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"Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young", commonly known by the title "Wear Sunscreen",[1] is an essay written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich, originally published in June 1997 in the Chicago Tribune.[2] The essay, giving various pieces of advice on how to live a happier life and avoid common frustrations, spread massively via viral email, is often erroneously described as a commencement speech given by author Kurt Vonnegut at MIT.[3]

The essay became the basis for a successful spoken word song released in 1997 by Baz Luhrmann, "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)", also known as "The Sunscreen Song".[4][3] The song reached number one in Ireland and the United Kingdom and inspired numerous parodies.

Chicago Tribune column

[edit]

Mary Schmich's column "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" was published in the Chicago Tribune on June 1, 1997.[5] In the column's introduction, Schmich presents the essay as the commencement speech she would give if she were asked to give one.[3]

In the speech, she insistently recommends the wearing of sunscreen, and dispenses other advice and warnings which are intended to help people live a happier life and avoid common frustrations. She later explained that the inspiration came from seeing a young woman sunbathing, and hoping that she was wearing sunscreen, unlike Schmich herself at that age.[6]

The essay soon became the subject of an urban legend which claimed it was an MIT commencement speech given by author Kurt Vonnegut.[3] In reality, MIT's commencement speaker in 1997 was Kofi Annan and Vonnegut had never been a commencement speaker there.[7] Despite a follow-up article by Schmich on August 3, 1997,[8] the story became so widespread that Vonnegut's lawyer began receiving requests to reprint the speech.[7] Vonnegut commented that he would have been proud had the words been his.[7]

Schmich published a short gift book adaptation of the essay, Wear Sunscreen: A Primer for Real Life, in 1998. A tenth anniversary edition was published in 2008.[9]

Baz Luhrmann version

[edit]
"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"
Single by Baz Luhrmann
from the album Something for Everybody
B-side"Love Is in the Air"
Released1997
GenreSpoken word
Length
  • 7:09 (album version)
  • 5:05 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriters
Producers

The essay was used in its entirety by Australian film director Baz Luhrmann on his 1998 album Something for Everybody, as "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)". Also known as "The Sunscreen Song",[4] it samples Luhrmann's remixed version of the song "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)" by Rozalla, and opens with the words, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of '99" (instead of "'97", as in the original column). The song features a spoken-word track set over a mellow backing track. The "Wear Sunscreen" speech is narrated by Australian voice actor Lee Perry.[3][10][11] The backing is the choral version of "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)", a 1991 song by Rozalla, used in Luhrmann's film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. The chorus, also from "Everybody's Free", is sung by Quindon Tarver.

Background

[edit]

Luhrmann explained that Anton Monsted, Josh Abrahams, and he were working on the remix when Monsted received an email with the supposed Vonnegut speech. They decided to use it but were doubtful of getting through to Vonnegut for permission before their deadline, which was only one or two days away. While searching the Internet for contact information they came upon the "Sunscreen" authorship controversy and discovered that Schmich was the actual author. They emailed her and, with her permission, recorded the song the next day.[12]

Release

[edit]

Originally released on the album Something for Everybody (1997), "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" gained popularity in 1998 in some areas of the US, when a Portland radio station started to air it.[13] The single came out in 1999.[14]

"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" was released as a single in some territories in 1997, with the speech (including its opening words, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of '97") completely intact.[citation needed] This version appeared in the Triple J Hottest 100 of that year at number 16 in the countdown, and was released on the subsequent CD in early 1998.[15] A limited-edition CD single was issued in the United States on February 9, 1999, but only in the Pacific Northwest region.[16] In the United Kingdom, the song was released on May 31, 1999.[17]

Versions

[edit]

There are four versions of the song: the original 7:09 minute mix from the album Baz Luhrmann Presents: Something for Everybody; a 1999 single release which features a 5:05 minute edit that lacks both choruses; "Geographic's Factor 15+ Mix" that runs for 4:42 minutes; and a "2007 Mix" of the original 7:09 minute version released on the 10th Anniversary Edition of the William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet soundtrack on which the opening words are changed to "Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2007".

