@@HuskyDog88 Lord of God in heaven, please change the past so that My sister, Jennifer tang and her friend, Dylan Lewis will be reborn back in June 29th, 1993 and I will be born without autism, spectrums, disabilities and disorders as my new life in reality on earth on June 15th, 1997 to avoid IEP Meetings and Summer School by watching educational channels on tv, speak with my first words and playing toys, interventions and games, when I can be a 2 year old in 1999, spend more times with my sister and her friends, my aunt, my uncle and their friends my mom, my dad and their friends, my cousins and their friends and my grandparents in Sterling and new friends who are typically average ability kids in Sterling Elementary School when I can be a 5 year old in 2002 so they can learn to spell my name with words, draw and paint a picture, read and write on a book, make money, doing chores and jobs at my old house, 216 W Balsam RD, Sterling, VA, exercise inside and outside in the community, singing a song, counting numbers, go out to play and eat and go to Sterling Middle School and Parkview High School to study algebra, biology, English, chemistry and geometry with me when I was a 12 year old in 2009 and a 15 year old in 2012 and get IPhone 1 when I can be a 10 year old in 2007 as a second chance before we all died and Rest In Peace in heaven in the future and change and altered timeline history back in 2001 so the US Government can create a distraction by calling the Airport Security to prevent Osama Bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists before they were about to hijack airplanes and destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Washington DC and Stonycreek Township in Somerset County at Pennsylvania. After, you altered time back in 1963 so Jack Ruby can distract Lee Harvey Oswald before he was about to kill John F. Kennedy. But, also altered time back in 1968, so the police can attack James Earl Ray before he was about to kill Martin Luther King JR. After you altered time back in 1914 so the Police can attack Gavrilo Princip before he was about to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
@@alexnava8729 Lord of God in heaven, please change the past so that My sister, Jennifer tang and her friend, Dylan Lewis will be reborn back in June 29th, 1993 and I will be born without autism, spectrums, disabilities and disorders as my new life in reality on earth on June 15th, 1997 to avoid IEP Meetings and Summer School by watching educational channels on tv, speak with my first words and playing toys, interventions and games, when I can be a 2 year old in 1999, spend more times with my sister and her friends, my aunt, my uncle and their friends my mom, my dad and their friends, my cousins and their friends and my grandparents in Sterling and new friends who are typically average ability kids in Sterling Elementary School when I can be a 5 year old in 2002 so they can learn to spell my name with words, draw and paint a picture, read and write on a book, make money, doing chores and jobs at my old house, 216 W Balsam RD, Sterling, VA, exercise inside and outside in the community, singing a song, counting numbers, go out to play and eat and go to Sterling Middle School and Parkview High School to study algebra, biology, English, chemistry and geometry with me when I was a 12 year old in 2009 and a 15 year old in 2012 and get IPhone 1 when I can be a 10 year old in 2007 as a second chance before we all died and Rest In Peace in heaven in the future and change and altered timeline history back in 2001 so the US Government can create a distraction by calling the Airport Security to prevent Osama Bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists before they were about to hijack airplanes and destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Washington DC and Stonycreek Township in Somerset County at Pennsylvania. After, you altered time back in 1963 so Jack Ruby can distract Lee Harvey Oswald before he was about to kill John F. Kennedy. But, also altered time back in 1968, so the police can attack James Earl Ray before he was about to kill Martin Luther King JR. After you altered time back in 1914 so the Police can attack Gavrilo Princip before he was about to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
As a 2000’s kid, watching the 3rd one brings back vivid memories of our whole classroom singing along to the theme song as it played out. Not a single person was arguing when the teacher/substitute asked the class if they wanted to watch reading rainbow.
The Chaka version is *my favorite* from the instrumental to Chaka's singing just adds the icing on the cake. I love me some Chaka in general also, hearing this intro bring back memories growing up.
