You might find this hard to believe, but this progressive rock and jazz fan is also a science-fiction devotee. “A sci-fi fan who’s also a prog nut! It’s unheard of! Go on!”

What can I say, both music and film require me to stretch my thought processes and imagination. Sometimes you’ve got to run with the stereotype.

Spend enough time with any sci-fi fan and you will inevitably get this question: “Do you prefer Star Wars or Star Trek?” My answer is always the same:

Yes.

Both franchises are iconic. Both give us tons to love (or hate, depending on where you stand). Both have spawned more spin-offs and movies than we can count. Granted, there probably no Wars without Trek, which debuted a decade before. But the two franchises now run side by side.

Not to worry … I’m not here to extol the virtues of one franchise over the other. Nor will I be discussing my favorite characters from each. But there is an area where both franchises also excel, even if I rarely hear it being discussed.

Both franchises feature iconic music!

I’m not gonna lie. In this realm, I do have a favorite. It’s Star Wars.

As I’ve said, both franchises have amazing music. I mean, who can forget the theme Alexander Courage wrote for Star Trek? If you don’t recognize it, you’ve been living under a musical rock.

But I tend to believe that Star Wars (released in 1977) has the upper hand for one reason, consisting of two words: John Williams.

Unlike Trek, the Star Wars franchise began in movie form. As such, Star Wars has had the upper hand. First, because they had the budget to put the London Symphony Orchestra to the task of playing the music. Most importantly, because John Williams was hired to compose its legendary theme. The talent level behind this music is the stuff of legend.

Two years after Star Wars debuted, Star Trek: The Motion Picture hit the big screen. Composer Jerry Goldsmith gave the franchise an iconic theme of its own. Some might say the theme was better than the movie. Your mileage may vary. But there’s no denying the majesty of this music, which was used again for both Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and for the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series.

1980 saw the release of the first Star Wars sequel, The Empire Strikes Back. I can’t say whether or not Williams was motivated by the Star Trek theme from the year before, but there’s no doubting he wrote one of THE great pieces of science fiction music with “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme),” a tune used for ringtones all over the world to this very day.

When it comes to darker themes, I suppose the closest Trek comes is via the theme for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, composed by Cliff Eidleman. The ominous low end sets the tone nicely, a perfect fit for the movie’s pessimistic plot line. And the way the theme song ends and the movie begins couldn’t be aligned much better.

Say what you will about the Star Wars prequels (for many, the less said, the better), but Episode I: The Phantom Menace gave us one of John Williams’s greatest musical moments (in my humble opinion) with “Duel of the Fates,” which accompanied an epic lightsaber battle. The music was almost enough to make up for the presence of Jar-Jar Binks. Almost.

Star Trek might have been a television powerhouse, but the theme songs for their shows were quite cinematic.^ Of all the shows that have surfaced over the years, I give my personal nod to the theme from Voyager. That’s one of the rare times I decline to hit “skip intro” when I’m binging.

This is one of those compare/contrast subjects that can be discussed 24/7. Instead, I encourage you to dive in on your own. Share your favorites in the comments. I’m sure I skipped over a tune or two.

In the meantime, live long and prosper. May the Force be with you.

^ Except for Star Trek: Enterprise. We’re just gonna pretend that goofy theme song didn’t happen.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed or have your band photographed while in Chicago, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com