20 Easy Ukulele Songs for Beginners (Just 3–4 Chords)

You only need a handful of chords to play hundreds of real songs. The twenty picks below need only two, three, or four beginner chords, and the same shapes keep coming back, so each new song you learn makes the next one easier.

We’ve grouped them by how many chords you need and listed which ones, so you can start with the simplest and work your way up. No sheet music required.

How to Use This List

Pick a song whose chords you already know (or can learn in a few minutes), get your ukulele in tune, and start slow. Most of these songs sound great with one simple, steady strum. If you’re brand new, begin with four even down‑strums per bar, then try the popular “island” strum once the chord changes feel comfortable:

Count it out loud, “one, two‑and, (three)‑and, four‑and,” and keep your strumming hand moving in a relaxed, continuous motion even on the beats you skip. That steady motion turns a series of separate chords into music.

First, the Chords You’ll Need

Every song on this list uses the eight chords below. Learn these shapes and you can play everything on this page. The hollow circle above a string means play it open; an orange dot means press that fret.

If any of these feel shaky, our interactive chord finder lets you see and hear each one, and our easy ukulele chords for beginners guide walks through them one at a time. Tune up with the free online tuner before you begin.

Songs with Just 2 Chords

Start here. With only two shapes to switch between, you can focus on keeping a steady strum.

• A Horse with No Name — America (Em, D). The most famous two‑chord song of all; a gentle, hypnotic back‑and‑forth that’s perfect for practicing smooth changes.
• Eleanor Rigby — The Beatles (Em, C). Moody and dramatic, and it reuses the Em from the chart.
• Achy Breaky Heart — Billy Ray Cyrus (A, E). An upbeat country strum‑along that lets you drill the trickier E shape.

Songs with 3 Chords

Three chords unlock an enormous slice of popular music: rock and roll, folk, country, and reggae all live here.

• Three Little Birds — Bob Marley (A, D, E). The feel‑good anthem of beginner ukulele. Bright, simple, and satisfying.
• Ring of Fire — Johnny Cash (G, C, D). A punchy, driving strum on three friendly shapes.
• Blowin’ in the Wind — Bob Dylan (C, F, G). A slow folk classic that’s ideal for practicing the F chord.
• Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd (D, C, G). The famous riff turns into a simple, repeating chord loop you can strum all day.
• Bad Moon Rising — Creedence Clearwater Revival (D, A, G). Fast, cheerful, and only three chords from start to finish.
• La Bamba — Ritchie Valens (C, F, G). The same three‑chord loop the whole way through, great for building speed.
• Twist and Shout — The Beatles (D, G, A). A high‑energy crowd‑pleaser that rewards a confident strum.
• Johnny B. Goode — Chuck Berry (A, D, E). A classic twelve‑bar rock and roll shuffle in three chords.
• This Land Is Your Land — Woody Guthrie (C, F, G). A warm singalong that’s as easy as folk gets.

Songs with 4 Chords

A huge number of hit songs use the same four chords in the same order: C, G, Am, F. Learn this one loop and you can play along with all of them.

• I’m Yours — Jason Mraz (C, G, Am, F). The default beginner ukulele song, and it uses the loop exactly.
• Let It Be — The Beatles (C, G, Am, F). A timeless, uplifting singalong.
• No Woman No Cry — Bob Marley (C, G, Am, F). Warm and easygoing, perfect for a relaxed strum.
• Hey Soul Sister — Train (C, G, Am, F). This one was written on a ukulele.
• With or Without You — U2 (C, G, Am, F). Four chords, start to finish, with a huge payoff.
• Count on Me — Bruno Mars (C, G, Am, F). Sweet, simple, and great for singing with friends.
• Riptide — Vance Joy (Am, G, C, F). A modern ukulele staple on the same shapes in a new order.
• Stand By Me — Ben E. King (G, Em, C, D). A different four‑chord set that’s well worth learning.

A Few Copyright‑Free Classics to Try

The songs above are modern hits, so you’ll find official chord sheets through licensed sites. If you’d rather learn a song in full right now, these public‑domain tunes are free for everyone and need only two or three chords:

You Are My Sunshine (C, F, G), Oh! Susanna (C, F, G), Jingle Bells (C, F, G), and House of the Rising Sun (Am, C, D, F, E). They’re wonderful first songs, and nobody minds if you learn them note for note.

Tips to Learn Songs Faster

Learn the chord changes before you worry about rhythm. Set the song aside and move between its two, three, or four shapes until the switches are clean. Keep your strumming hand loose and moving, even through chords you’re still finding. It’s better to keep time and miss a note than to stop dead.

Start every song at half speed, and speed up once the whole thing feels effortless. Play along with the original recording whenever you can; your ear will teach your hands the rhythm faster than counting alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest song to play on ukulele?

Two‑chord songs like “A Horse with No Name” (Em, D) or “Eleanor Rigby” (Em, C) are the easiest, because you only have to move between two shapes. “Three Little Birds” (A, D, E) is the most popular easy three‑chord song.

How many chords do I need to play most songs?

Just four: C, G, Am, and F. An enormous number of pop songs use these same four chords in a repeating loop, so learning them opens up hundreds of songs.

How long does it take to play my first song?

Most beginners can strum through a simple two‑chord song within their first day or two of practice. Clean, in‑time chord changes take a little longer, but short daily practice gets you there within a couple of weeks.

Pick one song that excites you, learn its chords from the chart above, and play it until it’s easy. Then do the same with the next. That’s the whole method.