Humans love music so much that we’re determined to export it to the rest of the universe. It started with our invention of radio, which inadvertently sent music into space starting about a hundred years ago. That means if there’s life on any of the 300 or so Earth-like planets within 50 light-years of us, alien calls to our request lines should be lighting up right about…now.
But our music exports aren’t restricted to radio signals. We’ve been sending physical musical product out there for decades. But what about the first song performed in space? On December 7, 1965, Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford pulled out the harmonica and hand bells they’d stowed away and performed “Jingle Bells” for the planet. Few people beyond Mission Control heard their amateurish playing.
Still, they were first, right?
© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ad Choices
