Enterprise’s Hated Theme Song Is Star Trek Canon Because Riker Made It A Joke

Star Trek: Enterprise‘s theme song has always been hated by fans, but it became Star Trek canon thanks to Captain William T. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) turning it into a joke on Star Trek: Lower Decks. Enterprise was the first Star Trek prequel series about the pioneering 22nd-century voyages of Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) and the NX-01 Enterprise. But from the very first episode of Enterprise, fans have been rankled by its theme song.

Enterprise‘s executive producer, Rick Berman, wanted to differentiate the prequel from his other Star Trek series, and he eschewed the traditional musical score over the show’s opening credits. Hoping to make Enterprise feel more contemporary, Berman opted to use a pop song over the show’s titles. “Where My Heart Will Take Me,” which was written by Diane Warren and was featured in the Robin Williams film Patch Adams was selected (although U2’s “Beautiful Day” was used as a temporary track). Enterprise‘s version of “Where My Heart Will Take Me” was sung by Russell Watson. The lyrics, especially the first line, “It’s been a long road getting from there to here,” are infamous among Star Trek fans, and the song has been, at best. polarizing, and, at worst, reviled, ever since.

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Star Trek: Enterprise Cast & Character Guide

Star Trek: Enterprise introduced new faces to the prequel series set a century before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Captain Riker Made Enterprise’s Theme Song Canon

Riker loves everything about Archer’s Enterprise.

No one in-universe in Star Trek spoke of or uttered the lyrics of Star Trek: Enterprise‘s theme song until Captain Will Riker in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 1’s finale, “No Small Parts.” At the conclusion of the episode, after Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) has transferred to the USS Titan, Captain Riker enters the bridge and apologizes for being late. Riker explains to his wife, Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) that he was in the holodeck visiting “the first Enterprise… You know, Archer and those guys. What a story! Those guys had a long road getting from there to here.” This sly joke instantly made Enterprise‘s theme, “Where My Heart Will Take Me,” Star Trek canon in-universe.

It’s possible that someone in the 22nd century recorded a song about Captain Archer and the NX-01 Enterprise, and it included the lyric “It’s been a long road getting from there to here.” It’s also possible the Diane Warren song “Where My Heart Will Take Me” survived into the future and became associated with Archer’s Enterprise. Riker’s joke further reveals that Will has continued to visit Archer’s Enterprise after the events of Star Trek: Enterprise‘s finale, “These Are The Voyages…”, and the bearded Captain still hangs out with holograms of the NX-01 crew for fun.

Even Enterprise’s Trip Knows His Show’s Theme Song

Enterprise’s lyrics returned in Star Trek: very Short Treks

Although decidedly not part of Star Trek canon, the comedic Star Trek: very Short Treks revisited Enterprise‘s theme song. In Star Trek: very Short Treks episode 5, “Holograms All The Way Down”, written by Star Trek: Prodigy executive producer Aaron J. Waltke, Commander Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer) congratulates the NX-01 Enterprise’s crew: “It’s been a long road, but I think it’ll be smooth sailing from here on out.” Hilariously, “It’s been a long road” continues to be synonymous with Star Trek: Enterprise in and out of canon.

Star Trek: very Short Treks episode 5 is also the first time Connor Trinneer played Trip Tucker ever since his character’s controversial death in Star Trek: Enterprise‘s series finale. It’s fitting that Trip’s comeback, official canon or not, nods to Enterprise‘s theme song and its most well-known lyric. Either way, Star Trek: Enterprise‘s theme song easily lends itself to jokes that make fans of Captain Archer’s NX-01 miss that crew and want them to make a Star Trek comeback even more.

Star Trek: Enterprise and Star Trek: Lower Decks are available to stream on Paramount+.