35 Famous Ukulele Songs You Need to Know

At some point, everyone finds themselves looking for fun songs to play. This list of 20 famous ukulele songs includes familiar favorites that are easy to play.

Which Chords do You Need to Know?

The answer to this question depends on the song you choose. Many of these songs feature familiar chords – and in case you don’t know a certain chord yet, you’ll find that learning a famous tune eases the challenge of learning something new. So, don’t stress!

Getting Started with Famous Songs for the Ukulele

Lots of things in life are difficult. Playing your uke shouldn’t be one of them! So pick a song that appeals to you, take a look, and start to practice one chord at a time. If you can spend about 15 minutes per day building on what you already know, you’ll find yourself strumming famous ukulele songs in just a short amount of time. Ready? Let’s get started!

25 Famous Ukulele Songs to Add to Your Repertoire

“Aloha Oe” by Queen Lili’uokalani (1890)

Chords: C, D7, F, F7, G, G7

Year of Release: 1890

Artist: Queen Lili’Uokalani

Album: N/A

“Over the Rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’Ole (1993)

Chords: Am, C, D, Dm7, Em, E7, F, G

Year of Release: 1993

Artist: Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’Ole

Album: Facing Future

“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen (1984)

Chords: Am, C, Em, F, G

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQNzHsn0kTM

Year of Release: 1984

Artist: Leonard Cohen

Album: Various Positions

“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles (1969)

Chords: A, Bm, B7, C, D, E7, G

Year of Release: 1969

Artist: The Beatles

Album: Abbey Road

“The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars (2010)

Chords: Am, Bm, B7, C, D, Em, G

Year of Release: 2010

Artist: Bruno Mars

Album: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

“Riptide” by Vance Joy (2013)

Chords: Bbm, Db, Ab

Year of Release: 2013

Artist: Vance Joy

Album: Dream Your Life Away

“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King (1961)

Chords: A, D, E, Gbm

Year of Release: 1961

Artist: Ben E. King

Album: Don’t Play that Song!

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Mamas & The Papas (1968)

Chords: A, A7, Bm, B7, C, E, E7, F, Fm, Gbm, G, G7, Ab

Year of Release: 1968

Artist: The Mamas & The Papas

Album: The Papas & The Mamas

“Hey Soul Sister” by Train (2009)

Chords: A, B, Dbm, E

Year of Release: 2009

Artist: Train

Album: Save Me, San Francisco

“La Vie En Rose” by Cristin Milioti (2014)

Chords: Am, C, D, D7, Dsus4, Em, G, Gmaj7

Year of Release: 2014

Artist: Cristin Milioti

Album: La Vie En Rose – How I Met Your Mother single

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Twenty One Pilots (Elvis Cover) (2012)

Chords: Am, A7, B7, C, Dm7, Em, Em7, F, G, G7

Year of Release: 2012

Artist: Twenty One Pilots

Album: Can’t Help Falling in Love

“Stay with Me” by Sam Smith (2014)

Chords: Am, C, F, G

Year of Release: 2014

Artist: Sam Smith

Album: In the Lonely Hour

“All I Want” by Kodaline (2012)

Chords: Am, C, Dm, F, G, Gm

Year of Release: 2012

Artist: Kodaline

Album: In a Perfect World

“Hotel California” by Eagles (1977)

Chords: A, Bm, D, Em, E7, Gb7, G

Year of Release: 1977

Artist: Eagles

Album: Hotel California

“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran (2014)

Chords: A, Am, Bm, Bm7, C, D, Dm, Em, F, G

Year of Release: 2014

Artist: Ed Sheeran

Album: X

“Lullaby” by Front Porch Step (2013)

Chords: Am, C, F, G

Year of Release: 2013

Artist: Front Porch Step

Album: Aware

“I Don’t Know my Name” by Grace Vanderwaal (2016)

Chords: Am, C, F, G

Year of Release: 2016

Artist: Grace Vanderwaal

Album: Perfectly Imperfect

“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten (2015)

Chords: Cadd9, D, Em7, G, gmaj7

Year of Release: 2015

Artist: Rachel Platten

Album: Fight Song – EP

“Crocodile Rock” by Elton John (1973)

Chords: A7, Bm, C, D, D7, E, Em, G

Year of Release: 1973

Artist: Elton John

Album: Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player

“Hey Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams (1953)

Chords: C, D, F, G

Year of Release: 1953

Artist: Hank Williams

Album: Memorial Album

“Sweet Home Alabama,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)

3 chords – D C G

Click for chords
D chords can be daunting to some beginners. Experiment with playing it with one, two, or three fingers.

“I’ll Fly Away,” by Albert E. Brumley (1929)

3 chords – G C D

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Often played in gospel and bluegrass bands, this is a classic and beautiful choice for beginners who’ve gotten comfortable with G and are working on the D chord — or vice versa.

“Love Me Do,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney for The Beatles (1962)

3 chords – G C D

Click for chords
So many Beatles songs work beautifully on ukulele, and “Love Me Do” is especially well-suited to beginning players.

“Walk Like An Egyptian,” written by Liam Sternberg and made famous by The Bangles (1986)

3 chords – A G D

Click for chords
This song has an unique and fun rhythm for chord changes. Watch out for those lyrics — they’re a mouthful!

“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” by Charlie Reid and Craig Reid as The Proclaimers (1988)

3 chords – D G A

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This one is fun to play loud! Again, if you’re finding it difficult to play and sing at the same time, practice those two elements separately — until they’re smooth on their own — before putting them together.

“Three Little Birds,” by Bob Marley (1980)

3 chords – D G A

Click for chords
This reggae classic is great for beginners in several keys. The video gives you more options.

“Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet

4 chords – A, D, D7, G

See more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?8VG7EuQsHEw

Click for chords

Here’s one of the best ukulele country songs ever! Even though Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville” talks about strumming a six-string, it’s easy to get by with only four.

“Mud on the Tires” by Brad Paisley

4 chords – A, Bm, D, G

See more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6nxHNrIwJA

Click for chords

Here’s a great one: “Mud on the Tires” is easy to play on your ukulele, and the lyrics are fairly slow, too, so singing along will come fairly easy once you’ve got the chords down. Have fun!

“Red Solo Cup” by Toby Keith

6 chords – A, B, Bm, Dbm, E, Gb

See more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZqGJONH68

Click for chords

You’ll be the most popular person at the next party if you bring your ukulele along and play “Red Solo Cup” for everyone to sing along to. Have fun with this one: It’s easy to make your own!

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

6 chords – A, D, E, E7, Gbm, G

See more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

Click for chords

Another popular country tune that most people love to sing along with, this old John Denver song is easy to play on your ukulele. “Take Me Home Country Roads” was first recorded in 1971, but it remains a favorite.

“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash

5 chords – A, A7, D, B7, E7

See more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY

Click for chords

You might not think it’s possible, but you really can play Johnny Cash songs on your ukulele! “Ring of Fire” is a favorite – and with only three chords to play, it’s one of the easiest there is.

Playing Easy Country Ukulele Songs

Thanks to slower tempos, compelling lyrics, and familiar tunes that lots of people know and love, country songs are ideal for playing on your ukulele. Take these covers and make them your own!

With patience and practice, you’ll be ready to treat friends to fun sing-alongs. Aloha, and happy strumming!

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Ukulele wedding songs