Jungle Book – I Wanna Be Like You (Chords and Tab)


I Wanna Be Like You (Chords)

This one is a big favourite with ukulele groups (as ably demonstrated by the Hull Ukulele Group). But it could have been written for Hobbit to sing. It’s a perfect fit. Which is a whole lot more than you can say about the Jonas Brothers. I somehow find it hard to believe they spend anguished nights desperately wishing they could rid themselves of their wild instincts and join respectable society.

Although they do have a glint in their eyes which seems to say, “Teach me to destroy so I may be truly respected.”

Suggested Strumming Pattern

d – d u – u d u

Twice for each chord until you get to G7. Just one strum for that. Then the pattern twice for C and A7, once for D7, once for G7.

Next bit is a little tricky timing wise. Strum the pattern once for C. Then down once on C and down three times on G7.

Twiddly Bits

The intro goes like this:

wanna be like you ukulele tab

Also on the C and A7 in the chorus Hobbit is switching between the chords and strumming all the strings open.

Buy the original.
Buy Snake Suspenderz stuff.

15 Comments

  1. J-Hob July 12th, 2009 3:19 pm

    This is a firm favourite at the Monday Ukearist, a song that is just perfect on the uke.

  2. Olly July 12th, 2009 5:14 pm

    Yeah baby! I love this song. I put a vid on youtiube over easter. I was really bored but nevermind, isn’t the uke more than just an instrument?

    My version aint as twiddly as this one, and to be honest this one is somewhat better lol. Cheers though matey, I wasn’t quite able to work it out, but now I don’t need to! Ah, back to being lazy! :op

    the link is below if any one is interested:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik2Xo9DMToQ&feature=channel_page

    Cheers again!

  3. Nick Bardy-Chivor July 12th, 2009 5:47 pm

    first tune i learned when i got my first uke…I think hearing it all the time while my kids watched the movie kinda spurred me on to get one in the first place…Sherman and Sherman must have written it for the uke…

  4. Olly July 12th, 2009 10:12 pm

    it was one of the first tunes i “learnt”. I mean that I found the chords on the internet and put my own strum patterns to it. sounded so ropey though!

  5. Pascal July 12th, 2009 10:49 pm

    Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah they’re great !!!!! I love this song !!! Thanxxxxxx !

    I love this version too
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-0HuPu0Lo

    Thanks for the chords, I try now !

    Next The Bare Necessities ?

  6. Woodshed July 13th, 2009 7:19 pm

    J-Hob: I think every uke group does it.

    Olly: Nice work.

    Nick: I was well into this film when I was a kid. Had the LP and everything.

    Pascal: I wouldn’t bet against it.

  7. zymeck July 13th, 2009 9:07 pm

    woo!!

    cheers for the mention Al :D

  8. Pascal July 14th, 2009 11:58 pm

    I said I try! After threats acts. All this is your fault.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k2bG8JU5KA

  9. Greg July 15th, 2009 8:30 pm

    Nice!! I bought the Jungle Book song book hoping to learn the songs but the book is WAY too complicated for me. This level of simplification is perfect!

  10. Jeremy July 16th, 2009 5:32 pm

    First thing I learned on the Uke. Learned it on the tenor banjo after flipping through a Disney songbook– it was the only one I knew chords for.

  11. Woodshed July 17th, 2009 3:40 pm

    Greg: Glad it suits you.

    Jeremy: Seems like a popular tune for first timers – easy to see why.

  12. Woodshed July 17th, 2009 3:54 pm

    Pascal: That’s bloody hilarious!

    Andy: You’re welcome.

  13. Marcus Anderson July 18th, 2009 5:13 am

    Video performance is great! I love it.

  14. Woodshed July 19th, 2009 3:50 pm

    Marcus: The Snake Suspenderz are a top notch band.

  15. Jayac December 28th, 2009 5:59 pm

    This is great!! I’ve only just got myslef a ukulele, but im already playin this over and over again!!

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