#theme music

[maybeasunflower]

Star Trek theme tunes: worst to best

Star Trek’s many TV series each have an opening sequence that attempts to set up the viewer for the show ahead. A good theme tune delivers a high-quality piece of music that encapsulates the show’s essence — and it is on this basis that I’ve ranked the themes. What isn’t included in my ranking is anything about the graphics that accompany the music, nor the show itself. Naturally, these are all purely my personal opinions, so there can be no argument.

Let’s get started!

11: Enterprise

“It’s been a long road…” are five words that launched a lot of strong feelings — and rightly so. The jarring mismatch between everything about this song and everything Enterprise was about relegates this theme to the bottom of the heap. The opening graphics are spot-on for the show’s premise — but I never got to watch them because I needed to skip the music, and that makes me madder.

If you want to know what could have been, search YouTube for “Star Trek: Enterprise Opening Credits with Archer’s Theme”. That music is perfect for the show: slow, dramatic, building up for the big reveal. Then finish weeping / gnashing your teeth and come back here.

This theme also meant that we can never have a Star Trek theme with words again, ever, because we have been all primed to hate such things because of Enterprise — and that’s sad.

Imagine if we’d had a good theme with words that we could all sing at appropriate and inappropriate occasions.

10: The Animated Series

You’d forgotten about this series, hadn’t you? I will confess I haven’t watched any episodes (unlike the other ST series), but that doesn’t me having an opinion about the theme music. The jaunty theme music. The theme music that speaks of hijinks and hilarious consequences. The theme with super precise drumming — the perfect accompaniment as we join our hero sipping a cocktail in his usual bar by the beach.

Wait, this show is about space exploration?

9: Discovery

Open with Those Four Notes (good), wistful hunting call horns (good), build up to a climax (good), and then… umm…

What follows musically reminds me of Fringe (a great show that also involved Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci as creators). Fringe was a show about the discovery of new scientific things (and the consequences thereof)— but Discovery is not. The stories of Discovery revolve around battling against various things. The main theme (minimalist repeated eighth note patterns with a slow-moving melody) simply doesn’t speak to premise of the show. It ends with the ascending “Star Trek motif”, but it just feels like something bolted on to end things.

This is a theme based on the title, not on the events in the show.

8: The Original Series

I’m going to get some flak for this, but I don’t care. Yes, The Original Series is sacred. Yes, this theme gave us Those Four Notes right at the start. Yes, it gave us the classic opening words. Yes, we must remember TV was different back then when judging TOS. But I’m ranking the music, and so that’s all that matters.

This is a show about exploring strange new worlds and going boldly. The music is not that. The music is about going somewhere on holiday in your 1960s convertible, or possibly going home from work for the weekly comedic capers. It’s not going boldly anywhere, it’s not exploring new worlds, and that’s final.

… I am going to get so much flak for this.

7: Picard

This is a theme unlike any other, but this a series unlike other, so that’s OK. The wistful main melody on solo cello works for the show and its premise. The theme then gets musically developed by other instruments in a musically satisfyingly way.

However, two-thirds (!) of the title graphics are consumed by the 137 producers, supervising producers, co-executive producers, executive producers, and producing producers — and it feels the music had to be extended by a good 30 seconds to cover them all. Like Discovery, it ends with ends with the ascending “Star Trek motif”, but it (just about) feels musically connected to what came before.

Overall, I am left with a very neutral opinion. There’s nothing that bad about this music, but nothing that makes it stand out.

It’s boringly OK.

6: Strange New Worlds

After the classic opening words, the dramatic bass line/repetitive strings/drums kick in, the music builds, everything’s set up for the main melody…. and what’s that? Well, you can’t hear that melody because the orchestration that gives it insufficient body, and the sound mix gives the accompanying dramatic bass line/repetitive strings/drums far too much prominence.

