There’s nothing offensive about the lyrics, aside from not being traditionally Trek-like;
It’s been a long road Getting from there to here It’s been a long time But my time is finally here
And I will see my dreams come alive at night I will touch the sky And they’re not gonna hold me down no more No they’re not gonna change my mind
(Chorus) 'Cause I’ve got faith of the heart I’m going where my heart will take me I’ve got faith to believe I can do anything I’ve got strength of the soul No one’s going to bend nor break me I can reach any star I’ve got faith I’ve got faith Faith of the heart
But as Kedaha mentioned, the iconography is certainly US-specific, with very few exceptions (eg - HMS Enterprise) and that would annoy the living daylights out of me if I was a non-US Trek fan.
Rod Stewart is, of course, British … but yeah, his style is very stereotypical American (edit - I personally can’t stand the song). The lyrics being American? Yeah, no. I can’t see that part of it. If you mean religious implications somehow translating to success, the US is more religious than many Western nations but the notion that the supernatural is “on your side” is far from a uniquely US perspective.
Why do people keep saying Rod Stewart? He originally sang the vocals on Faith of the Heart, but the version on Enterprise was done by Russell Watson and was renamed Where My Heart Will Take Me.
I’m not sure where you drew all that from. Those lyrics and the way they are sung (by either singer) are distinctly and could only be American. Rod Stewart is a smart musician and he clearly decided very early on what his market and style were going to be.
Also, american lingo is more unique and distinct than I think you give it credit!
I don’t get how a song on an American TV show could be too American. When I watch K-dramas I never think “oh no, this song is too Korean!” When I watch J-dramas I don’t think “omg they’re bringing out the shamisen. Do they have to lay it on so thick that they’re Japanese?”
Faith of the Heart was abysmal. Bad song, didn’t match the material. Blecch. And I say that as someone who watched every episode of Enterprise. (And hey, final season it actually got good, but everyone had given up by then.)
As for the whinging about Discovery, I hereby sentence you all to watching the SF we had during the first half of my life. Your initial assignment:
Lost in Space
Space: 1999
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Galactica 1980
Greatest American Hero
Small Wonder
It’s literally all we had. It’s not like I omitted good science fiction shows from the list. (Other than Star Trek: The Original Series reruns.)
As for Greatest American Hero, it had a fantastic theme song. And it was the only superhero show outside of The Incredible Hulk, so people have fond memories. But even my teenage self thought the writing was terrible.
Imagine if Buck had a ship shaped like a friggin’ monkey. I’ll tell you what, Buck didn’t have a monkey ship. Only Hawk could pull that off. Buck only wishes he could be as cool as Hawk.