The song also appeared in Germany and was soon followed by a German version with the title "Sonnencreme".[18] The German translation is narrated by the German actor Dieter Brandecker.[19] A Brazilian version, entitled "Filtro Solar", is narrated in Portuguese by journalist and TV presenter Pedro Bial and was released in the last 2003 edition of the program Fantástico, on Rede Globo. This version became a radio success in 2004.[20] A Russian adaptation of the song, recorded live by Silver Rain Radio, was performed by Alex Dubas and Yolka.[21] An Israeli adaptation of the song, named "Matters One Should Know" (דברים שכדאי לדעת), was recorded and released for the Israeli Children's channel in 2004 by Avri Gilad, Rinat Gabay and MC Shiri.[22] Other versions include a Finnish version titled "Aurinkovoiteella onneen", performed by Erkki Saarela, and a Belgian version called "Beslis zelf maar (of je zonnemelk gebruikt)", performed by Frank Aendenboom.[23][24]

Critical reception

[edit]

Daily Record wrote, "Luhrmann's single is the biggest spoken-word hit since JJ Barrie topped the charts with 'No Charge' in 1976. The lyrics began life as a newspaper article."[25] James Oldham from NME commented, "Unless you have been holidaying on Jupiter for the last two months, this remarkable and potentially nauseating record will have burrowed its way into your deep subconscious by now." He added, "Luhrmann's postmodern masterpiece is half pisstake, half soul-soothing brain massage and all genius; a DIY pop landmark for the end of the self-help decade. Buy this record. Twenty years from now, in ways you can't even begin to imagine today, you will be glad you did."[26]

Chart performance

[edit]

The song was a top-10 hit across Europe but was largely obscure in the US until Aaron Scofield, a producer in Phoenix, edited the original 12-inch version into a segment of a syndicated radio show called Modern Mix. This show played on many stations in the United States. In Portland, Oregon—where Modern Mix played on KNRK—listeners began requesting the track. KNRK program director Mark Hamilton edited the song for time and began playing it regularly. He distributed the song to other program directors that he networked with and the song exploded in the US.[27] The song reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay in the United States; by the time it was released as a commercial single in the country, radio airplay had declined significantly, and only managed to peak at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada the song peaked at number 11 on the RPM Top Singles chart and topped the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached number one in the United Kingdom and Ireland, partly due to a media campaign by Radio One DJ Chris Moyles. On August 10, 2008, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 72.

Music video

[edit]

There are two videos for the song: one which uses the 1999 5:05 minute single edit of the song (the version in which Quindon Tarver is not featured), directed and animated by Bill Barminski; and another using the 7:09 minute edit made by the Brazilian advertising agency DM9DDB.[28][29]

Track listings

[edit]

UK CD and cassette single[30][31]

  1. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" (performed by Quindon Tarver—edit) – 5:05
  2. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" (performed by Lee Parry—Geographic's Factor 15+ mix) – 4:42
  3. "Love Is in the Air" (performed by John Paul Young—Fran mix) – 4:29

European CD single[32]

  1. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" (performed by Quindon Tarver—edit) – 5:05
  2. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" (performed by Lee Parry—Geographic's Factor 15+ mix) – 4:42

US CD single[33]

  1. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" (performed by Quindon Tarver—edit)
  2. "I'm Losing You" (performed by Lani—Day mix)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Platinum 600,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 1997 —
United States February 9, 1999 Limited-edition CD Capitol [16]
United Kingdom May 31, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
  • EMI
  • Capitol
 [17]

Parodies

[edit]

The Baz Luhrmann song version inspired numerous parodies. In December 1997, John Safran released a song entitled "Not the Sunscreen Song" which peaked at number 20 in Australia.[59]

American comedian Chris Rock enjoyed great success with his spoken word song "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)" featuring Gerald Levert from his television special and album Bigger & Blacker, which was in turn parodied on Mad TV as "Ain't No Blacks on the TV Screen" in the style of Rock's stand-up. The song was also parodied in an episode of House of Mouse performed by Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Eddie Carroll). The comedy group Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie also made a parody entitled "The Sunscreen Marketing Board". Jegsy Dodd and the Original Sinners' version, "Grumpy Old Men", was voted favourite track of 2005 by BBC Radio 1 listeners in their annual Festive 50 poll.