The overall structure is good — repeat the main melody with some extra oomph, transition to the B melody, build to a climax with some block chords, then bring every down nicely with the hunting horn call. It ticks all the boxes on (manuscript) paper — but the orchestration and mix just means I can’t enjoy it properly.

Give the melody some more body, turn the volume down on the rhythm section, and this theme would jump up a lot of places.

5: Deep Space 9

DS9 isn’t about going boldly anywhere, but it is still about dealing with dramatic, important things. The music has a stately beauty that reflects both those things. The opening lonely horn illustrates the emptiness of space, before being joined by more horns to build drama. Then the main melody kicks in over a minimal accompaniment, raising the hairs on the back of my neck. There’s a pedal note that sustains through most of the opening — so that when the bass finally moves, it makes for a dramatic conclusion.

Later seasons brought a new version that tried to punch up the excitement a notch by increasing the speed of the main melody and adding some more texture to the accompaniment — but at the cost of the stately beauty that is this theme’s best feature. Let’s ignore it.

The title sequence is about 30 seconds too long, which means the beauty has faded somewhat by the end. (Yes, the opening for Strange New Worlds is a similar length, but the music doesn’t kick in until after 30+ seconds).

Overall, a solid piece of music that aligns well with the show’s premise.

4: Lower Decks

Lower Decks is a show that is both 100% serious and 100% affectionate parody. It does everything any other Star Trek TV series does, while turning it up 11 in order to skewer those things. Musically, that’s a tough premise for a theme tune.

So what happens? We open with Those Four Notes, followed by hunting horn calls, then a dramatic main theme on trumpet that’s repeated on all the strings — followed by gear-changing chords into the real main theme. A theme that gets a full-bore orchestra with a melody on brass that descends like someone resigned to not doing first contact (no hopeful ascending motifs here!). Then a solid build-up brings it to a satisfying conclusion.

Like the show, this theme works both seriously and as affectionate parody.

3: Voyager

The show has a tension between “let’s get home as soon as possible” and “ooh, new alien planet to explore” — and the music reflects that.

The theme opens with muted trumpets on a lonely motif (plus timpani) at the start to bring a sense of the dramatic, but without wanting to shout too loudly about it in this unknown part of the galaxy. The main theme on the horns is repeated with added texture and followed by a B melody on strings. Both bring a sense of the long journey ahead, with an ebb and flow throughout.

A slow build-up is then followed by a gentle climb back down — then a rapid (and musically seamless) build up to an emphatic restatement of the opening motif, ringing out to remind us this isn’t just about skulking back to Earth.

Voyager may be headed for home, but it’s still boldly going new places.

2: The Next Generation

Whatever you feel about Star Trek: The Motion Picture, we can all thank it for this music. TNG opens with Those Four Notes on something ethereal, followed by the best delivery of the classic opening words (sorry Anson Mount!) with a hunting call on horns underneath—then we’re into music about exploring strange new worlds and going boldly. It’s going on an adventure — journeying to places unknown to find things unknown.

Structurally, it’s simpler than other themes: after the main melody on brass, we get the string-heavy B melody twice, then back to a shortened version of the main melody to end. However, the post-words music only takes up half the opening, and those two melodies have enough going on to sustain our interest.

You’re left excited about what’s going to happen this week— because we’re exploring, damnit.

1: Prodigy

Four chords build tension, launching into drums+ostinato that tell you right away that exciting things will be Going Down.

Dramatic trombone and bells set up a musical cadence that gets resolved into the start of the heart-stirring main melody soaring out on horns clearly over the accompaniment (take note, SNW). The main melody repeats with added trumpets, and transitions into the drum-less B melody on lush strings that tells you it’s also about the journey. Then bridge into a repeat with everything turned up a notch.

Things get a little chaotic for a moment (what else do you expect with this crew?), but it’s OK, because we’re back to those dramatic trombone and bells (plus friends) to bookend things and lead us into a final resolution… that leaves just enough going on afterwards to accompany Those Four Notes, as though that was the plan all along. Then spike the ending so there’s no doubt we’re done.