It's my second favorite. I watched this as a kid and watched it with my baby girl. I love Chaka Khan and she killed it. Me and my daughter just love the OG version
As soon as i heard Chaka’s version i got tears of nostalgia 🥹 memories i truly forgot. The 2nd version was vaguely familiar then when he sang “i can be anything” I suddenly knew there was a key change and sang along with it but i don’t remember the 1st version at all or the graphics and i was born in 93…but i do remember absolutely hating the show until i got around 10 or so years old and one time being forced to watch it and surprisingly being sad when it went off lol it became a fave from pbs 😂
I'm a 2000s child so I stopped watching this in school about 2013 or something like that. Very sad about it because it was really good and fun to watch so the teacher and students could get a break. So sad people nowadays wouldn't even know Reading Rainbow if you missed that generation :(
Yea..I was born in 2008 so in kindergarten we would watch this while the teacher was printing a coloring page😭now that’s gon and all there is,is tiktok☹️and corona-no more childhood
Same I used to watch this between 07 and 2013 aswell. I remember the rollout tv and the TV in the corner of the classroom ceiling. I highkey miss those days. I was born in the early half of the 00s
This is fantastic! Chaka Khan is ridiculously cool. I had no idea it was her. Personally, I feel most attached to the original and bust into it when I’m feeling good. I wasn’t feeling good today so had to hear it to feel better. Happily, I stumbled upon this very entertaining and informational video! Thank you so much for the memories and bonus laughs. ❤️
The original theme cannot be beat. Growing up with a particular version doesn't mean it's best, it's just what's nostalgic to you. Being completely unbiased will undoubtedly have the original theme as the best one, no contest.
I’ve been a drummer since I was a toddler and I’ve always gravitated toward funky genres of music. I remember my mind being blown when first listening to the 2001 rendition with Chaka Khan; the snare drum mix, splash cymbal hits, slap bass, grooving guitars- in a kids intro song show?! I still have fond memories of being excited for the shows scheduled programming during the summer when I was off school, primarily for this 50 second intro (and outro during the credits)!
As much as I love the third one I would have to say that most definitely go with the classics such as the original theme song I mostly liked when I was eight because my second grade teacher used to play that one a lot.
I remember all 3 of them, but the one I love and remember the most is the original theme song and Reading Rainbow logo. I'd watch it in the mornings with my brother, and I remember when they changed the opening theme to the second theme and we both thought it was horrible. Also remember when the third opening theme came out and thought it was better than the second one, but we both preferred, liked, and loved the original opening theme. To me the original opening theme is more in line with the songs message. For those of us who grew up with the original theme we understood that and loved it, but when they changed the opening theme, it really took a lot of the magic and message out of it. So for me the original theme is the best and it should have never been changed nor replaced.
With Arthur, they kept the same intro throughout the whole series run. Even when they switched to high def widescreen and changed animation studios, the intro and the music stayed the same.
I grew up with Version 1 - 🙂 I knew about Version 3, but never Version 2. Thanks for sharing! Version 1 is still the best ;-) Also: Yes, that IS the sheet music from the theme song; kind've hard to play sidewise, but I could play enough of it to verify. Good eye!
I absolutely loved the original Reading Rainbow theme. Born in the early 90s, I loved to read when I was young, so this was the perfect show for me. And I loved Star Trek The Next Generation later in life as well, so I guess you could say that LeVar Burton was my kind of host. Reading Rainbow is a great old show that I will always have fond memories of. That and other PBS shows, along with Fox Kids in the afternoon. "Mr. LaForge, set Nostalgia to maximum!"
The DMX infused theme brought me here, but man, the original is by far the best IMO. The 8/'s and 90's was an incredible time where even TV themes were done with extraordinary talent. Now's it's like the bar has been lowered for what we consider talent, sadly. What a phenomenal show, though. 31 now and still remember being captivated by LeVar and a the wonderful adventures.
Brings back memories, used to put this TV show on for my little bro back in 2003-06. He loved it! It’s a shame that PBS cancelled this show. The song was so catchy!
I was born in 1983 so I grew up watching this show so to me the best intro for the show was the original hands down. However I could see the original theme with the 3rd opening with the real life cuts with Burton. But growing up on the original run of the show the original opening appeals to me the most.
