Few performers in history have managed to carve out a niche quite like William Shatner. Best known as the iconic Captain James T. Kirk of Star Trek, Shatner has spent decades experimenting with performance, blending spoken word, theatricality, and sheer audacity into musical projects that confound, amuse, and sometimes shock listeners. While his original albums, such as The Transformed Man (1968) and Has Been (2004), have cemented his reputation as a singular voice in pop culture, it is his covers—songs famously reinterpreted in his unique style—that have truly become the stuff of legend. Here, we count down the 11 best William Shatner cover songs, each one a testament to his fearless embrace of dramatic, almost surreal performance.
#11: Total Eclipse of the Heart
Why It Matters: Shatner’s version of Bonnie Tyler’s power ballad is a masterclass in melodrama.
When William Shatner decided to tackle “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” one could only imagine a standard rendition would be impossible for him. True to form, Shatner turned the song into an operatic spoken-word epic. He doesn’t so much sing the lyrics as recite them, stretching phrases across the musical accompaniment with a sense of longing and theatricality that borders on parody—but never quite descends into it. The song’s inherent melodrama gives him the perfect canvas. The rise and fall of the chorus, the desperate emotional pleas, and the undeniable power ballad clichés are all amplified through Shatner’s idiosyncratic phrasing. Fans often recall it as an unsettling but strangely compelling experience: you’re simultaneously moved, bemused, and a little terrified.
#10: My Way
Why It Matters: A song about defiance becomes a monologue about existence in Shatner’s hands.
Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” is an anthem of self-determination and reflection, but Shatner strips it of smooth crooning and turns it into something more akin to a confessional performance art piece. Each line is delivered with exaggerated pauses and almost painful deliberation, highlighting the lyrics’ existential undertones. It’s as if Shatner is not only recounting a life lived on his terms but examining every choice under a magnifying glass. Critics have noted that this is what makes his rendition fascinating: he transforms the classic into a meditation on aging, legacy, and theatricality, even if it leaves listeners unsure whether they’re laughing or crying.
#9: Learning to Fly
Why It Matters: Shatner brings an astronaut’s sense of awe to a rock anthem.
Originally a soaring track by Tom Petty, “Learning to Fly” receives a Shatner-ian interpretation that is part spoken word, part narration, and entirely unique. His delivery emphasizes the lyrical imagery of flight and freedom, slowing down the song’s momentum in a way that makes every metaphor weighty. Rather than conveying the rebellious, breezy energy of Petty’s version, Shatner turns the song into a contemplative reflection on human ambition. It’s theatrical in a way that few would expect from a rock cover, proving that his interpretations are not about imitation—they’re about recontextualization.
#8: Spirit in the Sky
Why It Matters: Shatner takes Norman Greenbaum’s classic spiritual-rock hybrid to cosmic heights.
“Spirit in the Sky” is already imbued with a sense of mysticism and otherworldliness, and Shatner’s cover exaggerates this cosmic energy to surreal levels. His dramatic intonation turns lines like “I’m gonna go up to the spirit in the sky” into proclamations of destiny, while the backing band maintains the original song’s gospel-rock groove. The result is both hilarious and awe-inspiring: it’s easy to imagine Captain Kirk himself addressing a congregation of space travelers. The cover perfectly exemplifies Shatner’s skill at combining sincerity with absurdity, a balance few performers could achieve.
#7: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Why It Matters: Shatner transforms a psychedelic Beatles classic into a slow, dramatic journey.
Shatner’s interpretation of the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is remarkable in its willingness to strip a song of its original whimsy. Where the Beatles used whimsical, trippy instrumentation and surreal lyrics, Shatner converts it into a deliberate, ponderous narrative. His elongated phrasing and measured delivery lend the song a strange gravitas, making it seem as though he is guiding the listener through a dreamscape rather than inviting them into one. It’s surreal, theatrical, and entirely Shatner, reinforcing his reputation as a performer unafraid to take risks with even the most sacred of pop canon.
#6: Bohemian Rhapsody
Why It Matters: Shatner’s take on Queen’s masterpiece is audacious, absurd, and oddly convincing.
Attempting Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is an ambitious challenge for anyone—but for William Shatner, it became a playground of dramatic expression. Eschewing the operatic harmonies of Freddie Mercury, Shatner leans into the song’s narrative arc, reciting each section with intense emotional conviction. The “mama, just killed a man” line, delivered as a gravely confession, is particularly memorable for how it transforms the familiar lyric into a piece of theater. Shatner’s version is not meant to compete with Mercury; instead, it thrives as an alternate universe rendition where the story becomes more important than the melody. It’s a testament to his fearless approach: the bolder the original, the more audacious his interpretation.
#5: She Blinded Me with Science
Why It Matters: Shatner’s interpretation elevates nerdy new wave into absurdist spectacle.
