Don't Worry, Be Happy [Hardcover]

Mcferrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001 | Series: Art & Poetry Series

In this lavishly illustrated book, the words to Bobby McFerrin's brilliant Don't Worry, Be Happy are married to the art of Alexander Calder. Surely one of the seminal songs of this generation, McFerrin's joyous anthem has sold over twenty million copies and been a #1 hit in virtually every industrial nation in the world. The pure lines of Calder's art echo the simplicity of McFerrin's song. The idea - Don't Worry, Be Happy - illuminates almost every piece of art that Alexander Calder ever created, from his fanciful hanging mobiles and his circus characters fashioned from wood, wire, fabric, rubber, and leather to his tin sculptures cut from everyday cans. It is impossible not to smile when looking at a Calder mobile where movement, form, and materials combine to delight and surprise. In the same way, Bobby McFerrin's exultant voice and pure melodies remind us that joy and pleasure are ours for the taking. Both artists celebrate the bliss of everyday life and the happiness that is to be discovered everywhere.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Welcome Books (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941807517
• ISBN-13: 978-0941807517
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware, October 7, 2010

By 

S. Burton "librarian" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Worry, Be Happy (Hardcover)

This book does NOT have illustrations of Alexander Calder's work. It has sketchy, cartoonish drawings done in red pencil. Nothing inspiring about this book. Doesn't do the sentiments in the song justice. Definitely not a keeper.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for infants!, July 21, 2010

By 

dcglobalgirl "dcglobalgirl" (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Worry, Be Happy (Hardcover)

This book is based on a very simple concept, the words of the popular song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" juxtaposed with a series of Calder drawings but it's a perfect first book for small babies. My six week old was captivated by the black and white images and loved the jaunty, upbeat lyrics (that I'd sing to her). It kept her occupied for hours on our long road trips. This was the first book that really captured her attention.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Happiness Comes From Within., November 17, 2006

By 

Betty Burks "Betty Burks" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Worry, Be Happy (Hardcover)

Bobby McFerrin was an inspiration to many people with his fabulous song back in the Eighties. It touched and helped those in all classes and the philosophy is still pertinent to coping with today's stresses and strains. At the time it was at its peak in popularity, my sister was in transition, selling her house which she loved, moving to another town to be near her grown children, and starting a new job. She was overwhelmed and, though she was eleven years older than I and inherited all the common sense in the family, I had to step in to try to comfort and console her to let her know that things would work out for the better. I went out to the local record shop, bought his record, and mailed it to her in Maryland. She recouped so well, she enjoyed a trip to Florida where one of her daughters lived and had a great time. This was the only time I could encourage her as she had done for me so many times, after our mother died when I was only seven.

The surest path to happiness is losing yourself in a cause greater than yourself. Words are important, but it's the tender little gestures of affection -- the hugs, the hand-holding and even the shoulder squeezes -- that confirm personal connections. Life is like a jigsaw puzzle, but you don't have the picture on the front of the box to know what it's suppose to look like. Sometimes you're not even sure if you have all the pieces.

You possess a very particular type of honesty that's straightforward and compassionate -- and you shouldn't ever let anyone tell you it's not the right wayto be. Especially not at this particular moment in time. Whatever comes up now will call for someone with guts, firmness and compassion -- someone who can boldly say what no one has said before, in an inimitable, inarguably honest way. That would be you. Go right ahead and step in.

There's no point in being in control of everything if you're all alone at the top. If someone doubts one of your choices, stand up for yourself today -- remind them that each person has their own journey in life, and you'd rather make your own mistakes than follow someone else's path. Even if you wish the truth were something different from what it is, you owe it to everyone involved to call this one like you see it. If someone doubts one of your choices, stand up for yourself today -- remind them that each person has their own journey in life, and you'd rather make your own mistakes than follow someone else's path.

If someone doubts one of your choices, stand up for yourself today -- remind them that each person has their own journey in life, and you'd rather make your own mistakes than follow someone else's path. Call upon the pride you feel for the good choices you have made, because you have made quite a few -- and they know it. This could be a case of jealousy rearing its ugly head, so do not give too much credence to people who are asking you to rethink things. Even if you wish the truth were something different, it is possible to accept less than the truth at times.

The most special moments in life are the ones in which everything just falls into place -- they are not the ones that are carefully planned and
coordinated. The best way to be contented is to count your blessings. Like Eddie Fisher's song, "Count Your Blessings," this song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" helped many listeners to get through hard times and be able to carry on with the search for happiness. It's not always easy to find, and sometimes it happens when we least expect it. But one Bobby McFerrin helped it along with his song which was a big hit on the radio. Thank God for radio and people like Wink Martindale who play the songs.