So the logical follow-up to my lists of top filk and found-filk songs is a set of pop songs with Star Trek references. Some of these are just in passing (“Space may be the final frontier, but it’s made in a Hollywood basement,” from “Californication”) while others are integral: the premise of “Where’s Captain Kirk?” by SpizzEnergy or the Leonard Nimoy sample from “What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)”—can you even read “Pure Energy” without hearing it in Nimoy’s voice?!
- “Californication” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
- “99 Luftballoons” by Nena
- “Lemon” by N.E.R.D., Rihanna, Pharrell Williams
- “What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)” by Information Society
- “Boat Drinks” by Jimmy Buffet
- “Beastie Boys” by Intergalactic
- “Beam Me Up” by P!nk
- “Space Hos” by Dangerdoom, MF Doom, Danger Mouse
- “Wordplay” by Jason Mraz
- “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler
- “Know That I Know” by Lake Street Drive
- “The Banditos” by The Refreshments
- “Walking Away” by Information Society
- “Vulcan Death Grip” by Old Gray
- “Songs for a Future Generation” by The B-52’s
- “The Brouhaha” by Beastie Boys
- “Where’s Captain Kirk?” by SpizzEnergy
- “Vulcan Ears” by Millencolin
- “Grade 9” by Barenaked Ladies
- “Mr. Spock” by Nerf Herder
- “Meltdown!” by The Aquabats!
- “Space Game” by MC Lars
- “Star Trekkin’” by The Firm
- “Race Car Driver” by Jewel
- “Vulcan Death Grip” [same name, different song!] by Ugly Americans
I’ve been building this playlist since 2022, but this order is based on current streaming stats.
See also: Subspace Rhapsody’s most popular songs.
Photo credit: Spock playing while Uhura sings, from “Charlie X.”