Thomas Dolby’s 1982 hit is already eccentric, with its quirky synths and scientific references. Shatner takes it a step further, emphasizing theatrical pauses and dramatic flourishes. He exaggerates the lyrics’ humor, delivering lines in a manner reminiscent of a stage monologue, while the instrumentation retains the bouncy, experimental energy of the original. It’s as though Shatner is not only performing the song but inhabiting the role of a mad scientist, a persona perfectly aligned with his love of theatrics. This cover exemplifies how he can turn even novelty songs into something strangely hypnotic and compelling.
#4: Mr. Tambourine Man
Why It Matters: Shatner finds poetry in Dylan’s words by stripping away musical convention.
Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” is poetic, lyrical, and melodic—but Shatner approaches it differently, turning the song into spoken-word performance. Each line becomes a declaration, each pause weighted with dramatic intent. He highlights Dylan’s surreal imagery, letting the listener focus on the story rather than the tune. In Shatner’s hands, the song takes on an almost theatrical storytelling quality, reminiscent of a stage reading rather than a pop performance. It’s this ability to transform familiar material into something new that makes the cover so memorable.
#3: Rocket Man
Why It Matters: Shatner’s most iconic cover, merging pop, theatricality, and space obsession.
Elton John’s “Rocket Man” is arguably Shatner’s signature cover. His rendition is slow, dramatic, and almost operatic, emphasizing the existential loneliness and isolation inherent in the lyrics. While some listeners initially react with disbelief at his spoken delivery, many come to appreciate the sheer emotional weight he brings to the song. It’s hard to forget lines like “And I think it’s gonna be a long long time” delivered with gravitas bordering on desperation. Over the years, Shatner’s “Rocket Man” has become a cult classic, celebrated in pop culture, memes, and even parodies, cementing his reputation as a performer who defies categorization.
#2: Twilight Zone
Why It Matters: Shatner bridges music and narrative, creating a chilling, theatrical experience.
Covering a song about the iconic television series The Twilight Zone is almost too perfect for William Shatner. In this track, he fully embraces the eerie, uncanny qualities of the original, transforming the song into a suspenseful monologue with musical accompaniment. His dramatic pauses and measured tone create a sense of tension, drawing the listener into a dimension of sound that feels both nostalgic and otherworldly. “Twilight Zone” demonstrates Shatner’s uncanny ability to inhabit the narrative of a song fully, bringing his own persona into the mix without overshadowing the original’s intent.
#1: Common People
Why It Matters: Shatner turns Pulp’s Britpop classic into a theatrical tour de force.
Arguably Shatner’s most ambitious cover is Pulp’s “Common People.” The original is a biting commentary on class and social aspiration, delivered with Jarvis Cocker’s characteristic dry wit and Britpop flair. Shatner transforms it into a sprawling spoken-word saga, emphasizing each lyric with dramatic pauses, exaggerated inflection, and a sense of theatrical storytelling. The result is mesmerizing: the song’s humor and social critique are magnified by Shatner’s unique delivery, turning a modern classic into something theatrical, almost Shakespearean in scope. It’s a bold choice for a cover, but Shatner’s fearlessness and flair make it entirely his own.
The Art of the Shatner Cover
What unites all these covers is William Shatner’s unique approach: he does not attempt to mimic the original artists or replicate the melodies. Instead, he transforms each song into a performance piece, one that emphasizes drama, storytelling, and emotion over conventional musicality. Some listeners are baffled, others enchanted, but nearly everyone agrees that the results are unforgettable. Shatner’s covers exist in a space between parody, homage, and performance art, a realm few other artists dare to explore.
His covers also highlight the transformative potential of reinterpretation. Songs that might have been familiar or even mundane in their original context take on new life through Shatner’s deliberate pacing, theatrical phrasing, and expressive voice. Whether it’s a power ballad, a pop anthem, or a Britpop classic, Shatner’s renditions force listeners to confront the lyrics, narrative, and emotion in a fresh, sometimes uncomfortable way. In the process, he turns the act of covering a song into a statement about performance itself: that music is as much about interpretation, delivery, and context as it is about melody.
Shatner’s covers have also left a lasting impact on popular culture. “Rocket Man” and “Common People” have inspired countless parodies, tributes, and internet memes, proving that his work resonates beyond the traditional boundaries of music criticism. These covers are often cited in discussions of novelty songs, spoken-word experiments, and celebrity recordings, yet they deserve recognition as bold artistic statements in their own right.
For fans of music that pushes boundaries, William Shatner’s covers are more than curiosities—they are essential listening. Each track is a journey into the mind of a performer unafraid to experiment, unbound by expectations, and willing to transform the familiar into something utterly extraordinary. From “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to “Common People,” Shatner proves that covers can be daring, transformative, and above all, unforgettable.
William Shatner’s cover songs occupy a unique space in musical history. They defy genre, mock convention, and celebrate the absurdity and beauty of performance. His renditions are theatrical experiments that challenge our expectations of what a song should sound like, and in doing so, they leave an indelible mark on listeners. The eleven covers listed here are more than just performances—they are William Shatner’s audacious interpretations of pop culture itself, evidence that even decades into a career, he can still surprise, delight, and bewilder audiences in equal measure.