Angelos Epithemiou's live tour included a parody of the song titled "Don't Muck About".

A parody entitled "Mow Against The Grain" by the Hill Family Singers appears on the 1999 King of the Hill soundtrack album.

Another parody by comedian Simmi Areff was played on South African radio station East Coast Radio at the conclusion of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

An additional parody was created in 1999 by London Capital Radio Breakfast Show host Chris Tarrant, who created a version called "Wear Slippers" which consisted of him reading an alternative version of the sunscreen lyrics and demonstrated his disdain for Baz Luhrmann's version.

In the commencement speech that he gave at his own graduation from UCSF in 1999, which went viral on YouTube, ZDoggMD instructed newly minted physicians that they should "wear shoe covers" because the hospital is "a dangerous place for expensive shoes".[60]

In 2016, musician and software developer Dylan Beattie created a parody entitled "Flatscreens" with the original lyrics reworked as advice for a career in software development.[61]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wear Sunscreen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Wear Sunscreen" is the common name for an essay called "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young", written by American journalist and published in the on June 1, 1997. Written as an imagined commencement address to the class of 1997, it offers practical life advice, beginning and ending with the literal suggestion to "wear sunscreen" for its evidence-based skin protection benefits. , a columnist from 1992 to her retirement in 2021 and winner of the , has reflected on the piece's origins in recent interviews. The spread virally in 1997 via chains, fueled by a falsely attributing it to as a he delivered at MIT. This led to its adaptation by Australian filmmaker into the 1999 spoken-word song "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)", featuring the essay over electronic music. The track, released as a single from Luhrmann's 1998 album Something for Everybody, became an international hit and has since influenced , often invoked in contexts.

Original Column

Publication

Mary Schmich, a for the , drew inspiration for her column from an encounter in the summer of 1997 while walking to work along . She passed a young woman sunbathing after Chicago's long winter, prompting her to reflect on the value of life advice for the young, particularly the importance of protecting one's skin from the sun. This observation led Schmich to conceptualize a piece offering practical wisdom, which she wrote shortly thereafter at the , fueled by coffee and M&Ms. The column, titled "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young," was published on June 1, 1997, in the Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune. Schmich framed it as a hypothetical commencement address delivered to the graduating class of 1997, beginning with the direct address: "Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97: Wear sunscreen." At the time, the Chicago Tribune had a daily circulation of approximately 665,000 copies, with Sunday editions reaching over 1 million, making it one of the largest and ensuring wide initial readership in the area and beyond. Following its debut, the column was syndicated through Services to other newspapers across the country, amplifying its reach shortly after publication. This distribution contributed to its rapid dissemination, as reprints appeared in various outlets, setting the stage for broader cultural resonance.

Content

Mary Schmich's column, framed as an imagined commencement address to the class of , dispenses life advice in a direct, second-person style, beginning with the directive "Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97: Wear sunscreen." She introduces the piece by noting that while the benefits of sunscreen are scientifically proven, the remaining counsel draws from her personal experiences, emphasizing its subjective nature. The advice unfolds as a series of concise, aphoristic recommendations covering personal habits, relationships, and . Central to the column is the titular suggestion to "wear sunscreen," presented both literally—as against damage—and metaphorically as a of proactive amid life's uncertainties. Other key pieces include: "Do one thing every day that scares you," encouraging in routine; " be reckless with other people's hearts, put up with people who are reckless with yours," advocating mutual respect in relationships; "Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements," prioritizing sentimental over material records; " waste your time on jealousy," reminding readers that personal progress is individual; "Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults," to foster ; "Dance, even if you have to do it alone" and simply "Sing," promoting unselfconscious joy; "Read the directions, even if you don't follow them," suggesting a balance of guidance and autonomy; "Get plenty of calcium, be kind to your knees," offering practical health tips; " worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing ," downplaying anxiety; "Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on," valuing enduring bonds; "," to broaden perspectives; "Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old," acknowledging inevitabilities; "Be nice to your siblings," for familial harmony; " compare yourself to others," to avoid self-doubt; "Floss," as a nod to everyday ; and "Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded," reflecting on the fleeting nature of vitality. Thematically, the column blends practical self-care with humorous philosophical insights, underscoring themes of , toward oneself and others, and mindful living in an unpredictable world. It highlights human constants—like the persistence of and the value of —amid changing circumstances, such as technological shifts, while urging readers to embrace impermanence without regret. Schmich employs a witty, conversational tone that feels reflective and intimate, as if sharing hard-won wisdom over coffee, infused with self-deprecating humor drawn from her observations of life.

