theme song

noun

1. a melody in an operetta or musical comedy so emphasized by repetition as to dominate the presentation.
2. a melody identifying or identified with a radio or television program, dance band, etc., usually played at the beginning of each program.
3. an expression, comment, or subject of conversation that a person or group uses habitually.

theme song

noun

1. a melody used, esp in a film score, to set a mood, introduce a character, etc
2. See signature tune
   another term for signature tune

Word History and Origins

Origin of theme song¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

Released in 1980 as the theme song for the film 9 to 5, co-starring Parton, the lyrics tell the story of an ambitious, hard-working woman with a job that barely pays the bills and a boss who takes her ideas without giving her credit.

From Quartz

He might have been the token nerd, but for the legions of kids who ran to the TV when they heard the school bell signal the show’s theme song, he was a beloved member of the group.

From Washington Post

Each episode has its own theme song, written by Frozen vets Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez in the style of the era.

From Time

Our theme song is “And She Was” by Talking Heads — special thanks to David Byrne and Warner Chappell Music.

From Freakonomics

A singer comes in with the enthusiasm of a sitcom theme song, like The Facts of Life on steroids.

From Eater

It goes without saying the theme-song “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”

From The Daily Beast

The theme song of Doug was my ringtone once for literally a year.

From The Daily Beast

The familiar and mournful theme song, “Suicide Is Painless,” filled the room.

From The Daily Beast

This silky rendition of the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' theme song is irrepressibly groovy.

From The Daily Beast

Madison Rising, a self-described “constitutional pro-patriotic rock band” performing the theme song—also titled “Amazing America.”

From The Daily Beast

Which happened, by no coincidence, to be the title and theme song of Monica's newest epic.

From Project Gutenberg

The Army had a new theme song: "Anything you can do, we can do better!"

From Project Gutenberg