For me definitely the last one with Boyz II Men. It made moer sense for them to be singing than Aretha or Phoebe Snow who were mature singers. Also the visuals for Dwayne, Whitley and Freddie show their evolutions. Julian and Byron even show up. Mr Gaines popping up as Kim's patient is funny as well. The credits for Lena, Gina and Charmayne pretty much summarize their personalities and although they aren't credited we get to see tyrell and Dorian in several scenes as well as Jennifer Lewis. Ron dancing with all the women shows that he han't changed all that much though.

As for the visual opening credits, I liked the final season for all the reasons you mentioned, but in terms of the theme song performance, it's just wrong to pick somebody over the queen of soul. I liked all three, Phoebe's version was a favorite and Boyz II Men were funky, but that's the QUEEN OF SOUL you're talking about. I can't put anyone above the queen.

I like the Aretha Franklin version.

The Aretha version, of course! :)

Boyz II Men version. Aretha Frankiln is 2nd, and Phoebe Snow is LAST. It wasn't that Phoebe Snow was a bad singer, it was just the music didn't fit the show. It was sort of like the "Roseanne" theme song which is nothing like ADW.

I like the first one,visually because it seems more young and collegey and fun.It looks like a "commercial" for that school and would attract students:D

I'm not sure what version it is, but it sounds like Aretha Franklin. It is the second one.

Definately Aretha's version, I liked the visual of the 1st theme but I hate the slow drawl and bluesy feel of the song. Plus, I absolutely hated the 1st season, what a waste of time!

I like the Boys II Men theme better.

Aretha version ;)

The Boyz II Men opening is my absolute favorite for the theme music and the visuals.

Aretha is the only one I remember.

Though Season 1 had its flaws, its theme song shined through. I loved Phoebe Snow's slow, sultry voice.

...

Mine is the Boyz to Men theme.

I like the first one,visually because it seems more young and collegey and fun.It looks like a "commercial" for that school and would attract students:D

For all the reasons you mentioned, I completely agree. Aretha Franklin's singing was very good to me too.

Hi, I'm new to the board but for me Aretha 1st because one she's the Queen. 2nd she's a born and raised Detroiter. But most importantly her version represented the changing of the gaurd. The first season was funny but to a certain extent, it was trying to find it'sself. However Reatha version showed soulful transformation of the actors, the characters and the entrance of Debbie as the director.
Now I can't sleep on Boyz II Men, other than being just one of the greatest vocal groups of all time like it was stated in the first post, they represented Differnt World going to a new level and telling the audience via song Thank U for riding this journey with us. but that's just me

For me definitely the last one with Boyz II Men. It made moer sense for them to be singing than Aretha or Phoebe Snow who were mature singers. Also the visuals for Dwayne, Whitley and Freddie show their evolutions. Julian and Byron even show up. Mr Gaines popping up as Kim's patient is funny as well. The credits for Lena, Gina and Charmayne pretty much summarize their personalities and although they aren't credited we get to see tyrell and Dorian in several scenes as well as Jennifer Lewis. Ron dancing with all the women shows that he han't changed all that much though.
Julian and Byron weren't shown. They were just actors who resembled those two characters, but they weren't the actual actors who played those two characters.

Boyz II Men for sure

I always liked the Boyz II Men version the best. The song is/was so good, I actually would turn up my TV and jam to i LOL.:lol: Still to this day when they show ADW on a local station I watch out for the final season eps to hear the theme song.

I like the Aretha Franklin one and the Boys II Men one. Those are the more fun to watch.

For me definitely the last one with Boyz II Men. It made moer sense for them to be singing than Aretha or Phoebe Snow who were mature singers. Also the visuals for Dwayne, Whitley and Freddie show their evolutions. Julian and Byron even show up. Mr Gaines popping up as Kim's patient is funny as well. The credits for Lena, Gina and Charmayne pretty much summarize their personalities and although they aren't credited we get to see tyrell and Dorian in several scenes as well as Jennifer Lewis. Ron dancing with all the women shows that he han't changed all that much though.

Season 6 had the best theme song. It had a more urban feel to it. You would have thought that some of the 'black' boy groups would have song it previously like Guy, Mint Condition, etc.

I hated the theme song and how it was sung/played during the first season. I really liked it when Aretha Franklin was brought in to make it a whole lot better. The last season's theme was also terrible, why change a good thing?
The first season was done by Phoebe Snow. From the second season up until the last season it was Aretha Franklin. The last season was by Boyz II Men.

BTW, for those who didn't know, Aretha Franklin was married to Glynn Turman, who played Colonel Taylor.

BTW, for those who didn't know, Aretha Franklin was married to Glynn Turman, who played Colonel Taylor.

Yeah I remember my mom telling me that some years ago. Aretha was good looking back in the day. Now she's just at a very unhealthy weight.

Yeah I remember my mom telling me that some years ago. Aretha was good looking back in the day. Now she's just at a very unhealthy weight.
God, she has gone up and down with her weight...one would think that after all these years, she would come to the realization that she is not healthy.

The season 2 Theme was so much better. Season 1 was LONG and DRY

Aretha definitely sang it the best.

When ADW first came out, all the kids at my school would be singing that song. It was really popular.

I like the Aretha Franklin version the best.

The Aretha Franklin version of the theme song was worth listening

Aretha definitely sang it the best.

Franklin's version of the A Different World theme song is the only one that matters (https://www.vibe.com/2018/08/aretha-franklin-a-different-world-theme-song/)

After all these years I just noticed that Debbie Allen appears in the season 6 opening at the very end in a creme sweater (with I guess all the people who worked on the show's staff). Interesting. I dont know of any other primetime series that has all the behind the scenes people in the main titles. I also wonder if/how Joe Morton, Dominic Hoffman, jenifer Lewis, Gary Dourdan, Bumper Robinson and Patrick Malone were/are paid for being in the opening. Also Michael Ralph isnt there (though Kim's other classmate is).

Ms. Franklin's version

Aretha Franklin’s version of the ADW theme song from Seasons 2-5. Aretha tore that sh*t up.

Phoebe Snow in the first season.