (which he lifted from a Brahms symphony) and then some woman wailing. Compared to TNG or the 2009 reboot theme, TOS is a little cringe. Still, it is the theme from which all these others are derived, which gives it gravitas, even if it has a dated, 1960s sound.
9 – Discovery
While most people trash Discovery, I admire its creativity and willingness to tackle uncomfortable topics. The theme is slower and more thoughtful than its French horn dominated siblings. It has a wonderful cello melody peppered throughout that gives it an wise, reflective, erudite sound. Discovery’s theme gets better the more you listen to it. It is not as brash or bombastic as TNG or Voyager. It fits the show’s themes of inclusivity, diversity, and redemption well. The title sequence is equally unique. This was Russo’s best outing with Trek. They should have stopped here, as his other themes are terrible.
8 – Lower Decks
This theme gets stuck in my head frequently. It is a clever homage to both the TNG and TAS themes. It copies a lot of Trek motifs, without feeling like a cheap copy. Like Voyage Home, the theme nicely blends playful strings with epic brass. Composer Christopher Westlake cited Horner and his horns as inspiration for the theme. It is a fun theme with a sincere reverence for Trek.
7 – Undiscovered Country
When Undiscovered Country was released, I barely noticed the theme music. This theme has grown on me over time. It is full of anxiety, tension, and energy. It also perfectly fits the mood of the movie. The theme begins quietly but foreboding. Then a snare drum starts racing and the theme accelerates into a sweaty-palm baritone driven melody. It then climaxes with some massive cymbal clashes. Just when you think the theme has quieted down, it warps back to a tense, hyperactive exchange of pianos and strings. The explosion of Praxis at the end caps off an exhausting composition. It is a surprisingly textured work considering composer Cliff Eidelman’s unremarkable back catalog. Supposedly director Nicholas Mayer could not sway James Horner or Jerry Goldsmith to return to Trek. Perhaps Eidelman felt pressure to deliver something that could measure up Horner. He did. It was a great theme to wrap up the TOS era.
6 – Voyage Home
Thar be whales in here! How can you not love this theme? Voyage Home is a rollicking fun tune. The theme starts with an echo of the Wrath of Khan / Search for Spock theme, belts out a clear and clean Courage fanfare, and quickly converts into a delighted, zippy melody. The bridge movement is filled with happy little xylophones. This theme makes you want to charge out on to the streets of San Francisco looking for nookleear wessles and calling people double-dumbasses while taking to much LDS. This was composer Leonard Rosenman’s only outing with Trek. Rosenman has a huge catalog of work, but most of it is derivative and shlocky. Voyage Home was a late-career high-point, for both Rosenman and the TOS crew. So many happy little xylophones!
5 – First Contact
After the disappointing Generations outing, Trek roared back to life in 1996 with one of the best movies in the franchise and one of its greatest soundtracks. First Contact has everything a Trek requires, boldness, contemplation, and even a bit of foreboding Borg doom. Composer Jerry Goldsmith was at the top of his game with First Contact. This theme is quiet, with subdued baritones slowly revealing the melody. It has a few melancholy moments before it builds to an epic climax. This is one of the rare movies where the title theme and the end credits are equally strong. The end credits masterfully merge the First Contact melody with the TNG/TMP theme. That theme was so good, Terry Matlas reused it to rescue the sagging Picard series.
4 – Wrath of Khan / Search for Spock
James Horner’s Wrath of Kahn (TWOK) soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks ever produced, full stop. Horner did the remarkable feat of topping both Williams and Goldsmith. Where this theme clicks is its expert melding of its strings and horns. It is masterful. However, the theme is not the strongest part of the soundtrack. Watch TWOK again and listen to those blaring French horns when Khan’s Reliant is revealed. It is spine tinglingly good. Another highlight is the Battle in the Mutara Nebula, which I believe to be one of the best soundtrack compositions ever. It is so perfectly fitted to the action on the screen that it feels like the music and movie were built simultaneously. I credit Battle in the Mutara Nebula as the piece that inspired me to get into classic music. Honestly, if this list was a ranking of all Trek music, Horner’s TWOK soundtrack would have easily made it to the number 1 slot. However, when focused exclusively on theme music, TWOK’s melodic strings and glorious horns lose a bit of ground to other, more epic sounds. I united TWOK and Search for Spock themes, since they are nearly identical.
3 – Star Trek (2009 reboot) / Beyond
I have mixed feelings about the whole JJ Abrahms / Kelvin timeline Trek. However, when it comes to the music for this subfranchise, my feelings are clear – it is freaking amazing! When Giachinno’s theme exploded across the screen in 2009, after five year absence of anything Trek, it felt like Trek was being reborn into something bigger, bolder, and blindingly bombastic. I love Giachinno’s Trek music. It is the most epic of all Trek music, without sacrificing an ounce of joy, optimism, or adventure.
2 – The Motion Picture / The Next Generation / Final Frontier
Has there ever been a more iconic sci fi theme? The Motion Picture might have been a dog of a movie, but Jerry Goldsmith’s theme was the most glorious thing to happen to Trek in forever. There is a reason this theme was reused for TNG as well as many other movies (including the low point in the TOS movies, The Final Frontier.) It is a magnificent theme that embodies everything Trek. Goldsmith was inspired to top John William’s Star Wars theme, and he did (although Star Wars is equally iconic.) There is no point analyzing the theme. It is perfect in every way. This theme easily wins first place. However, I decided to award first place to one small Trek theme music moment, and for one reason only.
1 – Into Darkness
Holy frakkin’ timpani drums, Spock! These few seconds of Trek theme are so deliciously glorious, I can listen to it a thousand times and never grow tired. Into Darkness may be a frustrating movie with great actors trapped inside an illogical rehash of TWOK. However, the soundtrack is stellar. Specifically, the short theme sequence titled Sub Prime Directive. Squeeeeee!!! While the Enterprise flies through space, we get a rousing percussion pound on the timpani drums until the ship warps away in a flash. It is soul stirring music mated to and equally stirring visuals. I loved this theme so much, I used it when I launched my cloud security product in 2018 (fortunately nobody from Paramount caught me doing it.) I know TNG is a better theme and Battle in the Mutara Nebula is a better overall composition, but these few seconds are pure glorious epic Trek music ecstasy. Skip to the 1:30 mark to jump right to the moment of glory. I told you, I really love timpani drums.
