Ja'Net Dubois Jefferson's theme How the song was written
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- Опубліковано 29 січ 2025
- Ja'Net Dubois (1945-2020)
Ja'Net Dubois, beloved as Willona on "Good Times", recently passed away. In addition to many movies, guest shots and other roles, Ja'Net also was the composer and singer of the opening theme to THE JEFFERSONS. In this archival clip, she recounts how she came to write that iconic theme song.
She will be missed by all fans of both series.
Get the full GOOD TIMES series on DVD. amzn.to/2VDHh1H
Learn more about Ja'Net Dubois www.amazon.com... dubois&index=aps&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&linkId=031e109b31c3af67792b75a93adaddd1
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Thats amazing that she wrote the words without even knowing the story line. Amazing.👍
If no one hipped her to the show's background, it is amazing!!!
Otherwise, she didn't wanna get anyone in trouble who may have known & told her.
@@qwammienewsome1357 On second thought I have to say that's true. It's a little too much of a coincidence.
@Adele C. Always a negative naysayer 🙄
Exactly.
Read between the lines....she gave them that story. They wasn't going to tell her that because they would have to pay her.
Janet Jackson loved her Ja'Net DuBois so much, that she was in her "Control" video. They kept in touch long after Good Times!
Sheila Justus So was Ja’Net’s father, Cab Calloway
@@horizontoday7874 Cab Calloway was her dad?!?!? Wow.
@@horizontoday7874 So far thats a rumor ,the Calloway Estate wants documented proof,of which there is none as of yet!
@@steveendicott1855 I think it’s a FACT! Those musicians slept around!!
Mrs. Beverly Carter and I did also🙏🏽♥️
Everytime I hear that song I get the chills, because who doesn't dream of movin on up!
You are so right about that brotha 👋👍⚓
Amen
I do
You've got that right!!! Amen.
The Upper East Side in Manhattan, New York!!!!
Beauty, brains, and class...so creative she will be missed very dearly...she has left a wonderful legacy for her children and the world...so grateful that she reached her dreams and she was a dream come true just as a woman...rest peacefully.
I miss whitney more everyday!!
Well fucking said!!!!! Also, this isn't about Whitney, buttgoo magoo....
DevanbDevan
Well said!
...@sunflower power: Amen to that!👍🏾😎
May she rest in peace
Not until day of judgment...then again was she saved?
🕇😇🕯🌷
@@sthunda7132 YOUR God doesn't exist. MINE does.
I love her very fascinating n Inspirational story God is so Awesome ❤❤❤❤
She took that song to church and made you feel it,rip
Yup! ~ Althea
That's the song everybody has in their mind when they win the lottery.
Nah, my lottery song is money, money, money...like when Martin & Gina rolled in to pickup their $50 lottery check 😂😅 best Martin episode ever
Yup!
For Real💎❤
😂😂🤣😂🙌🏾
Yes yes yes
It wasn't just her dream, it's the quintessential American Dream, which is why this song resonates with so many of us. It was the perfect song for the show, written and sung perfectly by Ja'Net.
Heartbreak: I didn’t realize that she passed away. Don’t know why I expected her to live forever... she always looked so young! Aged like fine wine! RIP Willona- aka Ja’Net Dubois!
When I became a big kid watching the Jeffersons I heard that song and I said that’s the lady who played on Good Times voice😂
how old are you
Rod Powell I’m in my 40’s why?
So she wrote it AND sang it?
Brown Pride773 yes
@@Sonya77353 lol it really doesnt sound like her but wow! Cool facts lol
Her lead vocal was outstanding, others have sung the song but her version unique.
RIP Willona in that deluxe Kingdom Of GOD in the Sky☁️🌈
Amen
Great one!
She got her piece of the pie!!!
Amen
I hope so.
Janet Dubois was a class act. This is the first time I ever heard really speak about herself. Such a beautiful, articulate woman. Thanks for posting!
She was definitely one of the best on TV. I will miss her dearly!!
