Don't Worry Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin: Cover Adam Hambrick

By Robert Etoll Productions

This is a production that Redah recorded with the awesome Nashville singer, Adam Hambrick. The arrangement is crafted with just piano, subtle percussion and ethereal background vocals. With a voice like Adam’s, that’s all you need, especially when you're working with a great song like this Bobby McFerrin classic.Adam shot the video in a beautiful outdoor setting in Nashville.

Reimagined Covers

Robert Etoll Productions version of "Don't Worry Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin) cover for TV & Film

Every well-known acapella vocal harmony, from Bobby McFerrin's 1988 classic, recognizes the first notes of "Don't Worry Be Happy".  Our male vocalist cover songs version completely reimagines this beloved song. The original version of the song's vocal components do present some challenges for sync applications, but our male vocals (Adam Hambrick) acoustic cover song version, offers all the trademark, upbeat, uplifting, recognition, packaged slightly different and ready-to-sync, is suitable for modern advertising music and cover music for television commercials.

About Bobby McFerrin: The Story Behind "Don't Worry Be Happy"

Bobby McFerrin is an American jazz vocal artist and conductor born in 1950, a jazz artist with a remarkable four-octave range and innovative vocal approaches that transformed contemporary music. He is the son of opera singers Robert McFerrin Sr. and Sara Copper, who were immersed in vocal music from a classical background. Bobby's unique style was to blend elements of jazz, classical, and world music together. He is also capable of arranging entire genres of music using just his voice.

McFerrin was a musical novelty act in the late 1980's music landscape, in that he approached vocal improvisation, singing multiple parts at the same time, which established McFerrin as one of the most unique musicians of his generation, with limitless potential, especially when looking at cover versions of songs that require both recognition and a creative reinterpretation was "Don't Worry Be Happy" in 1988.

The entire song, "Don't Worry Be Happy" was written by Bobby McFerrin in 1988, based on a saying from Indian mystic Meher Baba according to IPkat. The song is recorded completely as a cappella, with only McFerrin's voice producing various elements of the music.  Including bass lines, percussion, melody and harmonies. Released as a single from his "Simple Pleasures," the song highlighted McFerrin's incredible vocal range and showcase of full musical arrangements without instrumentation.

The recording process for the song was revolutionary at that time. The layering of tracks process was innovative because it allowed McFerrin to accomplish the unthinkable as one person, producing a layering of empire to a mass of sounds and music. This innovative process of layering vocals serves as a perfect exploration into cover versions of top pop songs for men since the artists can take the songs and provide variations of vocal characteristics to reinterpreted the basic vocal arrangements with instrumental representation.

 "Don't Worry Be Happy" Song Meaning?

The meaning of “Don’t Worry Be Happy” hinges upon the philosophic thought that worry does nothing in the way of productivity, and happiness is often a conscious choice, rather than dictated by ones situation. The universal theme of emotional resilience and positive thinking literally crosses all demographics and thus is ideal for use as cover music for movies, along with being marketed towards professional cover songs for media use. It’s always uplifting message directly addresses that timeless need for hope and encouragement that humans have, which is why it remains to this day, one of the best covers of classic hits that are covered for sync uses, with everything from feel-good commercials to inspiring moments in film.

Chart Performance & Legacy

"Don't Worry Be Happy" was a huge international sensation, making it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining there for 2 weeks. The first a cappella song to be in that spot. The success of the song then propelled it into the charts in the rest of world and made the #1 spot in many countries while earning McFerrin a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Given how unconventional of an arrangement this song was as a cappella, the success was impressive and proved that if you are creative enough, there is potential for massive mainstream success!

The track would go on to become one of most recognizable songs of the 1980's, as it has been a staple in films, television shows and advertising campaign.  Contributing to its immense long-term value as cover music, for trailers and sync applications, and so often in media, that it remains culturally relevant to new generations. That is what continues to make it ideal for cover music male vocalists who provide instant recognition with the universality of the positive feeling each time it is played.

Robert Etoll Productions' Reimagined Covers project, has taken the McFerrin classic and transformed it into a guitar-driven acoustic arrangement - retaining all of the songs upbeat and uplifting feel, while giving commercial advertising music applications more versatility.

Application and Uses

This cover of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" offers an exciting, authentic approach to a familiar classic; a sound perfectly suited for any film, television or trailer project. A Feel good, inspiring and uplifting content. Adam Hambrick's honest performance feels sincere and modern, a rendition that can connect effortlessly through generations, and with equal strength, to younger and older audiences.

In scenes about joy, personal growth, purposeful and meaningful change, and emotional connection, the warm and organic sound can be harnessed sublimely. In television, this can suit story arcs that capture healing, unfolding purpose, and character empathy. In trailer advertising, especially in family films, comedies, and inspirational dramas, with familiar emotional territory, it offers an emotional sound that is deep and welcoming as only family can be. With its timeless message and a professional polish, this audio provides both emotional elevation and the power to tell a story, making it a lively and impactful option for any media project that celebrates hope, positivity and the broadly embraced concept of happiness.

Be Happy Emotional Bonding: How It Connects

The common themes of "Don't Worry, Be Happy", optimism, resilience, and happiness, transcend generations and cultures. This acoustic treatment brings to life those emotions in a new and different manner, layering with natural instruments that resonate with today's audiences. The melodic motif provides immediate recognition and the new arrangement and genre invites a new generation to engage with the melody.

Our Reimagined Cover

Licensing this acoustic cover gives you access to the world-class production standards of Robert Etoll Productions, trusted for decades by top studios including Disney, Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, and Netflix. With over 30 years of experience and thousands of high-profile placements, Robert Etoll brings his signature artistry to this reimagined classic.

This version delivers a unique sonic identity, all rights cleared, and professional stems for seamless editing. With Roberts legendary craftsmanship behind it, this cover stands out as a premium sync-ready choice for film, television, and trailer campaigns.

Ready to license this acoustic cover for your next film, television, or commercial project?

Reach out to Robert Etoll Productions at covers@robertetollproductions.com to discuss how “Don’t Worry Be Happy” can bring emotional uplift, instant recognition, and lasting impact to your production.