TOS Trivia #1

According to the inside VHS cover 1.8

"The Star Trek theme music was composed by Alexander Courage in response to Gene Roddenberry's request that he write 'adventure' music rather than eerie 'space' music. After only five shows, however, Courage chose to leave the show to become associate music director on the prestigious film Dr. Dolittle. He has since described this decision the silliest thing he ever did in his life because Star Trek would have provided him with steady work for years."

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Too bad Courage was cheated out of fifty-percent of the royalties for his work when Roddenberry decided he would become a lyricist and write these wacky words for the music.

Beyond the rim of the star light
My love is wandering in star flight
I know he'll find in star clustered reaches
Love strange love a star woman teaches
I know his journey ends never
His star trek will go on forever
But tell him while he wanders his starry sea
Remember, remember me

To quote Alexander Courage regarding this weirdness.

"Roddenberry's lyrics totally lacked musical practicality. He made two very serious errors in writing the lyrics. One, he changed the shape of the melody by adding extra beats, and two, he used closed vowel with a z-z-z-z sound on the highest notes, something that gives great problems to singers."

And here's a quote from Bob Justman -associate producer of ST:TOS- of the fiasco.

"Owing to his involvement at Fox arranging the music for the film Doctor Dolittle, Sandy could do only two of the first season's episodes. Nevertheless, owing to the "royalty" issue, it's no wonder Sandy Courage lost all enthusiasm for the series and liking for Gene Roddenberry. Despite my efforts to convince him to score second-season episodes, Sandy never returned to Star Trek."

Inside Star Trek: The Real Story
Herbert F. Solow
Robert H. Justman

OK, so next time you find yourself humming the TOS theme, try singing the above words to the music.