ɴᴅɢᴏᴄʜʏʟᴅ Me & You, both.😥😥😪😪
Amen RIP
When ever people move into a new place/City/Country. You gotta sing “Movin On Up”. It’s every bodies song Sis! Rest in Power Ja’net! You solidified your place in Pop Culture!
Make $#!+ Yourself omg I have ALWAYS sung that song in my head when I move house too lol
I felt that song when I moved out of my apt into my house. 🙏 "as long as we live, it's u n me baby, ain't nothing wrong with that" 🎶
Song is prophetic. Never knew she was the one who wrote and sang it. Hands down miss Dubois
Both the Opening and Closing Theme songs are 🔥
Rest peacefully my sister...
They should have played the song at the end of this interview.
smoovechi1 That’s what I thought they were going to do...
I concur... 😂😎
Oh yeah.... me too! Who does not know the lyrics to Jeffersons theme song ? Kinda like people knew the theme song to Gilligan's Island, maybe some still do.
Kinda surprised at how many people didn’t know she sang “The Jefferson’s” theme song! 😳😱😂
I just found out today Ja'Net Dubois wrote and sang "The Jefferson's" theme song. But my excuse is I was born and raised in Monrovia, Liberia. LOL!!!
lol If I knew I totally forgot about it, definitely didn't know the story behind this.
I didn't know
I never knew till today
I’ve heard this song from childhood. I never knew it was her til a few years ago.
I grow up watching the reruns. Collected all the seasons on DVD as a child. She was the voice of reason. And hella hip. She was the _original_ ghetto fabulous!! RIP Ja'net DuBois.
She was also the original Sandra Clark from 227 and Roz Doyle from Frasier and even Regine from Living Single. An independent, feisty, funny, sexy and wild diva who loved being single and surrounding herself with good looking dudes and wasn't sorry for it lol.
Everytime the Jefferson's come on, I'm singing that song. Even if it is a marathon, I'm singing it with her everytime! That song is empowerment! I always loved Ja'Net! She did move on up to the deluxe apartment in the sky. RIP!
ME TOO!
She'll be shock to know where she grew up in Willamsburg Brooklyn became one of the most expensive places to live in NYC 😁
Magic World I was looking for this comment. 😆
It's crazy....also lower east side, now untouchable. Back prior to 2000, you go there, you die! Alphabet city
@@smurf902 what does that mean ?
I watch G.T.every night just to see Willona.She was the the example of a independent BLACK WOMAN.
Stop the madness. Wilona, Janet Dubois, was an example of a loud mouth, sassy, stereotypical black female.
@David Black. Right on!!
@@Cluckhead2 --Right on! She was one of the first to popularize the character that talked to men sideways, disrespecting them, and just _would not_ cooperate!
@Zebra Lady75 AMEN
@Zebra Lady75 : Wilona was so independent but somehow living in the ghetto in Section 8 housing normally reserved for poor people (black females) with children? Dressed to the nines everyday but can't get an apartment that isn't subsidized? Why was she even there? How independent is that? Wake up and really see the subliminal messages in that program (that was actually programming your mind to equate poverty with blackness, family and fun)!
I just love it when she insults Mr. Bookman and when she would make her entrance!! I like the episode with Willona adopting Penny!!
The girl who played fun girl on goodtimes is Johnny (Bookman) Brown's daughter
@@queenceecee733 You are absolutely correct. Her name is Sharon Brown.
Queen CeeCee Oh my God!!😮.Really?? I've seen that Actress on other shows, like the Jefferson's. She played the part of a young Louise in the diamond door knobs episode. You know the one where she goes back to her old neighborhood to have one last look, before it's torn down. And she remembers her wedding day too. Or talking to her mom right before she got married. Her gal pals in that episode was Micheal from good times girlfriend Evonne who in real life is Need the Wino's daughter. Yes!! Lol. Geez, I never knew Bookman had such a pretty daughter. But, then again, he's not really ugly, he's just heavy. And speaking of which, puts me in mind of the time on good times, when Bookman said, "Hey, man,do i look to you like I've had baby's??😂😂😂!! You'd be surprised, right??🤣🤣🤣✌️.❤️
@@lb1262dt I have to go back and look at that. The first Lionel on the Jeffersons name was Mike Evans he named Michael Evans character after him. And Lynn Hamilton who played Donna on Sandford and son is Lawanda Page who played Esther, sister. And Roxie Roker who played Helen on the Jeffersons is Lenny Kravitz mother and is Al Roker's cousin.
