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

The series’ usual theme song, co-written and performed by Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons and composer Tom Howe, wasn’t there. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

This is the second time Ted Lasso has used an alternate version of the theme song, which was originally co-written and performed by Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons and composer Tom Howe. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

One of The New Basement Tapes’ writers/performers, Marcus Mumford (also of Mumford & Sons), co-wrote and sings Ted Lasso’s theme song. — Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

This year, alluding to the president’s petty penchant for renaming things, the town has changed its name from South Park to South America, altering the theme song, local signage and local speech, without protest. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 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