Sunday, September 19, 2021

Sunday Music: Don't Worry, Be Happy

 


1988 Number 1 mega-hit by anything but one-hit wonder Bobby McFerrin. Who, in case you never noticed, is whistling, humming, and singing every rhythm, harmony, melody, and sound in this entire song a capella.
And the central message is timeless: You can't control what happens, but you can control whether you're happy about it, or not. Be a thermostat, not a thermometer, especially in the current times, and what's to come. Be happy.

8 comments:

Jim Wetzel said...

"Who, in case you never noticed, is whistling, humming, and singing every rhythm, harmony, melody, and sound in this entire song a capella."

Huh! I never knew that. Kind of impressive, really.

John Wilder said...

I message that's important - we have that choice.

skybill said...

Hi Aesop!!!!,

A long, long time ago in a Galaxy Far, Far away .. about when this song came out..(around 1988!!!) I was "Skydiving" hot and heavy at "Scare-Us-Valley!!!" (Skydive Perris) and someone .. actually.. several skydiver's would "TWIST" current pop songs with lyrics of a "Skydiving persuasion!!" This was one.. i don't remember all the verses but one stood out...

" Your Rigger say... your Reserve (emergency back-up chute) OK!!!!!...
It Blow Up anyway!!!......
Don't worry.....
Be Happy!!!!!"

We would sing these songs in the Dehavilin twin otter Airplane (21 jumpers and one pilot) on our way up into the wild Blue!!

BLUE SKYZ!!!!!!!!!!,
BLACK DEATH!!!!!!!!!,
skybill

SoylentGreen said...

That was Robin Williams dancing in the background! I looked it up and realized that Robin Williams and Bobby McFerrin were a thing.

Charlie said...

A silly little ditty that describes my outlook on life, in 1988 and now!

Ken said...

When this song came out, I was a green, 20 year old lad, working as a painter's helper in an auto body shop. Apparently, I'd f-ed something up on a car, and I remember this song was playing on the shop radio, which pissed off the manager (who was probably at least 50 years old back then) even more than he already was.

This guy was the epitome of laid-back (or perhaps stodgy was a better word to describe his personality), so I was shocked to see him sing along to the verse, "don't worry, be happy!," in a mocking manner, even waving his arms around, while he was seething at my screw-up.

Avalanche said...

I didn't look it up -- I did NOT recognize the dear Robin Williams until the black limousine scene when !! OMG look who that is! Still a wonderful song and video! Thanks Aesop for he reminder.

We are not given a spirit of fear! Be not afraid. This is an easier way to get it down! {wink}

Ultramaroon said...

I used to sing it like, "Don't worry! Be slap-happy!". My wife would say, "Stop singing that! I know what slap-happy is really like, growing up in a Navy home!"

Heh. She fell for it every time.