My Heart’s On Fire, For ELVIRA
Here’s a fun ditty that takes me back to childhood memories of the television show, “Hee Haw”. I believe this was a hit song by the Oakridge Boys, whose specialty was 5-part harmony. (Sounds awesome in a group.)
ELVIRA!!
Words and music by Dallas Frazier, © 1965 by ATV Music, Nashville, TN.
(First note = Open E string)
[C] El- vira, El-vira, my heart’s on [G7] fire for El-[C]vira!
[C] Eyes that look like heaven. Lips like cherry wine.
That girl can sho’ nuff make my little light [G7] shine.
[C] I get a funny feeling, [F7] up and down my spine,
[C] ‘cause I know that [G7] my Elvira’s [C] mine. [G7](single strum) – N.C.
CHORUS
I’m singin’ El-[C]vira, El-vira, my heart’s on [G7] fire for El-[C]vira!
[C] Giddy up, a-oom papa, oom papa, mow mow,
Giddy up, a-oom papa, oom papa, mow mow – High, Ho [G7] Silver, A-[C]way!
–
[C] To-night I’m gonna meet her, at the Hungry House Café ,
And I’m gonna give her all the love I [G7] can!
[C] She’s gonna jump and holler, ‘cause I [F7] saved my last two dollar,
C G7 C G7(single strum) – N.C.
and [C] we’re gonna search and [G7] find that preacher [C] man!
[G7](single strum) – N.C.
CHORUS
CHORUS AGAIN WITH “GIDDY UP…” DONE ACCAPELLA
TAG [C] “High, Ho [G7] Silver, A-[C]way!”
Drop Baby Drop
This is an “Island” song, which was based in Hawaii, and is a mash-up of Frankie Valli’s Who Loves You Pretty Baby, with an original song, called Drop Baby Drop. I first heard it on a CD by the Langely Ukulele Ensemble in Langely, B.C. called Our Hawaiian Heart. It has been attributed to artist Eddy Grant, and has also been recorded by such well-known Hawaiian bands as The Manao Company, and The Mango Kingz.
The Manao Company, from their 2008 album, Island Style.
The Mango Kingz (my personal favorite):
What I like about this ukulele version of the song is the nice barred chords of the second and third chords. It makes it easy to play and has a nice jazz sound to it. It’s in the key of A, so you get to learn that key and the complimenting V7th is E7. The other chords are Bm and Cm, but you just play them as 2nd fret barred and 4th fret barred (it actually sounds better, too). The progression starts on A and goes to Cm then Bm, thenE7 and back to A. While progressing from Cm to Bm it’s nice to light on the 3rd fret barred for a nice step-down sound. So you would go A////, Cm///3rd fret, Bm////, E7////. I like to start with the Who loves you pretty baby section, then launch into the verses.
Drop Baby Drop
Intro: A Cm Bm E7
[A] My heart does the [Cm] tango, with [Bm] every little move you [E7] make
[A] I love ya like a [Cm] mango, cause [Bm] we can make it every [E7] day
(That’s why you gotta) [A] Drop baby, [Cm] drop baby, [Bm] drop….[E7] drop all your love on me!
[A] Drop baby, [Cm] drop baby, [Bm] drop….[E7] Drop ’cause I’m hungry!
–
[A] My nights would be so [Cm] lonely, if [Bm] you should ever choose to [E7] go
[A] I’d live just like a [Cm] zombie, with [Bm] very little love to [E7] show
(That’s why you gotta) [A] Drop baby, [Cm] drop baby, [Bm] drop….[E7] drop all your love on me!
[A] Drop baby, [Cm] drop baby, [Bm] drop….[E7] Drop ’cause I’m hungry!
–
[A] [Cm] [Bm] [E7]
–
Bridge:
[A] Who loves you [Cm] pretty baby? [Bm] Who’s gonna [E7] help you through the [A] night?
Who loves you [Cm] pretty mama? [Bm] Who’s always [E7] there to make it [A] right?
Who loves you? [Cm] Who loves you pretty [Bm] baby? [E7] Who loves you pretty [A] mama -[Cm] baby, [Bm] drop! [E7]
–
*You can repeat the first two verses again if you want. I enjoy starting with the Who loves you section, and then the first 2 verses.
