Popular music can often be performed successfully on the ukulele, though certain genres such as Scandinavian death metal may not sound great. Light pop/rock and adult contemporary songs tend to work best.
Hank Williams’ iconic song about Jambalaya makes for an easy and melodious song to learn and perform live, featuring accessible chords and a distinctive strumming pattern that keeps things lively and exciting.
1. Bon Jovi – Crush
With just a few chords under your belt, you’re on your way to strumming along to some of your favorite hits on the ukulele! Just put on your dancing shoes and start strumming!
Bon Jovi is no stranger to powerful ballads, and “Crush” takes them even further. Jon Bon Jovi sings his heart out while Richie Sambora provides excellent backing vocals – creating an enormous song without seeming cumbersome or falsely romantic lyrics.
This track serves as an excellent demonstration of how the ukulele can accommodate both major and minor chords, starting with an easy C chord before transitioning into G chord with D7 on top – not easy at first but not impossible with practice! The D7 can be difficult, so take your time in practicing it carefully!
Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” is another great song to learn on the ukulele, as its track demonstrates a variety of emotions you can elicit through playing it, from sad and melancholic to upbeat and fun. Additionally, this track shows how different chords can create completely unique sounds and atmospheres within one song.
This song is a stunning and emotive ode to Bruce Berry, a member of Bon Jovi’s road crew who died of drug overdose. The ukulele serves as an effective vehicle to convey various emotions and stories through sound. Although its chord progression may appear simplistic at first, its emotional power makes this piece unforgettable and will compel listeners and singers alike.
2. Hank Williams – Jambalaya
Country song that easily transitions to the ukulele. With its catchy melody and simple chord progression, “Legendary Blues” works wonders on this small instrument. While originally composed in Db, many teachers will transpose this hit to C as an easier key that’s suitable for beginner or intermediate players alike.
If you want to hone your strumming skills and add rhythm into your playing, this song is a fantastic choice. Additionally, its several riffs provide fills between chords which will make your playing sound more polished and professional.
Justin Beiber’s iconic song, This is one of his most popular tracks and an ideal example of an accessible ukulele song that works very well on this instrument. It has a slow tempo that should fit within most singers’ singing range, while its easy strumming pattern (D-U-S) makes learning it quick and straightforward.
Jambalaya became Hank Williams’ signature song during 1952 when it reached number one for 14 consecutive weeks on King Records charts. Written with Moon Mullican but solely credited to him due to their contract agreement, the song has since been covered by numerous artists across genres and is considered an iconic country song.
Vance Joy’s song is one of his best-known, making this an excellent piece for playing on ukulele and adding depth and dynamics to your playing experience. Additionally, using a capo can add even further effects.
3. Vance Joy – I’ll Be There
This song proves that light pop/rock and adult contemporary songs work very well on the ukulele, particularly for beginners. Although this particular track was written in Db, many players will transpose it down to C for easier strumming if necessary – particularly beginners! The chords are simple enough that fingerpicking or strumming with thumb or felt pick works equally well; just be sure that each note on each chord plays on its down stroke (downstrum), leaving out any open strings for an exciting sounding strumming experience!
This is an ideal song to learn because its upbeat energy and relatable lyrics appeal to listeners of all ages. Billie Eilish has long been an advocate for the ukulele, encouraging many new players to pick it up. It sounds incredible in this track – the chord progression and vocal melody match well for an energetic rock hit song!
This song doesn’t pose too many difficulties; the most complex chord combination being D, F and A. While its strumming pattern may initially prove challenging, once you get used to it it becomes easy. Keep in mind that for best results it is better to strum harder on down strokes of second and third down strokes for a percussive effect.
This classic ukulele song can be found online through YouTube videos and is quite renowned on ukulele charts. This tune works equally well on both tenor and soprano ukuleles; one special aspect about its fame was made by IZ, who utilized a special low G string that gave his instrument its unique sound; this has since become quite acclaimed among players of this instrument.
4. The Beatles – With a Little Help From My Friends
With A Little Help From My Friends was the first Beatles song to feature vocals by someone other than John Lennon and Paul McCartney, setting an important precedent that would continue throughout their catalogue. Ringo Starr’s doleful yet charming delivery perfectly complements the delicate harmony vocals from his bandmates; though his drumming may not have the same prominence as in earlier tracks, his labored 6/4 timekeeping and cowbell playing make this track truly incredible.
On March 29th 1967 – one day prior to being featured on Sgt Pepper album cover – The Beatles recorded 10 takes of this song before finishing at 5:45 in the morning. Hunter Davies wrote in 1968’s Authorized Biography of The Beatles that Lennon and McCartney struggled with writing lyrics for this song, seeking input from anyone available, even Lennon’s then girlfriend Cynthia who submitted rejected suggestions. Ringo initially refused to sing the final sustained high note and had to be coaxed into singing it after multiple tries. Originally known as Bad Finger Boogie due to John playing piano melodies with his middle finger after having injured his forefinger, its title came about due to John playing piano notes using only middle fingers as inspiration for its title.
After George Martin and Sam Okell completed work on this track, they went on to produce a stereo mix from its original tapes for use on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 50th Anniversary editions. As part of this process, audience screams from one of their Hollywood Bowl performances were added as an overdub for an effective crossfade between it and what followed on record.
5. Bob Marley – I Shot the Sheriff
Bob Marley is one of the masters of reggae music and his songs often make great use of ukuleles as instruments of choice. This particular tune serves as an excellent example of how to add layers and variation by including small riffs between chords – providing a welcome contrast from more upbeat and party songs previously explored here.
As seen here, there are many artists whose songs sound fantastic on a ukulele. While certain genres like heavy metal may not translate well to this instrument, light pop/rock and adult contemporary tend to come out well; that is why artists like Billie Eilish and Train are such favorites on it – their music usually sounds wonderful on it!
Next we’re taking a trip back in time and listening to Hank Williams perform his classic tune about Jambalaya – an easy tune that any budding musician should incorporate into their repertoire.
Train’s “Come Together” has proven popular on the ukulele, providing another example of how songs can be made more entertaining by adding little riffs. Furthermore, this song allows you to practice basic chords as well as practicing how to mute strings after every downstroke; an important practice which will become second nature as you expand your knowledge of music theory.