Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

Album: Something For Everybody (1998)
Charted: 1 45
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was credited to the Australian film director Baz Luhrmann, although he is not actually on the recording. The vocals were by Australian voice-over artist Lee Perry.
  • This samples Quindon Tarver's gospel remake of the Rozalla hit "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)," from the soundtrack to the 1996 Romeo & Juliet film, which was directed by Baz Luhrmann.
  • The lyrics are from an essay called "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" by columnist Mary Schmich. It first appeared in 1997 in the Chicago Sunday Tribune, although the article was originally wrongly credited as being a collegiate commencement speech delivered by author Kurt Vonnegut. In the book 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Baz remembered, "I was working with my assistant, Anton Monsted and Josh Abrahams on a remix of 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)' when Ant showed me an email of these words that appeared to be Kurt's graduation speech. His simple observations and ideas seemed to provide a profoundly useful guide for getting through life. We wanted to record it but only had two days and didn't know how to get hold of Kurt. Ant went onto the Internet and discovered that a student had taken Mary's speech and linked it to Kurt's name in the style of a chain letter. To us it didn't matter who wrote it, it made sense and struck a chord with those who had read it, that we decided to record it."
  • This song is played during the end credits of the 2000 film The Big Kahuna, starring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Stephanie - Naselle, WA

Comments: 3

  • Pete from ScotlandThis was not written by whoever this is, it's an essay by a Journalist called Mary Schmich titled "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young"
  • Ian from Ragama, Sri Lanka (ceylon)A song every man, woman & child should listen to. Life is in this song..
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InThe young kid gospel singer can really belt it out.
    Of course, I also agree with Baz that the spoken words are prescient indeed.
    Those are definitely simple and very valuable words of wisdom.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.