Don't worry - Be happy...

[alessandro]

There are probably different kinds of people - I'm a type of person that is not likely to form an opininion, at least not 'immediately', 'right away'.  My spontaneity is not very develloped.   I tend to think things over and over and feel embarassed when I have to answer 'right' or 'wrong', or 'good' or 'bad'.  I think that's something that one can call with a little sophistication 'yin-yang', or a 'philosophical' approach.  Though I think, and I don't know why, that sometimes it is good to say 'this' is 'ugly', and 'that' is 'crap'.  Now, what I would like to say, dear neighbours of pianostreet, you probably know the Bobby Mac Ferrin-song "Don't worry, be happy".  It is for me absolute impossible to make a 'grounded' opinion of this song.  It would be more like an essay.  I definitely think that the lyrics, the 'words' of this song are weak, lighthearted.  The music matches the words, the tune, the vibe is positive, simple.   Now, I'm not willing to say that the song is stupid, the lyrics neither, but I can't say something of the "integral" song, of the "total" song, of the globality of the 'song'.   Even if it is an opininion like 'that song is absolute non-sense' I would like to hear the arguments.   Anybody something 'witty', 'clever' or 'true-hearted' to say on Bobby Mac Ferrin's "Don't worry, be happy" ?
Kind greeting and all the best for 2009.
 

[pianistimo]

Worrying never made anyone happy.  You can be sure of that.  Sometimes you get to certain stages in your life and the things that made you worry before - you can now laugh about.  Although, death and taxes are still certainties - you can pretend they don't exist for now.

Do you ever wonder about back pain though?  I mean, once i twisted my back and thought 'wow - if i had to live like this for three days - i'd as soon be dead.'  Thankfully, it righted itself.

Did you hear about the woman that was locked in the trunk of her car for a week.  How to be happy in that situation.  I don't think it's all about being happy - but maybe just not to panic.  You know, suddenly react (as you so aptly point out).  She just considered it a moment to rest and came out of the trunk perfectly unspoilt although slightly oxygen deprived.

[Petter]

catchy song, only human made noices, think thatīs what his artistery is about

[m19834]

Bobby McFerrin is just a wannabe instrumentalist.

[alessandro]

Ah thanks for the feedback.  Took me some time to get back to Pianostreet, internet-access at home is broke, some virus 'AV360'? that is still not out of the system.  Now I'm back at work, and have access, I'm happy.  I was a little anxious that the topic would be misunderstood, or found stupid.  But I think I should make the point a little more precise.  It's that I think that some objects of 'art' or, smaller, pieces of music, paintings, etcetera, are sometimes, what's-the-word, stupid ? mediocre ? obscene ?...  I try to find an example...  I never been a big fan of Prince, though I think he did make some nice songs.  Rasperry Beret, When Doves Cry, etcetera.  But then he makes lots of really commercial, full of crap-songs, I don't understand.  How can someone that has on the first sight something like uniqueness and talent, suddenly make such a crap, and such a load of crap.  At that point, that what I first find interesting, well, I start to hesitate : could it be that at a second sight Prince is altogether not that interesting.  I can experience that with Bach too.  I like for example a lot some of the Goldbergvariations, but at the same time, there are some variations that I find crap.  (For Bach, I don't think that he is 'crap', the good is often very good, or exceptionally good, but the bad is not so bad that one starts hesitating about his qualities).  Now, I sometimes think right away 'that's absolutely crap', in general, a lot of R&B on MTV for example, absolutely stupid.  (and to think that one can make a lot of money producing absolute stupidity, but that's for another topic 'How to make a hit ?")  I should fastly get back to the topic again; with the 'Don't worry - Be happy'-song, I have this kind of perfect 'mixed feelings', leaning a little towards the 'that's crap' feeling.  I like for instance, the Bobby Mac Ferrin 'thinking about your body'-song, but with this song I think it is 'a bridge too far'.  Did he cross the thin magic line and is in the territory of randomness and stupidity, or is this song magically cute and fresh ? Is it suitable, especially for a black man to say, 'don't worry - be happy'.   

Do you ever wonder about back pain though?  I mean, once i twisted my back and thought 'wow - if i had to live like this for three days - i'd as soon be dead.'  Thankfully, it righted itself.

Did you hear about the woman that was locked in the trunk of her car for a week.  How to be happy in that situation. 

Yes, I had back pains 'more and more' by the way, I can hardly walk when I have them but I even more hate tooth-ache.  And I heard about that women in her trunk.  But then again, if one should hear in both quoted examples the song 'don't worry - be happy', what would be the effect ? The opposite ? An oh-please-shut-up-Bobby-feeling.  I imagine it gives no comfort at all, the lyrics, at least the way they are song, don't have any 'credit', they're not 'believable'.  And on the other hand, they neither do have an 'ironic' value.  So, I find myself at the starting point again; 'the don't worry - be happy' song is an absolute non-piece of art.  I don't think anything about it, it leaves me perfectly untouched, or better, it keeps me balanced between love-and-hate; and that's a feeling I quite never experience in music.  Nor passion nor indifference.

What is your 'inside feeling' when you hear "Don't worry - Be happy ?", can you describe it ?
Very kindly.

[pianowolfi]

I sing that for myself in a very ironical sense in situations where the s*** hits the fan
Like for instance, my car got stuck in the snow, I can't make it in time to an appointment:"Don't worry, be happy"

[cmg]

The first time I heard this "song" I thought Bobby was performing a parody or a satire on totally stupid, inane, commercially-crass songs.  I still think so.  At least I hope so, because I admire him as a musician.

Songs about happiness that REALLY cheer me up (because their tunes and lyrics are clearly special and inventive) are ones like that deal Judy Garland sings:  "Forget Your Troubles, C'mon and Get Happy!" or Vincent Youman's famous anthem to happiness, "There's Gonna Be a Great Day!" (lyrics, "When you're down and out, lift up your head and shout, there's Gonna Be a Great Day!") 

These are real show-stoppers.  Bobby's song wouldn't even stop post-nasal drip, let alone a show.  In fact, the very thought of this piece of crap gives me acid reflux. 

Down with trash.

p.s. It just dawned on me that both of the songs I admire are actually about
"The Judgment Day."  One week, and it looks like pianistimo's prayers are already working on me!