Perfect.

#Star trek #theme music #theme tune #star trek tos #star trek the animated series #star trek tng #the next generation #star trek ds9 #deep space nine #star trek voyager #voyager #star trek enterprise #enterprise #star trek discovery #discovery #star trek picard #picard #star trek lower decks #lower decks #star trek prodigy #prodigy

[slow-writer]

The similarities and differences between the intro/outro music used for TMA and TMAGP, I think, are very interesting. Most importantly, I think the main difference--the intensity of the themes--is an indicator of what we are to expect in these podcasts.

In TMA, the intro theme we get is played on a single violin with a bit of ambient noise in the background, once the light percussion comes in behind it. This plus the minor key it's played in let us know that what we're about to listen to is a little eerie, a little spooky, maybe even a little disturbing. But we don't really know what we're in for at the beginning. It's just a guy who sounds more than a little tired of people trying to make sense of his new job, as well as updating what he can of the archives, reading these stories about some weird things the tellers may or may not have experienced. There's a sense of unease, yes, but it's not going to be too bad. It's not until you're well into the series that things start to get deeper, connect, unravel, and grow to terrifying proportions.

The theme for TMAGP, however.... I believe it was written with the idea in mind that:

listeners will have heard some (if not all) of TMA before listening to TMAGP;

listeners will be aware that this will not take place in the same universe as TMA, but that it is a "continuation" of TMA without being a direct sequel;

listeners will be expecting the connections, the twists, the deeper storylines they heard unfold in TMA; and

LISTENERS WILL BE LOOKING FOR THEM FROM MOMENT ONE.

That's why I think the TMAGP theme music is SO MUCH MORE INTENSE right from the start. It's saying, "We know why you're here. We know what you expect. Let's crank that sh*t up to eleven."

#the magnus protocol #the magnus archives #tma #tmagp #theme music

[solomons-poison]

Just the background music in the Obey Me Nightbringer hard section. Idk I just really liked it

#obey me nightbringer #obey me shall we date #theme music

[rockymountainqueen2]

I think Disney has finally realized how much of a cash cow The Owl House is...

Also - Apparently Thanks To Them's opening is considered season three's theme song!

#the owl house #theme music #theme song #toh season one #toh season two #toh season three #luz noceda #king clawthorne #amity blight #eda clawthorne #lilith clawthorne #hunter wittebane #hunter golden guard #kikimora #camila noceda #willow park #gus porter #vee toh #vee noceda #vee the basilisk #Youtube

[tezuka-brainrot]

I love the iconic og theme song.

We all do.

But how come I never hear people acknowledging how hard 2003 theme goes!?! With all the praise from the AB fandom this version gets, the songs are never brought up!?

#astro boy 2003 #tetsuwan atom #mighty atom #mighty atom 2003 #Astro Boy #theme song #theme music #this slaps #Youtube

[previouslyondaysofourlives]

The greatest intro and theme music to a television show of all time

#x men #X-men #X-men 97 #x men 97 #television #tv #television show #television shows #disney #disney plus #wolverine #magneto #theme music #themes #intro #tv intro

[progressive-waves-art]

Adding to the last TToE post, I just found this remix of the His Dark Materials theme that is somehow even closer to the album’s overall sound.

THIS is what I’m talking about, Jesus:

#ayreon #his dark materials #Philip Pullman #the goddamn WINDS in this #what the breakthrough would sound like if it took itself seriously/hj #arjen lucassen #theme music #Youtube

[opulent-today-slope]

I remixed WandaVision's "Agatha All Along" in 1960s' stereo.

Drums and vocals 100% right, piano and guitar 100% left, bass guitar and brass section in the middle.

