Starting your musical journey with the ukulele? You’ve picked a fantastic instrument! Known for its cheerful sound and compact size, the ukulele is incredibly beginner-friendly. One of the most rewarding aspects of learning the uke is quickly being able to play your favorite songs. To get you strumming and singing in no time, we’ve compiled a list of Easy Ukulele Songs that are perfect for beginners. These tunes feature simple chords and strumming patterns, allowing you to build your skills and confidence as you play along. Get ready to impress yourself and your friends with these fun and accessible ukulele songs!
Getting Started: Simple Chords and Strumming for Ukulele Beginners
Before diving into our song list, let’s quickly touch on why these songs are considered “easy.” The key lies in the basic ukulele chords they use – often just a handful of open chords like C, G, Am, and F. These chords are relatively simple to finger and transition between, making them ideal for beginners. Strumming patterns in these songs are also kept straightforward, often relying on down-up strums or simple variations. As you progress, you’ll naturally develop more complex strumming rhythms. For now, focus on mastering the chord changes and keeping a steady beat.
Now, let’s get to the songs! Each song below includes the essential chords you’ll need and a suggested strumming pattern to get you started. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what sounds best to you.
Top Easy Ukulele Songs to Learn Right Now
1. “Riptide” by Vance Joy
This indie-folk anthem is practically synonymous with “easy ukulele song.” “Riptide” uses a simple and repetitive chord progression of Am, G, C, and F. The song’s charm lies in its rhythmic strumming. For the verses, try a Down-Down Up-Down (DD UD) pattern, which gives it that signature laid-back feel. In the chorus, you can add a “chucking” rhythm (a percussive strum) to spice things up as you become more comfortable. “Riptide” is a fantastic song to start with because it’s catchy, fun to play, and helps you smoothly transition between these fundamental chords.
2. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (IZ)
Instantly recognizable and deeply moving, IZ’s ukulele rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is a classic for a reason. While it uses a few more chords than “Riptide,” including Am, C, Em, E7, F, and G, don’t be intimidated! Each of these chords is beginner-friendly. The beauty of this song is in its gentle and flowing strumming pattern. A Down-Down-Up Up-Down-Up (D DU UDU) pattern works beautifully, creating a soothing and dreamy atmosphere. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is a wonderful song to practice smooth chord transitions and develop a softer, more delicate strumming style.
3. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
“I’m Yours” is all about feel-good vibes and easy playing. With just four chords – C, G, Am, and F – you can play through most of the song. The strumming pattern is incredibly simple: a basic down-up strum with a slight emphasis on the second down strum in each measure. There’s a quick Edim7 chord that appears briefly, but it’s strummed only once and is quite easy to manage. “I’m Yours” is perfect for practicing consistent rhythm and getting comfortable with a relaxed, groove-oriented strumming style.
4. “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train
This upbeat and catchy tune is a fantastic choice for developing your strumming speed and accuracy. A simplified ukulele version of “Hey, Soul Sister” utilizes the chords C, G, Am, and F, capturing the essential sound of the song. The strumming needs to be lively and match the song’s tempo, ideally a Down-Down Up-Down-Up (DD UDU) pattern. The chorus might feel a bit fast at first, but it’s a great challenge to improve your chord change speed and dexterity. “Hey, Soul Sister” is excellent for practicing strumming along to a faster tempo while keeping your chord changes clean.
5. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus’s empowering anthem “Flowers” is not only a chart-topper but also surprisingly easy to play on the ukulele. The core of the song revolves around the chord progression Am, Dm, G, and C. You’ll also encounter an E7 chord in the pre-chorus. A steady strumming pattern throughout the song works perfectly, allowing you to focus on singing along to this catchy tune. “Flowers” is a great choice for beginners who want to learn a modern pop song and practice a consistent strumming rhythm across different chord changes.
