#125 - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Song - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Artist - Frank Loesser

Thanks for doing this one with me Billy!
Happy new year everyone!

#124 - King of the Road

Song - King of the Road
Artist - Roger Miller

Sorry it cuts off at the end, I have officially run out of room on my phone!

#123 - Walk On By

Song - Walk on By
Artist - Cake

I love Cake, I don't care what you say!
Also I nailed (as close to nailing it as I get anyway) this one on the first try!

#122 - You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Song - You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
Artist - Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse (From Annie)

I don't know why this song popped into my head recently, but I do love it. Though Annie is not one of my favorite musicals (child actors give the creeps a little) it has some amazing musical numbers. I once heard an interview with one of the composers for the play and he said he intentionally wrote the numbers way too high for a child's range. His intention was to create excitement for the audience as the kids would reach for these notes. Interesting concept!

Also while dinking around for different versions of the song I found this:



Does the littlest girl look familiar? Maybe a little like this?


Woah! Creepy child actor status confirmed!!

#121 - To Be With You

Song - To Be With You
Artist - Mr. Big

Here is a song that my friend Sean and I did. Sean is the master behind my new found hair and is partially responsible for loving karaoke. You know someone is a really good friend when they help you comb out your dreads.....twice.

He is an amazing stylist, book an appointment with him!
http://entrusthair.com/

#120 - Hush Little Baby

Song - Hush Little Baby
Artist - traditional

I didn't think it could happen, but I am actually pretty tired of doing Christmas songs, so instead here is something completely different. I guess it's appropriate though because the best gift my family received this year was a new, beautiful baby girl. My niece Lucy is precious!

#119 - Hobo's Lullaby

Song - Hobo's Lullaby
Artist - Goebel Reeves

I know I have said it a million times on this blog, but I really love playing with my dad. He is an amazing musician and I learn so much every time I play with him.
Love you Pop!

#118 - Silent Night (kind of)

Song - Silent Night
Artist - I think we have to keep the credit for this version

This was from a sweater party a few weeks ago. It was so amazingly bad I decided to save it to post for Christmas eve, Merry Christmas!

#117 - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Song - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Artist - Johnny Marks

#116 - Oh, Holy Night

Song - Oh, Holy Night
Artist - Adolphe Adam

Even though I'm not religious, this is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Ever listen to those polls Talk of the Nation does to find out everyone's favorite holiday tunes? This is always up there.
Sorry my voice was lacking for this song, I blew it out pretty good caroling all last night!

#115 - Christmas Caroling at Peacock Lane!

Last night we went caroling at Peacock Lane. I haven't been caroling since I was a kid and every year I say I want to go, but never put forth the effort to make it happen. This year I was determined, but it was really Dutch that put the plan into motion. Thank you SO much to everyone that came out and sang, played, whistled or just walked around with us in the cold. It was an absolute blast!

Sorry these videos are kind of dark, Felix did a great job filming, there was just a lot of back lighting due to all the awesome happening on the houses.

I think this ended up being one of our best numbers. Thanks Elisa for heading up the back ups!



Thanks everyone for learning this one, it's one of my favorites!



And here is some silver bells followed by that good ol Christmas classic, Holy Diver:



Thank you again everyone! That was so much fun!

#114 - Personal Jesus

Song - Personal Jesus

Artist - Depeche Mode (in the style of Johnny Cash)

It's a Christmas song because it talks about Jesus right?

The ukulele I am playing in this video (and a few others) was an amazing gift from my good friend Jaime. I can't find the words to say how much I love this ukulele and what this gift means to me. I hope that we will continue to play music together as the last song we did was a ton of fun.

In addition to being a fantastic friend, Jaime is also an incredible entertainer. Any of you that have seen her perform understand why I chose this song to thank her for the ukulele. She creates the perfect blend of funny, sexy and interesting all while performing flawlessly. She influenced me to take up fire dancing and will always be a mentor and inspiration to me as a performer and a person.

I love you Jaime!

Check out her performance website: flamesofmirth.com/

As well as her clothing line (for big booties, her underwear cannot be beat!) : carniecouture.com/

#113 - I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Song - I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Artist - Irving Berlin

#112 - Take On Me

Song - Take On Me

Artist - A-Ha

We don't actually have chipmunk voices, surprise!

#111 - Christmas Don't Be Late

Song - Christmas Don't be Late

Artist - Ross Bagdasarian

The band is officially back together. Well done ladies, well done.

