History Main / NotableOriginalMusic

For album music, see MusicOfNote.

As well as the ThemeTune, original music is often composed for a show or film. Some of it becomes very well-known indeed among the fans. See also SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic.

For more soundtrack info, see ScoreAndMusicTropes.
----
!!Examples:

[[AC: ''Advertising'']]
* Some of the very best music composed for advertising - as opposed to adapted or "off-the-shelf" - can still send tingles down the spine many years on. John Barry's ''[[http://youtu.be/aUeFqOuy4Eo The Girl With the Sun In Her Hair]]'' was used for a shampoo advert, and ran between 1965-75; it can still send a shiver down the spine of people of a certain age, especially those who listened to late-night Radio Luxembourg in the 1970s.

[[AC: ''Anime/CowboyBebop'']]
* Arguably one of the most notable animes in regards to music. Scored by Music/YokoKanno for Music/TheSeatbelts.

[[AC:''Series/DoctorWho'']] \\
Since the series' return to television in 2005, house composer Murray Gold has struck "gold" with numerous original songs and themes that have become almost as popular in fandom as the Ron Grainer/Delia Derbyshire theme music:
* "The Doctor's Theme" - also known as "The Bad Wolf Theme".
* "Song for Ten", "Love Don't Roam", "The Stowaway" "Song of Freedom", "Vale Decem" and "Abigail's Song" - Original songs written specifically for the series by Murray Gold. "Love Don't Roam" has now appeared in several trailers.
* "Doomsday" - Featured in the episode of the same name--any fan of the new series will recognize this song instantly.
* "All the Strange, Strange Creatures"- A commonly used background song that all fans will recognize.
* "I Am The Doctor" - fan-dubbed "Every Star, Every Planet", this fist-pumping action theme first appears in full force as the Eleventh Doctor tells the Atraxi to make tracks in "The Eleventh Hour" and has recurred in every action-packed sequence of series five. It, too, will be readily recognizable to fans.
** "I Am The Doctor" even played over the opening credits for the 50th Anniversary. (The Doctor Who theme did play over the 1960s title card and the end credits, however.)
* "This is Gallifrey - Our Childhood, Our Home" - majestic instrumental theme created to underscore a flashback to the Doctor's lost home planet; best known now for underscoring a retrospective of the Doctor's many regenerations in the 2010 BBC Proms Concert.

[[AC:Series/BabylonFive]]
* Had original theme music for each season by Christopher Franke and the Berlin Philomonic. Seasons 3, 4, & 5 all had iconic themes.
* It dubbed music individually for each 'episode' as well. Including the haunting "Requiem for the Line," the action of "Severed Dreams" and "Shadow Dancing," and the heart-wrenching "Sleeping in Light."

