Top Sci-Fi Songs
We normally talk about books and movies here at Discover Sci-Fi. But today we’d like to bring you something a little different -- science fiction music. Specifically, rock music!
We put together a list of our twelve favorite rock songs with sci-fi themes. So crank up the volume. Let’s geek out and rock out.
12. “Rocket Man” by Elton John
Elton John's 1972 song was inspired by the short story "The Rocket Man" by Ray Bradbury. The song describes an astronaut flying to Mars and missing his family back home. The song is also infamous for William Shatner's disastrous cover at the 5th Saturn Awards Ceremony.
11. “Tonight We Ride” by Unleash the Archers
10. “Science Fiction Double Feature” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
This song is a loving homage to old sci-fi, referencing many 1950s sci-fi and horror films. The song opens both the Rocky Horror stage production and film. In the film, the song is sung by a disembodied mouth, floating over a black background.
9. “Space Truckin’” by Deep Purple
Released in 1972, “Space Truckin’” tells a simple story about traveling the galaxy, rocking on different planets. The lyrics are perhaps simple, but the song has an addictive beat and has become a rock classic.
The song also has a sad story. It was a favorite of astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who played it regularly aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, and traded emails with the band members from space. Tragically, Chawla and the rest of the crew were killed when the Columbia crashed. To honor her, Deep Purple wrote their song "Contact Lost.”
8. “Flash” by Queen
Written by guitarist Brian May, "Flash" is the theme song of the 1980 film Flash Gordon. Queen wrote the soundtrack to the movie, helping it become a cult favorite with fans of science fiction. Arguably, Queen’s soundtrack is more famous than the movie itself.
7. “Mr. Roboto” by Styx
"Mr. Roboto" by rock band Styx tells of a future where a fascist government has outlawed rock music. The story's protagonist, Kilroy, is a rock star who was placed in a futuristic prison for "rock and roll misfits" by the anti-rock-and-roll group the Majority for Musical Morality. Mr. Roboto, the eponymous robot, works in the prison, doing menial tasks. Kilroy escapes the prison by overpowering Roboto and hiding inside its metal body.
The lyric "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto" has become a catchphrase.
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6. “Supernova” by Within Temptation
The music video for “Supernova,” by Dutch band Within Temptation, looks like a big-budget science fiction movie. In the video, the band performs the song on a post-apocalyptic landscape while a supernova burns in the sky above.
Their music video for “Raise Your Banner,” from the same album, continues the science fiction theme.
5. Rush – 2112
"2112", a 20-minute-long song by Canadian rockers Rush, tells a dark science fiction tale. The song is set in the city of Megadon in the year 2112. Individualism and creativity are outlawed. A cabal of malevolent priests, who reside in the Temples of Syrinx, control the population. But the true masters are giant computers inside the temple, who command the priests. Music is outlawed in this dark, futuristic world. But one nameless man finds a guitar inside a cave and rediscovers the lost art of music.
4. “Sagan” by Nightwish
Nightwish, a symphonic metal band from Finland, writes many songs about fantasy, poetry, and science. One of their songs, “Sagan,” a tribute to the late Carl Sagan. While primarily known as a scientist, Sagan was also a science fiction author, penning the novel Contact.
3. “The Final Frontier” and “To Tame a Land” by Iron Maiden
For 3rd best sci-fi rock song, we have a tie. Steve Harris, the primary songwriter for Iron Maiden, is a big fantasy and science fiction fan. He wrote an entire album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, based on an Orson Scott Card fantasy series. He also regularly includes science fiction and fantasy themes in other albums.
One of our favorite sci-fi songs is “The Final Frontier.” The cinematic movie video, which seems inspired by franchises like Alien, features a battle between a human astronaut and Eddie, the band’s demonic mascot.
Another one of our favorite Iron Maiden songs? “To Tame a Land,” which is based on the groundbreaking science fiction novel Dune.
2. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
Almost everyone knows the riff to “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath. Most people think the song is about the comic book character. But the song, which was released in 1970, tells an original science fiction story. The song is about a man who time travels into the future and sees the apocalypse. While returning from the future, a magnetic field turns him into metal. He tries to warn the public, but they fear his new appearance. Mocked and shunned from society, Iron Man plans his revenge on mankind. Thus he himself causes the apocalypse he saw in his vision.
1. “Space Oddity” by David Bowie
Inspired by Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, David Bowie wrote and released "Space Oddity" in 1969. The song is about the launch into space of Major Tom, a fictional astronaut, and was released during an exciting time for space exploration. The moon landing occurred only several days after the song was released.
