The Songs Page

These are the songs that we’ve played together at the Ukebox Pub Nights. The keys chosen and strumming patterns suggested are an interpretation of the song and are provided here to help you learn in advance of, and during our jams.

Many thanks for all the contributions from members of the Ottawa ukulele community, as well as from the greater online uking community. A special thanks goes out to two sources in particular, from which a great number of these charts are derived: Bytown Ukulele Group (BUG), especially Sue Rogers; and Dan Panke from MyUke.ca for his song suggestions and invaluable help with making the functionality of this webpage possible.

SHOW ALL 2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s 1920s 1910s FR HOLIDAY MEDLEY TRAD KID
Song Title
Artist
Files, etc.
9 To 5
Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, 1980)
Use capo on 1st fret to play with original.
Africa
Toto (1982)
Ain't No Cure For Love
Leonard Cohen (1986)
Play along in this key.
Atlantic City
Bruce Springsteen (1982)
Play to original with capo on 2.
Bang On The Drum All Day
Todd Rundgren (1983)
Play along with original in this key.
Bankrobber
The Clash (Joe Strummer & Mick Jones, 1980)
Play with video in this key.
Billie Jean
Michael Jackson (1982)
Original is 1 semitone lower than these chords. These chords work well as an acoustic version of the song.
Blister In The Sun
Violent Femmes (Gordon Gano, 1983)
Includes Riff. Original in this key.
Broken Bicycles
Tom Waits (1982)
Capo on 3rd fret to play with Tom Waits.
Burning Down The House
Talking Heads (1983)
Play with original in this key. Try Slowing it to .75 speed to get the hang of it.
Closer To Fine
Indigo Girls (Emily Saliers, 1989)
Capo on 9th fret to play with original.
Come Dancing
The Kinks (Ray Davies, 1982)
Copperhead Road
Steve Earle (Earle & Tony Brown, 1988)
Play along in this key.
Dance Me To The End Of Love
Leonard Cohen (1984)
Play along with orginal in this key.
Dance Me To The End Of Love (Key of Am) - Civil Wars Cover
Civil Wars (Cover, 2009) (Leonard Cohen, 1984)
Play along with this cover version in this key.
Dancing In The Dark
Bruce Springsteen (1984)
Capo on 4th fret to try with original. It's much more singable for the guys in this key (G).
Don't Stop Believin'
Journey (1981)
Capo on 4th fret to play with original.
End Of The Line
Traveling Wilburys (1989)
Play along with original in this key.
Englishman In New York
Sting (1987)
Capo on 2nd fret.
Every Breath You Take
The Police (Sting, 1983)
Try capo on 1st fret to play with original. It's close but still a bit 'pitchy'.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman (1988)
Use capo on 2nd fret to play with original.
Forever Young
Rod Stewart (1988)
Free Fallin'
Tom Petty (with Jeff Lynne, 1989)
Capo on 5th fret to play with original.
Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen (1984)
Play along with the live video in the key of C.
Handle With Care
Travelling Wilburys (1988)
Hélène
Roch Voisine (Lessard & Voisine, 1989)
Holding Out For A Hero
Bonnie Tyler (Steinman & Pitchford, 1984)
Play with orginal in this key.
Hold On Tight
Electric Light Orchestra (Jeff Lynne, 1981)
Key? - - - - - strumming pattern?
If I Had A Boat
Lyle Lovett (1987)
Capo on 4th fret to play with original.
If I Had A Rocket Launcher
Bruce Cockburn (1984)
Play along with original in this key.
I Just Called To Say I Love You
Stevie Wonder (1984)
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Proclaimers (Charlie & Craig Reid, 1988)
I'm Still Standing
Elton John (w/Bernie Taupin, 1983)
Capo on 1st fret to play with original.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
U2 (1987)
Capo on 1st fret to play with original.
I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty (w/Jeff Lynne, 1989)
Play along with original in this key.
Jolie Louise
Daniel Lanois (1989)
Capo on 1st fret to play with original.
Littlest Hobo Theme (Maybe Tomorrow)
Terry Bush
Capo on 5th fret to play with original recording.
Lovers In A Dangerous Time
Bruce Cockburn (1984)
Capo on 4th fret to play with original. Thanks for the chart Dan.
Mad World
Tears For Fears (Gary Jules, 1982)
Capo on 1st fret to play with original.
Major Tom
Peter Schilling (1983)
Play along in this key for the 'Lullaby' version of the tune.
Northwest Passage
Stan Rogers (1981)
An interpretation of the chords as suggested by the melody.
Once In A Very Blue Moon
Nanci Griffith (1984)
Only Love
John Prine (1984)
On The Road Again
Willie Nelson (1980)
Original in key of E but much easier to play and sing in C.
The Rose
Bette Midler (Amanda McBroom, 1980)
Play along in this key.
Safety Dance
Men Without Hats (Ivan Doroschuk, 1983)
Play along with orginal in this key.
Salt Water Joys
Buddy Wasisname (Wayne Chaulk)
Should I Stay Or Should I Go
The Clash (1981)
Some Days Are Diamonds
John Denver (1981)
Play along with original in this key.
Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
John Prine (1986)
Play along with John Prine original in this key (G). Nancy Griffith plays it in key of C.
Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (w/Nashville Numbers)
John Prine (1986)
Play along with John Prine original in this key (G). Nancy Griffith plays it in key of C.
Stray Cat Strut
Stray Cats (Brian Setzer, 1981)
Capo on 3rd fret to play with original recording.
Sunglasses At Night
Corey Hart (1984)
Capo on 1st fret to play with original.

The Love Cats
The Cure (Robert Smith, 1983)
Play along with the Cure in this key.
Time After Time
Cyndi Lauper (1983)
Play along with original in this key.
True Colors
Cindy Lauper (Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly, 1986)
Play with original in this key.
Under A Stormy Sky
Daniel Lanois (1989)
Play along in this key.
Under Pressure
Queen and David Bowie (1981)
Walking On Sunshine
Katrina and the Waves (Kimberley Rew, 1983)
Original is in Key of Bb. This chart is in C.
Why Worry
Mark Knopfler
Play along in this key.
Wicked Game
Chris Isaak (1989)
Capo on 2nd fret to learn with orginal recording.
Wildflowers (by Trio)
Trio (Dolly Parton, 1988)
Capo on 1st fret to play with original.
With Or Without You
U2 (1987)
In key of original.
You Shook Me All Night Long
ACDC (1980)
Play along in this key.