Song Analysis Worksheet and Sample Thesis

“Don’t worry. Be Happy." Don’t worry about these issues Episodes from life Verse 1 General troubles I’ve had my troubles: Here is a little song I wrote McFerrin’s own opinion At age 14, I was too You might want to sing it note for note i.e. pay close attention concerned about trying Don't worry be happy (this seems simple…) to be cool, which was In every life we have some trouble we – everyone is in it together only making a tough When you worry you make it double two worlds: reality and mind situation worse… Don't worry, be happy inside and outside world balanced

Verse 2 One’s house I’ve had rent problems: Ain't got no place to lay your head homelessness is huge problem At age 19, I moved into Somebody came and took your bed doesn’t really matter who did it a house that bums had Don't worry, be happy repeating the idea again occupied and lived The land lord say your rent is late tenants vs. owners and others there with a friend who He may have to litigate getting others involved is usually later went homeless… Don't worry, be happy a bad sign

Verse 3 Power, Identity, Love I’ve been dumped: Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style this is what society values At age 22, I had return- Ain't got no girl to make you smile loneliness without companionship ed from Europe to find But don't worry be happy “but” is a more direct connection that my girlfriend, who Cause when you worry these things are even more selfish had written letters to Your face will frown nothing can change unless it me for 2 years, wanted And that will bring everybody down starts with attitude / need friends to break it off… So don't worry, be happy (now) (now) close by, not turned off

Spoken Loneliness and self-centeredness Happiness is shared: Here I give you my phone number really? the top-40 artist wants Whenever I am happy, I When you worry call me his fans to call him? A gesture? try to share it with I make you happy he makes us happy with music other people. A phone Don't worry don't do it, be happy but this spoken part is like he’s on call can make things a Put a smile on your face the phone with us personally lot better… Don't bring everybody down like this not just us, though, “everybody” Don't worry, it will soon pass not just now, tomorrow Whatever it is not just these things, anything Don't worry, be happy it’s like a mantra for meditating

In his one-hit wonder song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” Bobby McFerrin tells modern adults about the importance of being happy. Specifically, we should overlook life’s little troubles, issues with one’s house, and problems with personal power, identity and love. All of these things are temporary, but especially we should not dwell on self-centeredness, because we are all in this together. In my own life, I have also seen the importance of this idea whenever I feel sadness, stress, and loneliness.