show tune
Musical theater song
A show tune is a song from a musical theater production—Broadway shows, West End musicals, and their film adaptations.
The term suggests memorable melodies with theatrical flair: She belted out show tunes at the piano bar.
Show tunes range from ballads to uptempo numbers, typically designed to advance plot or reveal character while remaining catchy enough to stand alone.
Manhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- HammersteinFamed musical theater lyricist
- librettoOpera's written words
- playbillTheater performance listing
Sondheim · Rodgers · marquee · curtain call · encore · overture · finale · showstopper
Pleasing sequence of notes
- lyricsWritten words for music
- chorusSingers performing together
- verseMetered poetic passage
- refrainAbstain from acting
bridge · ballad · anthem · duet · solo · reprise · leitmotif · key change
Period of peak prosperity
- classicOf lasting excellence
- timelessUnaffected by eras
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- evergreenRetains foliage year-round
revival · retrospective · heritage · vintage · bygone · sentimental · wistful · memory lane
Highest female voice range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- mezzoMid-range female singer
- belterPowerful vocalist or stunner
ingenue · leading lady · leading man · ensemble · chorus line · triple threat · understudy · diva
Broadway
Manhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- HammersteinFamed musical theater lyricist
- librettoOpera's written words
Sondheim · Rodgers · playbill · marquee · curtain call · encore · overture · finale · showstopper · choreography
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
refrain · bridge · ballad · anthem · duet · solo · reprise · leitmotif · key change · belt
golden age
Period of peak prosperity
evergreen · revival · retrospective · heritage · vintage · bygone · sentimental · wistful · memory lane · heartwarming
soprano
Highest female voice range
belter · ingenue · leading lady · leading man · ensemble · chorus line · triple threat · understudy · diva · crooner
- songssongs, folk ballads, melody, ballads, ditty
- Catchy Tunesearworm, jingle, ditty, radio hit, dance hit
- musical piecesaria, cantata, concerto, etude, fugue
- vocal musicvocals, soprano, tenor, alto, baritone
- Solo Vocalsa cappella, crooner, crooning, diva, belter
- karaokekaraoke, karaoke bar, karaoke box, karaoke machine, karaoke machines
show tuneradio hit
Popular broadcast song
hip hop track · club music · dance track · club track · album track
show tunenoise music
Cacophony as composition
death metal · industrial music · grindcore · lo-fi recording · garage rock
show tunegangsta rap
Urban struggle set to beats
punk rock · death metal · hardcore punk · underground hip hop · battle rap