Merwan Sheriar Irani, was born to Parsi family in Pune in 1894 and became a very influential spiritual leader over his lifetime. His spiritual transformation began at the age of 19, and over a seven-year period, during which he met many saints including Sai Baba of Shirdi, he transformed into a mystic, taking on the name of Meher Baba. …No you haven’t wandered into the wrong blog 😁….bear with me for a minute. In 1925 at the age of 31, he took a lifelong vow of silence which he maintained for 44 years, till his death in 1969. He had millions of followers, across the world, to whom he would often write missives that ended with a message …….yes, it was……..Don’t Worry Be Happy! Almost twenty years after Meher Baba’s death, Bobby McFerrin came across a poster of Baba with these words on it, and was inspired to write this song. Unfortunately, it was universally panned by critics – and is, even to this day. However, the song won three Grammys in 1989, including ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Record of the Year’. So the critics can kinda go fly a kite ! 

Of course, we knew nothing of this in a Google-less world way back in 1988 India. I saw this incredibly happy song video, played incessantly on MTV, and it burned itself into my memory forever. Robin Williams, Bill Irwin and Bobby McFerrin made a video just full of physical comedy that draws a smile from me, no matter what mood I’m in. And, the lyrics, while seemingly simple and simplistic, are anything but. Whether or not he meant to refer back to the psychology and philosophy of happiness, Bobby’s song really is, as he puts it, about “a pretty neat philosophy in four words,”. Today’s mindfulness movement is essentially this, isn’t it?  

In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy

This song is one of the most amazing hits of all time. For starters, it is the only ‘a capella’ song – ever – to have made it to #1 in the US. Yes – the entire song is McFerrin alone, singing and sounding out every instrument on it, all by himself. Bobby is an incredible musician, a multi-award winning Jazz vocalist who has won 10 Grammy Awards over his career so far 😇. Starting out as a jazz instrumentalist, who had a fantastic session and giging career, he began experimenting with his voice in the late 70s and over some years, made that his main instrument. Soon enough Bobby was recording his music to great acclaim – his 1984 album ”The Voice” was the first Jazz album without any accompanying instruments!! You really should look up Bobby McFerrin on YouTube and Spotify/ Apple Music etc – his songs, live performances and musical improvisations are quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen or heard. Seeing him conduct a stadium full of voices is simply mind-blowing!

Let me leave you with two interesting facts – from the sublime to the ridiculous. First – Meher Baba also inspired another legendary song by Pete Townshend and The Who – yup, “Baba O’Riley” is inspired by two of Townshend’s gurus – Meher Baba and Terry Riley. Second, for some reason, on YouTube someone has also attributed the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” to Bob Marley – that video, despite the wrong attribution, has a 105 Million views, which should have all gone to Booby McFerrin’s video!!

This is the perfect song for the world today – a sunny, philosophical life message, reminding us that all the pain and panic we have today, too shall pass. The song’s video has 216 Million views, at least a few hundred of which are from me.  The critics can just, very happily, p*** off ! 😎😝

Don’t Worry. Be Happy 😊