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* The "Lux Aeterna" theme from ''Film/RequiemForADream'' by Music/ClintMansell is very popular for ads, even for other movies (including ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'').
** The ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'' theme by Randy Edelman is also popular for ads (and as general trailer music) due to the music's epic sound and the original film's relative obscurity. The insurance company ''Pacific Life'' uses it as their theme music.
** Edelman seems to have a knack for composing themes that become more famous than the works for which he wrote them: ''Series/TheAdventuresOfBriscoCountyJr.'' has a cult following, but its theme song is much better known because of its use by NBC Sports.
** Tangentially related to this is Music/MichaelKamen's ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'' score and one of its cues being used by both ''MorganCreek'' and ''Creator/{{Disney}}'' due to partial obscurity (for the score at least) much like Dragonheart, also used [[ForGreatJustice for great epicness]].
* For that matter, ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' gave certain cultures and factions [[{{Leitmotif}} their own distinctive, powerful theme]] that has made the music of the trilogy as much an identifying mark as anything.
* A list of notable original music for films would be incomplete without adding the works of the legend that is Music/JerryGoldsmith. ''Film/{{Patton}}, Film/TotalRecall1990, Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture, Film/TheOmen1976, Film/{{Alien}}'' & ''Film/{{Gremlins}}''. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
* Music/JohnWilliams has conjured up quite a few signature themes: ''Franchise/StarWars'', ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'', ''Franchise/IndianaJones'', ''Film/{{Jaws}}'', ''Franchise/JurassicPark'', ''Film/{{Superman}}'', ''Film/HarryPotter'', ''Film/SchindlersList'', and ''Film/HomeAlone''.
* Music/EnnioMorricone's theme from ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'' (part of the Film/DollarsTrilogy which also included ''Film/AFistfulOfDollars'' & ''Film/ForAFewDollarsMore'', also scored by Morricone). Probably ''the'' most recognized song from any Western. He also he made some pretty memorable scores for films such as ''Film/TheMission'', ''Film/OnceUponATimeInAmerica'', ''Film/TheUntouchables'', ''Film/DaysOfHeaven'', ''Film/CinemaParadiso'' & ''Film/{{Malena}}''.
* Music/ElmerBernstein made some pretty memorable tunes too like for ''Film/TheTenCommandments, [[Film/TheMagnificentSeven1960 The Magnificent Seven]]'' (another well-recognized Western score), ''Film/TheGreatEscape'' & ''Film/ToKillAMockingbird''. He had a notable second act creating scores for many classic comedies of the late 70's and 80's, including ''Film/AnimalHouse, Film/TheBluesBrothers, Film/{{Ghostbusters 1984}}, Film/{{Stripes}}'', and ''Film/{{Airplane}}''.
* Music/MiklosRozsa and his impressive works that include ''Film/{{Spellbound}}'', ''Film/QuoVadis'', ''Film/ElCid'', ''Film/BenHur'', and ''Film/KingOfKings''.
* Music/DannyElfman's score for ''Film/{{Batman|1989}}'' has become closely associated with [[Franchise/{{Batman}} the character]], while John Williams's has become the ''signature'' for Franchise/{{Superman}}.
* Enter the realm of fantasy where the score of ''Film/AlexanderNevsky'', composed by SergeiProkofiev in ''1938'', is at the forefront of this article and noted for its influence on many future composers, such as John Williams.
** And to stay on the topic of Prokofiev: ''Lt. Kijé'' was a Soviet comedy for which he wrote the music. Nobody remembers the movie now, but the rearrangement of the music into the ''Lt. Kijé Suite'' is one of Prokofiev's greatest hits.
* Music/NickCave's soundtrack to ''Film/TheProposition.''
* Iain Ballamy's ''Film/MirrorMask'' soundtrack.
* ''Film/TheWickerMan1973''. All of it.
* The music of Music/ErichWolfgangKorngold, for such films as ''Film/CaptainBlood'', ''Film/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood'' (for which he won an Oscar), and ''Film/TheSeaHawk'', has formed a model for cinematic composers up to the present day.
* Music/JoeHisaishi's score to ''Anime/PrincessMononoke'' is the perfect compliment to the Creator/StudioGhibli SceneryPorn, and also has the unusual quality of being mostly in minor keys.
** This also goes for ''Anime/SpiritedAway''.
* Music/HansZimmer has a few of these.
* The opening theme of ''Film/ChariotsOfFire'', ''the'' theme to use when depicting athleticism, especially track and field.
* Music/BernardHerrmann is one of the all time greats among film composers, but the most famous is the theme from ''Film/{{Psycho}}''. There's a reason there's a [[PsychoStrings trope]] for it.
* Music/BillConti with his famous theme for ''Film/{{Rocky}}''.
* Music/HenryMancini for his jazz-idiom theme to ''Franchise/ThePinkPanther'' film series, and for the songs "Moon River" from the Creator/BlakeEdwards film ''Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys'' and "Days of Wine and Roses" from the film ''Film/DaysOfWineAndRoses''.
* Music/NinoRota's theme from ''Film/TheGodfather'' is the quintessential theme for Mafia media.
* Music/{{Queen}}:
** The entire soundtrack for the ''Film/{{Flash Gordon|1980}}'' film. "Flash! AHHH-AHHH! Savior of the universe!"
** "Princes of the Universe", from ''Film/{{Highlander}}''.
* The 2005 movie of ''Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' of ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' is known for its various {{Leitmotif}}s, but the score [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoAhKNwnfQ "The Battle"]] is one of the more notable instrumentations, even drawing comparisons to the score of ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' movie trilogy.
* The ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' theme music.
* The theme song of the ''Film/JamesBond'' film series is simply the "James Bond Theme" by Monty Norman. However nearly every Bond film of the last 50 years has included a distinctive, and often extremely popular, unique theme song (with occasional films also blessed with secondary theme songs), a lot of them composed by Music/JohnBarry. Even as most Hollywood films moved away from opening credits and theme music, the Bond films have, as of 2012, continued to buck the trend and feature theme songs.
* ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' series has "Hello Zepp", aka "Zepp's Theme", which plays through the current film's TwistEnding.