#110 - Silver Bells

Song - Silver Bells

Artist - Jay Livingston

Back up provided by Felix and his new iPad!

#109 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Song - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Artist - Hugh Martin

So much Christmas, you can hardly stand it!!

#108 - The Way I am

Song - The Way I Am

Artist - Ingrid Michaelson

Damn you advertising! This song is totally set in my mind as a Christmas song after Old Navy had it in a commercial a few years back. Oh well, the more Christmas songs the better I suppose!

This song makes me think of my sweet Felix. I'm a nerd and he's ok with that, that's pretty cool, it's pretty cool.

#107 - Home

Song - Home

Artist - Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros

Billy and I have been planning on doing this song for months, I'm so happy it finally came together!

You can find Billy Bones and all of his awesome at http://skeetskeetbangbang.wordpress.com/

#106 - Jingle Bell Rock

Song - Jingle Bell Rock

Artist - Bobby Helms

This blog has been a tong of fun for many reasons, one being that I have found out my friends are incredibly musically talented. My pals are talented in many ways; bike construction, dancing, fire performing, skateboarding just to name a few of them. But they also seem to have talents that they have kept to themselves!

For example I found out today that my pal Jaime has an incredible voice and can also play the ukulele (while not feeling so hot, nonetheless). Dutch, who is also multitalented and I knew had a great singing voice demonstrated he is also a very skilled whistler. Who knew?! What's your hidden talent?

#105 - L.O.V.E

song - L.O.V.E

Artist - Nat King Cole

Not my best, but both of my videos fell through today! Elisa and I are working on something awesome, so it wasn't quite ready today. But Billy, Billy has no excuse. What a turd. Not really, you're ok Billy.

Needless to say, this video is not my best, but I did what I could!

#104- My Hump (in the style of Alanis Morissette)

Song - My Hump

Artist - The Black Eyed Peas (performed in the style of Alanis Morissette)

The first time I heard this song was actually this version, so you can imagine my confusion when I heard the original.

#103 - Never is a Promise

Song - Never is a Promise

Artist - Fiona Apple

This song is a stretch for me a lot of levels. It's not silly, it doesn't rely on the ukulele and it's super high at times. I need to break out of my strumming habits and the only way to do that is to try things that are totally different!

Also, I promise I don't wear the same thing everyday, this is my favorite sweater on the planet and I am constantly cold. Is that ok with you?! Stop judging me!!

#102 - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Song - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Artist - Johnny Marks

We put up our tree last night and I love it! The house is so Christmassy now!

#101 - Ain't She Sweet

Song - Ain't She Sweet

Artist - Milton Age and Jack Yellen

I've made it over 100! I am so happy with this blog, it has been a blast. Who knows how long I can keep it up at 1 video a day (or as close as I can get) but I am having the best time with it.

#100 - Dueling ukulele and guitar

#99 - Zombie

Song - Zombie

Artist - The Cranberries

So much teenage angst....

#98 - Santa Baby

Song - Santa Baby

Artist - Joan Javits

Let the Christmas songs begin!

#97 - Last Kiss

Song - Last Kiss

Artist - Wayne Cochran

I really need to bust out of this strumming pattern!

#96 - She

Song - She

Artist - Greenday

Let it be known that this was my first song EVER to be recorded right(ish) on the first attempt! Probably because I listened to so much damn Greenday as I kid I could sing or play most of their songs in my sleep.

# 95 - I'm Big in Japan

Song - I'm Big in Japan
Artist - Ton Waits

I first heard this song as a cover on a Fat Wreck Chords compilation. I listened to it all the time and then when I heard the original version I thought it kicked ass even more. Big in Japan now reminds me of Emily when I hear because she does an amazing geisha/ninja set and uses this song. All around kick ass set.

Also, it's kind of hard to do a song with basically one chord through most of it!

#94 - Mele Kalikimaka

Song - Mele Kalikimaka
Artist - Robert Alex Anderson

For those of you who don't know me, I LOVE Christmas. I'm so excited to do Christmas songs for this blog. For. Reals.

This song holds a special place in my heart because it is featured in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Love it.

#93 - You've Got a Friend in Me

Song - You've Got a Friend in Me
Artist - Randy Newman

A song for my sweetie. You will always have a friend in me.

