Joel Goldsmith – Theme Songs

Stargate Universe Theme Song

2009–2011; also “SGU theme song”

We’ve discussed Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis so this is the last—and definitely the least. Also, farewell Stargate Universe.

In fact there really is not much to discuss here because the Stargate Universe “theme” is barely one, as it takes on the diminishing opening credits trend seen in today’s shows.

Below is the very short opening sequence/title and theme song for the show.

As with SG-1 and Atlantis, all music for SGU, including the short theme, is by Joel Goldsmith. He is the son of legendary film composer Jerry Goldsmith.

The lack of a proper (long) opening and theme song prompted die hard fans (who have much time to spare) to create their own versions or interpretations of what could have been. See YouTube for fan-made SGU opening video sequences.

Stargate SG-1 Theme Song

1997–2007

What an epic show.

Yesterday I discussed the theme from Stargate Atlantis, and I mentioned something about Joel Goldsmith not being the one who composed the main title theme. Although that remains a fact, information regarding the title theme song is somewhat confusing and all over the place. But, I did my best, and to sum up as simply as possible, below is the final verdict.

The Stargate SG-1 theme song was arranged by Joel Goldsmith. It is a compilation of the various scores composer David Arnold did for the original Stargate movie. And, as for the end title theme, that is a definite Joel Goldsmith original. There.

David Arnold is an English composer who scored five James Bond films and Independence Day (film) among others.

An official soundtrack is definitely available. A search will lead you to various versions and releases, but those are essentially one and the same. The soundtrack includes the opening and closing themes—first and last songs respectively.

Preview the soundtrack on Amazon.com.

As with Atlantis, all opening title versions are available in YouTube. However, below, from season 9, is the only embeddable video (jerks). After follows the end credits theme taken from the soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qMa4JjNqzQ

End credits theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-BMTfZ6chs

Watch all the official intro sequences from YouTube.

Stargate Atlantis Theme Song

2004–2009; also “SGA theme song”

Now on to the Stargate franchise.

Too bad Stargate Universe did not work out as expected.

Alright, let’s start. Stargate Atlantis lasted five seasons from 2004 to 2009. Throughout its run, it had one distinct theme song and similar but often-altered video opening sequences.

The theme song was composed by Joel Goldsmith. Although he composed music for the original Stargate SG-1, he did not compose its main title theme—more on this when I decide to post on the SG-1 theme.

Stargate Atlantis has an official soundtrack and it has the theme where it is simply credited as “Main Title”. In the disc, it lasts 1:06; it features all-original scores from Mr. Goldsmith.

What else? The song was nominated in 2005 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music. However, it lost to the theme from Desperate Housewives. Also, the following was mentioned in a supplementary book for the DVD (I think), but it’s not a direct quote from the composer: “Goldsmith went for a more pastoral, European and Americana approach, while keeping the adventurous, symphonic approach the producers wanted.”

The theme and intro is very abundant in YouTube so let’s not be stingy here and embed all the versions from seasons 1 through 5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmcZC0VbTiw