Theme music
Musical compositions for radio, TV, games, and films.
Theme music is a musical composition often written specifically for radio programming, television shows, video games, or films. It is usually played during title sequences, opening credits, closing credits, and sometimes during the program, serving a purpose similar to that of a leitmotif.
- field
- Music
- known_for
- Musical compositions for radio, television, video games, and films
Lore & Background
Theme music has been a feature of the majority of television programs since the medium's inception. Programs have used theme music in a large variety of styles, sometimes adapted from existing tunes, and some composed specifically for the purpose. A few have been released commercially and become popular hits. From the 1950s onwards, theme music, and especially theme songs, also became a valuable source of additional revenue for Hollywood film studios, many of which launched their own recording arms. This period saw the beginning of more methodical cross-promotion of music and movies.
Reader's Guide
Theme music serves as an identifying signature for a program or performer, often becoming iconic due to a show's longevity. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, iconic sports shows have such strong associations with their theme music that the sports themselves are synonymous with the theme tunes. In the United States, themes have become associated with sports such as Monday Night Football and the Olympic Games. The phrase theme song or signature tune may also refer to a signature song associated with a particular performer or dignitary, often used as they make an entrance. Theme music can also be a valuable source of additional revenue for studios, as seen from the 1950s onward. Notable examples include the theme for the game show The Price Is Right, reimagined as Crystal Waters' 'Come On Down', which marked the first time lyrics were added to that theme and the first song based on a television theme to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Did You Know?
- The theme for The Price Is Right was reimagined as Crystal Waters' 'Come On Down', the first song based on a television theme to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
- In the United Kingdom, the theme tune for Match of the Day is strongly associated with association football.
- The Hockey Night in Canada theme, 'The Hockey Theme', became so iconic it was sometimes called Canada's second national anthem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is theme music?
Theme music is a dedicated musical composition created specifically to brand and accompany radio programs, television shows, video games, or films. It is most commonly heard during title sequences, opening or closing credits, and occasionally woven into the body of the program itself.
What role does theme music play in a show or game?
It functions much like a leitmotif, giving the audience an instant auditory identity and emotional tone tied to the program. By recurring at key moments, it reinforces recognition and continuity for the viewer or player.
How is theme music different from a full soundtrack?
A theme is a single, identifiable composition anchored to a show's branding and credits, whereas a soundtrack encompasses all the background and scoring music across an entire production. The theme is the short, memorable hook; the soundtrack is the broader musical landscape.
Where exactly do you hear theme music in a TV episode or game?
You'll typically encounter it during the opening title sequence, the closing credits, and sometimes as a brief sting mid-program. In video games, it often plays at the main menu or during cutscene introductions.
Why is theme music considered important in media production?
It creates an immediate, recognizable sonic signature that helps audiences connect emotionally with a program before a single line of dialogue is spoken. Without it, a show or game loses a core layer of identity and audience recall.
More in Music Genres & Styles 1-24
Elsewhere in the Music Genres & Styles universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record