No Regrets

Written by Tom Rush, but most people will know it as something the Walker Brothers did. For me, it brings back memories of a school disco, and dancing with somebody who went on to become a bit famous - buy me beer (even better - click on the Donation button) and I may tell you more.

Red Shoes

Time is a strange, strange thing. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was buying this and a heap of other Elvis Costello singles from Jumbo Records in Leeds. But it was 40 years ago. How did that happen? So without further ado...

Across The Borderline

Written for the 1981 film "The Border", this song by Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, and Jim Dickenson has taken on a life of its own since then. Sung by Bob Dylan at FarmAid, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson and many others, it seems as relevant now as it did then.

Let's Get Drunk Again

I have a soft spot for some of the songs which can best be described as vintage smut. This one starts innocently enough, but the second verse must have raised an eyebrow or two back in the 1930s. Written by the great Bo Carter, who brought us gems such as "Banana in your fruit basket" and "Your biscuits are big enough for me", so top quality stuff.

Lately I've Let Things Slide

Is this the third or fourth Nick Lowe song I've done? Whatever, it won't be the last. But of all the things he has written, this is quite possibly my favourite. Turn the self pity up to 11.

Toodle Oodle Oo

Something completely daft today. It's a new dance, apparently. Originally recorded by Bob Dunn's Vagabonds in 1939. My thanks to Pabrizzer in Australia for bringing it to my attention a few months ago.

Only You

Before you shout "hang on, didn't you do this on Jan 2nd?", no, this is the other "Only You", the one that some people thought they were getting way back then. With background rain on the roof.

I Saw Her Standing There

Written by Lennon & McCartney, but I once saw The Tubes do this with the singer waving a chain saw around his head as he sang. No such stunts for me. And none of those high notes either.

Defying Gravity

Someone (and I can't remember who) once said that there are two types of people in this world. There are those that like Jesse Winchester, and those that haven't heard him yet. He wrote some beautiful songs, and this is my attempt to show what he can do with two chords and two and a half verses.

Flowers In The Rain

When I scribbled this one down in the diary yesterday, I assumed today would be another hot one, and I would be singing it outside in front of some flowers. Sadly, the sun has gone and the wind has picked up. But a few blooms are still in view.

You're The First, The Last, My Everything

An amazing donation over the weekend has taken the total through the £1000 mark, and right through the £1100 mark too. So, as promised quite a few weeks ago, something by Barry White to celebrate.

Jeepster

Challenged to do a T.Rex song, with nothing up my sleeve...After a bit of playing around, Jeepster turned into this.

Nothing Rhymed

Now, call me unfashionable ("Oi!! Unfashionable!!) but I happen to think that some of the best songs of the last 50 years were written by Gilbert O'Sullivan. "Alone Again Naturally" is a gem, and then there's this one, which I never tire of hearing or playing.

Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Written in 1931, and I think pretty well everyone has recorded this over the years.

Just a reminder to ukulele players - if you make a donation (no matter how small) and include your email address, you will be able to download all 365 chord & lyric sheets at the end of the year. Instant songbook.

Everybody's Talkin'

If you are going to have a try at this song, you really have to go for that high note at the end. But you know when a pole-vaulter doesn't quite get there because his pole breaks?

My Life

In my humble opinion, Billy Joel is vastly under-represented in the repertoire of ukulele players. So, in an effort to put that right...

Worried Man Blues

Skiffle is this week's theme on the Ukulele Underground forum, so here's one which Lonnie Donegan did a version of. It's one of those songs with many recordings, umpteen verses if you put them all together, and some people sing the first line twice, some three times. I have possibly done it differently again - that's folk music.

Beg Steal Or Borrow

To conclude this little Eurovision season, here is the one I had intended doing on Friday, before I got distracted. A reminder of the good old days, when stages weren't invaded, and the UK entry finished near the top.

Drop Kick Me Jesus

Still at the Ukulele Festival, I couldn't miss the chance to play one with somebody else, even if it is in a noisy courtyard outside the theatre. So a big thanks to John, for helping out on extra uke and vocals.

Waterloo

Currently at the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival in Huddersfield. There is so much going on that finding time & space & silence for recording has proved tricky, so here is one I did way after midnight in the hotel, in my room above a noisy bar. That's why I was still awake. Anyway, continuing the Eurovision theme...

Making Your Mind Up

Eurovision meets #365UkeSongs.
First of all, apologies to all New Seekers fans who were hoping I would do "Beg Steal or Borrow". That was the plan for today. But yesterday afternoon, it all changed, when the seed for this was planted by someone from a certain York based ukulele ensemble.
But how will I cope with the "see some more" bit? All will be revealed.

I Wanna Be Like You

The Sherman brothers wrote a load of good film songs, and I'm sure there will be more along later in the year. For now, a bit of nonsense from The Jungle Book.
By the way, look out - Eurovision is coming...

Another Girl, Another Planet

A request, and I had forgotten what a great song it is. Thanks Tim!

(and yes, I have had another haircut, just to prove this is all live...)

Take Me To The Mardi Gras

It's still summer out there, so off into the garden I go, with a Paul Simon tune and some added birdsong.

This Land Is Your Land

After a day spent pushing anti-fracking leaflets through doors, this song seems the appropriate one to do. This is Billy Braggs's version of the Woody Guthrie classic.

Beach Baby

Summer seems to have arrived, and we have just got home from our holiday. Typical eh? And nothing says summer more than this song.

Please don't ask me to dance

A little later than usual, but after a day spent walking around a lake, and then soaking up the sun, with added gin, here's a song by Boo Hewerdine.

How Come

Another day in the van, but with better weather, and another supermarket WiFi upload.

You Belong To Me

A song from 1952, with Jo Stafford having the biggest hit version, but more recently it turned up on Ally McBeal and Shrek.

On The Road Again

Still in the van, and today's video was uploaded courtesy of free WiFi outside a supermarket cafe. I may go and sit there again tomorrow.

Bye Bye Love

Another oldie but goodie that has the Everly Brothers singing along in my head.