A Different World: The evolution of the theme song

A Different World: The theme song back story

A Different World ran from September 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993, on NBC and aired on Thursday nights at 8:30 PM behind The Cosby Show. The groundbreaking television series followed the lives of African American students at the fictional HBCU Hillman College. One of the interesting aspects of the weekly programs was the theme song which changed several times over the series run. The music was updated but the lyrics remained the same.

"I know my parents loved me

Stand behind me come what may (hmm)

I know now that I'm ready, yeah

For I finally heard them say

It's a different world (ooh ooh)

Than where ya come from

Yes it is now, yeah

Vese 2:

Here's our chance to make it

If we focus on our goal

You can dish it, we can take it (hey!)

Just remember that you've been told

Chorus:

It's a different world (it's a different world)

It's a different world (it's a different world)

Than where ya come from

Ooh ooh oooh

Than where ya come from!"

Lyrics by Dawn Lewis, release date October 6, 1988.

A Different World: Closed door politics

Country singer Charlie Rich once sang "Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors." The viewing audience had no idea of the behind-the-scenes politics that took place on A Different World regarding the theme song which was written by one of the original cast members. The songwriter was Dawnn Lewis who portrayed Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor on the hit series in seasons one through five.

Some reports say Bill Cosby and Stu Gardner assisted Lewis in writing the song and indicate that she co-performed the theme for the first season. Many assumed that Dawnn herself was singing the tune she penned during season one because it sounds like her voice. According to the actress the powers that be wanted the show to revolve around Bonet's character and did not desire a lot of attention going to other cast members. They did not want the focus on Dawn as Jaleesa, the songwriter, and also for singing the theme song.

I have not found any information to validate that Lewis did initially sing the song she wrote (or co-wrote) but the actress said that basically A Different World was supposed to be Lisa Bonet's show and this is why Phoebe Snow was brought in and it is her voice, you hear during season one.

Ironically Bonet did not return for season two because she became pregnant and Bill Cosby did not desire Denise to be an unwed mother. The actress returned to The Cosby Show where she was married to Martin Kendall (Joseph C Phillips). The iconic Debbie Allen was brought in during the second season to overhaul A Different World by using her experiences at The University of North Carolina and Howard University which are historic HBCUs. Allen did not allow Dawn to sing her song and neither did she give her character additional focus after Bonet made her exit.

(You can listen to all three versions of the theme song by clicking on the link.)

A Differnt World: Change is constant

Debbie knew Aretha Franklin personally and wanted her to sing the theme song and in seasons two through five she did. Allen also shifted the episodes to center around Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison who portrayed Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne and who married at the end of season four. Jaleesa and Ron Johnson (Darrell Bell) who were both in season one remained series regulars and were joined by Cree Summer (Freddie Brooks), Charnelle Brown( Kim Reece), Lou Meyers (Vernon Gaines), and Glen Turman (Colonel Brad Taylor. who were brought on board in season two. Coincidentally Turmna was the ex-husband of Franklin who was now singing the theme song.

Jaleesa and the Colonel married during the beginning of season five and by the end of that year, they had a baby girl. When season 6 began there were two very noticeable changes. The theme song was changed again and the woman who wrote it was no longer with the hit series. Colonel Taylor was shown in the Hillman campus and his wife was no longer mentioned.

In the episode, new students Charmaine Brown (Karen Malina White) and Tyrell Walker (Patrick Malone) used baby monitors to listen to Gina Devoe (Ajai Saunders) speak French, Colonel Taylor mentions getting back home to Marnie who viewers assumed was his daughter.

During the sixth and final season of A Differnt World hip hop group Boys II Men were recruited to update the theme song. Jasmine Guy once said that this was done to reflect the music of the day. So there you have it, the evolutions of the popular theme song from one of the most beloved sitcoms ever. A Different World can be seen today on retro channels and streaming networks so check your local listings.