Don't Worry, Be Happy

The harmony of 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' is deliberately and radically simple — a single three-chord loop (I–ii–V) that never deviates throughout the entire song. This extreme simplicity is the point: the harmony embodies the carefree philosophy of the lyrics. What makes it distinctive is not the chords themselves but how McFerrin voices them entirely through layered a cappella parts, with a walking vocal bass line that gives the progression a jazz-reggae hybrid feel. The ii chord (C#m) rather than a IV gives the progression a slightly jazzier color than a typical pop song, reflecting McFerrin's background as a jazz vocalist.

Bobby McFerrin was visiting the San Francisco apartment of jazz duo Tuck & Patti when he noticed a poster bearing the phrase 'Don't worry, be happy,' a saying frequently used by Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba in communications with his Western followers during the 1960s. McFerrin was struck by the expression's charm and simplicity, and it inspired him to write the song for his album Simple Pleasures.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" is a groundbreaking a cappella pop song in which Bobby McFerrin creates every sound — melody, bass, percussion, and harmonies — using only his voice across eight overdubbed tracks. Inspired by the phrase of Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba, the song became a massive worldwide hit and swept the 1989 Grammy Awards, winning Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.