--- title: "The Space Force Just Unveiled Its “Official Song” and Our Skin Is Crawling With Secondhand Embarrassment" description: "The Space Force's \"official\" theme song, \"Semper Supra,\" is newly unveiled for all to enjoy. Is it a banger, you ask? Sadly, the answer is no." date: "2022-09-21" modified: "2022-09-21" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-force-official-song" categories: - "Space" - "Space Force" tags: - "space force" - "the digest" - "US military" --- # The Space Force Just Unveiled Its “Official Song” and Our Skin Is Crawling With Secondhand Embarrassment ![The Space Force's "official" theme song, "Semper Supra," is newly unveiled for all to enjoy. Is it a banger, you ask? Sadly, the answer is no.]() *\Image: Netflix\* ## Semper Supra We do sympathize with the Space Force. Seriously. They're not taken [very seriously](), and it can't be easy to watch pretty much every other branch of the US military be immortalized in glory and splendor in an endless stream of shows and films while you get one dud of a Steve Carrell series that just makes fun of you. It's difficult, however, to retain sympathy when the Space Force continuously [opts to embarrass itself](). Which brings us to the Space Force's "official" theme song, "[Semper Supra]()," newly unveiled for all to — well, if not "enjoy," certainly "listen to." Is it a banger, you ask? Sadly, the answer is no. https://twitter.com/dave_brown24/status/1572217257199128577 ## Woodwind Heavy First and foremost, we must address the instrumental vibe. While we understand the desire to go for a classic, woodwind-heavy theme, this isn't the 1700s anymore, people! George Washington isn't the target audience here, and he certainly didn't cross the Delaware so we could stay creatively stuck in Revolutionary times. To that point: no hate to woodwinds. We're a pro-orchestra publication. But this specific instrumental direction has a Barney-cleanup-song-but-for-kids-born-in-1774 feel. Not the move. Instrumental atrocity aside, let's address lyrics. The theme kicks off with a bit of a "Lord of the Rings" moment, referring to the Space Force as our "mighty watchful eye." Very [Sauron](), no? The song unfortunately then doubles down on the Space Force's insistence on calling its servicepeople "Guardians," which is always a bit tough to take seriously. We don't mind the line about the Force "standing guard both night and day," but we do wonder: isn't that what the military is generally supposed to do? And in space, isn't the line between day and night a bit hazy, due to differing orbits? Or maybe that would be more of an issue if Space Force actually had any servicemembers — sorry, "Guardians" — off world. ## Missed the Mark While we would have loved to see the Space Force do something innovative, those behind "Semper Supra" did seem to be doing the best with what they were given. "I became familiar with the other branches' songs, but I wanted this one to have its own modern spin to reflect what the Space Force is," chief musician Sean Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard Band trombonist and staff arranger, [said in a Space Force press release](), "modern, new and very advanced." A for effort, but we're not getting "modern, new and very advanced" from "Semper Supra." That being said, it does actually capture Space Force's energy quite well: it could be way cooler, but somehow, it just isn't. **More on our "Guardians beyond the Blue":** *[Space Force Members Annoyed That Nobody Takes Them Seriously]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()