Initial Reception and Controversy

Following its publication in the on June 1, 1997, Mary Schmich's column "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" rapidly achieved widespread popularity through email forwards and nascent sharing, frequently circulated as an inspirational " speech" for the class of 1997. By late summer, the piece had gone viral in pre-social media fashion, appearing on early websites like scripting.com and spreading via chain emails, marking it as one of the 's first notable viral phenomena. The column's dissemination was marred by a persistent misattribution, falsely credited to author as his commencement address to MIT's class of 1997, despite Vonnegut not speaking at the event and the piece originating from Schmich. This hoax originated in anonymous online postings shortly after publication and was amplified by early web republication, further embedding the error. Schmich addressed the confusion in a follow-up column on August 3, 1997, clarifying her authorship while wryly noting the "lawless swamp of " that allowed such masquerades, where "any snake can masquerade as king." Early media coverage, such as features in the MIT News and , highlighted the viral hoax while praising the column's practical, timeless advice on and resilience, contributing to its recognition as an emerging cultural touchstone by 1998. The piece received no formal journalistic awards at the time, though its influence was evident in its publication as a gift book, Wear Sunscreen: A Primer for Real Life, in 1998.

Baz Luhrmann Adaptation

Background

In 1998, while promoting his film , Australian director encountered Mary Schmich's "Wear Sunscreen" column through a viral email forward that misattributed it to author as a . The piece, which had spread widely online since its 1997 publication, caught Luhrmann's attention for its witty, advice-laden tone, prompting him to envision an adaptation without initially knowing the true author. Luhrmann conceived the adaptation as a spoken-word track styled like a from the , complete with a retro educational feel and orchestral backing to evoke nostalgia and authority. This concept aligned with his signature eclectic and multimedia approach, evident in earlier works like the vibrant dance drama of (1992) and the stylized Shakespearean update in (1996), where he blended high art with pop culture elements. The project developed during 1998 and 1999, amid Luhrmann's transition between film endeavors following . Schmich had no initial involvement; Luhrmann's team later traced the column to her via searches uncovering the attribution controversy and secured permissions before proceeding.

Production and Release

The production of "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" was led by Australian filmmaker , who served as director and primary producer, with Anton Monsted acting as co-producer. The track's spoken-word narration was provided by Australian voice actress Lee Perry, whose delivery was recorded during a brief studio session held in Luhrmann's home in 1999; the entire took approximately four hours to complete using basic equipment like a DAT machine and . Luhrmann, inspired by Mary Schmich's original column, adapted the text into a spoken-word format set against a electronic backing to create a reflective, advisory tone reminiscent of a . The single was first released on April 10, 1999, in through Music , marking the debut of Luhrmann's album in single form. This domestic launch was followed by an international rollout, beginning with markets in and later that spring, distributed via under the umbrella. Initial marketing positioned the track as a novelty (PSA) rather than a conventional pop single, emphasizing its advisory content to appeal to a broad beyond traditional listeners. In Australia, it was promoted through targeted radio campaigns, quickly becoming a top requested on national stations and gaining organic airplay as a feel-good, inspirational piece tied to season themes. The track's cultural momentum also influenced related media, including Schmich's 1998 gift book Wear Sunscreen: A Primer for Real Life, published by , which reprints the original column alongside notes on its adaptation into Luhrmann's musical version.