# 92 - All of Me

Song - All of Me
Artist - Gerald Marks and Seymour Simon

#91 - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Song - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Artist - Eric Idle

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

#90 - Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

Song - Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue
Artist - The California Ramblers

Here's another song everyone with a ukulele does! Only I can't do it as fast or awesome as most....aw shucks.

#89 - Linoleum

Song - Linoleum
Artist - NOFX

My triumphant return to the blog starts today! I went and had my strings changed on the banjo uke, bought a capo and I am ready to rumble! I am amazed that even after a few days of not playing consistently it get's a harder. I'm glad I started this blog to keep me motivated.

# 88 - Three Miles down

Song - Three Miles Down
Artist - Saves the Day

This is an old video that I realized I hadn't posted here yet. I'm feeling so much better and videos will resume as normal starting tomorrow!

Sorry!

Still sick, ugh. My ukudaily plans have failed! I thought i could power through, but there is no point in me trying to sing today at all!

No ukudaily yesterday!

I apologize for the lack of post yesterday and possibly today. Here is why I'm slackin':

So sick!! Hopefully I'll be feeling well enough to do one tonight.

#87 -

Song - Edelweiss
Artist - Rodgers and Hammerstein

This took us about 10 times to do without laughing.

#86 - Dream Lover

Song - Dream Lover
Artist - Bobby Darin

#85 - Red Clay Halo

Song - Red Clay Halo
Artist - Gillian Welch

Another song with Elisa! These songs have been so much fun!
Notice the Capo on the banjo uke, I didn't think they could play any higher, but they can!

#84 - Video Killed the Radio Star

Song - Video Killed the Radio Star
Artist - The Buggles

Sorry I'm a little shiny today, just got done with a hot yoga class. Every time I take one it makes me want to take one every day. Why are they so darn spendy?!

#83 - Lean on Me

Song - Lean on Me
Artist - Bill Withers

Here is my first song with my mom (with a little help from Claire).

#82 - All I Have to do Is Dream

Song - All I Have to do is Dream
Artist - The Everly Brothers

A quick song with my dad before he heads to a gig!

No post for 11/11/11!

I apologize that there was no post for yesterday, but it was for a good reason! My brother and I were going to do a tune together (which I was very excited about) and then this happened:


Bummer! When you only have 4 strings you can't really get away with one missing. Luckily, my Pop can fix just about anything, but that would have to wait as this happened about 10 at night at my brother's house.

I took it to him this morning and of course he was able to fix me up, even had a set up strings and gave me one to hold me over.

I'm pretty sure my dad can fix just about anything. He did this all and then played a song with me just before he went to a gig. Thanks Pop!

#81 - Two Birds on a Wire

Song - Two Birds on a Wire
Artist - Regina Spektor

Here's another example of me singing WAY too high! Have fun!

#80 - Que Sera Sera

Song - Que Sera Sera
Artist - Doris Day

Two Doris Day songs in a week, sorry y'all!

#79 - Back In Babies Arms

Song - Back In Babies Arms
Artist - Patsy Cline

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions for songs! I feel like I'll be set for a while now!

#78 - Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps

Song - Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps
Artist - Dorris Day

Not one of best, sorry bout that! I feel like my song well is running a little dry these days. 78 songs is a lot! I need to explore some new music and find some new stuff!

#77 - I'll Follow You Into the Dark

Song - I'll Follow You Into the Dark
Artist - Death Cab for Cutie

Good lord, this song is good and sad as all hell. I had kind of written it off because it's one of those songs that everyone with a ukulele eventually does (kind of like I'm Yours, which I won't do). But the lyrics really are incredible, I'm glad Lauren suggested it.

#76 - Waltz Across Texas

Song - Waltz Across Texas
Artist - Talmadge Tubb

I'll be out of town for the next couple days so I thought I would bank a few videos, enjoy!

#75 - Creep

Song - Creep
Artist - Radiohead

#74 - I'm a Believer

Song- I'm a Believer
Artist - The Monkees

#73 - I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart

Song - I want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart
Artist - Patsy Montana

My first yodeling song! Judging from the outcome of this one I don't think I'll be doing any more, HA!

My dad's band used to play this song when I was a kid and you have no idea how often it gets stuck in my head. I can't do half the job the Flats and Denise could, but it sure was a fun song to sing!

#72 - I'll Fly Away

Song - I'll Fly Away
Artist - Alen E. Brumley

Another song with Elisa! I think the band is officially back together.

