Garfunkel and Oates – Me, You and Steve (Chords)

It’s not often I do requests for non-commenters any more. Partly because I despise people in general and partly because most requests look like this, “Song request – Mr. Brightside by the killers and the ukulele is by Julia Nunes.” But this week I’m doing a three requests from people who seemed quite nice and, more importantly, requested songs I wanted to do anyway.

The first one is for one of the funniest songs from Garfunkel and Oates (Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome). As always with their songs, I need to slap a big NSFW on this one. And there are two bits of Micucci good news. She’s currently recording the next series of Scrubs and she will be playing played at Uketober Fest in Griffith Park LA along with fellow Uke Hunt favourites: , Madame Pamita and The UkuLady.

Suggested Strumming

Two down strums for almost all the chords. The only exceptions are the G in the intro (which last for four beats) and the last line of the middle section (one down strum for each chord lasting four beats each – you can pluck a few individual notes as well if the mood takes you).

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Requested by Ed.

Rocky and Balls – Gaysong (Chords)

I think this song wins the award for shortest time between being put up and me getting requests. And it’s a pretty good one for beginners – no fancy jazz chords to worry about in this one.

Suggested Strumming

Try:

d – d u d u d -

Buy it on Bandcamp

The Lancashire Hotpots – Oh No, He’s Turned Emo (Chords)

After some Manglish from Zee Avi, here’s some Lanclish from the Lancashire Hotpots. If you’re planning on going to see the Hotpots on their Northern tour you’re in for an extra treat. They’re being supported by the Re-entrants (find the dates here)

Suggested Strumming

Dead easy song, this one. There are only two chords. And this strum will see you through.

d – d u – u d -

Really, that strum works for just about every song.

If you want to add an extra bit of fanciness to the chords, add a few G diminished chords at the start of the G7 bars.

Twiddly Bits

Even if you’re not interested in playing this song, it’s well worth learning this little lick. It’s a standard.

Noah and the Whale – Jealous Kind of Love (PDF)

This little uke tune cropped up on the B-side to Shape of My Heart. It doesn’t seem to be available any more, but it’s rather lovely and a simple three chord song so I thought I’d write it up. The video cuts off but you can hear the whole thing on their MySpace.

Suggested Strumming Pattern

d – d u – u d -

Twiddly Bits

The uke doubles up the whistling part in the intro and after the choruses.

MIDI

Buy Noah and the Whale

Kate Micucci & William H Macy – It’s Time to Get Laid (Chords)

She might not have had the chance to jam with him when they were making the film, but junkets give you much more time for ukeing it up. Bart Got A Room looks like a damn funny film. It’s got people from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development and Scrubs in. How could it not be? I’m sure it’ll be out in the UK sometime in 2011.

The song is a pretty straight forward, 4 chord affair. So it shouldn’t present any problems.

Suggested strumming

Other than the single strums that crop up, the main strumming pattern is old faithful:

d -d u – u d -

Watch Bart Got A Room Trailers
Buy Kate Micucci’s music

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:

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.

Ingrid Michaelson – You and I (Chords)

I’m slightly concerned this one is going to anger the Indie Gods. Particularly since she’s played it with Jason Mraz a few times. But I’ve had a bunch of requests for it and I took a lot less convincing than I did with the song that won’t be named (henceforth to be known as ‘the Scottish song’).

The chords are pretty simple and ideal for beginners. She does use the less common variations of F and Am (with the A string at the third fret). But if you find that tricky, use the ones you’re familiar with.

Suggested Strumming

Here’s the strumming pattern she uses:

d – d u – u d u

Play it twice for each chord in the verses and once for each chord in the chorus. An exception is in the, “You and I/You and I” where you do d – d u once each for the F and G chords.

Kate Micucci – Let Us Be Happy Together (Chords)

Another adorable ukulele ditty from Kate Micucci’s appearance in Scrubs. The choards for this one are dead easy. The only trouble is that she’s playing in D-tuning. So you’ll have to tune up or face the dreaded E chord.

Suggested Strumming

Also dead easy, go with all down strums.

Buy Kate Micucci stuff on CD Baby.

Paolo Nutini – High Hopes (Chords)

Polo Nutini’s ukulele may have met an unfortunate end but this ukulele ditty (from the upcoming Sunny Side Up) turned out nice.

And it’s a dead simple song – perfect for beginners. It’s just baby’s first uke chords: C, F and G.

Suggested Strumming

Old faithful:

d – d u – u d u

Pre-Order Sunny Side Up

If you can’t wait until Monday to hear the studio version (also featuring the uke) you can stream the new album on MySpace (unless you’re in the US). Check out Pencil Full of Lead for more uke action.

Requested by Naomi (and I’m pretty sure Alice will be interested too)

Sesame Street (Easy Chords)

Jayne left a comment on the original chords for Sesame Street suggesting an easy version of the chords. And, since it’s a song the kiddies might be interested in playing, I thought I’d go for it.

Suggested Strumming

For the first part you can use:

d – d u d – d u

For each chord until you get to G7. Then do just down strums for that. Back to the pattern for F7. Then just one down strum for the G7, Bb and F. After that you’re back to the pattern.