The 20 Hardest Ukulele Songs to Play

When it comes to playing the ukulele, there are a few songs that stand out as being particularly challenging. Whether it’s because of their complex chord progressions or fast-paced tempos, these tunes can be difficult to master.

If you’re up for a challenge, learning how to play these 20 hardest ukulele songs is a great way to improve your skills and add some new tunes to your repertoire. While they may be tough to master, they’re all incredibly rewarding to play once you’ve got them down.

1. “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay

Starting this list with a bang with one of the most popular songs of the last decade. “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is not only a difficult song to play on the ukulele but also on any instrument. The reason being is that the song consists of a lot of chord switches and fast strumming. This hit song was released in 2008 for their album “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends”.

2. “Ode To A Frozen Boot” by James Hill

James Hill is a Canadian ukulele virtuoso and one of the most respected ukulele players in the world. “Ode To A Frozen Boot” is a song from his album “True Love Don’t Weep” and it is also difficult to play. The reason being is that the song requires a lot of finger picking and complex chord shapes.

3. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

The next song on this list is a classic. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole is one of the most popular ukulele songs ever. It is an instrumental cover of the original song by Judy Garland. This now has over a billion views on Youtube, and a lot of ukulele players were inspired to play this.

4. “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston

“Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston is a song from her self-titled album which was released in 1985. This song was a huge success as it topped the Billboard charts and won a Grammy award. The reason this song is difficult to play on the ukulele is because of the high notes that you need to hit.

5. “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco is a popular American rock band and “Death of a Bachelor” is one of their most popular songs. This song was released in 2016 as the lead single for their album of the same name. It is difficult to play on the ukulele because of the fast tempo and complex chord shapes.

6. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears

The next song on the list is a more upbeat one. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears was released in 1985 and it topped the charts in multiple countries. This song is difficult to play on the ukulele because of the fast tempo and chord changes. It now has over 200 million views on Youtube.

7. “Hotel California” by Eagles

Another classic song that is on our list is “Hotel California” by the Eagles. This was released in 1977 and it is one of the most popular songs of all time. It is also one of the most difficult ukulele songs to play because of the intricate chords. If you are up for the challenge, this is a great song to learn.

8. “Mercy, Mercy Me” by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye is a legend and “Mercy, Mercy Me” is one of his most popular songs. This was released in 1971 and it is a great song to play on the ukulele. The chords are not too difficult, but the strumming pattern can be challenging. If you can master this song, you will be sure to impress your friends or audience.

9. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

“Hallelujah” is a beautiful song by Leonard Cohen. It was released in 1984 and it has been covered by many artists over the years. The slow tempo can be challenging for ukulele players. You can stream the song on Youtube to guide you with the timing.

10. “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles

Next on the list is “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles. This classic song was released in 1967 and it is still popular today. The challenge here is to be consistent from start to finish as the strumming pattern is not too difficult but constant. This can be streamed on all music platforms out there.

11. “Wonderwall” by Oasis

This next song is a popular 90s hit by the band Oasis. “Wonderwall” was released in 1995 and it quickly became one of the most popular songs of all time. Playing it on the ukulele can be challenging, but it is definitely doable if you are up for the challenge.

12. “Back in Black” by AC/DC

“Back in Black” is a classic rock song by AC/DC. It was released in 1980 and it is still popular today. This song is perfect for those who want to show off their ukulele skills. The chords are not too difficult, but the timing can be tricky. It can be found on the band’s album “Back In Black”.

13. “3AM” by Matchbox Twenty

Matchbox Twenty is a popular band from the 90s and “3AM” is one of their most popular songs. It was released in 1997 for their album “Yourself or Someone Like You”. Playing this on the ukulele will definitely impress your friends because of how difficult it is.

14. “Let Her Go” by Passenger

“Let Her Go” is a song by english singer-songwriter Passenger. It was released in 2012 and reached number one in many countries. The song is about letting go of someone you love. It amassed over 3 billion views on Youtube, making it one of their most popular songs ever released.

15. “Return to Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins

This next song is a children’s song but is just as difficult, “Return to Pooh Corner” by Kenny Loggins. It was released in 1994 and is about getting back to your roots and where you came from. It’s a beautiful song that requires a lot of skill to play on the ukulele.

16. “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic

OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars” is one of their most popular songs and it was released in 2013. It’s a very upbeat song that will be sure to challenge your skills in playing the instrument. It reached over 3.5 billion views on Youtube and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.

17. “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” by Stevie Wonder

Next on the list is a song by the legend himself, Stevie Wonder. “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” was released in 1974 and is about not stressing over the little things in life. It’s a feel-good song that was covered by many popular artists like Tori Kelly, which also became a hit. This song will require a lot of practice to play on the ukulele because of the fast chord switches.

18. “Girl From Ipanema” by Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra’s “Girl From Ipanema” was released in 1967 and became one of his most popular songs. This is a jazz standard that has been covered by many artists over the years. It is difficult to play on the ukulele also because of the fast chord changes.

19. “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith

“Stay with Me” is a song by English singer-songwriter Sam Smith. It was released in 2014 and became an international hit. The song is about wanting someone to stay with you even though you know they’re going to leave. You will need to have a lot of patience to play this one on the ukulele as it requires delicate strumming.

20. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns n Roses

Finishing the list is one of the most popular songs of all time, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns n Roses. It was released in 1988. This song is a classic rock anthem and is definitely not easy to play on the ukulele. You can find it on their album “Appetite for Destruction”.

Final Thoughts

These are the 20 hardest ukulele songs to play. They vary in difficulty and genre, which should give you a good challenge if you’re looking to improve your skills. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t play them perfectly, just keep practicing and you’ll get there eventually.

Note that this is by no means a definitive list as there are many other songs that can be played on the ukulele and can be a challenge.

Brian Clark

Brian Clark

I’ve been a writer with Musician Wave for six years, turning my 17-year journey as a multi-instrumentalist and music producer into insightful news, tutorials, reviews, and features.

Leave a Comment

Leave a reply

Musician Wave
Logo