#wandavision #agatha harkness #agatha all along #mcu #marvel #marvel cinematic universe #marvel mcu #remix #1960s music #1960's music #kathryn hahn #disney marvel #music #theme tune #theme music

[emotinalsupportturtle]

GUYS the Doctor Who 60th Anniversary theme, Ruby's theme AND the 15th Doctor's theme all just dropped and I'm loosing my mind

I have been listening to nothing else for the last 11 hours

Murray Gold has outdone himself, the music is perfect, tells a story has personality whilst being dynamic, epic, gentle and beautiful all at the same time. I could write essays on these three pieces of music

On a related note is the 14th doctor getting his own theme? because as far as I know that wasn't released. Correct me if I am wrong

#doctor who #60th anniversary #murray gold #ruby sunday #15th doctor #14th doctor #also I know there's debate on whether to call him 14 or not #i'm just going with whatever rtd says #theme music #soundtracks

[newchainssameshackles]

I have honestly read some amazing books here lately.

Has the betrayal been heart shattering? Yes.

Have I sobbed multiple times over book characters? Also yes.

But I have enjoyed every second of it. I am so glad I rekindled this hobby of mine and was able to fall in love with reading again. Books are amazing.

#me #mine #text post #reading #bookish #books #fourth wing #the serpent and the wings of night #theme music #the slob #lets be mutuals #the priory of the orange tree #is next #im on a dragon binge

[demiel-kheiv]

Needed this one for actually drawing the pic i have on prewiew

#this one is a litle bit less samey and more samey at the same time lollll #my stuff #/ #youtube music #youtube playlist #music playlist #theme playlist #theme music #ukrainian #укртамблер #укртумбочка #Youtube #melanchaholic #underwater #underwater art #underwater aesthetic #oceancore #(apparently?)

[delyth88]

Watching Avengers for the first time in ages and I'm noticing in the music the use of the two chords that were used in Infinity War and Endgame as Thanos' theme, iirc. The two chords a semitone apart.

They're not particularly significant in Avengers, and I assume were not intended to be tied to Thanos, but rather just signifying the threat Loki posed, but I can't get Thanos and the events of IW out of my head when I hear them. It's rather disconcerting when for example Loki is speaking to Fury from the cage in the Helicarrier and putting on this superior facade - it undermines his intent here and I can only see him in relation to Thanos here. Agh! My heart! 💔😢

#loki deserved better #loki #thanos #infinity war #avengers 2012 #avengers theme music #theme music #mcu music #mcu #f@ck thanos

[nekosoda]

GENSHIN SPOILERS UNDER CUT!!!!

It has hit me that in almost every nation in serious situations,Mondstat's music play,especially the one called: "Perilous Path"

But in Fontaine it has its own serious music.(Especially in the court,it was a banger)

As if the connection beetween Hydro and Anemo has been cutt off???

It just came to my mind,we might also have to wait for the future quest but I just felt the need to share this.

#genshin impact #The Nations #Mondstat #Liyue #Inazuma #Sumeru #Fontaine #Furina #Venti #Folcalors #Barbatos #Speculations #Theme music

[yellodisney]

#movie theme #soundtrack #cinematic #cinemascope #theme music #rap #rap music #hip hop #original rap #original hip hop #hip hop music #new music #new rap music #new hip hop music #pre production #underground rap #underground hip hop #haunted fm #honteddo fm #2023 #copyright owned #ragga #silver bullet #yaketsuku yamamura #man like anthony #kiko mizuhara #sick!!!!!!O_O #aesthetic #manga #silvah bullet

[moistmusic]

DON'T FEAR THE REAPER

#dont fear the reaper #remix #new music #trending #mashup #supernatural #theme music #chill music #chill #chillout #youtube #facebook #shorts #new musix

[tezuka-brainrot]

https://youtu.be/KOEym9-IJmA?si=hOs3wGeMhWorZylH

Yo you ever listen to this? It’s better than every other version of the Astro boy theme before 2003 (imo) and I listen to it regularly.

OMG!! No cause I didn't get too far in the 80s series but I'll definitely be listening to it a lot now!!

That's so good thanks for showing me this!

#astro boy #tetsuwan atom #mighty atom #astro boy 1980 #theme music