Goodbye My Love

I do feel a bit sorry for The Glitter Band. Forever tainted by their association with Gary himself, they produced a few good songs of their own. This one reached No2 in 1975.

Forever Autumn

As the UK heatwave continues, I thought I would try to cool things down a bit.

Electricity

179 days into this thing and I realise that I know a song about solar electricity. Better late than never.

Don't Dream It's Over

Time to unleash one of my favourite songs ever, of all time, full stop. Crowded House made some of the best clever pop records of the 80s, which still sound as good thirty years later. My humble effort...

Can't Buy Me Love

I should have kept records, but this must be the shortest song so far, even though I slowed it down.

Baby I Love You

As well as rushing out to buy everything that T.Rex and David Bowie released, this teenager also collected old 45s produced by Phil Spector. I just loved the huge sound he had, and those voices...I finally got to see Ronnie Spector a few years ago, and wasn't disappointed - she still sounds as good, 50+ years on.

A13 Trunk Road To The Sea

Something a bit light-hearted from Billy Bragg today, a fine guide to the joys of driving to Southend.

I Walk The Line

I'll be honest, a bit of a rush job today - back from the Gary Barlow trip (and he was fab, just in case you doubted it), straight into an afternoon talking to people about the evils of fracking. So, one from the tried and tested three chord song box. Written by Johnny Cash a mind boggling 62 years ago...

A Million Love Songs

Did Gary Barlow really write this when he was fifteen? The clever little.... Anyway, I thought I would give it a go, as I am going to see him tonight. Yes, really.

The Swimming Song

Donation news - the total has gone through the £1200 mark, so a big thank you to all of you. And slightly more than half the year still to go. That's quite a few more songs. Here's a summer-ish one from Loudon Wainwright.

Teenage Kicks

What's today? Hey, it's only my bloomin' birthday. So I can play whatever I want. This was quite possibly the first song I tried when I started playing the uke.

How Will I Ever Be Simple Again

It's time for another Richard Thompson song. So many to pick from, but this one is a pretty little thing.

Endless Grey Ribbon

After a second day largely spent driving along motorways, this one seemed the logical choice. Another one from the pen of Nick Lowe.

Before You Call

Half way home after a glorious two weeks touring around Devon & Cornwall. Shame about the two and a half hour jam on the M5. This seemed a good day to play this little gem, written by a song machine from Australia who goes by the name of Pabrizzer. Thanks for all the support Brian.

Goodbye Girl

Squeeze produced a run of great hit singles too many years ago. I'm surprised to find that this one was before the real hits began - it feels like it should have been up there too.

Sit Down

Another vaguely football related song, especially if you were a Man Utd fan c.1990/91. Happy memories of a 36 hour round trip to Rotterdam.

Three Lions

Yes, it's football time, and there's really only one song I can do today. Here's hoping.

How Long Will I Love You

It's the Waterboys song that Ellie Goulding had the big hit with. Plus a visual gag for all Reggie Perrin fans.

I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

I was hoping for a sea view in the background, but all I managed to get was tanned knees in the foreground. Also, apologies for the breeze blowing into the microphone. But worth it for the chance to capture one out of doors.

Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me

Songs from a van - the series continues. As we can see the sea from our back window, I thought this was appropriate. Of all the vintage blues players, Mississippi John Hurt is my favourite, for his range of songs and his warm gentle vocals. The words for this were written by William Myer, a lawyer and label owner. John Hurt pinched the melody from Jimmie Rodgers' Waitin' for a train.

Step It Up And Go

An extra challenge this week, courtesy of the Ukulele Underground forum, is a song with furniture in it. So, featuring a table, some doors, and a blind, this one from Blind Boy Fuller and many others.

3rd Dead Cat

Chuck Brodsky is a songwriter I only found last year, and I am glad I did. His songs tell stories. OK, this one is a bit quirky, but it definitely takes you on a journey.

Singing The Blues

This campsite allows you twenty minutes of free WiFi each day. Just enough to upload a one and a half minute song from the 50s. My mobile data allowance can survive for another day.

There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis

A big Thank You to Matt at Uke Magazine, for the mention in the latest edition. Don't forget, uke players, if you click on the Donation button, make a donation, however small, and include your email address, you can download the words & chords for all 365 songs at the end of the year.

Hushabye Mountain

Another chance to record outdoors, and this time just the birds and a clanging gate in the background, not quite drowning out one of the reasons I like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang so much.

Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear

I tried to record this outside, but a combination of sudden breezes, and a barking dog (my own), meant I retreated to the passenger seat.

Hobo's Lullaby

Had to do something quiet so as not to disturb the people in the caravan next door, first thing in the morning. So, a lullaby.

Travelin' Light

So, here we are, on a campsite somewhere near Gloucester. This song took about 2 minutes to record, and then 90 to upload, using the free WiFi of the pub next door. This showbusiness lark is tough...

The Panic Is On

I'm not sure if much is known about Hezekiah Jenkins, apart from the handful of 78s he recorded back in the 1930s. This is one I first heard in a long-lost pub in York, about thirty years ago. Happy days...

New York Girls

Another traditional song today, or at least, one which has changed and grown as it has been passed from singer to singer. I make no apologies for borrowing the Bellowhead version, probably word for word. If, like me, you are puzzled by the "Away Santy, my dear Annie" line, it is likely that it was borrowed from a sea shanty, Santiana, which in turn was referring to a Mexican general, Santa Ana. So now you know.