Unleash the rich, resonant tones of your baritone ukulele! Are you searching for the perfect repertoire to showcase its unique voice? Then you've come to the right place. This list explores the best songs for baritone ukulele, carefully curated to highlight the instrument's captivating depth and range. Whether you're a seasoned player looking to expand your sonic palette or a beginner eager to explore new musical horizons, finding the right songs is key to unlocking your baritone's full potential. From classic folk tunes that resonate beautifully with the baritone's lower register to modern hits that offer a fresh and exciting twist, we've compiled a collection designed to inspire and challenge. Get ready to discover your new favorite songs and transform your baritone ukulele playing experience! Let's dive into the ultimate guide to the best songs for baritone ukulele.
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Uptown Funk |
Mark Ronson Bruno Mars | Uptown Special | 5B+ |
| 2. Titanium |
David Guetta Sia | Nothing but the Beat 2.0 | 2B+ |
| 3. Firework | Katy Perry | Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection | 1B+ |
| 4. Over the Rainbow | Israel Kamakawiwo'ole | Alone In Iz World | 1B+ |
| 5. The Scientist | Coldplay | A Rush of Blood to the Head | 1B+ |
| 6. Stay With Me | Sam Smith | In The Lonely Hour | 1B+ |
| 7. Yellow | Coldplay | Parachutes | 1B+ |
1. Uptown Funk (2014)
Chunky Rhythm: Uptown Funk's infectious groove translates beautifully to the baritone ukulele, the lower register perfectly complementing the song's swagger.
Vocal Range: Bruno Mars' vocal performance, while powerful, also includes sections suitable for a baritone ukulele's range, making it accessible and engaging for players.
Simplified Chords: The song's chord structure can be easily adapted for the baritone ukulele, allowing for a satisfying and fun playing experience without excessive complexity.
2. Titanium (Nothing but the Beat 2.0 - 2025)
Vocal Range: Sia's powerful vocals span a wide range, making it adaptable to the baritone ukulele's lower register; consider focusing on the verses for a comfortable performance.
Rhythmic Structure: The driving beat and strong four-on-the-floor rhythm translate well to the baritone ukulele, providing a solid foundation for your arrangement.
Chording Possibilities: Titanium's chord progression is relatively simple yet impactful, offering plenty of room for creative baritone ukulele voicings and embellishments.
3. Firework (Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection)
Key Range: Katy Perry's "Firework" features a vocal range well-suited to the baritone ukulele's lower register, offering plenty of opportunities for impactful chord voicings.
Rhythmic Structure: The song's driving beat translates effectively to the baritone ukulele, allowing for a percussive and engaging performance.
Emotional Depth: The uplifting and anthemic nature of "Firework" lends itself beautifully to the warmer tone of the baritone ukulele, creating a powerful and resonant sound.
4. Over the Rainbow (Alone In Iz World)
Ukulele Arrangement: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over the Rainbow" is iconic for its mellow, laid-back baritone ukulele arrangement, perfectly showcasing the instrument's warm tone.
Vocal Performance: His soothing vocals and heartfelt delivery add a deeply emotional layer, making it a truly captivating performance for listeners.
Technical Aspects: The relatively simple chord structure and strumming pattern make it accessible for baritone ukulele players of varying skill levels, while still allowing for expressive interpretation.
5. The Scientist (A Rush of Blood to the Head)
Chords and Range: "The Scientist" features a relatively simple chord progression well-suited to the baritone ukulele's lower register, allowing for a rich and resonant sound.
Tempo and Rhythm: The song's moderate tempo and melancholic rhythm translate beautifully to the baritone ukulele, creating a captivating and intimate feel.
Vocal Harmony Adaptation: While the original vocal melody might require some transposition, the song's structure lends itself well to adaptation for a baritone ukulele arrangement, either as a solo piece or with harmonizing voice.
6. Stay With Me (In The Lonely Hour)
Vocal Range: Sam Smith's powerful and emotive vocals are perfectly suited to the baritone ukulele's rich, resonant tone, allowing for a deeply expressive performance.
Melodic Simplicity: The song's relatively simple melody makes it easy to adapt and play on the baritone ukulele, without sacrificing the emotional impact of the original.
Chord Progression: The song's chord progression works beautifully with the baritone's lower register, creating a full and satisfying sound that highlights the instrument's unique character.
7. Yellow (Parachutes)
Chords and Range: Yellow's chords are well-suited to the baritone ukulele's lower register, offering a rich and resonant sound. The vocal melody also sits comfortably within the baritone's range.
Emotional Depth: The song's melancholic yet hopeful tone translates beautifully on the baritone ukulele, enhancing its introspective quality.
Arrangement Suggestion: Experiment with fingerpicking techniques to bring out the nuances of the melody and chords, playing around with strumming patterns to highlight the song's dynamic shifts.
8. Creep (Radiohead)
Vocal Range: Creep's vocal melody sits comfortably within the baritone ukulele's range, offering a satisfyingly mellow and resonant experience.
Chords & Structure: The song's simple yet effective chord progression translates beautifully to the baritone ukulele, allowing for easy fingerpicking and a rich, full sound.
Emotional Depth: The melancholic feel of the song is enhanced by the baritone ukulele's warm tone, adding depth and resonance that complements the lyrics perfectly.
9. Take Me to Church
Vocal Range: Hozier's powerful baritone voice is ideally suited to the baritone ukulele's lower register, allowing for a rich and resonant performance.
Rhythmic Complexity: The song's gospel-influenced rhythm provides a solid, satisfying foundation for ukulele accompaniment, offering opportunities for both strumming and fingerpicking variations.
Emotional Depth: The song's passionate and soulful lyrics lend themselves well to expressive ukulele playing, allowing you to convey the intensity of the piece's emotional core.
10. Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day)
Chords and Range: Boulevard of Broken Dreams features a comfortable chord progression well-suited to the baritone ukulele's lower register, offering a rich and resonant sound.
Tempo and Rhythm: The song's moderate tempo and driving rhythm translate beautifully to the baritone ukulele, allowing for a dynamic and engaging performance.
Emotional Depth: Green Day's melancholic melody and introspective lyrics provide ample opportunity for emotional expression, creating a powerful and moving performance on the baritone ukulele.
11Sweater Weather
The Neighbourhood
2013
I Love You.
12Riptide
Vance Joy
2013
Dream Your Life Away (Special Edition)
13Fireflies
Owl City
2009
Ocean Eyes
14Take Me Home, Country Roads
John Denver
1971
Poems, Prayers and Promises
15Ocean Eyes
Billie Eilish
2015
16Happier Than Ever
Billie Eilish
2021
Happier Than Ever
17Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
1984
Various Positions
18Lost Boy
Ruth B.
2015
19Fly Me To The Moon
Count Basie,Frank Sinatra
1964
Sinatra/Basie: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings
20Let It Be
The Beatles
1970
Let It Be (Remastered)
21Dream On
Aerosmith
1973
Aerosmith
22Hey There Delilah
Plain White T's
2006
All That We Needed
23City of Stars
Ryan Gosling,Emma Stone
2016
24Yesterday
The Beatles
1965
Help! (Remastered)
25I Don't Know My Name
Grace VanderWaal
2016
26Peaceful Easy Feeling
Eagles
1972
Eagles (2013 Remaster)
27The Remedy
Jason Mraz
2002
Waiting for My Rocket to Come
28Shake It Off
Taylor Swift
2014
1989