IDLES – Danny Nedelko (Tab)

Since immigrants invented the ukulele, it’s only right to have a song celebrating immigrants on here. And what a celebration it is. Idles turned in a barnstorming performance of it in their already legendary Glastonbury set. And, along with Fontaines D.C., have convinced me that punk isn’t dead yet.

Idles are masters of playing with tension and release. The opener on their latest album, Colossus builds tension for four minutes then releases it for a riotous two minutes. Danny Nedelko is more traditional in its structure. The verse, pre-chorus and bridge are just a C chord all the way through with some 7th notes to increase the tension. Then they break into a bright, singalong chorus with the cheesiest chord progression going.

As I mentioned, there’s no getting away from the I’m Yours chords these days. It’s even in the punk songs. But at least Idles mix it up a little. Rather than I V vi IV (C-G-Am-F), it’s I vi V I IV V (C Am G C F G).

Links

Buy it on Amazon
More rock tabs and chords

Sometimes I put together tabs and chord sheets for my amusement that are so niche I assume no one has any interest in them. I’ve collected a few of those together today in hopes that one person will have a passing interest in one of them.

– Only Connect Theme (Baritone ukulele tab)
– They Might Be Giants – It Could Be Worse (Chords) from the audiobook of Sarah Vowell’s The Partly Cloudy Patriot.
– Matt Berry – Toast of London Theme (Tab)
– Memphis Kansas Breeze – Human Skin Truck Baby (Chords and Tab) from the Comedy Bang Bang podcast.
– Santa Fortuna Town Theme (Tab) from Hitman 2.

Dawson Sabatini – Only Connect Theme (Tab)

One of the many areas the BBC excels in is the exceptionally nerdy quiz show. I can’t imagine anyone else coming up with museum based quiz or a show like Only Connect where questions are chosen via Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Connecting Only Connect to ukuleles is very easy. Season three winner Jenny Ryan (who went on to become The Vixen on The Chase) is a keen uker with the excellently named Nanukes of the North.

Links

Only Connect on BBC.co.uk
More theme tune tabs and chords

They Might Be Giants – It Could Be Worse

I’m a big fan of Sarah Vowell’s books. But I’m an even bigger fan of her audiobooks. The Partly Cloudy Patriot, an exploration of her uncomfortable obsession with American history, includes narration from Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert and David Cross. Even more importantly, it’s sprinkled with songs from They Might Be Giants. Including this catchy little song.

If you’re interested in Hawaiian history, I highly recommend her book Unfamiliar Fishes.

Links

The Partly Cloudy Patriot on Amazon
Birdhouse in Your Soul tab

Matt Berry – Toast of London Theme (Tab)

Matt Berry is best known for his roles in The IT Crowd and Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace plus my favourite sketch of all time: Snuff Box‘s guitar instruction DVD. But he’s also a prolific musician releasing seven studio albums including an entire album of TV theme covers.

The theme tune to Toast of London is a shortened version of his 2011 tune Take My Hand.

Links

Take My Hand on Amazon
Toast of London on Netflix
More theme tune tabs and chords

Memphis Kansas Breeze – Human Skin Truck Baby (Chords)

This song comes from episode 616 of Comedy Bang Bang. It’s the culmination of a trio of country parody songs from Brantley Aldean and Harland Haywood (a.k.a. Drew Tarver and Carl Tart) and it had me crying with laughter.

Here’s a uke version of the intro (which shares a few ideas with yesterday’s post: The Weight)

Links

Comedy Bang Bang on Earwolf

Niels Bye Nielsen – Santa Fortuna Town Theme (Tab)

I’ve raved about Hitman before on here. But I haven’t given enough praise for how much the music adds to the experience. The music works to subtly differentiate different areas of the maps and set the mood for each one.

This excellent little guitar piece is used to evoke a small Columbian fishing village which is relaxed on the surface but houses a huge drug operation. Similarly, the tune is relaxed and easy-going with a few little hints of darkness peaking through.

Links

Hitman.com
More game tabs and chords

The Band – The Weight (Chords)

I was inspired to write this one up by Playing for Change’s version featuring a vast array of musicians including Ringo, Robbie Robertson and a bit of uke from Taimane. The video shows off what a great ensemble piece this can be. Making it seem like a good idea for ukulele groups to me. Plus the chords are straightforward and there’s plenty of solo opportunities for the flash Harrys.

I’ve written up two versions of the chords. Up top are the chords in G with a capo on the second fret. And below are the chords in F with the capo on the fourth fret. The version in F might be a little easier. If you’re playing the version in G, I recommend barreing the C, E and A-strings at the second fret on the G chord. That makes for a much easier transition to Bm. You could even use the standard G at the end of the bar (to make an easy transition from C) and switch to the barred version at the start of the next line.

The Weight (Chords in F)

Suggested Strumming Pattern

For a simple main strum you can use this:

d – d – d u d u

Intro: If you’re not playing the intro lick (below) you can play the main strum twice per chord.

Verses: One main strum per chord.

Chorus: On G-Bm play d – d u. Then the main strum on C. On the last line, do one, long down-strum on the first C then d – d u on each of the next four chords and three down-strums on the last C.

Twiddly Bits

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The Band – The Weight: 7 second #ukulele lesson

A post shared by @ ukulelehunt on Sep 23, 2019 at 8:25am PDT

I love this little intro. I’ve had to move it up an octave to fit it on the uke. Which means you have to go up to the 14th fret.

Links

Buy it on Amazon
More 60s tabs and chords

Watch on YouTube

Tracklist
Raelyn Nelson Band – Weed and Whiskey (Song starts at 45 seconds)
Sho Humphries – MEGALOVANIA
Kyle Carey – Devil at Your Back Via @ukeist
Le Temps d'une Etincelle – Rentrez dans la danse
uke mullum – Rumble
Karlie G – Doin’ Time
Choan Gálvez – Study No. 49 – Tío Vazilo
Herman Vandecauter – Menuet III, Gigue Cello suite J.S.Bach
Kuinka – Homesick

I’ve read some absolute drivel about ukuleles over the years. But there’s a new worst: Rolling Stone wrote an article about “best ukuleles” that “pros use” that’s so bad I’m not willing to link directly to it.

New Releases
– Craig Robertson’s Truth is a Runaway Horse.
– Big Werl’s Licensed to Swill. You can listen to it on Soundcloud.
– More flawless classical ukulele from Herman Vandecauter with four new tunes on his Bandcamp.

Window Shopping
– Limited edition Kiwaya 1978 concert.
– Lichty Walnut Archtop Ukulele U142.
– Pelem coconut uke.
– 8-string Ortega Eclipse.