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Dec 22, 2011

"The true musician is to bring light into people's hearts." --Bobby McFerrin

The Neuropsychology of "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

"In 1988, Bobby McFerrin wrote one of the most beloved anthems to happiness of all time. On September 24 that year, 'Don't Worry Be Happy' became the first a cappella song to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 100 Chart. But more than a mere feel-good tune, the iconic song is brimming with neuroscience and psychology insights on happiness that McFerrin -- whose fascinating musings on music and the brain you might recall from World Science Festival's Notes & Neurons -- embedded in its lyrics, whether consciously or not. To celebrate the anniversary of 'Don't Worry, Be Happy,' I unpack the verses to explore the neuropsychology wisdom they contain in the context of several studies that offer lab-tested validation for McFerrin's intuitive insight." Cultural curator Maria Popova shares more on the truth behind the tune.