Star Trek, a show that’s inspired millions of geeks around the world (myself included,) has perhaps inevitably spawned some very bizarre musical tributes. From filk to electronic remixes, Gene Roddenberry’s 1965 masterpiece has lasted 45 years, and given the success of the latest film in the Star Trek universe (even if it is set in a slightly different but importantly similar universe), it looks like it’s set to continue for some time yet.
1. Dark Materia — “The Picard Song”
What. A. Song. This one needs no introduction — it’s probably the best Star Trek-inspired track to date. This mashup of classic Jean-Luc Picard quotes compiled by Dark Materia is great; it’s not his only output — he also produced two tracks you’ll find later in this list.
2. The Firm — “Star Trekkin'”
I loved this song as a kid, but now, it’s a little grating. If you want to annoy yourself and every single person around you for a few minutes, give this a spin. I can only imagine how my mother must have felt.
3. Tachyon Beam — “Darmok and Jalad”
This is a nice little folk tune about a brilliant episode of The Next Generation, “Darmok,” wherein Captain Picard is forced to examine his implicit assumptions about language and communication. While this song doesn’t reach the intellectual heights of the episode, it is a nice reminder of the episode.
4. Butchy B — “Lasar Rock (Star Trek Rap)”
This may be the single-most ridiculous piece of music ever crafted. Enjoy.
5. Dark Materia — “The Worf Song”
This effort from Dark Materia isn’t quite as fine-tuned as “The Picard Song,” and it certainly hasn’t seen the same popularity, but it’s a very nice contribution to the canon of Star Trek-related music.
6. Data’s “Lifeforms” song from Star Trek: Generations
This is why Data either really, really needs an emotion chip at all times … or shouldn’t have one at all. One of the two. At any rate, Data’s “Lifeforms” song defines Star Trek: Generations — a cheesy attempt at pleasing Star Trek fans of all types.
7. Dark Materia — “Frame of Mind”
This is another great remix from the creator of “The Picard Song” and “The Worf Song.” Set to scenes of the magnanimous Commander Riker from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Frame of Mind,” the remix plays through the story of the episode with some real electronic verve. Where “The Worf Song” and “The Picard Song” are very much about the eponymous characters, “Frame of Mind” is about both Will Riker and the great episode.
8. Stovokor – “For the Glory of Qo’nos”
Klingon metalcore played by people in Klingon getup, and they’re named after Klingon “heaven.” Need I say more? Perhaps it’s a worthy successor to Viking metal — time will tell. (I’ll give you a hint: It’s a niche market.)