Damn The Theme Intro is so 🔥 Fzzking Vliss I remember waking up every morning just to listen to reading Rainbows theme whenever I didn't have to go to school
Watching pbs since January 1997 as a 5 month old, I remember my pbs station Weta showing all 3 intros, and I think I remember the one with Johnny kemp singing and the cgi dragon and butterfly I believe debuted in the season 17 finale Worksong from 1998, aka the episode where Levar Burton talked about people going to work and showing clips from levars past jobs from the past episodes probably to promote the shows 15th anniversary as the show turned 15 in 1998 and debuted in 1983 despite being in its 17th season in 1998. Worksong was the only season 17 episode to use that intro, while the other 4 season 17 episodes still used the original 1983 intro with Tina Fabrique singing and the storybooks coming to life with hand drawn animation, along with all episodes from seasons 1-16 from 1983-1997, meaning the original intro is from 1983-1998, the second intro is from 1998-2000, and in may 2000 when season 18 premiered with the episode the shaman’s apprentice: a tale of the Amazon rainforest, that was when the 3rd intro with Levar himself and the cgi swirling rainbows and Chaka khan singing debuted, and was used until the series ended in 2006. In my opinion for the 21st season only, they could’ve done a 4th intro where it’s the 2000 intro with Levar and the rainbows and Chaka khan singing, but instead of the 1998-2005/06 reading rainbow logo, it would be the newer logo from 2005/2006-onwards that is still used on reading rainbow apps to this very day, and that should’ve been used in season 21, and the version of the 2000 intro with the 1998-2005/06 logo should’ve been used in seasons 18-20. Update: Worksong actually did use the original 1983 intro, and I believe the cgi dragon and butterfly intro with Johnny kemp singing debuted around late January 1999 when Zoboomafoo premiered on pbs.
The information I got for this video was taken straight off of Wikipedia in case you didn’t see that in the credits. The first episode of Reading Rainbow aired June 6, 1983, and the featured book was called “Hard Times,” or something like that.
I'm gonna have to say that the original theme is better, as a kid growing up in the 90s. This is somewhat hard to say as I LOVE Chaka Kahn! Her version is good, but she is capable of so much more and had she put in the full force of her vocal prowess along with her energy & emotion that she has done in many of her songs, her rendition could have been absolutely amazing!
First Reading Rainbow intro was an absolute masterpiece. I knew about the second intro and no wonder it wasn't used for very long. The third intro was just as magnificent as the first one
First version wins. That synth line is undefeated. I remember as a kid seeing the second and 3rd version pop up after watching the first version and wondering why on earth it'd been changed.
The old opening used to scare the shit out of me as a kid it’s just too unsettling and that beat in the background is just too much for my 2 year old brain to handle. But now I like it
Crazily enough the only version of the reading rainbow theme I was was familiar with was the 2001-2006 version and I never watched the show but it stuck around in my head for so long and I never knew why
i could have lived the rest of my life without ever seeing that second intro. made me want to stick ice picks in my eyes and ears!! what were they thinking? third one wasnt bad but the first one will always be the reading rainbow intro i dont care what anyone says!!
I remember the 1st version on VHS in school, the 3rd version the most on PBS Kids on TV, but I don't remember the 2nd version at all, it's no surprise to me that version was lackluster and only lasted 2 years, but the 1st & 3rd versions were most memorable to everybody!
I was born in 99 so I grew up with the third version mostly but remember them showing reruns with version 1, I’m just so grateful I watched pbs kids in its prime and I also can’t believe there’s gonna be a generation of kids who weren’t raised on reading rainbow or between the lions.
A 1985, 1986 baby here. The 1st version hits hard! I know about the 3rd version, which was decent in its own right and fit the 2000s to a T! If only the 3rd intro came out 2 years sooner and with the original 1983 intro theme music it would’ve been just as good. I heard about the 2nd intro but never knew how long it lasted. The instrumental music on that version wasn’t bad per say but the singer, particularly when he sings the “take a look, it’s in a book” portions felt a bit off key at times. I agree wholeheartedly about that creepy CGI Butterfly and Dragon.
Thank you for the educational video! I found it because I was playing RR for my kids on Prime but was perplexed by the new theme song (Chaka Khan’s version). I didn’t know they had changed it from the one I grew up with and was disappointed because I wanted my kids to see the magical (to me at the time anyway) butterfly-dragon-space opening scenes. None of the RR seasons on Prime have the old version. 😢
OMG, I can’t believe it!😃 I remember that I watched the third version of this kids show when I was 2 years old after I was born in March 11, 1999! Those are some wonderful memories.🥲
This video is a masterpiece. You nailed the commentary on the second intro (it was horrifying) and I fully agree on the last one being the best, I come back to that one just for a dose of nostalgia from time to time.
