So you've got your ukulele, tuned and ready to go, but you're staring blankly at your songbook, unsure where to begin? Finding the perfect song for a ukulele cover can feel overwhelming, with thousands of options vying for your attention. That's why we've compiled this ultimate list of the best songs for ukulele covers, catering to all skill levels and musical tastes. Whether you're a seasoned pro looking for a new challenge or a beginner eager to impress, this curated selection offers a diverse range of melodies, from classic singalongs to modern hits. From easy strums to intricate fingerpicking patterns, we've got you covered. This isn't just a list; it's your gateway to unlocking the joy of ukulele performance and sharing your musical talent with the world. Dive in and discover your next favorite ukulele cover!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shallow |
Lady Gaga Bradley Cooper | A Star Is Born Soundtrack | 2B+ |
| 2. You Belong With Me | Taylor Swift | Fearless (Taylor's Version) | 2B+ |
| 3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow | Israel Kamakawiwo'ole | 1B+ | |
| 4. The Scientist | Coldplay | A Rush of Blood to the Head | 1B+ |
| 5. Stay With Me | Sam Smith | In The Lonely Hour | 1B+ |
| 6. Yellow | Coldplay | Parachutes | 1B+ |
| 7. Creep | Radiohead | Pablo Honey | 1B+ |
1. Shallow
Melodic Simplicity: Shallow's vocal melody is surprisingly easy to adapt for ukulele, with its memorable and repetitive phrasing lending itself well to a stripped-down arrangement.
Emotional Depth: The song's raw emotion translates beautifully to the ukulele's intimate sound, allowing the vulnerability of the lyrics to shine through.
Chord Progression: The relatively simple chord progression makes it accessible for players of all skill levels, while still offering opportunities for creative embellishments and variations.
2. You Belong With Me - Fearless (Taylor's Version)
Easy Chords: "You Belong With Me" features a relatively simple chord progression, making it accessible for ukulele players of intermediate skill levels.
Catchy Melody: The song's memorable melody translates beautifully to the ukulele, and its upbeat tempo is perfect for a fun, strumming arrangement.
Vocal Range: Taylor Swift's vocal range in the original is manageable for most ukulele players, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable cover.
3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1993)
Easy Chord Progression: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" features a simple, memorable chord progression perfectly suited for ukulele beginners, making it an accessible and rewarding cover choice.
Melodic Simplicity: The melody is instantly recognizable and relatively easy to learn on the ukulele, allowing for focus on developing a personal interpretation.
Emotional Nuance: Kamakawiwo'ole's soulful vocals lend themselves beautifully to the ukulele's mellow tone, creating a deeply moving and emotionally resonant performance ideal for ukulele covers.
4. The Scientist (Coldplay - 2025)
Simple Chords: "The Scientist" features a relatively straightforward chord progression, making it easily adaptable for ukulele players of various skill levels.
Emotional Nuances: The song's melancholic melody and introspective lyrics translate beautifully to the ukulele's intimate sound, allowing for a nuanced and emotionally resonant performance.
Arpeggiated Textures: Experiment with arpeggiated chords to enhance the song's delicate and wistful atmosphere, showcasing the ukulele's unique tonal qualities.
5. Stay With Me (2014)
Vocal Range: Sam Smith's powerful yet vulnerable vocals are perfect for showcasing the ukulele's expressive capabilities, allowing for both intimate and soaring moments.
Melodic Simplicity: The song's structure lends itself well to ukulele arrangements; its memorable melody is easily adaptable to the instrument's range.
Emotional Depth: "Stay With Me" evokes a wide range of emotions, making it ideal for conveying heartfelt emotion through a ukulele cover.
6. Yellow (Parachutes)
Easy Chords: Yellow features a relatively simple chord progression, making it accessible for ukulele beginners.
Catchy Melody: The memorable melody is well-suited to the ukulele's timbre, creating a warm and inviting sound.
Emotional Nuance: Coldplay's signature emotive vocals translate beautifully to the ukulele, allowing for a nuanced and intimate performance.
7. Creep (Pablo Honey - 1992)
Chords and Strumming: Creep's distinctive, slightly melancholic melody translates beautifully to the ukulele, offering a rewarding challenge for intermediate players with its use of minor chords and arpeggios.
Vocal Range and Style: Thom Yorke's unique vocal style, while initially challenging, provides a great opportunity to explore vocal techniques on the ukulele, blending fragility with power.
Arrangement Ideas: Experiment with different strumming patterns to find what best suits the ukulele's timbre; consider adding a fingerpicking section for a more nuanced performance.
8. I'm Yours
Easy Chords: "I'm Yours" features a simple chord progression perfectly suited for beginner ukulele players, making it easy to learn and enjoy.
Catchy Melody: The song's upbeat tempo and memorable melody translate beautifully to the ukulele, creating a joyful and engaging listening experience.
Vocal Range: Jason Mraz's vocal style is relatively easy to emulate on the ukulele, allowing for a satisfying and achievable cover.
9. Sweater Weather (I Love You.)
Easy Chords: "Sweater Weather" features a relatively simple chord progression, making it accessible for ukulele beginners to learn and play along to.
Mellow Melody: The song's gentle melody and relaxed tempo translate beautifully to the ukulele's soft, intimate sound, creating a cozy and calming listening experience.
Vocal Range: The Neighbourhood's vocal style is well-suited to the ukulele's timbre; its range is achievable and sounds particularly enchanting on the instrument.
10. Love Story (Taylor Swift)
Simple Chords: Love Story features a relatively simple chord progression, making it easily adaptable for ukulele players of various skill levels.
Catchy Melody: The memorable melody is well-suited to the ukulele's timbre, lending itself to both strumming and fingerpicking styles.
Emotional Nuances: Its classic storytelling lends itself to expressive ukulele playing, allowing for subtle variations in tempo and dynamics to convey the song's emotional depth.
11death bed
beabadoobee,Powfu
2019
After Hours
12Riptide
Vance Joy
2013
Dream Your Life Away (Special Edition)
13Take Me Home, Country Roads
John Denver
1971
Poems, Prayers and Promises
14Ocean Eyes
Billie Eilish
2015
15Can't Help Falling in Love
Elvis Presley
1961
Blue Hawaii
16Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
1984
Various Positions
17Lost Boy
Ruth B.
2015
18House of Gold
Twenty One Pilots
2012
Vessel
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)
21A Million Dreams
Ziv Zaifman,Hugh Jackman,Michelle Williams
2017
Disney Summer Songs , Vol. 2
22Hey There Delilah
Plain White T's
2006
All That We Needed
23City of Stars
Ryan Gosling,Emma Stone
2016
24Prom Dress
mxmtoon
2019
25Just the Two of Us
Bill Withers,Grover Washington, Jr.
1981
Anthology
26I Don't Know My Name
Grace VanderWaal
2016
27What A Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong
1967
What A Wonderful World
28Build Me Up Buttercup
The Foundations
1968
Baby Now That I've Found You
29Moon River
Audrey Hepburn
1961
30La Vie en Rose
Édith Piaf
1947