@@ericeny2796 Yep.
One of the best tv theme songs ever written and sung.Ja'net had a great singing voice.Such a talented beautiful lady:)
she was so young 74 and my mom passed at 60 and my bff passed way at 69 rip to all.
Sorry 4 ur loss
@@topshotta2000 thank u so much n it hurts everyday n plz check me out on my youtube.
Chile, she was older than 74
@@NOV123 Yes you're right she was 87 not 74 she was born in 1932
This was one of my favorite TV shows partially because of the theme! Okay, I loved Mother Jefferson as well. Hats off to this brilliant woman! Admittedly, I never was a fan of Good Times. But her singing voice was totally inspiring!
Moving on up was a great song written and sung by Ja'net Dubois for the Jefferson's tv show.
Was greeting on my answering machine for years 🎯
When she said things weren't too pleasant means writers were brought in to dismantle her song and took credit as co-writer(s) which is hard to handle when something you wrote is so close and personal to your heart.
Best TV theme song ever. Ever !
I loved that Hum she sings on the end credits as well.
I hope that Ja'Net DuBois made millions of that theme song.
You didn't need to loop that music for the entire 4 minutes and 57 seconds, Christ. I am giving this a thumbs up just for Ja'Net.
She also sang to Janet when they had talent on Good Times
Tontyanna Who are u calling a hater?
She sang, for once in my life by stevie wonder in the talent show on good times.
Her and Esther Rolle were Sorority sisters Zeta Phi Beta
@Adele C. I'm gonna watch thank you
@Adele C., oh please
Adele C. Who was a satanist? Janet?
@Adele C. you know as I read that comment I thought something. It was immediately like "sorority sisters" huh? Then I see your comment. Makes sense to me.
@@brendagray4958 I'm just curious, why would you say "oh please "? Because she is Black, or a celebrity? A woman? What? The Bible talks about these things. People are exposing these cults. The logical thing to me is to look at history. People do evil things for no reason! All shades, colors, genders, age, everything. Just asking why the dis belief in this day and age? With all of the hind sight we're blessed to have?
Rest in Peace Great Lady! Earth is sending Love up! February 2020 Moving on up.🙏🙏🙏🙏
Wow what a story. I actually looked up that song the other day. Just randomly wanted to hear it. I wondered who sang it but didn’t know who wrote it. Well done Ms. Dubois. 👏🏽😊
What can I say about this woman Ja'net Dubois? She was like one of my aunties straight forward and really funny. I cried when I heard she passed away. I just want to send my condolences support and blessings to her family. Rest up black woman sista auntie. You will always be missed. God bless you. Willona Woods if I spelled that right.
RIP! She was one of the best to do it in black Hollywood. I love me some JaNet Dubois. 😢❤️
Edward Helb that really gets my heart started just to go to other routes of careers. the way mrs. Janet made the so g she keep it to her heart about growing up in Brooklyn,her mother was a washer woman saving her Money just to be in that penthouse in Harlem east 125th. her heart been saying thanks Jesus for keeping my faith on time now we had a decent place to live,she quote this in93 on arsenio hall show, i was lying g on my bed when she tells about her dream . I was twenty four selling pencils. now,i m 50, I'm a singer songwriter, director and community advocate and activist and college student making my pie all sweet but bitter just to fight against racism and making my own network, thanks to me and mrs. dubious.
So sad to hear of her passing, she was a true icon in so many ways and so wonderfully talented.
I'm 12 going on 13 and ive watched the jeffersons, good times,different strokes, 227, Amen, Sanford and Son, and many more since i was 6 or 7 i loved those shows omg I'll watch that then some of the tv shows now.