BROo the 3rd one just brings out a lot of memories is so catchy too for some reason!? the one with dragon and the butterfly are just uhmmm… let’s just say when I wuz little I HAD lots of dreams about them!
Maybe we all like the version we grew up with,,though is the New Jack Swing version anyone's favorite?, I favor the original grew up watching it when PBS was all we could afford, lol. The original just hits a spot for me. The Chaka version was good though, and I like that they added LaVar Burton, that's a nice touch
I remember in elementary after classes, we would meme about the last intro, but like even if we made fun of it we generally loved the show, hey, if I hated it I wouldn’t be here honestly. Ahh, the memories. :)
The 3rd version is similar to the original but having the book changing page's with different pictures was a good idea and having Levar Burton in it helped
Imma let you finish, but the O.G. Tina Fabrique version is some of the best composition and production of ALL TIME.
Wholeheartedly agree. Theme songs were crafted like real songs back then.
I agree with you completely
ALL TIME!!!
🌭
Everything after the original just sucked
As a 90s baby the first version will always be my favorite.
I’ve seen all 3 versions, but I have to say, the third one is my favorite.
@@HuskyDog88 the third one is amazing. I remember when they put this on the projector and i just be jaming to the theme
Indeed.
@@HuskyDog88 Lord of God in heaven, please change the past so that My sister, Jennifer tang and her friend, Dylan Lewis will be reborn back in June 29th, 1993 and I will be born without autism, spectrums, disabilities and disorders as my new life in reality on earth on June 15th, 1997 to avoid IEP Meetings and Summer School by watching educational channels on tv, speak with my first words and playing toys, interventions and games, when I can be a 2 year old in 1999, spend more times with my sister and her friends, my aunt, my uncle and their friends my mom, my dad and their friends, my cousins and their friends and my grandparents in Sterling and new friends who are typically average ability kids in Sterling Elementary School when I can be a 5 year old in 2002 so they can learn to spell my name with words, draw and paint a picture, read and write on a book, make money, doing chores and jobs at my old house, 216 W Balsam RD, Sterling, VA, exercise inside and outside in the community, singing a song, counting numbers, go out to play and eat and go to Sterling Middle School and Parkview High School to study algebra, biology, English, chemistry and geometry with me when I was a 12 year old in 2009 and a 15 year old in 2012 and get IPhone 1 when I can be a 10 year old in 2007 as a second chance before we all died and Rest In Peace in heaven in the future and change and altered timeline history back in 2001 so the US Government can create a distraction by calling the Airport Security to prevent Osama Bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists before they were about to hijack airplanes and destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Washington DC and Stonycreek Township in Somerset County at Pennsylvania. After, you altered time back in 1963 so Jack Ruby can distract Lee Harvey Oswald before he was about to kill John F. Kennedy. But, also altered time back in 1968, so the police can attack James Earl Ray before he was about to kill Martin Luther King JR. After you altered time back in 1914 so the Police can attack Gavrilo Princip before he was about to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
@@alexnava8729 Lord of God in heaven, please change the past so that My sister, Jennifer tang and her friend, Dylan Lewis will be reborn back in June 29th, 1993 and I will be born without autism, spectrums, disabilities and disorders as my new life in reality on earth on June 15th, 1997 to avoid IEP Meetings and Summer School by watching educational channels on tv, speak with my first words and playing toys, interventions and games, when I can be a 2 year old in 1999, spend more times with my sister and her friends, my aunt, my uncle and their friends my mom, my dad and their friends, my cousins and their friends and my grandparents in Sterling and new friends who are typically average ability kids in Sterling Elementary School when I can be a 5 year old in 2002 so they can learn to spell my name with words, draw and paint a picture, read and write on a book, make money, doing chores and jobs at my old house, 216 W Balsam RD, Sterling, VA, exercise inside and outside in the community, singing a song, counting numbers, go out to play and eat and go to Sterling Middle School and Parkview High School to study algebra, biology, English, chemistry and geometry with me when I was a 12 year old in 2009 and a 15 year old in 2012 and get IPhone 1 when I can be a 10 year old in 2007 as a second chance before we all died and Rest In Peace in heaven in the future and change and altered timeline history back in 2001 so the US Government can create a distraction by calling the Airport Security to prevent Osama Bin Laden and the 9/11 terrorists before they were about to hijack airplanes and destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Washington DC and Stonycreek Township in Somerset County at Pennsylvania. After, you altered time back in 1963 so Jack Ruby can distract Lee Harvey Oswald before he was about to kill John F. Kennedy. But, also altered time back in 1968, so the police can attack James Earl Ray before he was about to kill Martin Luther King JR. After you altered time back in 1914 so the Police can attack Gavrilo Princip before he was about to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
As a 2000’s kid, watching the 3rd one brings back vivid memories of our whole classroom singing along to the theme song as it played out. Not a single person was arguing when the teacher/substitute asked the class if they wanted to watch reading rainbow.
