Simple Pleasures (Bobby McFerrin album)

Last updated
Simple Pleasures
Simple Pleasures cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 23, 1988 [1]
Recorded1987–88
Studio
Genre
Length33:50
Label Manhattan
Producer Linda Goldstein, Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin chronology
Elephant's Child
(1987)
Simple Pleasures
(1988)
Don't Worry, Be Happy
(1988)
Singles from Simple Pleasures
  1. "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
    Released: July 24, 1988
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Village Voice B− [4]

Simple Pleasures is the fourth studio album by American singer and musician Bobby McFerrin, released in 1988 by Manhattan Records.

Contents

The album was McFerrin's commercial breakthrough and contained the hit single "Don't Worry, Be Happy". [5] The song was featured in the film Cocktail and peaked at No. 1 for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. [6] "Don't Worry, Be Happy" won the 1988 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. [7]

Simple Pleasures spent 55 weeks on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., peaking at No. 5. [6] On September 26, 1988, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. [1]

The album features unaccompanied a cappella singing, with all parts performed exclusively by McFerrin via overdubbing. [5] [8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Bobby McFerrin, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't Worry, Be Happy" 4:54
2."All I Want" 2:56
3."Drive My Car" Lennon–McCartney 2:44
4."Simple Pleasures" 2:08
5."Good Lovin'" Rudy Clark, Artie Resnick 2:58
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Come to Me" 3:38
2."Susie-Q"Eleanor Broadwater, Dale Hawkins, Stan Lewis2:50
3."Drive" 3:58
4."Them Changes" Buddy Miles 3:55
5."Sunshine of Your Love" Pete Brown, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton 3:43

Personnel

Technical

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Simple Pleasures
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [20] Gold50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [21] Gold25,000^
United States (RIAA) [22] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

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  4. Christgau, Robert (November 29, 1988). "Christgau's Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice . New York. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
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