Updated 80’s Song
When I was attending high school in the early 80’s, and then University in the later 80’s, one of my favorite bands was Heart. Maybe because they were both girls and they both rocked it! I don’t know, but their hit What About Love? was a rock ‘n’ roll radio station standard of the times that played well into the 90’s. Some of my fondest memories of that time involve hanging with my friends at the Norfolk County Fair while many Heart songs were played on rides, such as The Polar Express.
Last year (2013) I discovered this great Canadian band out of Montreal called Lucky Uke. They are an all-uke band, and are fairly famous. They were asked to sing a duet with Colbie Callait called Please Please Stay.
Upon performing an extensive Youtube search, I discovered Lucky Uke’s cover of What About Love?, and went to their website to download the lyrics and chords. The chords I provide here are exactly the same ones that are used by the band. They did not indicate chord placement, nor did they provide chord boxes, and also they left out parts they added, such as “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah”, and also the last 6 lines of their arrangement for their video. I have attached a PDF of my version to this post with the chord boxes, so when you listen to their video via Youtube you will be able to play and sing along somewhat accurately if not perfectly. 🙂
WHAT ABOUT LOVE?
I’ve been [Gm] lonely, [Eb] I’ve been [Bb] waiting for [F]you
I’m pre-[Gm]tending, [Eb] and that’s [Bb] all I can [F] do
[Gm] The love I’m [Eb] sending, ain’t [Bb] making it [F] through to your [Eb] heart…..
–
You’ve been [Gm] hiding, [Eb] never [Bb] letting it [F] show
Always [Gm] trying, [Eb] to keep it [Bb] under con-[F]trol
[Gm] You got it [Eb] down and, you’re [Bb] well on the [F] way to the [Eb] top…
–
But there’s [F] somethin’ that you [F] forgot!
–
What about [Bb] LOVE? Don’t you [Eb] want someone to [F] care about you?
What about [Bb] LOVE? Don’t [Eb] let it slip a-[F]way-ay-ay!
What about [Bb] LOVE? I [Eb] only want to [F] share it with you
You might [Eb] need it someday….
–
I can’t [Gm] tell you, [Eb] what you’re [Bb] feelin’ in-[F]side
I can’t [Gm] sell you, [Eb] what you [Bb] don’t want to [F] buy
[Gm] Something’s [Eb] missing and you [Bb] got to look [F] back on your [Eb] life
–
You know [F] somethin’ just ain’t right!!
–
What about [Bb] LOVE? Don’t you [Eb] want someone to [F] care about you?
What about [Bb] LOVE? Don’t [Eb] let it slip a-[F]way-ay-ay!
What about [Bb] LOVE? I [Eb] only want to [F] share it with you,
I only want to [F] share it with you-oo….Oh!
[Bb] Yeah, [Eb] yeah, yeah, [F] yeaaaaaah.
[Bb] Yeah, [Eb] yeah, yeah, [F] yeaaaaaah.
–
REPEAT CHORUS
–
What about [Bb] LOVE? Don’t you [Eb] want someone to [F] care about you?
What about [Bb] LOVE? Don’t [Eb] let it slip a-[F]way-ay-ay!
What about [Bb] LOVE? I [Eb] only want to [F] share it with you,
You might [Eb] need it someday, you might [F] need it someday!
–
You might [Bb] need it, [Eb] you might [F] need it
You might [Bb] need it some[Eb]day, you might [F] need it someday….
–
What about [Bb] love? [Eb] What a-[F]bout it?
What about [Bb] love? [Eb] What a-[F]bout it?
[Bb] Yeah, [Eb] yeah, yeah, [F] yeaaaaaah.
What about [Bb]love??????
You’re Sixteen
“You’re Sixteen” is a song written by the Sherman Brothers (Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman). It was first performed by American rockabilly singer Johnny Burnette, whose version peaked at number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in December 1960 and number 3 in the U.K. in 1961.The original 1960 version of “You’re Sixteen” by Johnny Burnette is featured prominently on the 1973 motion picture soundtrack of the film American Graffiti. Ringo Starr made this song a hit in 1973, his version featuring a “kazoo solo” by fellow ex-Beatles band-mate Paul McCartney.
I have always enjoyed this ukulele version of the song, in the Key of F. Since the songs starts out low and goes up high while singing, I have found the Key of F to be the most comfortable for my singing voice. I have come across it, unfortunately in a group strum situation, in the Key of C, and found it positively unbearable to sing. It was too uncomfortable in the lower octave, and un-managable singing higher in C. My advice to those who wish to transpose the key of this song: if the Key of F is too low for you, try transposing up one Key to G, and vice versa. Another likeable thing about the Key of F, is that the chords swing around the lowest 3 frets on the neck. And also it is a great way to learn that Bb chord and really practice it: you only have to play it once per verse! Ukulele players who enjoy fancy endings will appreciate the quick down-up played on E6 followed by F6, illustrated in the PDF attached to this post.