The Chaka version is *my favorite* from the instrumental to Chaka's singing just adds the icing on the cake. I love me some Chaka in general also, hearing this intro bring back memories growing up.
It's my second favorite. I watched this as a kid and watched it with my baby girl. I love Chaka Khan and she killed it. Me and my daughter just love the OG version
This personally is my favorite version of the theme
I Thought The Chaka Version Was Recorded In The 80s
@@musiqmark Chaka's version came out in the 2000s and Tina Fabrique the original intro came out in the 80s.
@@noiretalk Ohhhh It Sounded Like It Was Recorded In The 80s-90s
The Chaka Khan vocal version will always be my favorite! 🙌🏾
Grew up with the 3rd version and it’s definitely my favorite out of the 3😊✨
Fr🥲
As soon as i heard Chaka’s version i got tears of nostalgia 🥹 memories i truly forgot. The 2nd version was vaguely familiar then when he sang “i can be anything” I suddenly knew there was a key change and sang along with it but i don’t remember the 1st version at all or the graphics and i was born in 93…but i do remember absolutely hating the show until i got around 10 or so years old and one time being forced to watch it and surprisingly being sad when it went off lol it became a fave from pbs 😂
I'm a 2000s child so I stopped watching this in school about 2013 or something like that. Very sad about it because it was really good and fun to watch so the teacher and students could get a break. So sad people nowadays wouldn't even know Reading Rainbow if you missed that generation :(
Yep, this really needs to come back. They don’t make shows like this on PBS anymore nowadays.
Yea..I was born in 2008 so in kindergarten we would watch this while the teacher was printing a coloring page😭now that’s gon and all there is,is tiktok☹️and corona-no more childhood
Same I used to watch this between 07 and 2013 aswell. I remember the rollout tv and the TV in the corner of the classroom ceiling. I highkey miss those days.
I was born in the early half of the 00s
Theres an app now
My kids will be watching it! It's on prime!
'80s/'90s kid here. There is only one opening theme, 1983-99.
This is fantastic! Chaka Khan is ridiculously cool. I had no idea it was her. Personally, I feel most attached to the original and bust into it when I’m feeling good. I wasn’t feeling good today so had to hear it to feel better. Happily, I stumbled upon this very entertaining and informational video! Thank you so much for the memories and bonus laughs. ❤️
The original theme cannot be beat. Growing up with a particular version doesn't mean it's best, it's just what's nostalgic to you. Being completely unbiased will undoubtedly have the original theme as the best one, no contest.
I wanna say I remember the 3rd intro , I grew up in 90s , but the first one is most memorable to me and I love that wobbling seesaw synth:)
Me too
Sorry, but nothing beats the original version. One of my favorite theme songs❤️
The 2001 one unlocks so much nostalgia for me. I was 5 and vividly remember watching it in school.
As a 1980's (1983) baby the first version of the intro theme song of "Reading Rainbow" will Always be my Favorite and Best version!
1982 baby here and the same. The OG theme song was my jam.
A 1985-86 baby right here. The OG music hits it every time!
Replacing the Dragon with the Rainbow was a great idea and having Levar Burton standing with the kids instead of the Dragon was nice
I grew up with first version and it will forever be my favorite
I can generally look past my own nostalgia and be very objective about stuff like this, but not in this case. OG theme song over everything!
