THERE is an urban legend that the singer of the classic feel-good song, "Don't worry, be happy", committed suicide not long after releasing it.

Is this true?

Verdict:

FALSE

No, Bobby McFerrin, the singer and songwriter of the 1988 hit song "Don't worry, be happy" did not commit suicide as he is very much alive.

Although he has descended from the musical heights he reached in 1988, the 71-year-old Manhattanite still performs. His last album was a gospel/soul album titled "Spirityouall" released in 2013.

The urban legend first started making its rounds in 1992 and it is speculated that it spread because people for some reason appreciated the irony of a man known for the positive message of the song to be deeply depressed.

Another urban legend about the song was that it was written by Bob Marley. This too, is obviously false but Marley's song "Three Little Birds" does have a similar line: "Don't worry about a thing, every little thing's gonna be alright".

References:

1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/29990-Bobby-McFerrin

2. https://genius.com/Bob-marley-and-the-wailers-three-little-birds-lyrics