Ether Transmissions – Golden Record – 2025-06-03 (Ep. 172)

Chris Young and I talk about the Voyager Golden Records that were launched into space in 1977. We also reveal the results of the survey asking what song and image people would include if we were to launch another one. Many thanks to all the folks who participated!

Photo and text from Wikipedia: Voyager Golden Record This gold aluminium cover was designed to protect the Voyager 1 and 2 "Sounds of Earth" gold-plated records from micrometeorite bombardment, but also serves a double purpose in providing the finder a key to playing the record. The explanatory diagram appears on both the inner and outer surfaces of the cover, as the outer diagram will be eroded in time. Flying aboard Voyagers 1 and 2 are identical "golden" records, carrying the story of Earth far into deep space. The 12 inch gold-plated copper discs contain greetings in 60 languages, samples of music from different cultures and eras, and natural and man-made sounds from Earth.

  • The Kids - This is Rock 'n Roll
  • Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
  • Golden Record - Medley-Non-Western
  • Golden Record - Medley-Classical
  • Nina Simone - Feeling Good
  • Minnie Riperton - Lovin' You
  • Tomita - Snowflakes Are Falling
  • John Lennon - Imagine
  • A House - Endless Art
  • Dave Brubeck - Take Five
  • Chores - If I'm Being Haunted
  • The Dream Academy - Life In A Northern Town
  • Florist - The Birds Outside Sang
  • Ultravox - Vienna
  • They Might Be Giants - Why Does the Sun Shine?
  • Yes - Roundabout
  • Can - Future Days
  • Crosby, Stills & Nash - Long Time Gone
  • Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues
  • Edwin Starr - War
  • Whale Sounds - Whales
  • The Smiths - There is a Light That Never Goes Out
  • Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me
  • Pink Floyd - Money
  • Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
  • Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man
  • The Clash - Clampdown
  • Florence + the Machine - Girls Against God
  • Handel - Hallelujah
  • Gary Numan & Tubeway Army - Praying to the Aliens
  • Dr. Octagon - Earth People
  • Pete Shelley - Homosapien
  • The Killers - Human
  • Mokotron - Ohaki
  • Erik Satie - Gymnopedie no 1
  • Laurie Anderson - Born, Never Asked
  • Julianna Barwick - White Flag
  • King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man
  • Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot
  • Tortoise & Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Love Is Love
Airdate: 
Tuesday, June 3, 2025