Mine is the Boys to Men version. I love the song, the colors were brighter, and I love seeing the character transitions. I wish they would have introduced it earlier. I will say the second one showed more of a variety of the college lifestyle.
I can't stand the first rendition
Aretha Franklin's version is my fav then Boyz II Men's version. Wasn't crazy at all about the first one.
shareAretha.
The musical arrangement was funkier than the Phoebe Snow rendition, while retaining the blues guitar.
The Boys II Men version wasn't as catchy as their hits, like Motownphilly. It was merely serviceable.
But without Season One, we would have missed Dawnn Lewis doing Double Dutch. LOL
I like seeing that part to Dawn Lewis doing double dutch.
I always liked the Boyz II Men version the Aretha Franklin version was nice too but I wish Boyz II men version was playing in the 4th season. I guess it came at the right time because things started to change for them again so with change a new theme song.
The Boyz II Men version was wayyyy better than the Aretha version. I liked the Phoebe Snow version better than Aretha also. I have just never been an Aretha fan.
The original intro had wayyyy too much Lisa Bonet in it. I know she was the star of the show, but she did little to nothing for the intro segment. The second intro was good and so was the last.
I think it comes down to longevity. The Aretha version was state of the art, but used way too long. I used to wait anxiously each season to see if the intro would change, but they kept it for four years. Of course looking back now, that intro is what defines A Different World and is obviously the most popular. Something about that guitar riff intro takes me back to Thursday nights at 8:30.
I like the Phoebe Snow version too because it reminds me of a jeans commercial from the 80s, and it holds up well after 28 years. It is a little misleading having Dwayne Wayne hanging out with Denise's clique. He's basically tagging along because he likes Denise. This is Lisa Bonet at her sexiest. Especially during the end credits when she's sitting on the car.
The final intro was innovative and refreshing to see how all the characters have grown over the years. Although Ron had basically remained the same. I would've like to see a throwback scene with Dwayne, Whitley and Ron with their first season wardrobe. I noticed this intro implies that Whitley was first purposed to in high school. I've always been a Boyz II Men fan and this intro signified the New Jack Swing hip-hop culture was in. Surprisingly, this was definitely the most dated intro of the three.
"The original intro had wayyyy too much Lisa Bonet in it. I know she was the star of the show, but she did little to nothing for the intro segment. The second intro was good and so was the last."
I agree with you 100%. The Boyz II Men version was, and still is, the absolute best show opener for ADW!! And to your point about Lisa Bonet, not only did she do nothing for the intro segment, she did nothing for the show period.
Season 1, when talking about the song. It's so beautiful and fits the lyrics better. I honestly can't even remember how the others go without listening to them first.
However, the visuals were better from season 2, on.
The Aretha version. But the Boyz II Men version was a good update too.
When theres no more room in Hollywood, remakes shall walk the Earth.share
The Boyz 2 Men version always threw me on the last line because he sings it incorrectly. He says, "from where ya come from," instead of "than where ya come from." Hurts the song for me!
shareWow...never even noticed.
shareI like both the Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men versions better than the first season intro and theme sung by Phoebe Snow. BTW, when Anne Beatts was the show runner, it had preppy, white high school-style plots (see Ms. Beatts' other sitcom of the '80s, "Square Pegs" with a pre-"Sex and the City" Sarah Jessica Parker as one of the geeky girls). Thank goodness Debbie Allen took over from Season 2 on, making the show what it was supposed to be, about life in a black college.
shareThe Boyz II Men version! I liked Aretha but, their version used to excite me when it came on. It was great to see the evolution of the characters portrayed in the opening credits and the inclusion of the underclassmen. To this day I'll turn it up when the reruns come on.
shareThe Aretha version for sure. Never really liked the first one and though i did like the boyz 2 men version Aretha's is the one thay defines the show for me
Aretha’s, hands down. The second I hear or read anything related to the show her version instantly comes to mind.
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