First released in 1964 as the B-side of Buck Owens’ #1 hit, “My Heart Skips a Beat,” this song has since been recorded by dozens of other artists and was a big hit for both Ray Charles and Emmylou Harris. I just did a simple strum with easy chords in the key of G (G, C, and D). If you feel more comfortable playing an easier D7 chord instead of D that works just as well.
Category: Country
Take Me Home, Country Roads – Clawhammer #Ukulele with Chords & Lyrics
One of John Denver’s biggest hits, from 1971. I played it clawhammer style in the key of F. That’s a full step down from the key of G, how it’s usually played on guitar, which makes it easier to hit the high notes when you’re singing. For this song the key of F seems easier to play than in the key of G if you’re okay with the dreaded Bb chord that gives a lot of people fits.
Lonesome Town – Fingerstyle & Strumming – Ukulele Chords & Lyrics
One of Ricky Nelson’s big hits, from 1958. I included two versions in this video, fingerstyle followed by a strumming example.
Long Black Veil – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords & Lyrics
Long Black Veil was written by Marijohn Wilkin and Danny Dill in 1959 and recorded that same year by country singer Lefty Frizzell. After it was written Dill called it an “instant folksong.” Lefty’s record reached #6 on the country charts, but over the years it has become even more popular, being recorded by hundreds of artists including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, Joan Baez, and The Band even performed it at Woodstock in 1969. It was written from the man’s perspective, but in 1960 in an unreleased version, co-writer Marijohn Wilkin recorded a different version from the female perspective.
Please Don’t Bury Me – Clawhammer #Ukulele with Chords & Lyrics
Please Don’t Bury Me is a song from John Prine’s 1973 album, Sweet Revenge. I played it with clawhammer style backup but you can strum it (4/4 time) if you prefer.
After All This Time – #Ukulele Chords & Lyrics
This is Rodney Crowell’s #1 country hit from 1989. In 1990, it won a Grammy for Best Country Song. It should be easy for most uke players to strum along with, in the key of C and 4/4 time.