These songs seem to work really well for us, anyone have any suggestions of other ones we should do?

#71 - Werewolf Bar Mitzvah

Song - Werewolf Bar Mitzvah
Artist - Tracy Jordan

I failed! This is the only song I really wanted to do for Halloween and tabs cannot be found for it anywhere. I am no good at figuring out chords on my own, so I present to you my first ukulele-less video yet. Just imagine me singing it, I'm sure it will be just as good.

Happy Halloween!

#70 - This Haunted House

Song - This Haunted House
Artist - Loretta Lynn

I was looking for a good Halloween and all I found was this incredibly sad Loretta Lynn song. Think it's about time I did coal miners daughter!

#69 - The Monster Mash

Song - The Monster Mash
Artist - Bobby Pickett

Assistance from Felix and Aumie this week, guess who is who!

#68 - I will Survive

Song - I Will Survive
Artist - Gloria Gaynor

If you have listened to the cake version of this song as many times as I have, it becomes hard to sing the original correctly!

#67 - Stay

Song - Stay
Artist - Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs

Another song with Shauna!

#66 - Side by Side

Song - Side by Side
Artist - Harry Woods

I love playing tunes with my Pop!

#65 - Out the Window

Song - Out the Window
Artist - The Violent Femmes

Today's song features Elisa! Elisa and I grew up together and even had an awesome band called Thoughts From Your Feet. We're thinking about getting the whole band back together once Emma get's her ukulele too.

Our set up for the camera was pretty janky, so this is what happened the first time we tried to record...

#64 - The Ballad

Song - The Ballad
Artist - Millencolin

Oh high school, how this song reminds me of you! Not because my life was sad and horrible or anything, but because we used this song in a class about bullying. I think I also used it in an English class as an example of a ballad. So this song has a lot of functions I guess.

Also it should be noted that if you miss spell "ballad" on the iphone it will change it to "balls".

#63 - This Place is a Prison

Song - This Place is a Prison
Artist - The Postal Service

Has enough time passed since my last Postal Service song that I can do another? I sure hope so, cause their songs lend themselves extremely well to the ukulele for some reason!

I love this song. I listened to this album all the time when I lived in Eugene and 19 and I still love it to this day. This song often comes to mind when I am at a party and it seems like people are having fun for the show of having fun. I think people can often convince themselves that partying and being seen (or scene) is fulfilling and enough. At some point it becomes empty.

Deep thoughts by Hanna.

#62 - The Shoop Song

Song - The Shoop Song

Artist - Aretha Franklin

Another song featuring Shauna, I think she will need to start making a weekly habit of this!

Check out Shauna's head tilt every time she says "that's where it is"

#61 - The Trooper

Song - The Trooper (kinda)
Artist - Iron Oinkers

Today, I present: A pig playing Iron Maiden.
That is all.

#60 - Like A Prayer

Song - Like a Prayer
Artist - Madonna

My hair is done! My friend Sean did an amazing job combing out the remainder of the dreads, cutting and coloring it. I'm so happy to have the dreads out!

#59 - The Worms Crawl In

Song - The Worms Crawl In
Artist - I think this song counts as traditional at this point

Terrible job on my part tonight! My hair is so close done, I just want these last five out! I promise a better song tomorrow, maybe even a group ensemble!

#58 - Kiss the Girl

Song - Kiss the Girl
Artist - Alan Menken

You thought the Disney songs were over? You thought wrong!

#57 - What's Going On

Song - What's Going On
Artist - 4 Non Blonds

Try to sing this song without laughing, I dare you. It can't be done! Also, there are a lot more words to this song than I anticipated, sorry for the mistakes.
About half way done with my hair! I'll post pics when it's pretty!

#56 - Look What You've Done

Song - Look What You've Done
Artist - Jet

This song reminds me of when I first moved to Portland. It was on the radio all the time and they would play the music video about 100 times in the morning before I would go to work.

Sorry about my hair, I'm in the process of taking out the dreads.....ugh.

#55 - Part of Your World

Song - Part of Your World
Artist - Alan Menken

More Disney foolishness! Shauna and I did a bunch of these, so I will continue posting them when I run out. More theme weeks to come!

#54 - Just Can't Wait to be King

Song - Just Can't Wait to be King
Artist - Tim Rice and Elton John

Shauna and I geeked out hard on some Disney songs tonight. It was super fun, more to come!
And yes, I did choreograph a dance with cousin to this song, no you cannot see it....ever.

