Star Wars at 35/ Playlist: Listen, my sci-fi friends! ~ May 2012

In the words of Moby Grape… listen, my friends! Yes, it’s the (hopefully) monthly playlist presented by George’s Journal just for you good people – and this month, as part of the blog’s Star Wars anniversary celebration, there’s a strong (and wilfully playful) sci-fi theme.

There may be one or two classics to be found here dotted in among different tunes you’re unfamiliar with or never heard before – or, of course, you may’ve heard them all before. All the same, why not sit back, listen away and enjoy – after you’ve jumped to hyperspace, of course…

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CLICK on the track titles to hear them

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John Williams ~ Main Theme from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

The Tornados ~ Telstar

The Byrds ~ Mr. Spaceman

Ron Grainer ~ Theme from Doctor Who (1967-80)

Leonard Nimoy ~ The Ballad Of Bilbo Baggins¹

Hawkwind ~ Master Of The Universe

Klaatu ~ Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day)²

William Shatner ~ Rocket Man³

Queen ~ Flash’s Theme⁴ 

Marty McFly ~ Johnny B Goode⁵

The Firm ~ Star Trekkin’⁶

Jenna Russell ~ It’s Cold Outside (Closing Theme from Red Dwarf)

Meco ~ Star Wars/ Cantina Band⁷

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¹ Inspired by J R R Tolkein’s The Hobbit (1937), of course, and featured here on a July ’67 edition of the variety show Malibu U; this über-camp ditty was included on Star Trek (1966-69) star Nimoy’s 1968 album Two Sides Of Leonard Nimoy

² This, the original version of the tune later and famously released by The Carpenters, wasn’t written for an actual designated ‘World Contact Day’, but given its awesomeness arguably should have been

³ A rather extraordinary performance of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s hit from 1972 delivered at the 1978 Science Fiction Awards in Hollywood, which was hosted by The Shat himself

⁴ The unforgettable opening theme from the 1980 sci-fi cult classic flick Flash Gordon, featuring the voices of actors Max Von Sydow, Peter Wyngarde, Melody Anderson and Topol

⁵ From the 1985 multi-million-dollar-spinner movie Back To The Future; performed not by Michael J Fox (as the film itself would certainly suggest), but actually by Mark Campbell (vocals) and Tim May (guitar)

⁶ The love-it-or-hate-it, Star Trek-parodying novelty song that topped the UK Charts for two weeks in June 1987, thanks in large part to this terrific claymation video

⁷ Record producer and musician Meco’s (real name: Domenico Monardo) legendary – and timeless? – Disco-ified take on John Williams’ all-time classic score and, of course, the music played by the alien band in the background of Star Wars’ Mos Eisley Cantina scene; both this 1977 single and the album on which it featured (Star Wars And Other Galactic Funk) went platinum in the United States