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Bobby McFerrin - Don’t Worry Be Happy Chords

ChordsC, Dm, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to D,G keys to play this song with easier chords.

  • Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
  • Guitar Dm chord diagram Fingering: x-x-0-2-3-1Guitar Dm chord diagram
  • Guitar F chord diagram Fingering: 1-3-3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Guitar F chord diagram


[C] [Dm] [F] [C]
[C]Here’s a little song I wrote,
[Dm]And you can learn it note for note,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


In every life we have some trouble,
[Dm]When you worry you make it double,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


Ooh’s [C] [Dm] [F] [C]
[C]Ain’t got no place to lay your head,
[Dm]somebody came and took your bed,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


The Landlord say your rent is late,
[Dm]he may have to litigate,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


[C] [Dm] [F] [C]
[C]Ain’t got no cash, ain’t got no style,
[Dm]Ain’t got no goal to make you smile,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


Cos when you worry, your face will frown,
[Dm]And that will bring everybody down,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


Ooh’s [C] [Dm] [F] [C]
[C]Here’s a little song I wrote,
[Dm]And you can learn it note for note,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy


In your life expect some trouble,
[Dm]But when you worry you make it double,
Don’t [F]worry, be [C]happy
[C] [Dm] [F] [C]

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AlbumSimple Pleasures
GenresJazz
Year1988
KeyC

How to play Don't Worry Be Happy on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy on guitar requires 3 chords and 3 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

Don't Worry Be Happy uses these transitions most often: C → Dm (13), Dm → F (13), and F → C (13). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - Dm chord transition.

1. C → Dm chord transition

To move from C to Dm;

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
C to Dm

2. Dm → F chord transition

To move from Dm to F;

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 3.
Dm to F

3. F → C chord transition

To move from F to C;

  1. While playing F, lift your pinky from D string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on B string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
  4. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
F to C

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Don't Worry Be Happy.

  • Don't Worry Be Happy includes 39 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • Don't Worry Be Happy contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how Don't Worry Be Happy connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → Dm: 5%
    After Dm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).
    • Dm → F: 14%