I’ve been a drummer since I was a toddler and I’ve always gravitated toward funky genres of music. I remember my mind being blown when first listening to the 2001 rendition with Chaka Khan; the snare drum mix, splash cymbal hits, slap bass, grooving guitars- in a kids intro song show?! I still have fond memories of being excited for the shows scheduled programming during the summer when I was off school, primarily for this 50 second intro (and outro during the credits)!
Thank you black people!
The first version will always hit home for me. It gives me the same feeling I had when I first heard it back in 95 on WLIW 🙏🏾
As much as I love the third one I would have to say that most definitely go with the classics such as the original theme song I mostly liked when I was eight because my second grade teacher used to play that one a lot.
So sad this type of tv has evaporated. The memories and those times were so precious. One more time 🥺
FR:((
That synthesizer from the first opening theme song lives rent free inside my head.
I remember all 3 of them, but the one I love and remember the most is the original theme song and Reading Rainbow logo. I'd watch it in the mornings with my brother, and I remember when they changed the opening theme to the second theme and we both thought it was horrible. Also remember when the third opening theme came out and thought it was better than the second one, but we both preferred, liked, and loved the original opening theme. To me the original opening theme is more in line with the songs message. For those of us who grew up with the original theme we understood that and loved it, but when they changed the opening theme, it really took a lot of the magic and message out of it. So for me the original theme is the best and it should have never been changed nor replaced.
With Arthur, they kept the same intro throughout the whole series run. Even when they switched to high def widescreen and changed animation studios, the intro and the music stayed the same.
I sencond this.
I grew up with Version 1 - 🙂 I knew about Version 3, but never Version 2. Thanks for sharing! Version 1 is still the best ;-) Also: Yes, that IS the sheet music from the theme song; kind've hard to play sidewise, but I could play enough of it to verify. Good eye!
I absolutely loved the original Reading Rainbow theme. Born in the early 90s, I loved to read when I was young, so this was the perfect show for me. And I loved Star Trek The Next Generation later in life as well, so I guess you could say that LeVar Burton was my kind of host.
Reading Rainbow is a great old show that I will always have fond memories of. That and other PBS shows, along with Fox Kids in the afternoon. "Mr. LaForge, set Nostalgia to maximum!"
I’m a bit of a Star Trek fan myself. That Bionic Bunny episode was my favorite.
The DMX infused theme brought me here, but man, the original is by far the best IMO. The 8/'s and 90's was an incredible time where even TV themes were done with extraordinary talent. Now's it's like the bar has been lowered for what we consider talent, sadly. What a phenomenal show, though. 31 now and still remember being captivated by LeVar and a the wonderful adventures.
7:54 - Jon Tron! :D
Also, the 2001 one is my favorite, because I too tend to relive to such memories! :D
I would do anything to go back to 2nd grade and watch this in homeroom every Friday afternoon, that was the best part of the week imo.
2003 baby here, the 80s version is by far the best!
The first one is my favorite
I loved all the info invthe beginning and never knew that. I always loved loved this show and listen to the theme n almost cry.
Brings back memories, used to put this TV show on for my little bro back in 2003-06. He loved it! It’s a shame that PBS cancelled this show. The song was so catchy!
The Chaka Khan version is what I grew up hearing. I just love the funk vibe of it, idk who played the bass and guitar parts but they’re 🔥
I was born in 1983 so I grew up watching this show so to me the best intro for the show was the original hands down. However I could see the original theme with the 3rd opening with the real life cuts with Burton. But growing up on the original run of the show the original opening appeals to me the most.
Its really surprising to me the show was on the air for 21 seasons but only 155 episodes.. That seems like such a ridiculously low number of episodes.
They were 1hour-long episodes, I think?
Damn The Theme Intro is so 🔥 Fzzking Vliss I remember waking up every morning just to listen to reading Rainbows theme whenever I didn't have to go to school
Blame the US Government for that.
Watching pbs since January 1997 as a 5 month old, I remember my pbs station Weta showing all 3 intros, and I think I remember the one with Johnny kemp singing and the cgi dragon and butterfly I believe debuted in the season 17 finale Worksong from 1998, aka the episode where Levar Burton talked about people going to work and showing clips from levars past jobs from the past episodes probably to promote the shows 15th anniversary as the show turned 15 in 1998 and debuted in 1983 despite being in its 17th season in 1998.
