Space-themed music is any music, from any genre or style, with lyrics or titles relating to outer space or spaceflight.
Songs or other musical forms influenced by the concept of outer space have appeared in music throughout history, both in instrumental and vocal pieces with lyrics. As early as Ancient Greece, Pythagoras believed in something called the "harmony of the spheres". He believed that since planets and the stars all moved in the universe according to mathematical equations that these mathematical equations could be translated into musical notes and thus produce a symphony.[1] This idea was explored further throughout Western history under the theories of Musica universalis.[citation needed] Some more recent and widely different examples are The Planets by Gustav Holst,[contradictory] and the song "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. Outer space also appears as a theme in "Space Age" retro pop music, such as Stereolab's Space-Age Bachelor Pad Music.
Music about outer space attracts enthusiastic listeners from all walks of life. Some have created web pages to share their interests. NASA, JPL, and the US government's Centennial of Flight Commission have webpages showcasing and discussing music about outer space.[2][3][4] One useful example of such a web-based list is by astronomer Andrew Fraknoi; see under External Links, below, "A Catalog of Music Inspired by Serious Astronomy."
- ^ Riedweg, Christoph (2005). Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching, And Influence. Cornell University Press. pp. 29, 30, 116. ISBN 0-8014-4240-0.
- ^ http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2003/dec/HQ_03396_Labelle.html ASA Song Soars To Grammy Nomination
- ^ "Cassini-Huygens: News-Press Releases-2000". Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2007-07-14. "Sounds" of Outer Space Near Jupiter Now Online – JPL/NASA website
- ^ http://www.centennialofflight.net/essay/Social/music/SH16.htm Aviation and Space Music – U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission