The song was written in 1987 based on original verse lyrics by Rory Kehoe. The chorus lyrics and music were written by John O'Connor and Grahame Lister. O'Connor sent copies of the single to UK radio stations, with the studio's phone number on them.
One Liverpool station began giving the phone number out on air and O'Connor began to receive many phone calls from the area, asking for copies of the record. A Radio 1 disc jockey, Simon Bates, promoted the song and it became an instant hit, spending two weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart[2][3] and becoming the ninth best-selling single of 1987 in the UK. The song has become well known in the US due to frequent play on the Dr. Demento Show radio program. It appears on the Rhino Records compilation album The Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection.
"Star Trekkin'" was recorded at Bark Studios, Walthamstow in east London.
Star Trekkin' is a cumulative song. Each time the refrain is sung, one more character's tag line is added:
Uhura: "There's Klingons on the starboard bow."
Spock: "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it." This was not actually said in the original Star Trek series but the song has so popularised the phrase that it is now commonly misattributed to the original. The closest equivalent in the original is "No life as we know it" in "The Devil in the Dark".[4] It might be that the writers took this phrase from an essay written by the famous science fiction author Isaac Asimov, written in 1981, called "Not As We Know It. The Chemistry of Life".
McCoy: "It's worse than that — he's dead, Jim!"
Kirk: "We come in peace; shoot to kill."
Scotty: "Ye cannae change the laws of physics!"
"Star Trekkin'" was a sufficient success for The Firm to release an album, Serious Fun, in 1987, through K-Tel in the UK and Dino Music in Australia.[6][7] "Star Trekkin'" was track one, and the album also included previous singles "Arthur Daley ('E's All Right)" and "Superheroes" and the "Arthur Daley" B-side "Cash in Hand", plus eight new tracks. The last track on side one, "Start Wrekkin'", was a slow Beastie Boys pastiche using the same chorus melody as "Star Trekkin'".
Star Trekkin'
The Firm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Only going forward 'cause we can't find reverse
(Lt. Uhura, report)
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
(Analysis, Mr. Spock)
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim
Star Trekkin' across the universe
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Only going forward, still can't find reverse
(Medical update, Dr. McCoy)
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim!
(Starship Captain, James T. Kirk)
Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill
We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, men
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.
Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, scrape 'em off, Jim!
Star Trekkin' across the universe
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Only going forward, and things are getting worse!
(Engine room, Mr. Scott)
Ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, laws of physics
Ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, Jim
Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill
We come in peace, shoot to kill; Scotty, beam me up!
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead
Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow Jim!
Ye cannae change the script, och, shit, Jimmy!
It's worse than that, it's physics, Jim
Bridge to engine room, warp factor 9
Och, if I give it any more she'll blow, Cap'n!
Star Trekkin' across the universe
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Only going forward 'cause we can't find reverse
Star Trekkin' across the universe
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Only going forward, still can't find reverse
The Firm’s “Star Trekkin’” is a humorous ode to the iconic science-fiction series ‘Star Trek’. The song repeatedly references the show's characters, storylines, and signature phrases in a comical and exaggerated manner. The song’s melody is campy with easily recognizable lyrics that will make Star Trek fans sing along. The opening lyrics "Star Trekkin' across the universe, on the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk” confirms that the song is homage to the original Star Trek series.
The song also references famous characters like Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, and Lt. Uhura, with their famous catchphrases: “It's life, Jim, but not as we know it,” “He's dead, Jim,” and “Report, Lt. Uhura.” One refrain throughout the song which points to the humor of the song is “there's Klingons on the starboard bow” said in increasing shades of urgency.
The song’s upbeat and fun nature helped it reach a wider audience, and it became an international hit. It was the UK's third-best-selling single of 1987 and stayed on top of the UK charts for two weeks. The song’s humorous nature has helped it to become a cult classic and still popular amongst Star Trek fans to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Traveling through space on the Starship Enterprise
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk
Aboard the USS Enterprise with Captain Kirk in charge
Only going forward 'cause we can't find reverse
Unable to move in the opposite direction
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
Klingon enemies approaching on the right side of the ship
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it
Encountering extraterrestrial life unlike anything seen before
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim
Warning the captain of the looming threat from Klingons
Only going forward, still can't find reverse
Still unable to go back in the opposite direction
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim
Reporting that a crew member has died
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead
Repeating the somber news of a deceased crew member
Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill
Sending a mixed message of peace and violence
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain
Confirming once again that extraterrestrial life is unlike anything ever seen before
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow
Reiterating the imminent threat from the approaching Klingons
scrape 'em off, Jim!
Requesting Captain Kirk's prompt action to get rid of the Klingons
And things are getting worse!
Indicating that the situation is deteriorating
Ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, laws of physics
Asserting that the scientific laws governing the universe cannot be altered
Scotty, beam me up!
Asking to be transported back to the spaceship by Chief Engineer Scott
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead
Pessimistically acknowledging once more the loss of a crew member
Ye cannae change the script, och, shit, Jimmy!
Breaking the fourth wall to acknowledge the limitations of the script
Bridge to engine room, warp factor 9
Ordering the engine room personnel to increase speed to warp factor 9
Och, if I give it any more she'll blow, Cap'n!
Forewarning of the engine's failure if pushed to the limit
Star Trekkin' across the universe
Continuing to explore the vast expanses of space
Only going forward 'cause we can't find reverse
Still unable to go back in the opposite direction
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@clarerobertson4427
my father also liked all his five children to be early risers!
