Happy (Future) First Contact Day!
A Trekkie's guide to April 5, 2063. Today, on Mike's Music Morning
Look. I’m a geek. I’m a nerd. I’m a father, and a writer. Wait I got off topic.
For the uncultured…. April 5, 2063 is the date (in the Star Trek universe) when Zefram Cochran made his first warp-powered flight… well, to borrow from the movie:
Cmdr. William Riker: Doctor, tomorrow morning when they detect the warp signature from your ship and realize that humans have discovered how to travel faster than light, they decide to alter their course and make first contact with Earth, right here.
Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Here?
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, actually, over there.
Cmdr. William Riker: It is one of the pivotal moments in human history, Doctor. You get to make first contact with an alien race! And after you do... everything begins to change.
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge: Your theories on warp drive allow fleets of starships to be built and mankind to start exploring the Galaxy.
Cmdr. Deanna Troi: It unites humanity in a way no one ever thought possible. When they realize they're not alone in the universe, poverty, disease, war - they'll all be gone within the next fifty years.
Cmdr. William Riker: But unless you make that warp flight tomorrow morning before eleven fifteen, none of it will happen.
Dr. Zefram Cochrane: And you people, you're all astronauts on... some kind of star trek.
Honestly, that last bit cracks me up every time.
So, in celebration of First Contact Day, some of my favorite Trek tracks from the various series and movies, plus a bit of funny, on the house. First up, the original. When they remastered TOS (The Original Series, for you heathens), they rerecorded the music as well. I actually did a caricature (of a cat) for the vocalist on the rerecorded main theme. Seriously. No BS. The cat was wearing a fedora at the Grand Canyon.
Anyway….
I feel like this needs to be posted. Constantly. One of my favorite Trek moments:
So, that theme from Jerry Goldsmith was used constantly throughout Trek, up to and including the main theme for Star Trek: The Next Generation. When our son was born, me being the animator and Trekkie, made this as a birth announcement:
This theme was also used in the subject of today’s post, Star Trek: First Contact. Composed by Jerry Goldsmith again, there are some really awesome callbacks to the ST:TMP score beyond the main theme, like the Klingon anthem (ish):
The Defiant is a tough little ship.
The obligatory 20th century music:
That the first warp-powered flight happened to the tune of Steppenwolf gives me hope for humanity…
…and now, a little Trek art to round out your day…
Live long and prosper from Western Wishes.
Kilgore
And don’t forget to check out our previous installments in this ongoing series of music recommendations and best-of debates:
Who Is Generation X's Greatest Black Musician? Here's My Vote
Generation X's Greatest Black Musician? Rihanna, In My Humble Opinion.
Why Rap & Country Are So Challenging and Why I Much Prefer Tupac Shakur to Will Smith
These 2 Hypnotic Sitar Albums Saved Me Last Night as the PTSD Demons Struck Back
Check out “Mike’s Music Morning,” borne from these debates:
How Many Licks Does it Take to Get to the Center of My Music Collection?
What music evokes an emotional response for you? What song really twangs your heartstrangs?
What Reminds You of Mardi Gras? For Me, it's Always Music and Food
Who Is Your Favorite Film Composer? Here are 6 of My Favorites
How Could I Have Forgotten Ennio Morricone's Greatness? My 7 Favorites from the Italian Master
What Are Your Favorite Covers? Here Are a Few Great Ones From Unexpected Places
How Do We Deserve People Like Dave Grohl??? Today, on a Very Special Episode of MMM...
If You Formed a Rock Supergroup From Anyone in History, Who's on the Roster?
Counting Down My 10 Favorite Songs from my Favorite Album of All Time, The White Album
The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown! Classical Music Challenge! Part One
Who Else Out There Loves Prince Rogers Nelson? (Requiascat in Pace) - A Tribute
Please Enjoy: Cat Stevens Made My Favorite Classic Song to Listen to In the Morning
Spring has Sprung! Part Deux of the Classical Music Challenge!
Try My Playlist of 10 Catchiest Tracks for Sweet '60s* ✨Vibes✨
Is This the Best Pop Music 'Hymn' of All Time? Is This Its Best Cover?
8 of the Most Fantastic Music Videos From One of My Favorite Filmmakers