You’re Sixteen – Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman, 1960
You come [F] on like a dream, [A7] peaches and cream,
[Bb] lips like strawberry [F] wine.
You’re six-[G7]teen, you’re [C] beautiful and you’re [F] mine. [C7 for 4 beats]
You’re all [F] ribbons and curls, [A7] ooo what a gurl,
[Bb] eyes that sparkle and [F] shine.
You’re six-[G7]teen, you’re [C] beautiful and you’re [F] mine. [F7 for 4 beats]
Bridge:
[A7] You’re my baby, you’re my pet, [D7] we fell in love on the night we met.
You [G7] touched my hand, my heart went “pop”,
[C7 – stop] OOO when we kissed, we could not stop!
You walked [F] out of my dreams and [A7] into my arms,
[Bb] now you’re my angel di-[F]vine.
You’re six-[G7]teen, you’re [C] beautiful and you’re [F] mine. [D7 for 4 beats]
(higher) You’re six-[G7]teen, you’re [C] beautiful and you’re [F] mine. [D7 for 4 beats]
All [G7] mine, all [C] mine, all [F-5 strums] mine! [E6][F6]-down strum on E6, up
strum on F6
(E6= barr across fourth fret, F6=barr across fifth fret)
Love Song by the Cure
Love Song by the Cure, c. 1989.
Covered by reggae band 311 for the sound track of the movie 50 First Dates (2005); currently covered by British singer Adele (2011).
Lovesong by the Cure
4/4 time, 4 beats per chord. Can be played with bounce rhythm: emphasize the 2nd and 4th beats.
Intro: Am G F E7
Am – – – – – – – – – – G – – – – – – – F – – – – – – – – -E7
Whenever – – – – – I’m alone with – you
You make me – – feel like I am – – home again
Whenever – – – – – I’m alone with – you
You make me – – feel like I am – – whole again
Break: Am G F E7 (Riff – if you know it)
Am – – – – – – – – – – G – – – – – – – – F – – – – – – – – -E7
Whenever – – – – – I’m alone with – you
You make me – – feel like I am – – young again
Whenever – – – – – I’m alone with – you
You make me – – feel like I am – – fun again
Chorus:
F – – – – – – – – – – G7 – – – – – – – – Am – – – – – – – – C – – – –
However – – – far away – – – – – – – – – – – I will – – always love you
However – – – long I stay – – – – – – – – – -I will – – always love you
Whatever – – -words I say – – – – – – – – -I will – – always love you
– – – – – – I will always love you Am G F E7
Break: Am G F E7
Am – – – – – – – – – – G – – – – – – – F – – – – – – – – -E7
Whenever – – – – – I’m alone with – you
You make me – – feel like I am – – free again
Whenever – – – – – I’m alone with – you
You make me – – feel like I am – – clean again
Chorus: end on Am @ “you”
Mull of Kintyre
Although technically not a Beatles song, Mull of Kintyre was written by one of the original Beatles members, Sir Paul McCartney, who wrote this tribute to the area he owned a farm in. The area in Scotland was known as Kintyre and the headland was called the Mull of Kintyre. McCartney has owned land on this peninsula since 1966.
Mull of Kintyre by Sir Paul McCartney, 1977
¾ Time Hit, Du, Du Hit, Du, Du
INTRO: D// D// G// G// D// A7// D// – – –
Refrain:
[D]Mull of Kintyre, Oh [G]mist rolling in from the [D]Sea
My desire is [G]always to be here, Oh, [A7]Mull of Kin-[D]tyre.
–
[D]Far have I travelled, and [D7]much have I seen
[G]Dark distant mountains, with [D]valleys of green.
Past painted deserts, the [D7]sunset’s on fire
As he [G]carries me home, to the [A7]Mull of Kin-[D]tyre.
–
Refrain
–
[D]Sweep through the heather, like [D7]deer in the glen
[G]Carry me back, to the [D]days I knew then.
Nights when we sang, like a [D7]heavenly choir
Of the [G]life and the time, of the[A7] Mull of Kin-[D]tyre.
–
Refrain
–
[D]Smiles in the sunshine, and [D7]tears in the rain,
[G]Still take me back to where my [D]memories remain.