[[AC:{{Theatre}}]]
* Basically anything in any famous [[TheMusical musical theater]] or {{opera}} production.
** Famously, "Defying Gravity" from ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}''.
* "Ride of the Valkyries" from Wagner's [[Theatre/DerRingDesNibelungen Ring Cycle]] has become a popular score for action sequences thanks to its use in ''Film/ApocalypseNow''.
* "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from ''Theatre/LesMiserables'' has been used as a rallying cry in real-world rebellions.

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* The various iterations of the theme from ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' games. Especially [[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dvg0Tmydj29M&ved=0ahUKEwjJg--8idrMAhVPzGMKHasdCX0QyCkIHTAA&usg=AFQjCNEAy0eU_-RuEpxDcLlr2tcg8FNX4Q&sig2=v_snkNoD_pqMKfENp0MGJw 1942]] and [[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DhOB4q01VCVg&ved=0ahUKEwj9guCbitrMAhVPzGMKHasdCX0QyCkIIDAA&usg=AFQjCNEOPEbyib-cji5YhUx47p0Jj53QTQ&sig2=SRJktck6of8dAj0B8O4ehQ its remaster from 1943]].
* Every ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' game barring ''VideoGame/HaloWars''. Well, except for ''[[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic Spirit of Fire]]''.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''. The battle victory theme and the title theme in particular, but most of the music between the games is easily recognized (the [[Creator/NobuoUematsu same composer]] did all of the music for the first nine games, and still contributes to this day).
** A couple that ought to be noted are the two songs made for the [[VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy Dissidia]] games, "The Messenger," by Your Favorite Enemies, and "God in Fire," by Kidneythieves. Both come with two versions, on being with an orchestral backing, while the other being straight-up hard rock.
* The flute strains from the beginning of the ''VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams'' theme.
* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' for the Gamecube had some very memorable music.
* Creator/KojiKondo's ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' themes. The latter's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mNw11ZXbY main series theme]] is quite epic, and if you call yourself a gamer, you ''have'' to have heard the classic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiAxiGZKpGQ Ground Theme]] at least once; it's practically the SignatureSong of Creator/{{Nintendo}}, or even NationalAnthem of gaming ''itself''.
* Don't forget the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series, which did some impressive things with its music despite limitations.
* The first three ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'' games had music by [[Music/ThePolice Stewart Copeland]], and sounded quite unique.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect''[='s=] main theme.
** The Mass Effect 3 "Leaving Earth" track is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGHA9oO1Ybg especially powerful]]. Yes, the [[HellIsThatNoise Reaper roars]] are ''part of the song''.
* The two ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' games end with original songs performed by the game's computer villain, [=GLaDOS=] and written by Jonathan Coulton: "Still Alive" (which has become one of the most covered original songs ever composed for a video game), and "Want You Gone".
* ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}} IV'' features a catchy, somewhat haunting setting of the Lord's Prayer translated into Swahili, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiHDmyhE1A Baba Yetu]]." The song was even published as an independent piece. It finally won a Grammy, the first piece of video game music to do so. Liturgical choirs cover it.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' soundtracks, composed by Jeremy Soule, are as rich and varied as Tamriel itself. Special mention goes to ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'''s main theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMao-aSeO2w variations of which]] became the main themes for ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]''.
* ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'' is known for having a 80s styled synthpop soundtrack. Nowadays, just look up synthwave music on Youtube and head to the comments section. There'll ''always'' be a comment referring to Hotline Miami.
* ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'' is known for being the first video game to have a vocal track run in game (the eponymous "Psycho Soldier" theme). A remaster has since made it out into ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.


