Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a three chord song. So I added in some optional chords to this otherwise really beautifully simple gospel tinged pop song. But, they’re optional, so you could be playing this song in 30 mins after picking up a Ukulele for the very first time – seriously.
All you need is Am, F and C (with an optional G, and a really optional Caug).
And folks, I’d avoid the one-night stands as far as possible…
I know this song from the wonderful Madness version. Dark glasses and flat caps are required if you want to look the part – but otherwise you’ll need a really good sense of when to play swing, and when to play straight.
This is a deceptively complicated song – it’s got lots of chords, and lots of different strumming ideas, and even a time-signature change in the chorus… all good fun!
Make sure to keep the short chords short
Well, this song is significantly older than me – but that ain’t a bad thing…
It’s all about the feel of this one – it’s only got three chords, and they repeat in the same way throughout the song, but the strumming really needs to feel – well – groovy, for want of a better word. It’s got a really strong swing to it.
All you need are F, C and a weird G (G7sus4 if you must know) and a good groove.
Made famous for this (or the previous) generation by the definitely non-ukulele based film Reservoir Dogs – this is a classic from the 70s, that still sounds incredibly fresh. Check out the original recording if you’ve not had a listen in a while. This arrangement is in the original key as well – so go join in with Gerry Rafferty and co…
It’s got some great rhythms for strumming – chords aren’t too hard (it’s mostly D and G) but it’s got a few tricky moves. You’ll need to get comfortable with D7 and G7 in particular, and some off-beat strums. Best played in a group so the non-ukulelists can do the (surprisingly tricky) claps, and the pros can do the chord stabs.
Oh, and you’ll need a cowbell…
Well – this is the MOST PLAYED SONG OF THE 21st CENTURY (on British radio). Who knew? Who’d’ve thought in 2006, when this song came out, that kids who weren’t even born would still be able to recognise this simple little tune in 15 years time. Amazing.
It’s got it’s share of haters, but I actually think that this is a great example of a well crafted simple pop/rock song. It’s only got three chords, and the sequence never changes, but there are layers upon layers of guitars and vocals on the original recording, and it conjures up a specific feeling for me – which is after all what music/art should do…
I’ve moved this one to the key of G (original key A), in a departure from our usual C major songs. You only need G, D, and C chords to play this – but of course there are ways to make these chords a bit juicier if you want to…
“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…
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.
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)
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 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.