#53 - Jar of Hearts

Song - Jar of Hearts
Artist - Christina Perri

This song is a little out of my range and not normally my style but I love it. Total chick ballad and I don't care, it was super fun. I think I get a little creepy at the end though!

I really love this music video for the dancing though, these dancers are amazing! I also really want my hair to look like hers when the dreads come out.

#52 - Honkytonk Prison

Artist - Honkytonk Prison

I won't lie, I totally forgot to post this last night and I didn't do my own video. It was for a good reason though! We went to Uketoberfest instead, which was a blast! A bunch of ukulele cover bands? Heck yeah!

Honkytonk Prison was excellent and as it turned out I knew a few people in the band! It was really inspiring to see what other people in the Portland were doing with ukuleles!

#51 - You Are My Sunshine

Song - You Are My Sunshine
Artist - Traditional

Here's a recommendation from my mom 'cause it was my first song (only sunshine was pronounced chunchine I guess)! This song is a real bummer if you sing more than just the second verse!

#50 - teardrop

Song - Teardrop

Artist - Massive Attack

50 videos! That's not too bad, right?

I love House. It's one of the few shows I have watched all the way from the beginning and probably the only drama that I follow. It's so predictable, but I completely love it. Mondays have been House night with our neighbors for several years now. I will probably cry when the show ends.

I also have the hots for Hugh Laurie, is that bad?

#49 - Trouble

Song - Trouble
Artist - Nevershoutnever

Thank you so much to my cousin Lauren for suggesting this song! This is probably a band I never would have listened to, but I really enjoyed this song. It's funny how music evolves. After listening to this song I watched a few more videos by this band I couldn't help but hear how much of the music I listened to in high school was in there. It sounded a lot like Saves the Day but for the "kids these days".
All in all, this song was fun, but made me feel really old!

#48 - Aumie's song

Song - The Aumie song
Artist - Aumie

Aumie wrote me a song today, and it was beautiful!

#47 - I Touch Myself

Song - I Touch Myself
Artist - Divinyls

Today features the vocal styling of Emily (also known as Lark). It was a blast to do a song with someone new, though difficult to keep the giggling to a minimum. Sorry about the camera angle and also that I look super dumpy, just got off work!

#46 - Marvelous Toy

Song - Marvelous Toy
Artist - Tom Paxton

This is a song for my dad on his birthday! I remember him singing this song to us as kids, but I don't remember it being this hard to play! Sorry for the flubs on the chords, this was like the 4th time I recorded it!

Happy birthday pop! I love you!

#45 - Annalee

Song - Annalee
Artist - Nerf Herder

While this isn't my favorite Nerf Herder song, it was one of the few that had chords I could find. Tabs make me crazy now that I play the ukulele, they do me no good!

#44 - Major Tom (Coming Home)

Song - Major Tom (Coming Home)
Artist - Peter Schilling

Busted! This is pre-recorded, you can tell because I'm not in a hoodie or sweater.
Is it really confusing to anyone else that there are 2 really epic songs called Major Tom? Apparently the first version of this was recorded in German, so maybe that makes it ok?

#43 - Manic Monday

Song - Manic Monday
Artist - The Bangles

What an appropriate song for today! It was Monday and I was also quite manic! I am nearing the end of my education at Portland State University, so a lot of my classes involve instructors telling us how to set ourselves apart of professional individuals. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I look weird. Not in the "meh, my nose is funny and my butt isn't small way" just that I accept that with or without my tattoos, stretched ears and dreads I'm just kind of a funny looking gal. I like myself that way! When I am at my internship I cover all of my tattoos, dress as conservatively as I am able and wear small things in my ears. But my dreads, oh my dreads, I feel that they are the one thing that is going to push my "look" a little too far for people. In the middle of class I started to panic that my dreads were going to hold me back from getting the job of my dreams. So I'm left with the decision to take them out or leave them in, wondering if they are holding me back all the time. This is no small decision. I have taken them out before and it was HORRIBLE. Hours and hours of raking through 2 year old knots put in there with love by my friend Emily. I know my buddy Sean over at Entrust can do amazing things with my hair if I go through with it, but oh boy do I not want to.

So these thoughts led to a downward spiral about how unprepared I am for our wedding in May (make those two things connect however you need to). We will have been engaged for a year next month and I really haven't done all that much to prepare. I need to get on it.