[[AC: WebOriginal]]
* ''WebVideo/ToBoldlyFlee'', the fourth year anniversary film for Website/ThatGuyWithTheGlasses, features "the number one 1983 [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Kryptonian]] single" titled "[[http://tgwg.bandcamp.com/track/distraction Distraction]]", which genuinely ''does'' sound like a number one '80s single.

[[AC: WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' ends "The Invisible Hand of Fate" with a beautiful guitar number. Seems that was just a local player. It's sad.
* Nathan Furst's score for the first three DirectToVideo ''WesternAnimation/{{Bionicle}}'' movies (produced between 2003-2005) elevated what would otherwise have been hour-long toy commercials into full-blown cinematic experiences. He even created a memorable ThemeTune for the franchise. There was such a demand for an actual soundtrack that all three scores finally saw an official, remastered digital release in 2017, long after the movies themselves had fallen into obscurity.
* WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget's main theme has been covered and sampled many times, most notably in Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's "The Show."
* Thanks to the considerable talents of composers William Anderson and Daniel Ingram, ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has developed a massive musical community among the fanbase dedicated to covering and remixing the original songs and BGM featured in the show.
* The original scores of WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender and WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra, created by The Track Team. There are really too many to list, but two of the most popular are "The Last Agni Kai", a solemn, haunting piece, and "Lost My Heart In Republic City".
** While there isn't a lot of actual singing in the series, the songs which do feature it are very popular in the fandom. Notably the hilarious "Secret Tunnel" and the much, ''much'' more emotional "Little Soldier Boy".
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' features quite a bit of this, with series creator Rebecca Sugar previously doing most of the songwriting for ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime''. It's even justified in-universe, where Steven's dad Greg Universe is a former traveling musician, with Steven inheriting his father's ear and taste for music.
----

A link to somewhere on the internet may have brought you here. If it a wick on this wiki, please change it to one of the following:

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Music that is widely loved.
* CultSoundtrack: A soundtrack as one of a work's main identifiers or selling points.
* MusicOfNote: Influential and notable music.

For album music, see MusicOfNote.

As well as the ThemeTune, original music is often composed for a show or film. Some of it becomes very well-known indeed among the fans. See also SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic.

For more soundtrack info, see ScoreAndMusicTropes.
----
!!Examples:

[[AC: ''Advertising'']]
* Some of the very best music composed for advertising - as opposed to adapted or "off-the-shelf" - can still send tingles down the spine many years on. John Barry's ''[[http://youtu.be/aUeFqOuy4Eo The Girl With the Sun In Her Hair]]'' was used for a shampoo advert, and ran between 1965-75; it can still send a shiver down the spine of people of a certain age, especially those who listened to late-night Radio Luxembourg in the 1970s.

[[AC: ''Anime/CowboyBebop'']]
* Arguably one of the most notable animes in regards to music. Scored by Music/YokoKanno for Music/TheSeatbelts.

[[AC:''Series/DoctorWho'']] \\
Since the series' return to television in 2005, house composer Murray Gold has struck "gold" with numerous original songs and themes that have become almost as popular in fandom as the Ron Grainer/Delia Derbyshire theme music:
* "The Doctor's Theme" - also known as "The Bad Wolf Theme".
* "Song for Ten", "Love Don't Roam", "The Stowaway" "Song of Freedom", "Vale Decem" and "Abigail's Song" - Original songs written specifically for the series by Murray Gold. "Love Don't Roam" has now appeared in several trailers.
* "Doomsday" - Featured in the episode of the same name--any fan of the new series will recognize this song instantly.
* "All the Strange, Strange Creatures"- A commonly used background song that all fans will recognize.
* "I Am The Doctor" - fan-dubbed "Every Star, Every Planet", this fist-pumping action theme first appears in full force as the Eleventh Doctor tells the Atraxi to make tracks in "The Eleventh Hour" and has recurred in every action-packed sequence of series five. It, too, will be readily recognizable to fans.
** "I Am The Doctor" even played over the opening credits for the 50th Anniversary. (The Doctor Who theme did play over the 1960s title card and the end credits, however.)
* "This is Gallifrey - Our Childhood, Our Home" - majestic instrumental theme created to underscore a flashback to the Doctor's lost home planet; best known now for underscoring a retrospective of the Doctor's many regenerations in the 2010 BBC Proms Concert.

