Who Sang Don’t Worry Be Happy

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” was a #1 U.S. pop hit in 1988 for singer Bobby McFerrin, winning the Grammy, for Best Song of the Year. (Despite Internet references to the contrary, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is NOT a song by reggae great Bob Marley.)

The song is unusual in that there are no musical instruments used in the recording: McFerrin sang/vocalized every part, including the “drums.”

“Vocal virtuoso Bobby McFerrin ranks among the most distinctive and original singers in contemporary music — equally adept in jazz, pop and classical settings, his octave-jumping trademark style, with its rhythmic inhalations and stop-on-a-dime shifts from falsetto to deep bass notes, often sounds like the work of at least two or three singers at once, while at the same time sounding quite unlike anyone else.” —Allmusic.com

Television audiences may be familiar with McFerrin’s distinctive sound and style from the theme to the long running The Cosby Show, which he sang in 1987. Though known for some “pop fluff” such as “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” McFerrin is a serious and accomplished musician and vocalist. He is noted for his work with such classical and jazz luminaries as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, as well as pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock.

“Don’t worry, be happy” is an expression or mantra closely associated with the Indian spiritual leader Meher Baba (1894-1969). In the 1960’s, Baba’s well-known phrase was often seen on inspirational cards and posters of the era. Bobby McFerrin was inspired by the saying, enough so to pen the now-famous song. Said McFerrin about the saying, “Whenever you see a poster of Meher Baba, it usually says ‘Don’t worry, be happy,’ which is a pretty neat philosophy in four words, I think.”

Meher Baba was a popular figure among Hollywood leading men and ladies of the 1930s, including Gary Cooper, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

In the 1960s, Baba received additional attention through the work of Pete Townshend of The Who.

“Parts of the rock-opera Tommy (May, 1969) were inspired by Townshend’s study of Meher Baba, to whom the album was dedicated. The Who’s 1971 song “Baba O’Riley” was named in part after Meher Baba and on his first solo album, Who Came First, Townshend recorded the Jim Reeves song, “There’s A Heartache Following Me,” saying that it was Meher Baba’s favorite song.” —Wikipedia

McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” was also used in the 1988 motion picture, Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Shue.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy Lyrics
(Words and Music by Bobby McFerrin)

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy

Ain’t got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don’t worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don’t worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don’t worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don’t worry, be happy
Ain’t got no cash, ain’t got no style
Ain’t got not girl to make you smile
But don’t worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don’t worry, be happy (now)

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don’t worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don’t worry, be happy… Don’t worry don’t do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don’t bring everybody down like this
Don’t worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don’t worry, be happy