Category Archives: Videos

Every Breath You Take – The Police / Sting

“Best Song About Stalkers Ever”

Here’s a song that is incredibly well known and loved but is actually rather unsettling lyrically. However, it’s absolutely great musically so lets give it a go…

The chords are fairly straightforward, although the bridge Eb might be new – however, the magic of this piece happens when you add a 9th interval to virtually every chord of the piece! Also an opportunity for some fingerpicking here.

For intermediate players, and the new add9 chords might stretch a few more confident players too…

Lean On Me – Bill Withers

Simple chords, incredibly singable melody – but deceptively subtle as a song. This is the late Bill Withers (d 2020) classic “Lean On Me”. Everyone who has ever learned a major scale has played the opening melody, but few learn it all the way through.

I’ve arranged this for two ukuleles, the first ukulele part is trickier and has a few more adventurous techniques – the second ukulele part is aimed at beginners. You can see the whole score, but I recommend just following the chord chart to start with.

You’ve Got A Friend In Me – Randy Newman (Toy Story)

A good friend suggested this as a ukulele video, and I was reluctant, because I thought everyone knew the song already – but then I tried playing it – and was pleasantly surprised – it’s really not as simple as it sounds! It’s got some really fruity chords involved and all in all it’s a satisfyingly stretching ukulele song.

Not a single normal/boring G chord in the song! This is a great song for more adventurous players, and will get your fingers working on some unfamiliar shapes (G#7 was my speed-bump) and some unusual chord types (G augmented, F#dim7 etc)

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

Originally released in 2008 – this song just sounds familiar – even if you’ve never heard it before!

That’s because it uses the famous chord sequence (I V vi IV or 1 5 6 4 or in this case C G Am F) that so many other classic songs use. It’s also great fun to play on the uke!

This one is aimed at new beginners on ukulele – it’s easy to play even if you’ve only been playing a few weeks. Tricky bits can be: getting the reggae swing feel, and of course singing the verses at the same time as playing, but the chords themeselves are a doddle… Join in on chorus even if you can’t sing the verse. Don’t forget your hat!

The Final Countdown

The epitome of 80s rock – even 5 year olds can sing the chorus (see video) – what’s not to like?!

It translates to the ukulele fairly well (apart from a rather tricky solo section – but that part is hard on any instrument!) – and it’s a lot of fun to play in a group. Get the kazoos/melodica out as a brass section and I defy anyone to not tap their foot along with this.

I’ve moved it from the original key of Cm to a little easier on the voice Am.

Final Countdown Solo at 90bpm
Final Countdown Solo 115bpm
Solo Backing Track 90bpm
Solo backing 115bpm