Reunites Robin Williams with Bill Irwin after Popeye (1980). Williams played the titular role and Irwin played Olive Oil's old boyfriend Ham Gravy. It was their first reunion after the movie.
Released in September 1988, it became the first a cappella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it held for two weeks.
Comedian George Carlin wrote in his 2001 book "Napalm and Silly Putty" that many Americans would embrace the philosophy of denial in the song.
At the 1989 Grammy Awards, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" won the awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.