[[AC:Series/BabylonFive]]
* Had original theme music for each season by Christopher Franke and the Berlin Philomonic. Seasons 3, 4, & 5 all had iconic themes.
* It dubbed music individually for each 'episode' as well. Including the haunting "Requiem for the Line," the action of "Severed Dreams" and "Shadow Dancing," and the heart-wrenching "Sleeping in Light."

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* The "Lux Aeterna" theme from ''Film/RequiemForADream'' by Music/ClintMansell is very popular for ads, even for other movies (including ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheTwoTowers'').
** The ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'' theme by Randy Edelman is also popular for ads (and as general trailer music) due to the music's epic sound and the original film's relative obscurity. The insurance company ''Pacific Life'' uses it as their theme music.
** Edelman seems to have a knack for composing themes that become more famous than the works for which he wrote them: ''Series/TheAdventuresOfBriscoCountyJr.'' has a cult following, but its theme song is much better known because of its use by NBC Sports.
** Tangentially related to this is Music/MichaelKamen's ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'' score and one of its cues being used by both ''MorganCreek'' and ''Creator/{{Disney}}'' due to partial obscurity (for the score at least) much like Dragonheart, also used [[ForGreatJustice for great epicness]].
* For that matter, ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' gave certain cultures and factions [[{{Leitmotif}} their own distinctive, powerful theme]] that has made the music of the trilogy as much an identifying mark as anything.
* A list of notable original music for films would be incomplete without adding the works of the legend that is Music/JerryGoldsmith. ''Film/{{Patton}}, Film/TotalRecall1990, Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture, Film/TheOmen1976, Film/{{Alien}}'' & ''Film/{{Gremlins}}''. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
* Music/JohnWilliams has conjured up quite a few signature themes: ''Franchise/StarWars'', ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'', ''Franchise/IndianaJones'', ''Film/{{Jaws}}'', ''Franchise/JurassicPark'', ''Film/{{Superman}}'', ''Film/HarryPotter'', ''Film/SchindlersList'', and ''Film/HomeAlone''.
* Music/EnnioMorricone's theme from ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'' (part of the Film/DollarsTrilogy which also included ''Film/AFistfulOfDollars'' & ''Film/ForAFewDollarsMore'', also scored by Morricone). Probably ''the'' most recognized song from any Western. He also he made some pretty memorable scores for films such as ''Film/TheMission'', ''Film/OnceUponATimeInAmerica'', ''Film/TheUntouchables'', ''Film/DaysOfHeaven'', ''Film/CinemaParadiso'' & ''Film/{{Malena}}''.
* Music/ElmerBernstein made some pretty memorable tunes too like for ''Film/TheTenCommandments, [[Film/TheMagnificentSeven1960 The Magnificent Seven]]'' (another well-recognized Western score), ''Film/TheGreatEscape'' & ''Film/ToKillAMockingbird''. He had a notable second act creating scores for many classic comedies of the late 70's and 80's, including ''Film/AnimalHouse, Film/TheBluesBrothers, Film/{{Ghostbusters 1984}}, Film/{{Stripes}}'', and ''Film/{{Airplane}}''.
* Music/MiklosRozsa and his impressive works that include ''Film/{{Spellbound}}'', ''Film/QuoVadis'', ''Film/ElCid'', ''Film/BenHur'', and ''Film/KingOfKings''.