Worksong was the only season 17 episode to use that intro, while the other 4 season 17 episodes still used the original 1983 intro with Tina Fabrique singing and the storybooks coming to life with hand drawn animation, along with all episodes from seasons 1-16 from 1983-1997, meaning the original intro is from 1983-1998, the second intro is from 1998-2000, and in may 2000 when season 18 premiered with the episode the shaman’s apprentice: a tale of the Amazon rainforest, that was when the 3rd intro with Levar himself and the cgi swirling rainbows and Chaka khan singing debuted, and was used until the series ended in 2006.
In my opinion for the 21st season only, they could’ve done a 4th intro where it’s the 2000 intro with Levar and the rainbows and Chaka khan singing, but instead of the 1998-2005/06 reading rainbow logo, it would be the newer logo from 2005/2006-onwards that is still used on reading rainbow apps to this very day, and that should’ve been used in season 21, and the version of the 2000 intro with the 1998-2005/06 logo should’ve been used in seasons 18-20.
Update: Worksong actually did use the original 1983 intro, and I believe the cgi dragon and butterfly intro with Johnny kemp singing debuted around late January 1999 when Zoboomafoo premiered on pbs.
The first and third one 🥺
acutally reading rainbow ran form 1991 to november 10th 2006 ' i always have and will forever love this show '
The information I got for this video was taken straight off of Wikipedia in case you didn’t see that in the credits. The first episode of Reading Rainbow aired June 6, 1983, and the featured book was called “Hard Times,” or something like that.
@@HuskyDog88 huh I always thought it was from 91 to 06 unless the wiki was altered
I watched this in 3rd grade in 1984.
I grew up with the 3rd version, but the 1st version might be my favorite tbh
I'm gonna have to say that the original theme is better, as a kid growing up in the 90s. This is somewhat hard to say as I LOVE Chaka Kahn! Her version is good, but she is capable of so much more and had she put in the full force of her vocal prowess along with her energy & emotion that she has done in many of her songs, her rendition could have been absolutely amazing!
6:58 Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan.
Me and my friends love it so classic and a perfect entrance for laver Burton
As someone who grew up without reading rainbow, the 1st sounds that nicest to me
Great video. The 1st and 3rd themes are the best. Glad to be born in 1993. Plus my birthday is on January 24th
7:02 Damn, I remember this from Kindergarten back in 2010.
Bring back alot of memories I wish I could go back in time and relive all those good moments
7:02 I grew up with this theme song was I was a kid 👧
7:44 if you look closely that guy looks like he doesn’t wanna be there lol
Your comments about the lady butterfly has me in tears. I have never noticed her antennae until you pointed it out 😂
Same, I cried bc it's true 😂😂😂
i grew up with the first one and i still love it to this day!! it’s my favorite version!!
Original 80s version please! All day any day!
First Reading Rainbow intro was an absolute masterpiece. I knew about the second intro and no wonder it wasn't used for very long. The third intro was just as magnificent as the first one
I like that 3rd intro, too.
First version wins. That synth line is undefeated. I remember as a kid seeing the second and 3rd version pop up after watching the first version and wondering why on earth it'd been changed.
The old opening used to scare the shit out of me as a kid it’s just too unsettling and that beat in the background is just too much for my 2 year old brain to handle. But now I like it
Crazily enough the only version of the reading rainbow theme I was was familiar with was the 2001-2006 version and I never watched the show but it stuck around in my head for so long and I never knew why
Same
Yo I caught the tail end of the reading rainbow and that Chaka Khan intro is always beautiful
i could have lived the rest of my life without ever seeing that second intro. made me want to stick ice picks in my eyes and ears!! what were they thinking? third one wasnt bad but the first one will always be the reading rainbow intro i dont care what anyone says!!
I remember the 1st version on VHS in school, the 3rd version the most on PBS Kids on TV, but I don't remember the 2nd version at all, it's no surprise to me that version was lackluster and only lasted 2 years, but the 1st & 3rd versions were most memorable to everybody!
I was born in 99 so I grew up with the third version mostly but remember them showing reruns with version 1, I’m just so grateful I watched pbs kids in its prime and I also can’t believe there’s gonna be a generation of kids who weren’t raised on reading rainbow or between the lions.
