Earlier this week, I shared a blog post about using Pop Songs for ukulele instruction. In case you missed it, you can read all about it here. I love using folk tunes for younger students, but with older students, I often need to find music that is more on their level.
Counting Stars by One Republic
One Love by Bob Marley
One Call Away by Charlie Puth
I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
Ok, so this one has two quick fly-by D7 chords, but basically the ENTIRE song is C, F, G, and Am.
And bonus – this is a clean version!
Hey Ho! by The Lumineers
Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer
Shake it Off by Taylor Swift
This one is just C, G, and Am!
Home by Philip Philips
YMCA by the Village People
Rise Up by Andra Day
Please note – you’ll need to vet these songs for appropriate lyrics and content. What I might choose for a 5th grade class may be different than what you choose for a 7th grade class. It’s amazing to see how many songs use 4 simple chords!
Do you know how much I'm lovin' you right now? This was just what I needed for my uke club! Thank you!!!
lol
Excellent.
Yahoo! I'm so glad this is helpful Amy!
I lovvvvee it!!!
Thanks for sharing these! I did Counting Stars last year and it was a big hit. I love showing students this video to demonstrate how many familiar songs from all genres use those 4 chords: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTYrkOZ5nCs After we watch it I have them choose one of the songs from the video to play and sing (just the phrase that's in the video).
You’re a treasure!!!!!!!!!!
ur welcom
New at this are we able to get the sheet music for these so I can learn?
Hi Sheila,
I’m not the creator of these videos. You might try https://ukutabs.com/ to find TAB sheets for many of these songs. The wonderful thing about that site is that you can transcribe the chords into a key that works based on your (or your student’s skill level)! Hope this helps!
Thank u so much
Thunder by imagine dragons and stay with me are other very easy pop songs that don’t have the tricky G chord. . YouTube has playalongs for these.
Love this list very much.
🙂