Versions and Formats

The standard single release of "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" runs for 5:05 in its edit version, featuring spoken-word narration by voice actor Lee Perry set against a electronic sampled from Quindon Tarver's rendition of "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)." In 1999, several remixes accompanied the single's promotion, including the radio edit (identical to the standard version at 5:05), the extended version clocking in at 7:09, and the Geographic's Factor 15+ Mix lasting 4:42, which emphasizes a smoother, ambient electronic arrangement. The track appears on Baz Luhrmann's 1999 Something for Everybody, a collection of remixed selections from his and theater works, where it is presented in its album mix format. International variants include the CD single, which pairs the edit version with B-sides such as a of John Paul Young's "Love Is in the Air" (Fran Mix). Following its initial physical releases, the track became available on digital streaming platforms in the , with enhanced accessibility via services like and a remastered version uploaded in 2022 that preserves the original production while updating audio fidelity for modern playback. No official sequels or alternate narrations of the track have been produced beyond these variants.

Music Video

The official for "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" was directed by Bill Barminski and shot in in 1999. It employs a montage visual style featuring diverse young people engaged in everyday scenarios, including scenes at beaches, on streets, and during dances, intercut with retro (PSA) footage. Key elements incorporate symbolic imagery, such as individuals applying sunscreen, dancing freely, and visual effects depicting aging, to underscore and illustrate the track's advisory lyrics. With a runtime of approximately 5 minutes, aligning with the song's duration, the video adopts a low-budget aesthetic utilizing non-professional actors to convey an authentic, relatable vibe. The video premiered on the Australian television program Rage, followed by international broadcast on MTV, and has since been widely distributed on YouTube.

Commercial Performance

"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" topped the Singles Chart in for two weeks in May 1999 and placed at number 16 on the 1999 year-end chart. The track's success was driven by extensive radio airplay, which helped it achieve over 100,000 copies sold in the country. It received certification from ARIA, equivalent to 70,000 units shipped. Internationally, the single reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for one week in June 1999, spending a total of 20 weeks on the chart. It entered the top 30 in the , peaking at number 26 on the Single Top 100 and number 29 on the Top 40, and number 31 on Belgium's 50 chart. The song also charted in the top 20 in . In the United States, it had limited commercial impact but peaked at number 45 on the after 12 weeks, reflecting modest airplay success. Sales figures contributed to its certifications, with the single earning Platinum status in the UK from the BPI for 600,000 units, though no major certifications were awarded elsewhere. Its performance was bolstered by inclusion in end-of-year compilations and sustained radio rotation, which extended its reach beyond initial release formats like CD singles and vinyl.

Critical Reception

Upon its 1999 release, Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" garnered praise for its innovative fusion of spoken-word advice with electronic music, often highlighted as a clever novelty that amplified the original column's timeless wisdom. NME described it as an "audacious blend of homespun wisdom and ambient house," emphasizing its enduring charm despite being produced two years earlier. Similarly, Rolling Stone later included the track in its list of the best graduation songs of the past 25 years, noting its viral origins via email chains and its role as a mellow, reflective anthem for youth. However, responses were mixed, with some critics viewing the production as overly gimmicky or sentimental. The Guardian referred to it as Luhrmann's "giant novelty hit," implying a lighthearted but superficial approach that prioritized over depth. This perception aligned with broader commentary on its ironic, promotional style, which some felt undermined the earnestness of Mary Schmich's original while faithfully adapting its structure and phrasing. Retrospectively, the track has been celebrated as a quintessential cultural artifact, with analyses underscoring its prescience in the era of viral content and media. A 2024 Guardian with Luhrmann and Schmich reflected on its surprising longevity, crediting the adaptation's ironic tone for reinforcing the column's practical insights amid modern uncertainties. Podcasts like Switched On Pop have examined it as the decade's most unlikely hit, highlighting how its blend of and advice foreshadowed social media's proliferation of motivational snippets. The song received no major music awards but earned nominations in novelty and categories at events like the . Critics often compared the adaptation favorably to the original column, viewing it as a loyal yet musically enhanced rendition that broadened the essay's reach without altering its core messages of resilience and humility.

