He has also worked in collaboration with instrumental performers including pianist Chick Corea and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This collaboration has established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies.
In addition to his vocal performing career, Mr. McFerrin was appointed in 1994 as creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
He is the subject of a persistent yet wholly unfounded rumour that he has committed suicide. The rumor was so strong that the official Bobby McFerrin FAQ addressed the question.
Mr. McFerrin and his oft-maligned hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy" were parodied on "The Simpsons" as "I'm Worried - Need Money".
01-Don't worry be happy
Bobby McFerrin Lyrics
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You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry, you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) 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 landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy (look at me, I'm happy)
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Hey I give you my phone number
When you worry, call me, I make you happy
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got no gal 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
Don't worry, be happy now
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry, be happy
Now there is this song I wrote
I hope you learned it note for note, like good little children
Dn't worry, be happy
Now listen to what I said, in your life expect some trouble
But when you worry, you make it double
But don't worry, be happy, be happy now
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) don't worry, don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't do it, be happy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) Put a smile in your face, don't bring everybody down like this
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Don't worry
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) It will soon pass, whatever it is
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) I'm not worried
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) I'm happy
The song "Don't worry be happy" by Bobby McFerrin is a simple anthem to remind us to focus on the positive, even in the face of adversity. The singer encourages listeners not to worry, and instead to be happy. He understands that life can be challenging, but when we allow worry and stress to take over, we only make things worse. The more we worry, the more we magnify our problems. By choosing to be happy instead, we can change our perspective and make things easier on ourselves.
The lyrics convey the message that worrying is of no use and it only magnifies our troubles. The singer urges listeners to avoid worrying about situations in which they have no control. The ups and downs of life are inevitable, but worrying can weigh you down and affect your mental and physical health. Instead, the song suggests that we should try to be happy and enjoy the moment. We should focus on the good things in our lives and not let negative thinking bring us down.
As a whole, the song aims to inspire people to take action to improve their happiness rather than letting worry overwhelm us. By offering simple vocal rhythms and catchy melodies, Bobby McFerrin delivers a simple and powerful reminder to find joy in the moment and make the most out of every situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's a little song I wrote
I have written a song that I want to share with you
You might want to sing it note for note
You could learn the song and sing it exactly as I have written it
Don't worry, be happy
Stop fretting and instead embrace a positive attitude
In every life we have some trouble
Everyone faces difficulties in life
But when you worry you make it double
Worrying only exacerbates the problem
Ain't got no place to lay your head
You may not have a bed to sleep in
Somebody came and took your bed
Someone has taken away your bed
The landlord say your rent is late
You have not paid your rent on time and the landlord is unhappy
He may have to litigate
The landlord may pursue legal action against you
Oh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh don't worry, be happy
I am emphasizing that you should not worry; instead, be happy
Here I give you my phone number, when you worry, call me, I make you happy, don't worry, be happy)
You can call me when you are feeling down and I will cheer you up with positivity
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
You may lack both money and fashion sense
Ain't got no gal to make you smile
You may not have a romantic partner to make you happy
Cause when you worry your face will frown
Worrying causes your facial expression to convey negativity
And that will bring everybody down
It is contagious and causes others to also feel unhappy
Now there, is this song I wrote
Once again, I am acknowledging that I have written this song
I hope you learned note for note
I hope you have learned the song exactly as I have written it
But don't worry, be happy, be happy now
I am reiterating again to not worry and to embrace happiness
Put a smile in your face
I am encouraging you to smile and express happiness
Don't bring everybody down like this
Do not let your negative energy spread to others
It will soon pass, whatever it is
Whatever is causing you distress will come to an end
I'm not worried, I'm happy
I am expressing my own happiness and lack of worry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert McFerrin Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind