Learning to play the ukulele is an incredibly rewarding experience. Its cheerful sound and compact size make it a joy to play, and the good news is, getting started is easier than you might think! If you’re a beginner eager to strum your first tunes, you’ve come to the right place. This guide is packed with Easy Uke Songs perfect for those just starting their musical journey. We’ve carefully selected songs that use simple chords and strumming patterns, so you can quickly learn to play along and build your confidence.
Whether you’re aiming to impress your friends, serenade your loved ones, or simply enjoy making music, this list of easy ukulele songs will provide a fantastic starting point. Let’s dive in and discover some fantastic tracks to get you strumming in no time!
1. “Riptide” by Vance Joy
This indie-folk anthem is a fantastic choice for beginner ukulele players. “Riptide” by Vance Joy uses a simple chord progression that repeats throughout the song, making it incredibly easy to memorize. You’ll only need to learn four basic chords: Am, G, C, and F. The song typically uses a DD UD strumming pattern for the verses, which is straightforward to master, and introduces a chucking rhythm in the chorus to add a bit of flair as you progress. This song is perfect for practicing smooth chord transitions and getting comfortable with basic strumming.
2. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Immortalized by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is a timeless classic that sounds beautiful on the ukulele. While it uses slightly more chords than “Riptide”, don’t be intimidated! The chords Am, C, Em, E7, F, and G are all beginner-friendly and commonly used in many easy uke songs. The strumming pattern, often simplified to D DU UDU, is also quite manageable for beginners. This song is excellent for practicing a slightly more complex chord progression while playing a truly iconic melody.
3. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz’s feel-good hit, “I’m Yours,” is practically synonymous with easy ukulele playing. With just four chords – C, G, Am, and F – you can play the vast majority of this song. The strumming pattern is incredibly simple: a basic down-up strum, emphasizing the second down strum for rhythm. There is a fleeting Edim7 chord, but it appears only once and is surprisingly easy to play. “I’m Yours” is ideal for building rhythm and confidence with a song that’s instantly recognizable and fun to play.
4. “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train
Train’s upbeat and catchy “Hey, Soul Sister” is a popular choice for ukulele enthusiasts. A simplified version, perfect for beginners, uses just C, G, Am, and F chords. This allows you to capture the essential sound of the song without complex fingerings. The strumming should be up-tempo to match the song’s energy, often played in a DD UDU pattern. While the chorus might present a slight challenge for absolute beginners due to faster chord changes, it’s a fantastic song to grow with and improve your dexterity.
5. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus’s empowering anthem “Flowers” is not only a chart-topper but also surprisingly accessible on the ukulele. The chord progression of Am, Dm, G, and C forms the backbone of the song and is relatively easy to pick up. An E7 chord appears in the pre-chorus, adding a touch of variety, and a consistent strumming pattern throughout makes it easy to follow along. “Flowers” is a modern pop song that’s both fun to play and sing, helping you expand your repertoire of easy uke songs.
6. “8” by Billie Eilish
For a slightly different vibe, try Billie Eilish’s “8”. This song requires a capo on the 3rd fret, which might seem new, but it’s a simple tool to use and opens up new sonic possibilities on your ukulele. The chords C, Cmaj7, Dm, G, and E7 are all manageable, and the down-up strumming pattern keeps things straightforward. Playing “8” introduces you to using a capo and exploring songs in different keys while still remaining within the realm of easy uke songs.
7. “Driver’s License” by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout hit “Driver’s License” translates beautifully to the ukulele. While it introduces a few more chords than some of the other songs, Bflat, Gm, Eflat, F, and Cm, they are all within reach for a determined beginner. The strumming pattern focuses primarily on downward strokes, with emphasis on every second strum to create its signature melancholic feel. “Driver’s License” allows you to tackle a popular ballad and practice a wider range of chords as you continue to learn easy ukulele songs.
8. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
A timeless classic, Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” is an absolute must-learn for ukulele players. Its iconic intro melody and upbeat rhythm are instantly recognizable and addictive to play. The song uses a simple and flowing chord progression of C, D, D7, Em, and G. A steady down-up strumming pattern perfectly matches the tempo, making it easy to play along while singing those memorable “Sha-la-las!”. “Brown Eyed Girl” is a fantastic addition to any beginner’s list of easy uke songs due to its familiarity and enjoyable rhythm.
9. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” is a mellow and heartwarming song that brings a smile to everyone’s face. This classic requires a slightly larger set of chords: F, C, Dm, Am, Gm, A7, and Bb. However, the beauty of the melody and the gentle pace make it worthwhile to learn. The strumming technique involves a quick down-up strum followed by palm muting to create a soft, rhythmic texture. “What a Wonderful World” is excellent for practicing a wider range of chords in a slow and deliberate manner, adding depth to your collection of easy ukulele songs.
10. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for singalongs and gatherings. It relies on just four basic chords: A, D, E7, and G. The strumming pattern is a simple D DU UDU. The song structure is also straightforward: verses use two measures per chord, while the chorus uses one measure per chord, making it easy to follow along. Don’t forget to belt out the “baa baa baa”s with gusto for the full “Sweet Caroline” experience! This song is fantastic for practicing chord changes in a fun and energetic context, solidifying your grasp on easy uke songs.
11. “Yesterday” by The Beatles
The Beatles’ melancholic and beautiful ballad “Yesterday” is another excellent song for ukulele beginners. It features easy chords: F, G, G7, Am, and C. The strumming pattern is consistently D DU UDU for each chord. Similar to “Sweet Caroline,” verses use two measures per chord, and the chorus uses one measure per chord, providing a clear structure to follow. “Yesterday” is perfect for practicing gentle strumming and expressing emotion through music, adding a classic and heartfelt song to your repertoire of easy uke songs.
12. “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader
Toploader’s feel-good hit “Dancing in the Moonlight” is a fantastic choice for beginner ukulele players looking for an upbeat tune. You only need to learn four chords: Em, Bm, D, and A. The strumming pattern is generally D DU UDU for each chord. However, the chorus introduces a slight variation, changing to D DU UDDU to add energy. This catchy song is perfect for practicing rhythmic strumming and getting comfortable with slightly faster chord changes while enjoying a fun and popular track among easy uke songs.
13. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Yes, even Guns N’ Roses can be ukulele-friendly! “Sweet Child O’ Mine” might seem like a rock anthem, but its verses translate surprisingly well to the ukulele. The song is based on easy chords: A, C, Cadd9, D, and G. A steady strumming pattern throughout both the verses and chorus captures the rhythm effectively. This unexpected choice is great for showing the versatility of the ukulele and adding a classic rock edge to your collection of easy uke songs.
14. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams’ infectious “Happy” is a song that’s hard not to smile along to. While slightly more challenging than some of the other songs on this list, it’s still manageable for determined beginners. It introduces some barre chords like Bflat, Fm7, and C, along with an F7. These chords might require a bit more practice to master, but “Happy” is excellent for building finger strength and expanding your chord vocabulary. You can use a regular DU strumming pattern until you become comfortable with the chords. Learning “Happy” expands your skills and adds a modern pop hit to your list of easy ukulele songs.
15. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
The Cranberries’ powerful “Zombie” takes on a unique and compelling character when played on the ukulele. It uses a simple chord progression of Em, C, G, and D and a consistent strumming pattern of D D DU UDU. The verses follow a chord progression of Em – C – G – D, while the chorus shifts to C – G – D – Em. “Zombie” is a great song for practicing dynamic strumming and playing a song with emotional depth, adding a slightly more intense piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
16. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” is the epitome of chill ukulele vibes. You only need three chords to play this reggae classic: C, D, and F. To capture the reggae feel, try a reggae strum pattern, incorporating the “chck” sound by muting the strings after certain strums. The key is to keep it slow and relaxed – “don’t worry about a thing!” “Three Little Birds” is perfect for practicing rhythmic strumming and embracing the laid-back spirit of the ukulele, making it a quintessential addition to any list of easy uke songs.
17. “Imagine” by John Lennon
John Lennon’s iconic peace anthem “Imagine” is both beautiful and simple to play on the ukulele. You’ll need to know chords C, Cmaj7, F, and G. The strumming pattern is a consistent D DU UDU for each chord. The verses and chorus follow a chord progression of C – Cmaj7 – F – Fmaj7 – G, with each chord receiving one measure. “Imagine” is a powerful song with a meaningful message that feels incredibly rewarding to play, especially for beginners looking for easy uke songs with substance.
18. “A Horse with No Name” by America
America’s classic “A Horse with No Name” is surprisingly easy to play on the ukulele, and it sounds fantastic. Tuning your ukulele to GCEA (standard tuning) is essential. The song uses only three chords: Em, F#m7-5, and D6/9. While the names might look complex, they are relatively straightforward to finger, especially the Em and D6/9. The strumming pattern is down, down-up, down-up, down-up. “A Horse with No Name” is excellent for practicing fingerpicking-style strumming and learning a song with a distinctive and memorable melody among easy ukulele songs.
19. “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” is an upbeat and energetic song that’s perfect for rocking out on the ukulele. With a simple chord progression of C, F, G7, and Am, it’s easy to learn and get the hang of quickly. “La Bamba” is a fantastic song for beginners to add to their repertoire as it’s both fun to play and instantly recognizable as one of the most energetic easy uke songs.
20. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s emotionally charged hit “Jolene” translates beautifully to the bright, jangly sound of the ukulele. It uses just four simple chords throughout the entire song: Am, C, G, and Em, played in that order. The strumming pattern is D, mute, UD, with the mute performed on the upstroke to create a distinctive rhythmic feel. “Jolene” is a great song for practicing dynamic strumming and playing a song with heartfelt emotion, adding a country classic to your collection of easy uke songs.
21. “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles/The Top Notes
Get ready to shake, twist, and shout along to this classic party anthem! “Twist and Shout,” popularized by both The Beatles and The Top Notes, uses only three super simple chords: C, F, and G. Strumming patterns are flexible for this song, but on the G chord, try using a quick succession of down strums to mimic the song’s signature riff. “Twist and Shout” is perfect for letting loose and having fun while practicing basic chord changes and energetic strumming, making it a lively addition to your list of easy uke songs.
22. “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Classic rock sounds fantastic on the ukulele, and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” is no exception. To play along, you’ll only need C, G, and F chords. The strumming pattern is DD UD on the C chord, DD on the G chord, and then back to DD UD on the F chord. “Bad Moon Rising” is great for practicing distinct strumming patterns for different chords within a song and adding a rock and roll edge to your selection of easy uke songs.
23. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Continuing with classic rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” offers another surprisingly accessible song for the ukulele. It features a simple chord progression of D, C, and G. The strumming pattern involves three downstrokes followed by an upstroke – DDD U, emphasizing the third downstroke. The final upstroke helps link each section together smoothly. “Sweet Home Alabama” is perfect for practicing rhythmic strumming and learning a classic rock anthem that sounds great on the uke, further expanding your collection of easy uke songs.
24. “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley (or Leonard Cohen)
Jeff Buckley’s (or Leonard Cohen’s) enchanting “Hallelujah” is a beautiful and moving song that translates wonderfully to the ukulele. You’ll need to learn C, F, G, Am, and Em chords. Adopt a gentle DD UU strumming pattern to smoothly transition between chords. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try fingerpicking the chords instead of strumming for an even more delicate sound. “Hallelujah” is an excellent choice for practicing gentle strumming or fingerpicking and playing a song with deep emotional resonance, adding a sophisticated and moving piece to your repertoire of easy uke songs.
25. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Ben E. King’s iconic “Stand By Me” is a timeless classic that’s remarkably easy to play on the ukulele. Use a steady, acoustic guitar-style strum, and you’ll have this song mastered in minutes. It combines a simple set of chords: C, Am, F, and G7. “Stand By Me” is easy to pick up and features a steady, repeating rhythm that’s perfect for singing along to. It’s an excellent choice for building confidence and adding a universally loved song to your collection of easy uke songs.
26. “Yellow” by Coldplay
If you’re feeling… well… “Yellow,” then you’re in luck! Coldplay’s hit song shines just as brightly on the ukulele. With C, G, F, and Am chords, it’s super simple to learn. A steady D D UU UDU strumming pattern fits the beat perfectly. “Yellow” is a great song for practicing a slightly more complex strumming pattern while playing a modern classic that sounds fantastic on the uke, adding a contemporary feel to your list of easy uke songs.
27. “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men’s haunting and powerful “Little Talks” is surprisingly accessible on the ukulele. It comprises just C, G, Am, G, and F chords. A DD UU DU strumming pattern works throughout most of the song, except for the intro, which uses all downstrokes. “Little Talks” is excellent for practicing a consistent strumming pattern and playing a song with dynamic shifts and a unique indie-folk sound, adding a contemporary and slightly more alternative piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
28. “All Star” by Smash Mouth
Smash Mouth’s “All Star” is a quick and catchy 90s anthem that’s surprisingly fun on the ukulele. It consists of G, D, Am, and C chords played in that order. In the verses, you can use a steady D DUD pattern. For the chorus, switch to a steady DD DUDU pattern, with single strums for the final line of the chorus. “All Star” is a great song for practicing different strumming patterns within a song and learning a fun, upbeat track that’s sure to bring back some nostalgic memories, making it a quirky addition to your list of easy uke songs.
29. “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young
Neil Young’s mellow and iconic “Heart of Gold” is a perfect fit for the ukulele’s gentle sound. Four simple chords: G, D, C, and Em make “Heart of Gold” easy for beginners to play. The song is mellow and upbeat and features a simple strumming pattern. Primarily use down strums and listen to the song to match the rhythm of the various sections. “Heart of Gold” is excellent for practicing gentle strumming and playing a timeless classic with a relaxed and folksy vibe, adding a mellow and iconic song to your collection of easy uke songs.
30. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
Sam Smith’s soulful ballad “Stay With Me” presents a slight rhythmic challenge but is still very achievable for ukulele beginners. Am, F, and C chords are all you need for most of the song. The strumming for Am and F chords is slow, while the C chord section speeds up. “Stay With Me” is a great song for developing your timing and learning to vary strumming speed within a song while playing a modern ballad, adding a soulful and contemporary piece to your repertoire of easy uke songs.
31. “All Of Me” by John Legend
John Legend’s heartfelt “All Of Me” is perfect for aspiring ukulele singers. This romantic ballad features easy chords: Em, C, G, D, and Am. A catchy D DU UDU strumming pattern repeats throughout the song, allowing you to focus on the lyrics and vocal performance. “All Of Me” is excellent for practicing consistent strumming and developing your singing along with the ukulele, making it a romantic and vocal-focused addition to your list of easy uke songs.
32. “The Show” by Lenka
Lenka’s happy and upbeat “The Show” is a cheerful song that’s easy to learn on the ukulele. It features C, G, Am, and F chords. The strumming pattern is a steady and simple DDU UDU. There are single strums on the line “slow it down, make it stop,” followed by a brief pause in playing, adding a dynamic element. “The Show” is a great song for practicing a consistent strumming pattern and learning a song with dynamic variations, adding a cheerful and playful piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
33. “The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem
Pushing the boundaries of what you might expect on a ukulele, Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” is surprisingly playable! It consists of a repeating four-chord pattern: Cm, Ab, Eb, and G. A steady D DU strumming pattern throughout covers both the verses and chorus. Learning the iconic riff adds extra flair. “The Real Slim Shady” is a fun song for practicing slightly more challenging chords and showing the unexpected versatility of the ukulele, adding a quirky and surprising piece to your list of easy uke songs.
34. “I Miss You” by Blink-182
Blink-182’s pop-punk hit “I Miss You” translates surprisingly well to the ukulele’s sound. Four repeating chords are all you need: G, D, Em, and C. The regular DD UU UDU strumming pattern works throughout the song, providing a steady tempo to sing the lyrics over. “I Miss You” is a great song for practicing a consistent strumming pattern and learning a pop-punk classic on the ukulele, adding a slightly alternative and nostalgic piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
35. “It Was A Good Day” by Ice Cube
Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day” offers a unique and funky riff that’s fun to play on the ukulele. The song repeats a four-chord pattern throughout. It involves simple barre chords and hammer-ons and pull-offs, which might sound complex but are easier than they seem. This video provides a helpful breakdown into easy segments. “It Was A Good Day” is excellent for exploring barre chords and basic techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs while learning a unique and unexpected song on the ukulele, adding a funky and challenging (but achievable) piece to your list of easy uke songs.
36. “Hey Ya!” by Outkast
Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” is an incredibly catchy and energetic song that’s a blast to play on the ukulele. It does have one slightly trickier chord – E major – which might require some practice to transition to smoothly. The chords are G, C, D, and E, and the strumming pattern is consistently DD UU DU throughout the entire song. “Hey Ya!” is a fantastic song for practicing slightly more challenging chord transitions and playing an incredibly upbeat and popular song, adding a high-energy and funky piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
37. “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones
The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” is an upbeat and up-tempo punk rock classic that’s perfect for energetic ukulele playing. It features C, F, A, and G chords. Maintain a fast and steady strum pattern as you cycle through these chords for the entire song. Note that the A chord appears in the second half of the song. “I Wanna Be Sedated” is excellent for practicing fast strumming and playing a high-energy punk rock song on the ukulele, adding a fast-paced and energetic piece to your list of easy uke songs.
38. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s pop anthem “Shake It Off” is incredibly catchy and easy to learn on the ukulele. Consisting of Am, C, and G chords, it’s quick to pick up. A fast D DU D DU strumming pattern works throughout the song. Palm-muted “chcks” are used for the “I’m gonna shake, shake, shake” line, adding a rhythmic percussive element. “Shake It Off” is a great song for practicing fast strumming and incorporating palm muting while playing a modern pop hit, adding a contemporary and upbeat piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
39. “Take On Me” by a-ha
a-ha’s 80s synth-pop classic “Take On Me” might seem complex, but its ukulele version is surprisingly manageable for beginners. The chords themselves are simple: G, D, Em, C, and Am. The strumming pattern is a steady DD U UDU. The strumming pattern changes slightly for one part in the chorus, adding a bit of dynamic variation. “Take On Me” is excellent for practicing a consistent strumming pattern with slight variations and learning a recognizable 80s hit on the ukulele, adding a synth-pop classic to your list of easy uke songs.
40. “Basket Case” by Green Day
Green Day’s pop-punk anthem “Basket Case” translates surprisingly well to the ukulele. With C, G, Am, F, and Bb chords, it’s quite steady and straightforward, despite having five chords. An easy DU DUDU strum works throughout most of the song, except for the C, G, Am, G passage, where you just strum each chord once. “Basket Case” is a great song for practicing a consistent strumming pattern with slight variations and learning a 90s pop-punk hit on the ukulele, adding a slightly edgy and energetic piece to your collection of easy uke songs.
41. “Budapest” by George Ezra
George Ezra’s catchy and folksy “Budapest” is a perfect fit for the ukulele’s warm tone. Get jamming with just C, F, and G chords. For strumming, try picking the third string first, then follow with a D DUD pattern. Played faster, it creates a fluid, folksy strum pattern that suits the song perfectly. The verses follow a C-F-C progression, followed by the chorus of G-F-C. “Budapest” is excellent for practicing a fingerpicking-style strumming pattern and learning a modern folk-pop hit on the ukulele, adding a folksy and contemporary piece to your list of easy uke songs.
42. “The Final Countdown” by Europe
Europe’s epic rock anthem “The Final Countdown” might seem daunting, but it’s achievable on the ukulele with some practice! It does feature trickier chords: F#M, Bm, E, A, D, and C#m. However, these chords are well-explained in video tutorials online. A galloping-style strum pattern is used throughout the song, with a D DU rhythm. Once you’ve mastered the riff, you can aim to sound as impressive as this! “The Final Countdown” is a challenging but rewarding song for expanding your chord vocabulary and adding a classic rock anthem to your repertoire of easy uke songs (for those willing to push their boundaries a little!).
Learning these easy uke songs is a fantastic way to start your ukulele journey. With consistent practice and a little patience, you’ll be strumming your favorite tunes in no time. Happy playing!