Cultural Impact

Parodies and Imitations

The spoken-word style of Mary Schmich's "Wear Sunscreen" column and Baz Luhrmann's 1999 inspired numerous shortly after its release, often exaggerating the advice-giving for comedic effect through topical or satirical twists. One of the earliest prominent examples is Australian broadcaster John Safran's "Not the Sunscreen Song," released in December 1997 as a preemptive spoof of the column's motivational tone. Safran's track flips the original's earnest life lessons into ironic, self-deprecating observations, such as advising about one's by noting that "some of the most interesting didn't know what they wanted to do with their lives," delivered over a similar ambient to heighten the . In 1999, comedian released "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)" from his HBO special , directly mimicking the Luhrmann song's structure with rapid-fire, profane advice aimed at the "GED class of 1999." Rock's version humorously subverts the inspirational narrative by focusing on relationship pitfalls and urban stereotypes, like warning against unprotected encounters in luxury settings, while retaining the choral undertones of the original's music. This track peaked at number 21 on the Hot Rap Singles chart, demonstrating the parody's commercial reach as a satirical to the wholesome original. Television sketches quickly followed, with MADtv featuring a 1999 segment titled "No Blacks on the TV Screen," which parodied Rock's song—and by extension, Luhrmann's—through a mock music video format. Performed by cast member imitating Rock, the sketch lampoons media representation by delivering exaggerated "advice" on racial stereotypes in television, such as decrying the lack of diverse , all set to a distorted version of the familiar melody. This imitation amplified the humor through visual gags and cultural critique, distinguishing it as a layered spoof rather than a direct homage. Online imitations proliferated in the mid-2000s with the rise of platforms like , where creators adapted the format to niche audiences. A notable video, "The Startup Song," recasts the advice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs, urging viewers to "wear hoodies" and "pivot often" amid dot-com era clichés, using the spoken-word delivery over electronic beats to evoke the original's rhythm. Similarly, political satires emerged, such as British comedian Jon Culshaw's 2019 parody voicing over the track, twisting lines into bombastic declarations like rejecting sunscreen in favor of "tough skin" for political battles. These digital versions typically emphasize exaggeration for viral appeal, diverging from the column's sincere intent. In the 2020s, short-form recreations on have revived the parody trend, often adapting the advice to contemporary lifestyles like or pressures, though they lean toward lighthearted skits rather than full musical spoofs. Overall, these imitations highlight the format's versatility for humor, consistently employing topical distortions to comment on societal norms without replicating the originals' philosophical depth.

Legacy and Influence

The essay "Wear Sunscreen" by has maintained enduring popularity, particularly in the context of ceremonies and commencements, where its blend of practical and philosophical advice continues to resonate with young audiences. Educational resources and speech anthologies frequently cite or adapt it as a model for inspirational addresses; for example, an analysis of 100 recent commencement speeches references the essay alongside talks by figures like and as a notable piece of advice. For instance, teachers and speakers have drawn from its structure to create personalized farewells for graduating students, emphasizing themes of and long-term . Its influence extends into broader media, appearing in books, TED-related discussions, and contexts as a touchstone for life guidance. Schmich compiled the essay into the 2008 book Wear Sunscreen: A Primer for Real Life, which packages the advice for new generations and has been praised for its timeless applicability to personal growth. In literature, it serves as a reflective framework for imparting wisdom on and emotional resilience. In the digital era, the adaptation has seen sustained viral traction on platforms, with shares and discussions resurfacing annually around graduation season. videos recreating or analyzing the speech garnered significant engagement in 2024, often tying its messages to modern youth challenges like and . The music video on has accumulated over 24 million views since its 2007 upload, contributing to its role as a nostalgic yet relevant cultural artifact. This online resurgence underscores the essay's adaptability, with and prompts in 2025 encouraging users to share personal interpretations of its advice. The work has inspired ongoing discussions about the art of advice-giving, positioning it as a to overly prescriptive self-improvement trends in wellness . Rather than rigid formulas, it promotes gentle, observational insights—such as accepting inevitable changes—fostering a balanced approach to without major revivals but through steady citations in lifestyle media. Post-2020, references have linked it to pandemic-era themes of resilience and youth guidance, with bloggers and podcasters invoking its call to "keep your head open and soft" amid recovery from isolation and . In 2024 wellness articles, it reinforces sun protection as integral to holistic health, blending physical care with emotional fortitude for younger generations navigating global disruptions.

