theme song

noun

plural theme songs

1

: a song or melody strongly associated with someone or something

a famous performer's theme song

the theme song of a political campaign

often : an identifying melody or song typically played at the beginning of a movie, television show, etc., and sometimes recurring during its course

Some of these shows were truly unforgettable, with catchy theme songs that are instantly recognizable decades later.

—Grant Butler

2

: a statement, expression, or opinion repeatedly heard from someone

But literary history is also entangled with criticism. Inevitably so; let me revert unblushingly to my theme song: in order to appreciate a masterpiece, we must be acquainted with its language …

—Albert Guerard

Examples of theme song in a Sentence

He was playing the theme song from “The Godfather.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Their history began with the theme song for the 1992 film Deep Cover and quickly escalated with The Chronic, where Snoop’s voice became synonymous with Dre’s groundbreaking production style. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024

Kinney wrapped the partner portion of the night with an impeccable Viennese waltz to the theme song for Pretty Little Liars. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024

Of course, no discussion of Danny Phantom would be complete without mention of its insanely iconic theme song, which lays out the show’s premise in less than a minute and which most fans can probably recite from memory in a single breath. —Josh Weiss, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

There’s a reason theme songs existed in the first place. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1