* Music/DannyElfman's score for ''Film/{{Batman|1989}}'' has become closely associated with [[Franchise/{{Batman}} the character]], while John Williams's has become the ''signature'' for Franchise/{{Superman}}.
* Enter the realm of fantasy where the score of ''Film/AlexanderNevsky'', composed by SergeiProkofiev in ''1938'', is at the forefront of this article and noted for its influence on many future composers, such as John Williams.
** And to stay on the topic of Prokofiev: ''Lt. Kijé'' was a Soviet comedy for which he wrote the music. Nobody remembers the movie now, but the rearrangement of the music into the ''Lt. Kijé Suite'' is one of Prokofiev's greatest hits.
* Music/NickCave's soundtrack to ''Film/TheProposition.''
* Iain Ballamy's ''Film/MirrorMask'' soundtrack.
* ''Film/TheWickerMan1973''. All of it.
* The music of Music/ErichWolfgangKorngold, for such films as ''Film/CaptainBlood'', ''Film/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood'' (for which he won an Oscar), and ''Film/TheSeaHawk'', has formed a model for cinematic composers up to the present day.
* Music/JoeHisaishi's score to ''Anime/PrincessMononoke'' is the perfect compliment to the Creator/StudioGhibli SceneryPorn, and also has the unusual quality of being mostly in minor keys.
** This also goes for ''Anime/SpiritedAway''.
* Music/HansZimmer has a few of these.
* The opening theme of ''Film/ChariotsOfFire'', ''the'' theme to use when depicting athleticism, especially track and field.
* Music/BernardHerrmann is one of the all time greats among film composers, but the most famous is the theme from ''Film/{{Psycho}}''. There's a reason there's a [[PsychoStrings trope]] for it.
* Music/BillConti with his famous theme for ''Film/{{Rocky}}''.
* Music/HenryMancini for his jazz-idiom theme to ''Franchise/ThePinkPanther'' film series, and for the songs "Moon River" from the Creator/BlakeEdwards film ''Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys'' and "Days of Wine and Roses" from the film ''Film/DaysOfWineAndRoses''.
* Music/NinoRota's theme from ''Film/TheGodfather'' is the quintessential theme for Mafia media.
* Music/{{Queen}}:
** The entire soundtrack for the ''Film/{{Flash Gordon|1980}}'' film. "Flash! AHHH-AHHH! Savior of the universe!"
** "Princes of the Universe", from ''Film/{{Highlander}}''.
* The 2005 movie of ''Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' of ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' is known for its various {{Leitmotif}}s, but the score [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoAhKNwnfQ "The Battle"]] is one of the more notable instrumentations, even drawing comparisons to the score of ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' movie trilogy.
* The ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' theme music.
* The theme song of the ''Film/JamesBond'' film series is simply the "James Bond Theme" by Monty Norman. However nearly every Bond film of the last 50 years has included a distinctive, and often extremely popular, unique theme song (with occasional films also blessed with secondary theme songs), a lot of them composed by Music/JohnBarry. Even as most Hollywood films moved away from opening credits and theme music, the Bond films have, as of 2012, continued to buck the trend and feature theme songs.
* ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' series has "Hello Zepp", aka "Zepp's Theme", which plays through the current film's TwistEnding.