6-10. Expanding Your Chord Vocabulary: Five More Easy Songs
Once you’ve mastered the first few songs, you’ll be ready to explore tunes that introduce a few more chords while still remaining beginner-friendly. These songs will help you expand your chord vocabulary and strumming techniques:
6. “8” by Billie Eilish: (Capo on 3rd fret) Uses C, Cmaj7, Dm, G, and E7 chords. A simple down-up strumming pattern makes it catchy and accessible. The capo adds a unique flavor and introduces you to using a capo on the ukulele.
7. “Driver’s License” by Olivia Rodrigo: Features chords like Bflat, Gm, Eflat, F, and Cm. While it looks like a lot of chords, they are all manageable for beginners. Focus on downward strums with emphasis on every second strum to capture the song’s emotional feel.
8. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison: A timeless classic with C, D, D7, Em and G chords. A steady down-up strumming pattern matches the upbeat tempo. Perfect for singing along and developing your strumming consistency.
9. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong: A mellow and heartwarming song using F, C, Dm, Am, Gm, A7, and Bb chords. Experiment with a quick down-up strum followed by palm muting to create a gentle, rhythmic feel.
10. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond: A crowd-pleasing anthem with four basic chords: A, D, E7, and G. The strumming pattern is D DU UDU. The verses and chorus have different chord durations, which introduces a bit of musical structure to your playing.
11-15. Classics and Modern Hits: Five More Songs to Explore
Ready to broaden your musical horizons? These songs range from beloved classics to contemporary hits, all still within the grasp of a beginner ukulele player:
11. “Yesterday” by The Beatles: A melancholic masterpiece with easy F, G, G7, Am, and C chords. Use a D DU UDU strumming pattern and take your time with this beautiful song.
12. “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Toploader: An upbeat and feel-good song with only four chords: Em, Bm, D, and A. The strumming pattern is D DU UDU, changing to D DU UDDU in the chorus, adding a bit of dynamic variation.
13. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘n’ Roses: Yes, even rock classics can be easy on the ukulele! The verses use A, C, Cadd9, D, and G chords. A steady strumming pattern works well for both verses and chorus, giving a unique ukulele twist to this iconic song.
14. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams: Slightly more challenging with barre chords like Bflat, Fm7, and C, along with F7. It’s a great stepping stone to learning barre chords. Keep a regular down-up strumming pattern as you get comfortable with the chord shapes.
15. “Zombie” by The Cranberries: A powerful song with chords Em, C, G, and D. Use a D D DU UDU strumming pattern. The verse and chorus chord progressions differ, introducing you to song structure.
16-20. Expanding Your Repertoire: Five More Diverse Songs
Let’s diversify your ukulele songbook further with these selections, spanning reggae, Latin, and country genres:
16. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley: Pure reggae vibes with just C, D, and F chords. Try a reggae strum pattern and incorporate the “chck” sound for authentic feel. Keep it slow and relaxed – “don’t worry about a thing!”
17. “Imagine” by John Lennon: A timeless anthem of peace using C, Cmaj7, F, and G chords. The strumming pattern is D DU UDU. The chord progression is simple yet powerful, reflecting the song’s message.
18. “A Horse with No Name” by America: A mellow and atmospheric song with only three chords: Em, F#m7-5, and D6/9. The strumming pattern is down, down-up, down-up, down-up. Tuning your ukulele to GCEA is essential for this song.
19. “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens: A lively and infectious Latin classic with a chord progression of C, F, G7, and Am. Perfect for practicing faster chord changes and adding some upbeat energy to your playing.
20. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton: A passionate country ballad with four chords: Am, C, G, and Em. The strumming pattern is Down, Mute, Up-Down (D, Mute, UD). The mute adds a rhythmic percussive element to your strumming.
21-25. Fun and Energetic: Five Upbeat Songs to Strum
Let’s pick up the tempo with these five energetic songs that are sure to get you moving and strumming with enthusiasm:
21. “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles/The Top Notes: Get ready to twist and shout with this classic using just C, F, and G chords. Strumming patterns are flexible, but on the G chord, use quick down strums to mimic the song’s riff.
