Don't Worry Be Happy (Guy Sebastian song)
Encyclopedia
"Don't Worry Be Happy" is a pop song
written and performed by Australian recording artist Guy Sebastian
. It was released digitally
on 18 November 2011 and entered the Australian ARIA Singles Chart
at number-seven.
Sebastian said he was inspired to write after experiencing the anger of a fellow motorist while driving in Los Angeles. He told Daily Telegraph music editor Kathy McCabe, "I thought I knew the guy so as he pulled alongside me, I smiled and copped a tirade of abuse. I was in a really good mood because I was on the way to play cricket and while we were batting, I wrote the song. It's a good time for a song like this to remind yourself things aren't that bad". In an interview with Andrew Tijs of music site Noise 11 he said that he could sometimes be caught up in a little bit of "glass half empty" in his life, and he wrote the song as a reminder to himself and hopefully to others that life is good. When asked why he used the same title as the Bobby McFerrin classic, he said he was going to change it to just "Don't Worry" but thought, "It's such a famous saying and it's such a famous song, and even though this is a completely different song it says it as it is and works with the song". Sebastian said that while he was a fan of the Eurodance music
that is so popular, and loved the production value of it, and had even used it himself in his previous single "Who's That Girl
", he wanted a more organic sound with this song, "I've sampled live toms
, the only synthie
parts are some of the ducking basses that are in there. There's real piano and real guitars.[....] I wanted to have a more organic vibe to it. I wanted to be a little more musical with it." When Tijs observed that the song was very different from the songs currently filling the charts Sebastian replied, "It was a bit of a scary release because there's no mention of a club[....] It's a non love song and a non club song, so I was like 'Maybe I'm treading on some not successful ground or something', but hopefully it will go alright."
wrote, "Okay, if you need a pick-me-up this should do it. A great little tune about chilling out and enjoying life." David Lim, a music journalist and announcer on radio station Joy 94.9 said, "It’s feel good, sun-soaked and universally appealing in a way that you’d expect for an artist of his brand and following to be. Sonically, it’s very pleasing to hear him stick to a more Bruno Mars-style pop. The warmer musical textures compliments Guy‘s voice like you won’t believe [....] 'Don’t Worry Be Happy' is not here to snatch wigs, alter pop music trends, or fanfare a bold new direction for Guy. The concept really is as simple as the message behind the song – just a basic reminder to celebrate the simple things in life."
. He also performed a medley of "Who's That Girl" and "Don't Worry Be Happy" at the 2011 ARIA Awards
on 27 November 2011.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
written and performed by Australian recording artist Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
. It was released digitally
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 18 November 2011 and entered the Australian ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
at number-seven.
Background
"Don't Worry Be Happy" is an uptempo pop songPop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
Sebastian said he was inspired to write after experiencing the anger of a fellow motorist while driving in Los Angeles. He told Daily Telegraph music editor Kathy McCabe, "I thought I knew the guy so as he pulled alongside me, I smiled and copped a tirade of abuse. I was in a really good mood because I was on the way to play cricket and while we were batting, I wrote the song. It's a good time for a song like this to remind yourself things aren't that bad". In an interview with Andrew Tijs of music site Noise 11 he said that he could sometimes be caught up in a little bit of "glass half empty" in his life, and he wrote the song as a reminder to himself and hopefully to others that life is good. When asked why he used the same title as the Bobby McFerrin classic, he said he was going to change it to just "Don't Worry" but thought, "It's such a famous saying and it's such a famous song, and even though this is a completely different song it says it as it is and works with the song". Sebastian said that while he was a fan of the Eurodance music
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
that is so popular, and loved the production value of it, and had even used it himself in his previous single "Who's That Girl
Who's That Girl (Guy Sebastian song)
"Who's That Girl" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian. The single features American rapper Eve. It was written by Sebastian, with Eve writing and performing the rap, and Sebastian co-produced the song with Andre Harris. Released as a digital download on November 5,...
", he wanted a more organic sound with this song, "I've sampled live toms
Tom-tom drum
A tom-tom drum is a cylindrical drum with no snare.Although "tom-tom" is the British term for a child's toy drum, the name came originally from the Anglo-Indian and Sinhala; the tom-tom itself comes from Asian or Native American cultures...
, the only synthie
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
parts are some of the ducking basses that are in there. There's real piano and real guitars.[....] I wanted to have a more organic vibe to it. I wanted to be a little more musical with it." When Tijs observed that the song was very different from the songs currently filling the charts Sebastian replied, "It was a bit of a scary release because there's no mention of a club[....] It's a non love song and a non club song, so I was like 'Maybe I'm treading on some not successful ground or something', but hopefully it will go alright."
Critical reception
Vic Cardinali from music site Play It On Repeat said of the song, "It’s a feel good, bright, upbeat dance pop song about being happy about what you’ve got in life — despite the state of things going on around you.[....] Guy easily sings over a bright, sparkling beat that I personally cannot help but move to (I tried. I really just sat here and said 'No. I’m not going to move.' — and found myself bobbing my head and hips back and forth)." Ellen Wapstra from [V] MusicChannel V Australia
Channel [V] Australia is an Australian subscription television music channel, and also the newest Channel [V] channel. It is available on Foxtel, Optus TV and Austar satellite and cable services...
wrote, "Okay, if you need a pick-me-up this should do it. A great little tune about chilling out and enjoying life." David Lim, a music journalist and announcer on radio station Joy 94.9 said, "It’s feel good, sun-soaked and universally appealing in a way that you’d expect for an artist of his brand and following to be. Sonically, it’s very pleasing to hear him stick to a more Bruno Mars-style pop. The warmer musical textures compliments Guy‘s voice like you won’t believe [....] 'Don’t Worry Be Happy' is not here to snatch wigs, alter pop music trends, or fanfare a bold new direction for Guy. The concept really is as simple as the message behind the song – just a basic reminder to celebrate the simple things in life."
Music video
The video for "Don't Worry Be Happy" was filmed in Sydney, and was released to iTunes and other digital download sites on 29 November 2011. In the video Sebastian is seen as a businessman having a difficult day. He pours curdled milk over his breakfast cereal, steps out of his apartment building into a rain shower, and his day at the office is shown to be stressful. He walks down to the beach at lunch time appearing very disgruntled. As he begins to eat his lunch he looks across at the next bench and notices a sad obviously ill young girl sitting in a wheelchair next to her father. The businessman appears to come to the realisation that his day isn't as bad as it seems. He puts down his lunch and runs into the ocean fully clothed, falling backwards into the water with a smile. The young girl breaks out into a smile as well.Release and promotion
"Don't Worry Be Happy" was serviced to radio on 11 November 2011, and was the second most added song to radio in its second week. Sebastian performed the song on the Grand Final episode of Australia's The X-FactorThe X Factor (Australia season 3)
The X Factor is an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a management contract and a Sony Music Australia recording contract. The 2011 season premiered on the Seven Network on 29 August 2011 and...
. He also performed a medley of "Who's That Girl" and "Don't Worry Be Happy" at the 2011 ARIA Awards
ARIA Music Awards of 2011
The 25th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were a series of award ceremonies which included the 2011 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fine Arts Awards and ARIA Awards...
on 27 November 2011.
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
7 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 18 November 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Sony Music Australia |