Rip Janet loved you in Good Times and loved your theme song
this really sad she was my fav on good times she kept it real rip.
I always knew she sang the Jefferson’s theme, but didn’t realize she’d composed it.
Talented lady.
She went and created one of the catchiest songs ever created
I was saddened to hear of her passing. I loved her character, Willona on Good Times. She was an amazing, classy woman. And I love the theme song to the Jeffersons. She will be missed!
Every time I hear the theme to the Jefferson's, I have to stop what I'm doing and get down to it! I been enjoying it all my life.
Back in the day, my momma told me this little tidbit. She knew so many things without Google's help. I still watch the Jefferson's regularly and love the theme song. I believe it is one of those songs most American's know the words too.
man o man I didn't know that miss Ja'Net DuBois not only wrote but sanged the hit theme song on The Jefferson's man o man thank u very much miss DuBois for giving us fan's a hellauve song to sing and dance to RIP God Rest UR Soul miss lady luv and miss u dearly
My goodness this is so sad to hear that Ja'net Dubois passed away I always liked watching her on Good Times and she will be missed
Thank you so much PopGoes the Culture TV (and I loved you in Good Times, Ms Dubois).
Wow... I never knew that...she wrote and sung the theme from The Jefferson's...
Good Stuff...Thank you..Miss.Ja'Net for all you've done.
R.I.P. You will be missed.
Love hearing how songs come together. It's a brilliant art form. Funny I came across this today on the second anniversary of her passing.
Wow! After hearing her story, I think this is one of the greatest theme songs ever. I remember her on Arsenio Hall singing the song over and over. I wonder if there is a video on UA-cam!
The back story to this song is so wonderful. Ja'net Dubois is a true artiste darling n a legend ✨🌺
I STILL can't believe she's gone. ☹
And we just lost Bookman.
And that song is forever etched in tv music history!! Go Janet!
This made my heart smile. Rest in Peace
My mother told that it was Wilona from "Good Times" singing that theme song. "The Jeffersons" was my mother's favorite show. She knew every little detail about the show.
One of the best theme songs ever. It hits it out of the park every time
So technically she gave them and idea of the show through her music. Wow!!!!
Well, I heard the way Jennifer Hudson sung the theme song of The Jefferson, well she did great, but can't nobody sing it like Ja'net Dubois!!! Gone but not forgotten!!!
I never knew she wrote and sang this song, wow such a great song!!!! When I was a kid, and the show would come on, would drop everything, run to the tv and sing to it, wonderful memories!!!!
She came in to our homes as became part of the family. Her passing like Ester Rolls felt like loosing a family member.
RIP
FLORIDA EVANS
KEITH ANDERSON
WILLONA WOODS.
Truth shared Gracefully
She was Great ! God has received an angel in heaven.
R.I.P. WILLONA WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER RUNNING HOME FROM SCHOOL TO WATCH ALL OF YOU AND HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO STILL WATCH THE CAST OF GOOD TIMES...MAY YOU REST EASY ON THE EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN... WIT GEORGE,AN WIZZY, AN FLORIDA, AN MAY GOD COMFORT AND AND BLESS YOUR FAMILY 🙏😎🙏
RIP Miss Dubios 😇
I still watch reruns of "Good Times" every morning. Love her theme song to "The Jeffersons" 🎶
Rip sweet lady. Thank you for all the laughs and good times
*I love this!*
Her Mom inspired her by bringing back to her memory what she wanted to do for her. Absolutely beautiful.
It would have been nice and informative if she spoke about collaborating with Jeff Barry, and about the recording process.
First time hearing the story behind that famous song, it gives you more chills. Rest easy Miss Dubois
I’m 48 and never new she sang the song.
Nor did I. 🤔
If you ever watched the credits it has her name...that's how I found out long ago I was like heyyyy... lol
@greenmean1 I was grown when i found out her name was Willona!
Always sounded like they called her Ralona to me!
Whaaaaaaaaat , you gotta be kidding and how old are you and what country you from again ?
Those of us who watch the original show knew it was her by her voice! I verified it by watching the credits.
