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

In 2008, the two provided the English language dub voices for the Studio Ghibli film, Ponyo, also collaborating on the title theme song for the English version of the movie. —Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026

Alongside Wuthering Heights stars Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, Charli joined SiriusXM’s The Julia Cunningham Show recently, where the Brat artist was asked about potentially working on the Bond 26 theme song. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026

Composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, whose theme song set the show’s tone so perfectly, will not be returning. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

The theme songs, which have earned three Oscars and two Grammys, are another indelible signature. —Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for theme song

• evensong
• livelong
• overlong
• vietcong
• agung
• along
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong