Star Trek Icons: The Magical Music Of Uhura
Lt. Uhura Turns Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek Into A Sci-Fi Musical
Make no musical mistake regarding this keen observation: Uhura can sing. While serving aboard Captain Kirk’s USS Enterprise, the savvy communications officer shows us just how much vocal magic she can muster. And she sings beautifully on Gene Roddenberry’s legendary Wagon Train To The Stars, the iconic sci-fi TV show, Star Trek, turning the original space adventure series into a kind of quasi sci-fi musical.
Yes, she’s talented, but you must ask why her alone? Why would Uhura act as singular songstress among the fictional Starfleet crew? Performer Nichelle Nichols maintained a solid recording career aside from her acting, so it’s no wonder that we were treated to sessions of Uhura’s musical magic.
Charlie X
Here’s a question most of us will probably never have to answer. Why would you go and piss off a frustrated teen with godlike powers? Maybe because you have no idea that’s the disturbing case.
Gathered in the crew lounge, Uhura is singing a playful tune to Spock, Oh, On the Starship Enterprise, then she croons a sort of impromptu theme song for the mysterious Charlie Evans - played by Robert Walker Jr. - using the same song melody, but with different, personalized lyrics.
Now from a planet out in space
There comes a lad not commonplace
Oh, seeking out his first embrace.
He's saving it for you.
Oh, Charlie's our new darling,
Our darling, our darling.
Charlie's our new darling.
We know not what he'll do.
It’s a catchy tune, and the Enterprise crew digs it, however, it’s most unwelcome by the teen with the Q like powers. Charlie silences her - literally - when he uses his extraordinary mental powers to take away Uhura’s voice temporarily.
Conscience Of The King
Is there a mass murderer on the loose? This intriguing mystery will keep you guessing till the final act.
Uhura sings to her fellow crewman, Kevin Reilly, while he’s serving up no exciting thrills during working a particularly boring night shift. Poor Reilly enjoys one last lovely serenade from her, then his milk is poisoned by a gloved stranger. When he drinks it, the beverage causes him to collapse in a sweaty, unconscious mess.
The title of the song she sings is Beyond Antares, and she’d sing it again in the episode, The Changeling, featuring the rampaging A.I. probe, Nomad.
After the probe hears her singing the song, he questions Uhura on her performance. The probe can’t understand the perceived illogic of her actions. Neither, apparently, can it understand the purpose of music, singing or why Uhura breaks into song. When she fails to provide proper clarification and explanation, he promptly scans her mind - and completely wipes her entire memory in the process.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, directed his fellow Trek cast members in this cosmic romp to find the meaning of life - or something close. And Shatner can also pride himself as director on the fact that this is the only time Uhura sings in a big Trek feature film.
In the film, Uhura’s big song and dance number is called The Moon’s Window To Heaven, and she sings it to distract the bad guys. Fans are often divided on the overall quality of this cinematic outing, compared to other Treks, but it’s an undeniable safe bet to state this: Nichelle Nichols performing this musical number more than impresses.
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Dan Kuramoto, it’s one of those memorable moments which no Trekker can ever forget. Remember when Uhura sang on that alien planet? You know, the one with Sybok, Spock’s half brother, the laughing Vulcan who is seeking God himself?
The original Star Trek contains scores of unforgettable moments to support some truly mind bending plotlines. It’s chock full of heart fluttering romance, spy like intrigue, high octane action and even compelling mystery. It’s also part uplifting musical. The original series also boasts a kind of playful musical texture courtesy of Nichelle Nichols playing the talented, versatile Lt. Uhura.