12 Rare Facts About 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Theme Song

If you were around in the 1990s and can remember that far back, you likely know The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song. "Now this is a story all about how/My life got flipped-turned upside down", the opening lyrics go as a young Will Smith raps us into the opening title sequence of the show. What you might not be familiar with, however, are the many surprising facts surrounding this iconic TV theme song. Here are 12 facts about it! 

1. The theme song's actual title is, "Yo Home To Bel-Air" and was written by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The two were a Grammy-winning, performing hip-hop duo before the show was created.  

2. The song only took around 15 minutes to produce and has 344 words for its lyrics. 

Jazzy Jeff explained that because they already had a concept for the song laid out from the TV show, it didn't take them any time to get their work done. Within three weeks, the song was on air as the opening for the show. 

3. DJ Jazzy Jeff plays the song at most of his DJ gigs each year. 

In an interview he said, "I do anywhere from 160 to a 180 DJ dates a year and I can assure you that I play it 98 percent of the time, just out of necessity."

4. It was #3 on the Top 10 Pop charts in the Netherlands in 1992. 

The song remained in the top 40 singles chart for a total of 10 weeks.

5. In fact, the Netherlands is one of the few places you can buy a physical CD of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' soundtrack. 

It was exclusively printed in the country in 1992 and can otherwise be found on a few compilations or be downloaded online. 

6. The song caused a school lock-down. 

When a receptionist at a Pennsylvania high school called a student to remind him of an appointment, the receptionist got his voice mail instead. The student was singing the theme song in the voicemail and instead of hearing, "shooting some b-ball outside of the school," the receptionist misheard it as, "shooting some people outside of school". She notified authorities and the school was put on lockdown. The student was arrested but later released.  

7. Will Smith has performed the song twice on Britain's The Graham Norton Show. 

In 2013 he was joined by his son Jaden Smith, co-star Alfonso Ribiero, and DJ Jazzy Jeff as they all did the Carlton Dance. 

8. In fact, Will Smith has even wowed the Ellen Degeneres crowd with a surprise performance. 

It amazing how the crowd always knows all the lyrics.

9. The song continues to hook new generations. 

The current most watched video of the song on YouTube has over 24 million views. 

10. There's an extended version of "Yo Home To Bel-Air" that includes additional verses. 

The extended version of the song aired in the first three episodes and was then replaced by the shorter version. 

11. Also, despite debate, that wasn't the show's producer as the cabbie in the opening credits. 

While some sites say that producer Quincy Jones was the cabbie, Jada Pinkett Smith and Quincy's own daughter say it ain't so. 

12. The Bank's House seen in the theme's opening sequence, isn't actually in Bel-Air 

Nope, it's in Brentwood. 

These 12 facts are just about the theme song and its accompanying title sequence alone. Be sure to SHARE with others, and for more fun facts about The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, check here!