Nov 01 2008
What are the best songs to play on the ukulele?
There are certain songs that work really well on the ukulele. Some of them were written on and for the ukulele, others have been adapted to the ukulele and have since become uke standards.
Old School Ukulele Songs
Aloha Oe: One of the reasons the ukulele became so successful was the support of the Hawaiian Royal family in the late 19th Century. Aloha Oe was apparently written by Queen Liliuokalani. It has since became a ukulele standard and has even been covered by Lilo and Stitch.
Ain’t She Sweet: The 1920s saw the ukulele become incredibly popular on the US mainland and this song became a ukulele standard. It was even done by the Beatles with George Harrison on uke in The Beatles documentary.
Tonight You Belong To Me: The scene The Jerk where Steve Martin plays this song on the uke made it an instant ukulele standard.
Five Foot Two: Another 20s standard that works perfectly on the ukulele.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Made a ukulele standard by Israel Kamakwiwo’ole and immortalised further by Jason Castro when he played it on the ukulele on American Idol. You can find the Jason Castro version of the Somewhere Over the Rainbow ukulele chords here.
New School Ukulele Songs
Five Years Time: Noah and the Whale’s hit ukulele song. Perfect for beginners with it being just three easy chords: C, F and G.
I’m Yours: The Jason Mraz song has been picked up my the ukulele community. You can find oodles of covers (and parodies) of this song on the ukulele.