Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin - Ukulele chords
Intro (Whistling)
C Dm F C x2
Verse 1
[C]Here's a little song I wrote,
[Dm]And you can learn it note for note,
Don't [F]worry… be [C]happy.
[C]In every life we have some trouble,
[Dm]When you worry you'll make it double
Don't [F]worry… be [C]happy.
(Don't worry, be happy now)
Chorus
[C]Ooh…. [Dm]Ooh…. Don't [F]worry, be [C]happy x2
Verse2
[C]Ain't got no place to lay your head,
[Dm]Somebody came and took your bed,
Don't [F]worry… be [C]happy
[C]The landlord say your rent is late,
[Dm]He may have to litigate,
Don't [F]worry… be [C]happy
(Look at me, I’m happy)
Chorus
[C]Ooh…. [Dm]Ooh…. Don't [F]worry, be [C]happy x2
(Can I give you my phone number? When you worry, call me, I make you happy)
Don't [F]worry, be [C]happy x2
Verse 3
[C]Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style,
[Dm]Ain't got no gal to make you smile,
But don't [F]worry… be [C]happy.
Cause [C]when you worry your face will frown,
[Dm]And that will bring everybody down,
So don't [F]worry… be [C]happy
(Don't worry, be happy now)
Chorus
[C]Ooh…. [Dm]Ooh…. Don't [F]worry, be [C]happy x2
Outro (Whistling to fade)
C Dm F C
➡️ Download a PDF of ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’
➡️ Download our Chord Diagram Chart
The Story Behind the Song
“Don't Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin has a surprisingly simple backstory.
The phrase itself wasn’t originally his. McFerrin got the idea from a poster he saw featuring the Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba, who often used the slogan “Don’t worry, be happy” as a kind of life mantra. That line stuck with McFerrin, and he built the entire song around that philosophy of carefree optimism.
Despite its minimalist style, the song became a massive success.
Interestingly, McFerrin has said the song was never meant to be taken too seriously. It’s intentionally light and a bit tongue-in-cheek. Over time, though, it’s been embraced as a genuine feel-good anthem.
One more cultural note: the song got an extra boost in popularity after being used in the film Cocktail starring Tom Cruise.
So while it sounds effortless and simple, the song is really a mix of spiritual inspiration, vocal experimentation and a bit of a happy accident!