Definition

1. Noun:
   • A recurring melody representing a musical play or movie: A distinctive piece of music that is repeated throughout a film, television show, or stage musical and becomes associated with its central idea, mood, or characters.
   • A signature melody identifying a performer or program: A specific tune used consistently to introduce and identify a particular radio or television program, a dance band, or a performer.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The theme song from that movie is instantly recognizable.
  • The radio show always starts with its catchy theme song.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a theme song": To be associated with a specific piece of music.
  • The character seems to have a theme song that plays whenever he enters the scene.
• "To become a theme song": For a piece of music to become emblematic of something.
  • That track became the unofficial theme song for their summer.

Variants and Related Words

• Theme music (n): Instrumental music serving the same identifying or thematic purpose, often without lyrics.
  • The dramatic theme music heightened the tension.
• Signature tune (n): A synonym, especially common in British English, for a theme song used to identify a broadcast program or performer.
  • The band's signature tune announced their arrival on stage.

Synonyms

• Signature song: A song strongly associated with a particular performer.
• Title track: A song that shares its name with the album or movie it is from (this can sometimes function as a theme song).
• Leitmotif: A recurrent musical theme associated with a particular person, idea, or situation (a more technical term, often used in classical music and opera).

Related Phrases

• Opening theme: The theme song played at the beginning of a program or film.
  • The opening theme gets viewers excited for the show.
• Closing theme / End credits song: The music played during the conclusion or credits of a program or film.
  • The closing theme is a slower version of the main melody.

Related Idioms

• "That's my theme song!": A humorous or emphatic way to say a particular song's lyrics or mood perfectly describes one's own situation or feelings.
  • Whenever I feel triumphant, that track is my theme song!

Noun

1. a melody that recurs and comes to represent a musical play or movie
2. a melody used to identify a performer or a dance band or radio/tv program