22. “Bad Moon Rising” by Credence Clearwater Revival: Classic rock on the ukulele! Uses C, G, and F chords. The strumming pattern is DD UD on C, DD on G, and DD UD on F, creating a driving rhythm.
23. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd: Another rock anthem simplified for ukulele with D, C, and G chords. Strum in patterns of three downstrokes and an upstroke (DDD U) to capture the song’s groove.
24. “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley: An enchanting and soulful song using C, F, G, Am, and Em chords. A gentle DD UU strumming pattern works beautifully. For an added challenge, try fingerpicking the chords.
25. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King: An iconic and heartwarming song with C, Am, F and G7 chords. Use a steady acoustic guitar-style strum to master this timeless classic quickly.
Bonus Tracks: More Songs to Keep You Strumming
Want even more easy ukulele songs? Here are a few bonus tracks to keep your practice sessions going:
- “Yellow” by Coldplay: C, G, F, and Am chords with a D D UU UDU strumming pattern.
- “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men: C, G, Am, G, and F chords and a DD UU DU strumming pattern.
- “All Star” by Smash Mouth: G, D, Am, and C chords with varying strumming patterns for verses and chorus.
- “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young: G, D, C, and Em chords with mainly down strums.
- “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith: Am, F, and C chords with a rhythm that challenges your timing.
- “All Of Me” by John Legend: Em, C, G, D, and Am chords with a D DU UDU strumming pattern.
- “The Show” by Lenka: C, G, Am, and F chords and a DDU UDU strumming pattern.
- “The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem: Cm, Ab, Eb, and G chords with a D DU strumming pattern.
- “I Miss You” by Blink 182: G, D, Em, and C chords with a DD UU UDU strumming pattern.
- “It Was A Good Day” by Ice Cube: Explore a fun riff with barre chords and hammer-ons/pull-offs.
- “Hey Ya” by Outkast: G, C, D and E chords and a DD UU DU strumming pattern (E chord is a bit trickier).
- “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones: C, F, A, and G chords with a fast and steady strumming pattern.
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift: Am, C, and G chords with a fast D DU D DU strumming pattern.
- “Take On Me” by Aha: G, D, Em, C, and Am chords with a DD U UDU strumming pattern.
- “Basket Case” by Green Day: C, G, Am, F, and Bb chords with a DU DUDU strumming pattern.
- “Budapest” by George Ezra: C, F, and G chords with a folksy strumming pattern.
- “The Final Countdown” by Europe: More challenging chords but a rewarding song to learn with a galloping strumming pattern.
Tips for Learning Ukulele Songs as a Beginner
- Start Slow: Don’t rush! Begin by learning the chords individually and practice switching between them smoothly before attempting to play along with a song.
- Practice Chord Transitions: Smooth chord changes are key. Practice moving between the chords in each song repeatedly until it becomes fluid.
- Focus on Rhythm: Keep a steady beat. Use a metronome or drum beat app to help you develop your timing.
- Listen to the Original Song: Familiarize yourself with how the song sounds. This helps you understand the rhythm and timing.
- Break It Down: If a song feels overwhelming, break it into smaller sections (verse, chorus, etc.). Master each section before putting it all together.
- Use Online Resources: Websites and apps like Ultimate-Guitar, Ukulele Tabs, and Yousician offer chords, tabs, and tutorials for ukulele songs. YouTube is also a goldmine for ukulele lessons and song tutorials.
- Have Fun! Learning should be enjoyable. Choose songs you love and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
Conclusion
Learning ukulele songs is a rewarding journey, and starting with easy tunes is the perfect way to build your skills and confidence. This list of easy ukulele songs provides a fantastic starting point for beginners. From pop hits to timeless classics, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your ukulele, start with your favorite song from this list, and begin strumming your way to musical enjoyment! Happy playing!