Flickering embers, growing [D7]higher and higher
As they [G]carry me back, to the [A7]Mull of Kin-[D]tyre.
–
Refrain X 2
This Land Is Your Land
This Land is Your Land was originally written by Woodie Guthrie in 1940. However, what I am presenting here is the Canadian version, so if you were looking for the original you’re going to disappoint.
In 1955 a group of Canadian folk singers called the Travellers adapted this song with Canadian geographical references. This version became an important piece of Canadiana and was included in songbooks for Brownies, Girl Guides, Scouts Canada, public elementary schools and many other children’s organizations.
(Once again, it’s a big, long song so I have provided it in PDF format.)
The Unicorn Song
The Unicorn Song, by Shel Silverstein, 1960. This was the very first hit for The Irish Rovers on their very first record in 1966.
http://www.theirishroversmusic.com
The Irish Rovers are a Canadian Irish Folk group created in 1963; best known for their international TV series and popularizing Irish music in North America. In 1963 George Millar and Jim Ferguson, both young Irish immigrants, entered an amateur show in Toronto and won. They soon relocated to Calgary with additional family members in the group and struck out for California in 1965. They became so popular on the performance circuit in that state that by 1966 they were offered a record deal and their rendition of The Unicorn Song became #11 within the first 2 months of its’ release, remaining in the Top 20 for 2 years. In 1968 they received the JUNO Award for Folk Group of the Year. They were regulars on TV shows such as the Smothers Brothers, and went on to host their own show, The Irish Rovers Show, in the 70’s.
Things We Said Today
Things We Said Today is a Beatles hit written by Lennon and McCartney.
This is an interesting ukulele version, involving a lot of the complimenting minors. The best part is the verses are played by rocking back and forth between Am and Em7. The Am chord can be played with your first finger and the Em7 can be played with the second and third fingers for ease of progressing.
Things We Said Today
D D u uDu
(Am) You say (Em7) you will (Am)love (Em7)me
(Am)If I (Em7)have to (Am)go(Em7)
(Am)You’ll be (Em7)thinking (Am)of (Em7)me
(Am)Somehow (Em7)I will (Am)know (Em7)
–
(C)Someday when I’m (C7)lonely, (F)Wishing you weren’t so (Bb)far away
(Am)Then I (Em7)will re(Am)mem(Em7)ber
(Am)Things we (Em7)said to(Am)day (Em7)
–
(Am)You say (Em7)you’ll be (Am)mine, (Em7)girl
(Am)’Til the (Em7)end of (Am)time(Em7)
(Am)These days (Em7)such a (Am)kind (Em7)girl
(Am)Seems so (Em7)hard to (Am)find (Em7)
–
(C)Someday when we’re (C7)dreaming, (F)Deep in love, not a (Bb)lot to say
(Am)Then we (Em7)will re(Am)mem(Em7)ber
(Am)Things we (Em7)said to-(A)day
–
(A)Me, I’m just the (D) lucky kind (B7)Love to hear you (E7)say that love is (A)love
And though we (D)may be blind (B7)Love is here to (Bb)stay and that’s
–
E-(Am)nough to (Em7)make you (Am)mine, (Em7)girl
(Am)Be the (Em7)only (Am)one (Em7)
(Am)Love me (Em7)all the (Am)time, (Em7)girl
(Am)We’ll go (Em7)on and (Am)on (Em7)
–
(C)Someday when we’re (C7)dreaming,
(F)Deep in love, not a (Bb)lot to say
(Am)Then we (Em7)will re(Am)mem(Em7)ber
(Am)Things we (Em7)said to-(A)day
–
(A)Me, I’m just the (D) lucky kind (B7)Love to hear you (E7)say that love is (A)love
And though we (D)may be blind (B7)Love is here to (Bb)stay and that’s
–
E-(Am)nough to (Em7)make you (Am)mine, (Em7)girl
(Am)Be the (Em7)only (Am)one (Em7)
(Am)Love me (Em7)all the (Am)time, (Em7)girl
(Am)We’ll go (Em7)on and (Am)on (Em7)
–
(C)Someday when we’re (C7)dreaming,
(F)Deep in love, not a (Bb)lot to say
(Am)Then we (Em7)will re(Am)mem(Em7)ber
(Am)Things we (Em7)said to-(Am) day….(Em7) Repeat chords and fade….
Cat's Ukulele Songs 