New wavered 10-04-16
miss freelove, 'll take alot of beating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, yeah she's a real go getter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
there's loopholes on the other side, other side, other side
there's loopholes on the other side, close 'em up Bill
miss free love, loves meeting and greeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she caved when Peter met her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows, nobody knows
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows but us
miss free love, loves her trick or treating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, because her husband let her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head Bill
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head
miss free love, her treatise needs completing
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, right down to the letter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
we foster peace, don't we Bill, don't we Bill, don't we Bill
we foster peace, don't we Bill, Petey bean me up
miss free love, her tenure won't be fleeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, the house'll never forget her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
miss free love, yeah she won't be retreating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she's lovin Paul's vendetta
furthermore she knows she felt much nicer than Loretta
@clarerobertson4427
New wavered 10-04-16
miss freelove, 'll take alot of beating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, yeah she's a real go getter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
there's loopholes on the other side, other side, other side
there's loopholes on the other side, close 'em up Bill
miss free love, loves meeting and greeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she caved when Peter met her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows, nobody knows
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows but us
miss free love, loves her trick or treating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, because her husband let her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head Bill
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head
miss free love, her treatise needs completing
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, right down to the letter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
we foster peace, don't we Bill, don't we Bill, don't we Bill
we foster peace, don't we Bill, Petey bean me up
miss free love, her tenure won't be fleeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, the house'll never forget her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
miss free love, yeah she won't be retreating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she's lovin Paul's vendetta
furthermore she knows she felt much nicer than Loretta
@clarerobertson4427
New wavered 10-04-16
miss freelove, 'll take alot of beating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, yeah she's a real go getter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
there's loopholes on the other side, other side, other side
there's loopholes on the other side, close 'em up Bill
miss free love, loves meeting and greeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she caved when Peter met her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows, nobody knows
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows but us
miss free love, loves her trick or treating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, because her husband let her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head Bill
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head
miss free love, her treatise needs completing
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, right down to the letter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
we foster peace, don't we Bill, don't we Bill, don't we Bill
we foster peace, don't we Bill, Petey bean me up
miss free love, her tenure won't be fleeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, the house'll never forget her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
miss free love, yeah she won't be retreating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she's lovin Paul's vendetta
furthermore she knows she felt much nicer than Loretta
@clarerobertson4427
New wavered 10-04-16
miss freelove, 'll take alot of beating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, yeah she's a real go getter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
there's loopholes on the other side, other side, other side
there's loopholes on the other side, close 'em up Bill
miss free love, loves meeting and greeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she caved when Peter met her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows, nobody knows
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows but us
miss free love, loves her trick or treating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, because her husband let her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head Bill
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head
miss free love, her treatise needs completing
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, right down to the letter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
we foster peace, don't we Bill, don't we Bill, don't we Bill
we foster peace, don't we Bill, Petey bean me up
miss free love, her tenure won't be fleeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, the house'll never forget her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
miss free love, yeah she won't be retreating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she's lovin Paul's vendetta
furthermore she knows she felt much nicer than Loretta
@clarerobertson4427
@@julesmasseffectmusic New wavered 10-04-16
miss freelove, 'll take alot of beating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, yeah she's a real go getter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
there's loopholes on the other side, other side, other side
there's loopholes on the other side, close 'em up Bill
miss free love, loves meeting and greeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she caved when Peter met her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows, nobody knows
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows but us
miss free love, loves her trick or treating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, because her husband let her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head Bill
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head
miss free love, her treatise needs completing
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, right down to the letter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
we foster peace, don't we Bill, don't we Bill, don't we Bill
we foster peace, don't we Bill, Petey bean me up
miss free love, her tenure won't be fleeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, the house'll never forget her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
miss free love, yeah she won't be retreating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she's lovin Paul's vendetta
furthermore she knows she felt much nicer than Loretta
@clarerobertson4427
@@mrmotion7942 New wavered 10-04-16
miss freelove, 'll take alot of beating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, yeah she's a real go getter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
there's loopholes on the other side, other side, other side
there's loopholes on the other side, close 'em up Bill
miss free love, loves meeting and greeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she caved when Peter met her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows, nobody knows
they're lies Bill, but nobody knows, nobody knows but us
miss free love, loves her trick or treating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, because her husband let her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head Bill
I want to get a head Bill, head Bill, head
miss free love, her treatise needs completing
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, right down to the letter
boldly going forward and things are getting better
we foster peace, don't we Bill, don't we Bill, don't we Bill
we foster peace, don't we Bill, Petey bean me up
miss free love, her tenure won't be fleeting
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, the house'll never forget her
boldly going forward and things are getting better
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
Ye cannae change Paul's physics, Paul's physics, Paul's physics
miss free love, yeah she won't be retreating
on the starship Shorten, under captain Keating
plebersekkin, she's lovin Paul's vendetta
furthermore she knows she felt much nicer than Loretta
@bertie_magoo
2024 and who's listening to this with me. klingons have got me .
@zootv1971
Classic
@azaroth_x8
Been stuck in my head for 12 years
@laurenmariestepanski
“We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill” is lyrical genius and I cannot be convinced otherwise.
@user-vu1rt6fd5s
Just the once on STUNNED
@user-vu1rt6fd5s
He’s dead jim…it’s worse than that 😂
@jamesweekley1087
Personally, I liked "There's Klingons on the starboard bow; Scrape them off, Jim" just about as much.
@kvdp9543
"Ye kanna change the laws o' phesecs" takes pride of place in my stock catch phrases.
@JJVernig
US foreign policy?
@c.p.7266
It's been 35 years and I still can't get this freaking tune out of my head.