[[AC:{{Theatre}}]]
* Basically anything in any famous [[TheMusical musical theater]] or {{opera}} production.
** Famously, "Defying Gravity" from ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}''.
* "Ride of the Valkyries" from Wagner's [[Theatre/DerRingDesNibelungen Ring Cycle]] has become a popular score for action sequences thanks to its use in ''Film/ApocalypseNow''.
* "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from ''Theatre/LesMiserables'' has been used as a rallying cry in real-world rebellions.

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* The various iterations of the theme from ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' games. Especially [[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dvg0Tmydj29M&ved=0ahUKEwjJg--8idrMAhVPzGMKHasdCX0QyCkIHTAA&usg=AFQjCNEAy0eU_-RuEpxDcLlr2tcg8FNX4Q&sig2=v_snkNoD_pqMKfENp0MGJw 1942]] and [[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DhOB4q01VCVg&ved=0ahUKEwj9guCbitrMAhVPzGMKHasdCX0QyCkIIDAA&usg=AFQjCNEOPEbyib-cji5YhUx47p0Jj53QTQ&sig2=SRJktck6of8dAj0B8O4ehQ its remaster from 1943]].
* Every ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' game barring ''VideoGame/HaloWars''. Well, except for ''[[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic Spirit of Fire]]''.
* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''. The battle victory theme and the title theme in particular, but most of the music between the games is easily recognized (the [[Creator/NobuoUematsu same composer]] did all of the music for the first nine games, and still contributes to this day).
** A couple that ought to be noted are the two songs made for the [[VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy Dissidia]] games, "The Messenger," by Your Favorite Enemies, and "God in Fire," by Kidneythieves. Both come with two versions, on being with an orchestral backing, while the other being straight-up hard rock.
* The flute strains from the beginning of the ''VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams'' theme.
* ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossing'' for the Gamecube had some very memorable music.
* Creator/KojiKondo's ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' themes. The latter's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mNw11ZXbY main series theme]] is quite epic, and if you call yourself a gamer, you ''have'' to have heard the classic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiAxiGZKpGQ Ground Theme]] at least once; it's practically the SignatureSong of Creator/{{Nintendo}}, or even NationalAnthem of gaming ''itself''.
* Don't forget the ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series, which did some impressive things with its music despite limitations.
* The first three ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon'' games had music by [[Music/ThePolice Stewart Copeland]], and sounded quite unique.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect''[='s=] main theme.
** The Mass Effect 3 "Leaving Earth" track is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGHA9oO1Ybg especially powerful]]. Yes, the [[HellIsThatNoise Reaper roars]] are ''part of the song''.
* The two ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' games end with original songs performed by the game's computer villain, [=GLaDOS=] and written by Jonathan Coulton: "Still Alive" (which has become one of the most covered original songs ever composed for a video game), and "Want You Gone".
* ''VideoGame/{{Civilization}} IV'' features a catchy, somewhat haunting setting of the Lord's Prayer translated into Swahili, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiHDmyhE1A Baba Yetu]]." The song was even published as an independent piece. It finally won a Grammy, the first piece of video game music to do so. Liturgical choirs cover it.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' soundtracks, composed by Jeremy Soule, are as rich and varied as Tamriel itself. Special mention goes to ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'''s main theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMao-aSeO2w variations of which]] became the main themes for ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]''.
* ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'' is known for having a 80s styled synthpop soundtrack. Nowadays, just look up synthwave music on Youtube and head to the comments section. There'll ''always'' be a comment referring to Hotline Miami.
* ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'' is known for being the first video game to have a vocal track run in game (the eponymous "Psycho Soldier" theme). A remaster has since made it out into ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.


[[AC: WebOriginal]]
* ''WebVideo/ToBoldlyFlee'', the fourth year anniversary film for Website/ThatGuyWithTheGlasses, features "the number one 1983 [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Kryptonian]] single" titled "[[http://tgwg.bandcamp.com/track/distraction Distraction]]", which genuinely ''does'' sound like a number one '80s single.

[[AC: WesternAnimation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' ends "The Invisible Hand of Fate" with a beautiful guitar number. Seems that was just a local player. It's sad.
* Nathan Furst's score for the first three DirectToVideo ''WesternAnimation/{{Bionicle}}'' movies (produced between 2003-2005) elevated what would otherwise have been hour-long toy commercials into full-blown cinematic experiences. He even created a memorable ThemeTune for the franchise. There was such a demand for an actual soundtrack that all three scores finally saw an official, remastered digital release in 2017, long after the movies themselves had fallen into obscurity.
* WesternAnimation/InspectorGadget's main theme has been covered and sampled many times, most notably in Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's "The Show."
* Thanks to the considerable talents of composers William Anderson and Daniel Ingram, ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has developed a massive musical community among the fanbase dedicated to covering and remixing the original songs and BGM featured in the show.
* The original scores of WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender and WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra, created by The Track Team. There are really too many to list, but two of the most popular are "The Last Agni Kai", a solemn, haunting piece, and "Lost My Heart In Republic City".
** While there isn't a lot of actual singing in the series, the songs which do feature it are very popular in the fandom. Notably the hilarious "Secret Tunnel" and the much, ''much'' more emotional "Little Soldier Boy".
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' features quite a bit of this, with series creator Rebecca Sugar previously doing most of the songwriting for ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime''. It's even justified in-universe, where Steven's dad Greg Universe is a former traveling musician, with Steven inheriting his father's ear and taste for music.
----

** Famously, "Music/DefyingGravity" from ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}''.

* The opening theme of ''Film/Chariots Of Fire'', ''the'' theme to use when depicting athleticism, especially track and field.

