Billboard #1 Hits: #669: ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’- Bobby McFerrin. September 24, 1988. #1 for 2 weeks in Billboard Hot 100.
- Single: ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’- Bobby McFerrin
- Record Company-EMI- Manhattan
- Genre: a cappella
- Written by Bobby McFerrin
- Time: 3;50
- Album-Simple Pleasures
- Grade: C
- Peaked at #1 2 weeks in Billboard Hot 100. #2 in UK Singles Chart, #1 in Australia, Austria, Canada, Iceland and West Germany.
One of the ultimate one hit wonders- Bobby McFerrin’s only Billboard Hot 100 single- and it goes to #1- also it became the first a cappella song to go to #1. A lot of people hated/ hate this song- and it was overplayed to the point that even those who liked it probably grew to hate it. ‘Don’t worry, be happy’ was an expression often used by Indian mystic Meher Baba [Pete Townshend a big follower] there were posters and inspirational cards printed with this on it in the 1960’s- McFerrin happened to see a similar poster in San Francisco and was inspired to write this song. It was featured in the movie Cocktail -which of course helped give it the kick it needed to rise up to the top of the charts.
slicethelife 
I found this tune uplifting when I listened to it the first few times. Unfortunately, it’s one of those songs that do not hold up well if they are frequently played. While I wouldn’t go as far as saying I started to hate it, it definitely became annoying.
Liked it, even that I found it a bit annoying at times; but yes, it was uplifting.
at least it has a positive message.
I’m happier if I don’t hear this song. Haven’t heard it in ages, but this time I couldn’t get past the whistling intro.
I didn’t listen to it again- it’s still implanted in my head from 33 years ago.