novelty song
Silly musical number
A novelty song is a comedic or gimmicky song meant more to amuse than to move.
The humor might come from silly lyrics, funny voices, sound effects, or parody: "Weird Al" Yankovic has built a career on novelty songs.
Many novelty songs enjoy brief popularity before fading—though some, like "Monster Mash," become perennial favorites.
Satirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
- spoofComic exaggerated imitation
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- punsJokes using sound similarities
silliness · comedy · lampoon · send-up · double entendre · innuendo · absurdist · deadpan
Performer's signature gimmick
- sound effectsArtificial noises for media
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- kazooBuzzing voice-powered instrument
- cowbellStruck metal percussion instrument
funny voice · talking · animal sounds · yodeling · whistling · hand claps · spoken word · call-and-response
Inescapable catchy melody
- hookCurved catching device
- chorusSingers performing together
- jingleBrief advertising melody
- singalongCommunal vocal session
refrain · ditty · tune · melody · bubblegum · one-hit wonder · infectious · hummable
Nostalgic popular songs
- retroEvoking recent past
- kitschTasteless, garish art
- campTemporary outdoor shelter site
- vintageQuality from past eras
classic · throwback · one-hit wonder · jukebox · AM radio · variety show · golden age · bygone
Brief promotional song
- TV themeProgram's recurring melody
- sports anthemRousing team music
- monster mashHalloween novelty song
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
parody
Satirical imitation
puns · silliness · comedy · lampoon · send-up · double entendre · innuendo · absurdist · deadpan · mockery
shtick
Performer's signature gimmick
- sound effectsArtificial noises for media
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- kazooBuzzing voice-powered instrument
funny voice · cowbell · talking · animal sounds · yodeling · whistling · hand claps · spoken word · call-and-response · speed-up
earworm
Inescapable catchy melody
singalong · refrain · ditty · tune · melody · bubblegum · one-hit wonder · infectious · hummable · riff
oldies
Nostalgic popular songs
vintage · classic · throwback · one-hit wonder · jukebox · AM radio · variety show · golden age · bygone · timeless
commercial jingle
Brief promotional song
- TV themeProgram's recurring melody
- sports anthemRousing team music
- monster mashHalloween novelty song
- songstune, folk ballads, melody, ballads, ditty
- Comedy Musicmusical comedy, Weird Al, Tenacious D, Bo Burnham, spoofs
- comic theaterburlesque, cabaret, farce, musical comedy, operetta
- Hitshit, hit single, smash, megahit, chart-topper
- vocal quartetsbarbershop quartet, a cappella quartet, gospel quartet, doo-wop group, four-part harmony
novelty songballad
Narrative poem or song
standard · torch song · soul ballad · lament · romantic ballad
novelty songtorch song
Sentimental song of longing
tearjerker · lament · dirge · elegy · love ballad
novel, novelty, novels, novelist, novelists, novella, novellas, novelette, novelize