A songwriting professor at Middle Tennessee State University is making history, penning the official anthem for the United States Space Force.
Jamie Teachenor is a Nashville singer-songwriter as well as a former member of the Air Force band. He began working on the tune shortly after U.S. Space Force was established in 2019.
Former President Trump established the new military branch, organized under the Department of the Air Force, to defend U.S. interests in space.
“It was quite a long work in progress for a while because I wanted to make sure everything that was in the song would adequately represent our space force,” Teachenor said in a press release.
After creating a foundation for the song, Teachenor’s project was sent to several military bands to create a musical arrangement to complete the sound. Teachenor collaborated with chief musician Sean Nelson, a U.S. Coast Guard Band trombonist and staff arranger.
The Space Force has officially adopted his song “Semper Supra,” which is Latin for “Always Above.”
BREAKING 🚨: The US Space Force has just unveiled its official song pic.twitter.com/UxgmnKeVhr
— Latest in space (@latestinspace) September 20, 2022
In addition to the Space Force, Teachenor has written songs and recorded with country artists like Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan. He also serves as a Sumner County commissioner.
The internet has opinions
Many online commenters were quick to pan the melody, which is reminiscent of other military anthems featuring a full military orchestra and jaunty chorus.
Late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel made a parody with a choir substituting its own lyrics, including: “Can someone tell us what we do?”
Star Trek actor George Takei just commented, “Oh dear.”
Perhaps acknowledging the tune’s less than warm reception, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown told Military.com, “I’m sure it will grow on us.”
The Official Space Force song sung by the unofficial Space Force choir… pic.twitter.com/4LTxr8nXk7
— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) September 22, 2022
https://twitter.com/forbesmm/status/1572415009795211265?s=20&t=xZaUr1VlUhNAUqn-b4AJoQ
https://twitter.com/Spacedad2/status/1573704332393988099?s=20&t=xZaUr1VlUhNAUqn-b4AJoQ
The Force is wrong with this one. pic.twitter.com/pCBr9JVdy5
— Deadpool Movie (@deadpoolmovie) September 20, 2022
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