Star Trek’s “lost” theme song has now officially joined the canon. It may come as a surprise to fans of the franchise, but the classic Star Trek’s theme has lyrics–sort of, thanks to its creator, Gene Roddenberry. These lyrics have been largely forgotten, and for good reason. Yet, in the story “I Knew You Were Tribble When You Walked In,” appearing in Star Trek #500, they make a darkly hilarious return.
“I Knew You Were Tribble When You Walked In,” appearing in Star Trek #500, was written by Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum with Leonard Kirk on art duties. Set at the same time as the classic Star Trek episode “The Trouble with Tribbles,” the story ends right after Scotty transports the creatures aboard the Klingon flagship. Throughout the story, the Tribbble narrator voices lusty thoughts about Kirk, and upon being beamed aboard the Klingon ship, falls in love with one of its crewmembers. As the story ends, the Tribble serenades the Klingon with a song.
The Origins of Star Trek’s Lost Theme Song, Explained
Star Trek Only Used a Theme Song with Lyrics Once
Alexander Courage’s theme to Star Trek is a classic, and pieces of it can be heard in other Trek shows and movies. The theme has no lyrics, instead featuring vocal effects performed by a professional singer. The theme beautifully set the tone for the show: it was ambient, futuristic, and unforgettable. Yet according to legend, Gene Roddenberry, seeking new ways to make money, wrote lyrics to Courage’s theme, which are shared below. Although the lyrics were not even used once, Roddenberry still managed to get credit, and thus, royalties. It was an admittedly under-handed move on Roddenberry’s part, but the lyrics remain for all to enjoy:
For the most part, Star Trek shows and movies steer away from using lyrics in their theme songs, with one notable exception: Enterprise. The show used The Calling’s “Wherever You Will Go” in promotional materials the summer before its release. When Enterprise premiered in September 2001, it featured opera vocalist Russell Watson’s rendition of Dionne Warwick’s “Where My Heart Will Take Me.” The song became a flashpoint of controversy among Star Trek fans, who felt a pop song was out of place in the franchise. While fandom has grudgingly grown to love the song, it still has detractors.
There Was a Reason The Star Trek Lyrics Were Never Used
Star Trek May Have Taken a Different Path, Had Its Theme Actually Had Words
Thankfully, Roddenberry’s “lyrics” to Star Trek’s iconic theme were never used, and for good reason: they are awful. The lyrics rely on clichés and hackneyed imagery, and seem tacked on after the fact–which they were. Alexander Courage’s classic Star Trek theme, without lyrics, has stood the test of time. Roddenberry’s attempt to shoehorn words to it was disrespectful towards Courage, and highlighted some of Star Trek’s creator’s worst impulses. If Star Trek’s theme had lyrics of any sort, it would not be as fondly remembered today.
Now, Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum and Leonard Kirk have taken Star Trek’s lost theme and gave it a hilarious twist, while at the same time adding it to the canon. The story’s creators know Roddenberry’s lyrics are silly, so they take the idea and push it to its ridiculous extreme. In the Star Trek universe, there is nothing funnier than a Tribble lusting after a Klingon, and making the franchise’s “lost” theme a love song between them is a stroke of genius. It makes gentle fun of what could have been a low moment in the Star Trek universe.