Thoughts on the infamous Star Trek Enterprise Theme Song

Thoughts on the infamous Star Trek Enterprise Theme Song

One thing for which Star Trek Enterprise has long been criticized by fans is the theme song.  The remixed (twice) reperformance of Diane Warren's "Faith of the Heart" (the version used for the ENT theme is officially titled "Where My Heart Will Take Me").  While I do understand the vibe they producers were going for using that as the theme song, with the show being about humanity's journey to the stars and all the hurdles and adversity they had to overcome to arrive on the interstellar scene and the shows optimistic future view (core Trek), I also share many of the complaints/issues that other Trekkies have with this choice of song.  

1: It's not original.  Unlike all other previous Star Trek theme songs, this one is not original, having been written by Diane Warren and performed by Rod Stewart for the 1998 Robin Williams movie Patch Adams.  So not only is it not original, it wasn't even originally written for this show.  

2: This cover version is not good.  To be blunt.  The overall performance is mehh.  Russell Watson's vocals are warbly and pale in comparison to the Original Rod Stewart version.

3: I think the bland, mediocre performance of a pop tune doesn't really fit with what Star Trek is, and is what really turned a lot of Trekkies off from the song.

4: The up-tempo remix with heavier drums and guitar used in seasons 3 and 4 (after the show was renamed Star Trek Enterprise) really didn't do the song or it's reputation with fans any favors.  Some might say it's actually worse than the original version.

Do I hate the song: no.  Do I dislike it as a theme for this show: yes.  It's really not a good fit for Star Trek.  It also dates the show, whereas all the other Star Trek series themes are pretty much timeless (except for maybe the Animated Series theme).  Personally, I think "Archer's Theme" (the theme used for the ending credits) would be a much better fit for the series title theme than the much-maligned pop song.  Alas, the song has become part of the show's identity now, so like it or not, we're stuck with it.