* The opening theme of ''Film/ChariotsOfFire'', ''the'' theme to use when depicting athleticism, especially track and field.

* Nino Rota's theme from ''Film/TheGodfather'' is the quintessential theme of the Mafia.

* Don't forget the ''Metroid'' series, which did some impressive things with its music despite limitations.

* ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'' is known for being the first video game to have a vocal track run in game (the eponymous "Psycho Soldier" theme). A remaster has since made it out into ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrothersUltimate''.

** The Mass Effect 3 "Leaving Earth" track is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kULOcqGzTeo&feature=BFa&list=SL&lf=sh_e_se especially powerful]]. Yes, the [[HellIsThatNoise Reaper roars]] are ''part of the song''.

* The "Lux Aeterna" theme from ''Film/RequiemForADream'' by Music/ClintMansell is very popular for ads, even for other movies (including ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'').

* Music/JohnWilliams has conjured up quite a few signature themes: ''Film/StarWars'', ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'', ''Franchise/IndianaJones'', ''Film/{{Jaws}}'', ''Franchise/JurassicPark'', ''Film/{{Superman}}'', ''Film/HarryPotter'', ''Film/SchindlersList'', and ''Film/HomeAlone''.

* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' soundtrack, composed by Jeremy Soule, is as rich and varied as Tamriel itself. It's not just Vikings burning and pillaging.

** Famously, "Music/DefyingGravity" from ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}.

* For that matter, ''LordOfTheRings'' gave certain cultures and factions [[{{Leitmotif}} their own distinctive, powerful theme]] that has made the music of the trilogy as much an identifying mark as anything.

* Music/DannyElfman's score for ''Film/{{Batman}}'' has become closely associated with [[Franchise/{{Batman}} the character]], while John Williams's has become the ''signature'' for Franchise/{{Superman}}.

* InspectorGadget's main theme has been covered and sampled many times, most notably in Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick's "The Show."

* Every ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' game barring ''VideoGame/HaloWars''. Well, except for ''[[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Spirit of Fire]]''.

* Music/ElmerBernstein made some pretty memorable tunes too like for ''Film/TheTenCommandments, Film/TheMagnificentSeven'' (another well-recognized Western score), ''Film/TheGreatEscape'' & ''Film/ToKillAMockingbird''. He had a notable second act creating scores for many classic comedies of the late 70's and 80's, including ''Film/AnimalHouse, Film/TheBluesBrothers, Film/{{Ghostbusters 1984}}, Film/{{Stripes}}'', and ''Film/{{Airplane}}''.

* The flute strains from the beginning of the ''NightsIntoDreams'' theme.

* JoeHisaishi's score to ''Anime/PrincessMononoke'' is the perfect compliment to the Creator/StudioGhibli SceneryPorn, and also has the unusual quality of being mostly in minor keys.

* Nathan Furst's score for the first three DirectToVideo ''WesternAnimation/{{Bionicle}}'' movies elevated what would otherwise have been hour-long toy commercials into full-blown cinematic experiences. He even created a memorable ThemeTune for the franchise. There was such a demand for an actual soundtrack that a the first movie's score eventually saw a remastered release 13 and a half years after the film itself.

* The first three ''SpyroTheDragon'' games had music by [[Music/ThePolice Stewart Copeland]], and sounded quite unique.

* BillConti with his famous theme for ''Film/{{Rocky}}''.

* BernardHerrmann is one of the all time greats among film composers, but the most famous is the theme from ''Film/{{Psycho}}''. There's a reason there's a [[PsychoStrings trope]] for it.

* ''Film/TheWickerMan''. All of it.

* JoeHisaishi's score to ''Anime/PrincessMononoke'' is the perfect compliment to the StudioGhibli SceneryPorn, and also has the unusual quality of being mostly in minor keys.

* Some of the very best music composed for advertising - as opposed to adapted or "off-the-shelf" - can still send tingles down the spine many years on. John Barry's ''[[http://youtu.be/aUeFqOuy4Eo The Girl With the Sun In Her Hair]]'' was used for a shampoo advert, and ran between 1965-75; it can still send a shiver down the spine of people of a certain age, especially those who listened to late-night Radio Luxembourg in the 1970's.