A Black woman-led sitcom ain’t complete without a theme song that sets the tone—smooth, soulful and unforgettable. These shows weren’t just classics; their openings were anthems, stamped in the culture like your auntie’s favorite perfume. We’ll forever be thankful for UPN and Disney, and we’ll forever miss 22-episode-long seasons of laughs.
Let’s start with Girlfriends, the gold standard. Angie Stone (rest in power) gave us a silky-smooth melody that felt like a warm hug from your bestie after a bad date. “My girlfriends… there through thick and thin…”—you hear that and instantly picture Joan, Toni, Maya and Lynn holding it down in their chaotic yet aspirational lives.
Then there’s Living Single, where Queen Latifah didn’t just star—she set the whole vibe. That “In a 90s kinda world…” was more than a lyric; it was a declaration. The show made us want Brooklyn brownstones, lifelong friendships and a flavor of our own.
Moesha had Brandy giving us an early look into her journey into becoming the vocal bible. The catchy bop made you wish you had a diary as lit as hers. “Moe to the… E to the…”—the kind of theme song that got stuck in your head at school, no matter how many times you tried to focus on algebra.
When Sister, Sister hit the college years, the theme song leveled up right along with Tia and Tamera. Gone were the playful early ’90s vibes—this new intro was grown, polished and had the same energy as a fresh silk press before homecoming. Twitter rightfully dubbed it “The Silk Press Era” because everything about it was crisp: the vocals were richer, the harmonies smoother and the beat had that late ’90s R&B sophistication. It was giving destiny, ambition and the kind of confidence you get when you finally find your style in college.
The That’s So Raven theme song is pure Disney magic—catchy, confident and instantly recognizable, just like Raven-Symoné herself. With her powerhouse vocals and undeniable star power, Raven wasn’t just the face of the show; she was the queen of Disney, holding the network down during its prime era. Millennials still say Disney was at its peak when she reigned, and honestly, they’re right—nobody was touching her!
For The Parkers, Countess Vaughn flipped the script with a theme that was big, bold and funny—just like Nikki Parker. “We’re the Parkers!” had the kind of energy that let you know the mother-daughter duo was here to stay.
And we can’t forget Half & Half—a slept-on gem with a theme song so smooth it could’ve been a hidden track on a Jill Scott album.
These intros weren’t just soundtracks—they were a vibe, a mood and the kind of Blackness that stays with you long after the screen fades to black.
