Songs to match your uke?

CountryMouse · Aug 28, 2009

This is a frivolous thread. I admit it. I just got my Mahalo ukulele on Tuesday. It's a pretty pale blue with tropical fruit all over the front of it. It makes you happy just to look at it.

So what do I do today? I go through my Joan Baez Songbook (because I now know three chords, baybee!), and picked some of the most depressing songs evah to do on it.

I can now do, more or less, "The Banks of the Ohio" (a typical "murdered-girl" ballad) and "Lady Mary", another really sad song with a death at the end.

Maybe I should have a black ukulele?

CountryMouse

Uncle Rod Higuchi · Aug 28, 2009

Can you really play a Sad song on the uke, ... and be taken seriously?

If you can, I'm sure everyone will be waiting for the next one to brighten their spirits!

Even the minor keys sound "happier" on a uke!

CountryMouse · Aug 28, 2009

Uncle Rod Higuchi said:
Can you really play a Sad song on the uke, ... and be taken seriously?

If you can, I'm sure everyone will be waiting for the next one to brighten their spirits!

Even the minor keys sound "happier" on a uke!

I think I could look convincingly sad and heartbroken...but my ukulele is just too cute and would ruin the entire impression of gloom and doom.

I mean "She cried 'Oh Willie, don't murder me! I'm not prepared for eternity'" paired with pretty tropical fruit?! heh

CMouse

Kanaka916 · Aug 28, 2009

Hey Mouse, try this thread for more songs . . .

CountryMouse · Aug 28, 2009

Kanaka916 said:
Hey Mouse, try this thread for more songs . . .

Thanks! I have tons of music books here at home too, from when I played autoharp and dulcimer.

But I definitely need to learn more happy songs.

CountryMouse

Uncle Rod Higuchi · Aug 29, 2009

Stick with the uke and you'll find them. : )

Citrus · Aug 29, 2009

heh as far as matching songs to your uke, i thought you meant the sound! My mitchell is fairly quite so a lot of my stuff is geared to be quiter. Can't say my ukulele has much character in its appearance though. If you want to play the most ridiculous sad song on ukulele I'd recommend "Man of Constant Sorrow" the blue grass effect on uke completely overrides the sad lyrics and you can't help but think. "I don't believe he's seen any sorrow his whole life!"

Ukeffect · Aug 29, 2009

CountryMouse said:
This is a frivolous thread. I admit it. I just got my Mahalo ukulele on Tuesday. It's a pretty pale blue with tropical fruit all over the front of it. It makes you happy just to look at it.

So what do I do today? I go through my Joan Baez Songbook (because I now know three chords, baybee!), and picked some of the most depressing songs evah to do on it.

I can now do, more or less, "The Banks of the Ohio" (a typical "murdered-girl" ballad) and "Lady Mary", another really sad song with a death at the end.

Maybe I should have a black ukulele?

CountryMouse

I love that song!(The banks of the Ohio)But, I haven't heard it since I was knee high to a grasshopper...must be a Ohio/PA thing...you think?

CountryMouse · Aug 29, 2009

Citrus said:
heh as far as matching songs to your uke, i thought you meant the sound! My mitchell is fairly quite so a lot of my stuff is geared to be quiter. Can't say my ukulele has much character in its appearance though. If you want to play the most ridiculous sad song on ukulele I'd recommend "Man of Constant Sorrow" the blue grass effect on uke completely overrides the sad lyrics and you can't help but think. "I don't believe he's seen any sorrow his whole life!"

I doubt I could do it in a bluegrass style. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard it done bluegrass style. I know it as "Maid of Constant Sorrow", as done by Joan Baez. However I haven't learned any minor chords yet, so that's why I didn't even think of it today.

CMouse

CountryMouse · Aug 29, 2009

Ukeffect said:
I love that song!(The banks of the Ohio)But, I haven't heard it since I was knee high to a grasshopper...must be a Ohio/PA thing...you think?

Not sure! It too is in my Joan Baez Songbook, and she sure isn't from Ohio.

I heard a crazy parody of "Banks of the Ohio" (about lending institutions) once, but I don't remember it at all.

Oh, now there's a very fast funny version of "Banks of the Ohio" by Dave Guard and the Whiskeyhill Singers that's a hoot. I don't think I could pull off a Judy Henske voice, though. :-D

CMouse

ihavenotea · Aug 29, 2009

Oh, this gives me an idea…

There are too many contests right now… and I am not in a position to produce a compelling enough prize at the moment.

But a "Make Me Cry with Your Ukulele" contest would be marvelous! It can be done! It must be possible!

Maybe next year. Or in January when everyone is cold and miserable.

CountryMouse · Aug 29, 2009

ihavenotea said:
Oh, this gives me an idea…

There are too many contests right now… and I am not in a position to produce a compelling enough prize at the moment.

But a "Make Me Cry with Your Ukulele" contest would be marvelous! It can be done! It must be possible!

Maybe next year. Or in January when everyone is cold and miserable.

Ooooo. I hope I would be good enough by then! Maybe I should be thinking of getting another uke (oh, what a trial, to get another uke! heh), one that is not so happy-looking.

I actually wanted to get a Kala Kiwi next, which certainly wouldn't help towards depressing songs. :-D

CountryMouse

Songs to match your uke?

CountryMouse

Well-known member

Uncle Rod Higuchi

Well-known member

CountryMouse

Well-known member

Kanaka916

Well-known member

CountryMouse

Well-known member

Uncle Rod Higuchi

Well-known member

Citrus

Well-known member

Ukeffect

Well-known member

CountryMouse

Well-known member

CountryMouse

Well-known member

ihavenotea

Well-known member

CountryMouse

Well-known member

Similar threads