Indie director doles out sound advice with 'Sunscreen' hit.

April 9, 1999
By Donna Freydkin
CNN Interactive Contributing Music Writer

(CNN) -- "Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum," intones the weather-beaten, weary voice of everyman against a backdrop of languidly throbbing synth-pop. "The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday."

"Do one thing every day that scares you. Sing," he goes on. "Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss."

Just another recording from a self-help guru? An audio version of one of the chipper motivational tomes known as "Chicken Soup for the Soul"? Hardly.

The uplifting song in question is an oddity that metamorphosed from mock graduation speech to Internet hoax to urban legend and, finally, in 1999, to national radio smash.

Released by indie director Baz Luhrmann, "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" is perhaps the most unusual radio hit of the year. It's clever, cute and saccharine-free, a pithy spate of advice for those who eschew self-help books. And it's pretty funny.

"Basically, it just makes you feel good," laughs voice-over actor Lee Perry, who recites all the lively bits of wisdom in the song.

Author 'amused, astonished, sometimes disconnected'
Luhrmann took the words -- originally written as a mock graduation speech by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich -- and transposed the words into a spoken-word song, placing them against the choral version of '80s dance hit "Everybody's Free," and released it as a single.

To say that Schmich is surprised by the emphatically positive response to and soaring sales of the single would be an understatement.

"Amused, astonished, sometimes disconnected -- Did I really write those words? How'd they get on the radio?" she says. "And reall

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL MUSIC VIDEOGreat Music video from the nineties !The lyrics are taken from a famous essay which gives some amazing advice for life, thoroughly recommend everyone to watch this ! enjoy !This is the original tune, and video as seen on MTV, the other which exists is a Spanish karaoke version not to be confused with this made by Baz Luhrmann the film director.If you liked this, please check some of the other informative videos I have on my page....