Great song & interesting how it was composed
Genius. May she rest in peace.
I know it wasn't Isabel Sanford singing the theme song, but I used to like to make believe it was. I bet Weesey would have had a similar singing voice--nice and deep. A truly iconic theme song which still remains timeless even today. Bless your soul, Ms Dubois. 🥰🥰
Hey, meehow72! Thanks for watching and subscrbing. Best, David
Oh boy she naled it!!! Soooo great!!!
She sang that song baby!!!
Ja'net Dunois wrote a very great inspirational theme song for the TV show 'The Jefferson's. It has a slight gospel feel to it along with a catchy ruff R&B edge to the song. It's a good thing she contacted her mother to give her the reminder goals of Ja'net life story goals. Sometimes all we need is that jump start to kick off a great brilliant idea. 💡
One of my favorite TV theme songs and favorite shows ,amazing how a good song makes the show ..
If she could've got royalties everytime someone hummed,sung,or thought of that song while riding in a elevator, she would have been one of the wealthiest women in Hollywood.
This ^^^^
So she wrote AND sang that???!!! I never knew!!! Mind completely blown!!!
Genius! There could never be a different song for the Jeffersons. Truly amazing this not only fit the script, but it's a great song that everyone still remembers.
GORGEOUS LADY ❤️
GREAT story to those of us who loved this woman as Willona and also loved the Jeffersons. Thanks for sharing this clip!
She was one of a kind! May she R.I.P.🙏🏾🙏🏾🕊🕊
I think I was three or four and was just beginning to understand what this thing called a television was. THIS song pulled me in like a MAGNET! I heard this coming out of the speakers and my life was forever changed. I could not believe my ears that a sound could be so amazing. After this song and watching Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles in The Blues Brothers; I've been hooked on that R and B, Soul, Black Gospel sound ever since. Thank you, thank you,
THANK YOU Ja'net Dubois!
Me too, @joeyfitz9 Me too. Thanks for watching. Any other interviews you'd like to see?
great song, great legacy
When she said, "Some other things happened that weren't too pleasant", that really made me wonder what those things were. After she said that, she said something I couldn't quite understand about "other people" coming in and "part of her song". Makes me wonder if Norman Lear had already hired people to do the theme, and that when she came up with lyrics on her own that nailed the storyline without even knowing it, maybe those other songwriters suspected her of stealing their ideas? If that's the case, I'm glad it seems she won out in the end and the experience didn't seem to make her bitter. I had no idea she was a painter as well. What a very talented person! It sounds like she could have supported her own show as the star. I'm very sad to hear of her passing.
This is your song and you did a wonderful job. Miss you Wilonia
Always knew it. The song sounds the way she talked on the show. And I was a credit child. I always like to read the credits before and after.😂😂
Me too
Her father was Cab Calloway so i knew she had chops, i wonder why she didn't follow in his footsteps? She had a wonderful voice.
Good, job🎉
THEY WAS UNPLEASANT TO HER! NEVER FORGET THAT!
probably the most iconic of all theme songs and surely one of the best if not the best. sanford and son also had a great theme song. andy griffith who was another iconic one. just don't have those kinds of theme songs anymore.
An amazing, brilliant and beautiful, world class lady! Wow! This composition inspired me to continue my studies in music, piano and bass, and the show was more of Norman Lear’s genius. I’m sure God keeps Ja’Net busy writing amazing and glorious music above.
It's stories like this that I like about Hollywood. I watched Jefferson's as a kid religiously and I believe I just assumed Roxy Roker sang it. LOL
Me too I thought Roxy sang it.
Your dream was and still will be a Song on our lips.. A Song we as people will never forget..Thank you Willona
Proven again that PASSION PAYS!!!! Thank u Ja'Net Dubois 4 sharing YOUR talent & dreams, we have a FOREVER theme song because of your God-given gifts!!!🥰🤩🙋🏾♀️
I knew she sang it, but had no idea she wrote it. I love her and I love this story! 🤩
When we move to our house from an apartment! This was THE song!