John Denver wrote “Leaving on a Jet Plane” in 1967 when he was a member of the Chad Mitchell Trio. The group recorded it but it wasn’t successful until released two years later by Peter, Paul & Mary, when it went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it PPM’s biggest hit and their last song on the chart. I played it in the key of G and the song only uses 3 chords (G, C, and D).
Category: Pop
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis) – Fingerstyle #Ukulele with Chords & Lyrics
One of Elvis Presley’s signature songs, it became a huge hit in 1961 with the Elvis movie, “Blue Hawaii.” It’s in 6/8 time and I did it fingerstyle using the same pattern I’ve used for other 6/8 songs. If you would like the fingerstyle pattern explained, see the detailed explanation at the end of my “Hallelujah” video.
Of course, there have been zillions of covers over the years. I’m including two of them here, Andrea Bocelli (who also sang it in the key of F so you might be able to play along with his singing) and Celine Dion.
The Sound of Silence – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords & Lyrics
Paul Simon wrote this song in 1964 and it became their first #1 hit the week ending January 1, 1966. I played this ukulele strum-along in the key of Am and all of the chords are easy (Am, C, F, and G). Notable covers include the ones by Pentatonix and Disturbed.
Bad Moon Rising – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords & Lyrics
John Fogerty wrote this song, performed by his group, Creedence Clearwater Revival. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969 and the single sold more than 2 million copies. It was the lead single from the CCR album, “Green River.” CCR played it in the key of D, which is way too high for my voice, so I played it in the key of G in order to hit the high notes without getting a hernia.
In This Life (Collin Raye) – #Ukulele Strum-Along with Chords & Lyrics
“In This Life” was written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, and was a #1 country hit for Collin Raye in 1992. Notable cover versions have been recorded by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Bruddah IZ), Ronan Keating, and the Irish pop band Westlife.
Que Sera Sera – Fingerstyle #Ukulele with Chords & Lyrics
Que sera sera was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans in 1955 and sung by Doris Day in the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Man Who Knew Too Much.” In 1956 it won an Oscar for Best Original Song, and the Doris Day recording reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
On a personal note, it was my mother’s favorite song, and actually the only song I ever remember her singing. She died in 1959 at the age of 32 when a car she was riding in was hit by a train. I was 7 at the time, and I remember being asked by whoever was planning the funeral if she had a favorite song she’d like to have sung at her funeral, and I said Que Sera Sera. They were actually looking more for an appropriate hymn, I’m sure, but the more I’ve thought about it I have a feeling maybe it would have been a pretty good choice after all. What will be, will be.
Fingerstyle Picking Pattern Example (3/4 time):
