Captain Kirk Bested by Alien Beatles
Actor William Shatner's warped rendition of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" has been voted the worst Beatles cover of all time, beating actor Jim Carrey and auto racer Damon Hill as well as some actual musicians for the honor.

Shatner, who played Captain Kirk on the 1960s series Star Trek, made a few records during that era, as did some of the rest of the crew of the Enterprise. Few had gotten much notice over the years, apart from Dr. Demento's cult radio show.

But recently, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' first #1 hit ("From Me to You," May 1963), digital TV channel Music Choice asked its viewers to name the worst-ever cover version of a Beatles song. Shatner 's take on the trippy tune from "Sgt. Pepper" was the biggest vote-getter.

Simon Bell of Music Choice provided some context: "There can be few greater challenges even for the finest musicians than attempting to cover a track by The Beatles. After all, how can you hope to improve on the work of the world's greatest-ever group? While chart acts like PM Dawn, Suggs and Candy Flip might feel entitled to have a stab at greatness, the likes of Damon Hill, Jim Carrey and William Shatner are best advised to stick to the day job."

The "top" 10:

1. William Shatner - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
2. Pinky & Perky - All My Loving
3. Will Young & Gareth Gates - The Long and Winding Road
4. Damon Hill - Drive My Car
5. Bananarama with French & Saunders - Help!
6. Jim Carrey - I Am the Walrus
7. Wet Wet Wet - With A Little Help From My Friends
8. Suggs - I'm Only Sleeping
9. PM Dawn - Norwegian Wood
10. Candy Flip - Strawberry Fields Forever

Read press coverage of the poll at the BBC and Top40 Charts

Explore Shatner’s recording "Transformed Man," with Real Audio excerpts of "Lucy" and others. (Prepare to set your phaser to "stunned.")

Ready to go even more boldly toward strange new worlds? Explore "Spaced Out: The Best of Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner" a 1997 compilation of their 1967-1970 recordings. Not only does Shatner tackle "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "It was a Very Good Year," but his pointy-eared co-star takes the lead on "Abraham, Martin & John," "Sunny;" "I Walk the Line," "Both Sides Now," and many more. Intriguing!

Find out more about Music Choice

Explore the demented radio of Dr. Demento