References

  1. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/06/01/advice-like-youth-probably-just-wasted-on-the-young-2/
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/06/baz-luhrmann-mary-schmich-everybodys-free-to-wear-sunscreen-kurt-vonnegut-slaughterhouse-five
  3. https://www.openculture.com/2013/11/wear-sunscreen-the-story-behind-the-commencement-speech-that-kurt-vonnegut-never-wrote.html
  4. https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/mary-schmich-is-world-famous-but-you-may-not-know-her/
  5. https://www.wired.com/1997/05/newspaper-figures-read-all-about-em/
  6. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/30/newspaper-circulation-maintains-downward-trend/
  7. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990614/2966393/two-years-later-mary-schmichs-mock-graduation-speech-continues-to-inspire
  8. http://scripting.com/specials/commencement.html
  9. https://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-webs-first-viral-hit-re-emerges-20-years-later-can-it-go-viral-again/
  10. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kurt-vonnegut/
  11. https://news.mit.edu/1997/sunscreen-0813
  12. https://www.deseret.com/1997/8/14/19328242/hoax-weaves-tangled-web-over-fake-vonnegut-speech/
  13. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/08/03/vonnegut-schmich-who-can-tell-in-cyberspace/
  14. https://archive.org/details/wearsunscreenpri00schm
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/10/business/media-why-so-many-people-know-to-wear-sunscreen.html
  16. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-03-27.pdf
  17. https://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9904/09/sunscreen/index.html
  18. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Wear-Sunscreen/Mary-Schmich/9780740777172
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/4078035-Baz-Luhrmann-Everybodys-Free-To-Wear-Sunscreen
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/1576273-Baz-Luhrmann-Everybodys-Free-To-Wear-Sunscreen
  21. https://4therecordcom.home.blog/2021/11/01/one-hit-wonders-baz-luhrmann/
  22. https://www.amazon.com/Something-Everybody-Luhrmann-Various-Artists/dp/B00000634X
  23. https://www.discogs.com/release/3716807-Baz-Luhrmann-Something-For-Everybody
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/636287-Quindon-Tarver-Lee-Perry-Baz-Luhrmann-Presents-Everybodys-Free-To-Wear-Sunscreen
  25. https://open.spotify.com/track/2atI97Vte188J0ZfswEirl
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeDDs61AlBo
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI
  28. https://www.afr.com/companies/baz-scores-a-bizarre-hit-19990416-kb5dl
  29. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7824/baz-luhrmann/
  30. https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Baz+Luhrmann&titel=Everybody%27s+Free+%28To+Wear+Sunscreen%29&cat=s
  31. https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-4362-329380
  32. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/20-best-graduation-songs-of-the-last-20-years-167659/
  33. https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/jun/11/features2
  34. https://switchedonpop.com/episodes/everybodys-free-to-wear-sunscreen-avery-trufelman-baz-luhrmann
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21047524/awards/
  36. https://genius.com/John-safran-not-the-sunscreen-song-lyrics
  37. https://criticalmediaproject.org/mad-tv-no-blacks-on-the-tv-screen-2/
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH_B6MpQGgY
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-C6PiqrPP0
  40. https://ideas.ted.com/100-graduation-commencement-speeches-common-tips-advice/
  41. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-ways-to-say-goodbye-graduating-students-rebecca-alber
  42. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2965703
  43. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/opinion/columnists/4361703/wear-sunscreen-column-song-anniversary-alex-watson-opinion/
  44. https://thebscblog.wordpress.com/2021/09/20/re-engaging-with-real-life-reflections-on-empirical-research-post-lockdown/
  45. https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2024/08/despite-the-noise-sunscreen-is-your-best-protection-against-skin-cancer.html
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