The teachers use to put this on from preschool to 1st grade. My memories are back. I am Junior btw
A 1985, 1986 baby here. The 1st version hits hard! I know about the 3rd version, which was decent in its own right and fit the 2000s to a T! If only the 3rd intro came out 2 years sooner and with the original 1983 intro theme music it would’ve been just as good. I heard about the 2nd intro but never knew how long it lasted. The instrumental music on that version wasn’t bad per say but the singer, particularly when he sings the “take a look, it’s in a book” portions felt a bit off key at times. I agree wholeheartedly about that creepy CGI Butterfly and Dragon.
LMAO the way you roasted the revamped butterfly and dragon 😂 I completely agree though
I guess you could say I was the dragon that roasted the dragon. LOL
Thank you for the educational video! I found it because I was playing RR for my kids on Prime but was perplexed by the new theme song (Chaka Khan’s version). I didn’t know they had changed it from the one I grew up with and was disappointed because I wanted my kids to see the magical (to me at the time anyway) butterfly-dragon-space opening scenes. None of the RR seasons on Prime have the old version. 😢
I'm glad you can watch it all here on this video.
Thank you so much for this ❤️👏🏿 *standing ovation*
The first one is the best! The one I grew with. I'd love the transition to wherever Levar was.
Reading Rainbow video-- and PROPER USE of the semicolon! Legacy confirmed! But as we all know, the original was by far the most iconic.
OMG, I can’t believe it!😃 I remember that I watched the third version of this kids show when I was 2 years old after I was born in March 11, 1999! Those are some wonderful memories.🥲
I grew up with the 2000's one and I couldn't figure for the life of me why the first version sounded so different haha
This video is a masterpiece. You nailed the commentary on the second intro (it was horrifying) and I fully agree on the last one being the best, I come back to that one just for a dose of nostalgia from time to time.
The 4th one was the one I grew up with. Reading Rainbow made my childhood.
I grew up on the Chaka version. Man I miss those times brings so many memories. 🙏🏾❤️
BROo the 3rd one just brings out a lot of memories is so catchy too for some reason!? the one with dragon and the butterfly are just uhmmm… let’s just say when I wuz little I HAD lots of dreams about them!
I really love the third one 😍
Maybe we all like the version we grew up with,,though is the New Jack Swing version anyone's favorite?, I favor the original grew up watching it when PBS was all we could afford, lol. The original just hits a spot for me. The Chaka version was good though, and I like that they added LaVar Burton, that's a nice touch
As a 90's baby 2001 - 2006 version was mine.
I kept seeing the old one's and I'm like something's off, it's cuz I grew up with the 2001-2006 version.
I never knew there were even other versions until right now when I was watching episodes on the reading rainbow UA-cam channel
The 3rd...by far!
Enjoyed this video alot i would love to see a side by side comparison of the 1999 and 2001 opening someday
I love both the first intro to Reading Rainbow and this one because they're neat.
As an early-early mid 2000s baby raised as an early 2000s baby the 4th one 2001-2006 hits the hardest
Wow, never knew that Johnny kemp sang the theme song. RIP Johnny Kemp
Memory of this back in the 2000s in class
I remember in elementary after classes, we would meme about the last intro, but like even if we made fun of it we generally loved the show, hey, if I hated it I wouldn’t be here honestly.
Ahh, the memories. :)
The Chaka Khan version will always be my favorite.
Same here.
Same
I love this song 🎵❤
As a kid born in '03, I have some memories of watching Reading Rainbow, mostly because I watched it in 1st and 2nd grade
The 3rd version is similar to the original but having the book changing page's with different pictures was a good idea and having Levar Burton in it helped
Adds a nice personal touch to it, don’t you think?
My childhood has returned
Chaka Khan all day long. But I like the others as well.
Reading rainbow 🌈
The original wins
This takes me back
7:02 I grew up watching this version of Reading Rainbow
my childhood-my LIFE-and my kindergarten teachers fav thing to show us while she was printing coloring pages
The 3rd version brought more of a family friendly show having Levar with the children was great
This brings back memories and a tear to my eye
Me too.
The first and third were the best to me.
I remember this in my 1st grade class good memories