In 2013, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performed the song while aboard the International Space Station, creating the first music video shot in space.
Space Oddity is a true classic and our favorite sci-fi rock song.
What do you think of our picks? What are your favorite sci-fi rock songs? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Daniel Arenson is a bookworm, proud geek, and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. His novels have sold over a million copies. He's written over sixty novels in multiple series.
He is best known for Earthrise, the story of Earth struggling to rise after a devastating alien invasion. The Earthrise universe is explored in three series: Earthrise The Original Series, Soldiers of Earthrise, and Children of Earthrise.
In addition to Earthrise, Daniel has written the comedic sci-fi trilogy Alien Hunters.
He's also written several epic fantasy series: Kingdoms of Sand, Moth, Requiem.
Great list. You need to check out Ayreon. It’s a project by mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen. He writes space operas. There are quite a few until now, playing in an own universe with the plot extending over several albums. Plus there’s another of his projects called Star One, where every song matches a sci fi movie. To get a taste, simply check on youtube “Ayreon Universe live”, you’ll find a bunch of songs of his best-of show 3 years ago. I’m sure you’ll like the music, considering the choices of songs I found in your ranking.
Great suggestion! I might have to do a “part II” article someday soon and include Ayreon there.
You’re most welcome. I think you might 😉
Gotta love rush! But seriously, Ayreon and Star One are the unfortunately unsung heroes of sci-fi rock music.
What, no Arjen Lucassen with Star One? C’mon,.. this list is mot complete with some Ayreon. Checkout Intergalactic Space Crusaders from the Ayreon Universe live show.
I would add ‘Veterans of the Psychic Wars’ by Blue Oyster Cult, ‘Set the Controls’ by Pink Floyd and all of the album ‘Hope’ by Klaatu. Most of their stuff was sci-fi tinged.
Have you ever checked out Hawkwind? Sonic Attack (often performed live by Michael Moorcock) And Quark, Strangeness and Charge are just 2 awesome sci fi songs they have done.
Also, anything by Bloodhag
Check out the song 39 by Queen. It is about 20 explorers looking for a new earth. Leaving in the year 39 and returning 100 years later. Since they traveled near light speed they aged only 1 year.
There’s also “Spaceship Superstar” by Prism; “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” by the Carpenters; “Star Trekkin Across the Universe” by the Firm (or would that be considered a filk or a parody?); “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans; and, of course, “Major Tom” which is the unofficial sequel to Space Oddity;
Actually “Calling Occupants” was originally written and performed by Klaatu. The Carpenters did a cover of it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calling_Occupants_of_Interplanetary_Craft
You definitely got the #1 song right, but IMHO, Rocket Man should have taken the #2 spot and Mr. Roboto shouldn’t have made the list at all–it was the dumbest song of the decade.
You missed one of my favorites that was actually used in the show “Space Force” on Netflix. Spaceman by Harry Nilsson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7xOZVBAWtw
There are many songs by Hawkwind that could be here – Sonic Attack, Needle Gun, Master of the Universe, Uncle Sam’s on Mars, plenty of others. A lot of their songs were inspired by Michael Moorcock.
Some others that could have been here – I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper by Sarah Brightman; Doctorin’ the TARDIS by The Timelords.
The entire Planet P Project album would fit in nicely.
If not just the Why Me song off the album. It even has a video.
What about the plethora of Hawkwind songs? Born to Go? Space is Deep?
unbelievable that Hawkwind is not on this list. the pioneers of Space Rock, with numerous songs inspired by actual Sci Fi books ! Damnation Alley, Fahrenheit 451, Lord of light, Jack of Shadows, The dream master – and many many more.
also – The Stranglers – Rok it to the moon 🙂
Children of the Sun by Billy Thorpe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNBb7SUqSzg
You are totally leaving out ’39’ Queen off Night at the Opera. Brian May is an astrophysicist. This song was written about a group leaving a dying Earth to find a new home. The arrive back years later to find the the Earth has died and they are the only surviving humans. It doesn’t get better than that. The best part is that Brian incorporated time travel facts in no the song. Don’t believe that this song should’ve made the list? Just listen to it…
You are totally leaving out ’39’ by Queen, off Night at the Opera. Brian May is an astrophysicist. This song was written about a group leaving a dying Earth to find a new home. They arrive back years later to find the Earth has died and they are the only surviving humans. It doesn’t get better than that. The best part is that Brian incorporated time travel facts in no the song. Don’t believe that this song should’ve made the list? Just listen to it…