Oh boy, so manic. I felt like Mr. Peepers today.
Hello Monday

#42 - You Know I'm No Good

Song - You Know I'm No Good
Artist - Amy Winehouse

Say what you will about Amy Winehouse, I thought she was a pretty amazing musician. She had a powerful strong voice that seemed to big for her body. So sad that she had to go and die and all....

I think it's annoying when people don't sing in their own voice. When American singers put on a British accent or the other way around, for example. When people do Amy Winehouse songs at karaoke they often try to take on her "sound" really soulful and bluesy, but you can totally tell it's not their normal voice. This always bugs me, but I found it really hard not to do it when I did this song. I tried really hard to tone it down because it honestly sounded pretty awful when I had my Winehouse voice going.

Oof, I have feeling this video will make cringe when I go back and watch it in a few months.

#41 - Ukulele Lady

Song - Ukulele Lady
Artist - Gus Kahn

Lots of ukulele playin' today! My dad joined me in a ukulele class at artichoke music this morning. It was so much fun and we learned a lot about strumming patterns and finger placement. These are the kind of bad habits I should break sooner than later!

Then this evening we went out to our good friend John's birthday. Lots of beer drinking, eating, music playing, drinking and more music playing. It's so great and humbling to play with these established and seasoned musicians. They pick things up so easily and then are able to run with a tune and solo after only hearing a little bit of it. Playing with them is always an amazing experience and I am lucky to have the opportunity to do it.

Happy birthday John!

#40 - Friday I'm in Love

Song - Friday I'm in Love
Artist - The Cure

Another Friday song! I think I want to start doing some theme weeks. 80s theme week, 90s theme week, TV show intro theme week, you get the idea. I think it would help keep me motivated. Hey! I made it through the first week of school/work/internship while maintaining the blog! Woohoo!

Also, I am the very best procrastinator there ever was ever. I have managed to avoid doing my epidemiology homework today by:
1. Cleaning the house
2. Looking up animal masks for Halloween
3. Making this video
4. Making this list
5. Doing other homework
6. Looking for thins to do to avoid doing my epi homework

As you can see, I am a very experienced procrastinator. If you need any tips, you know where to find them, just don't expect them right away cause you know, I have lists to make and stuff.

#39 - The Sign

Song - The Sign
Artist - Ace of Base

Sure, pretend you don't know all the words to this song, cause I know you do! Remember how everyone would say that this song was about the devil or something? I actually remember spending a little time being scared of this song because I thought the devil would come get me or something.
I was a weird kid.

#38 - More Than Words

Song - More Than Words
Artist - Extreme

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today so please excuse the crappy singing, crappy playing and hoodie. I think my friend Shawn was the one to put this song into perspective for me. It's kind of a terrible song when you listen to the lyrics!

#37 - The A-Team Theme

Song - The A-Team Theme
Artist - Daniel Caine (I think?)

Guest appearance by Felix today! He is way better on the ukulele than he would like to admit. You can usually find him on bass, guitar, or singing to the cats.

#36 - Umbrella

Song - Umbrella
Artist - Rihanna

It's officially fall in the northwest today. I got a little drenched on my way home from work, but only a little bit! Fall is definitely my favorite season; I love that I get to wear sweaters again and drink tea and hot soup. The rain is just one more part of it that makes it great.

I really don't like Rihanna, but I do enjoy this song. She seems like she is always unimpressed and bored. "Ugh, do I really have to be in this commercial? This video shoot is so boring. Awards shows? Blech". She looks like she is always smelling a fart.

#35 - Yoshimi

Song - Yoshimi
Artist - The Flaming Lips

Thanks to Erin for suggesting this one! Amazing song about fighting robots to save all humans!

#34 - Hey Ya!

Song - Hey Ya!
Artist - Outkast

My voice is kind of shot this morning because I went on an AMAZING gladiator bike ride last night. What's a gladiator bike ride you ask? Only where all your friends dress in American Gladiator gear and fight in various ways inspired by the show. It was great and I screamed my face off cheering for people. Totally worth having a scratchy voice today.

Thanks for another awesome request from Kahlil to do this song. You're my new go to when I don't know what to play!

#33 - Friday

Song - Friday
Artist - (can we call her that?) Rebbecca Black

This is the first song featuring Felix on bass! Check out that sweet sweet bass solo....

#32 - Radio

Song - Radio
Artist - Alkaline Trio

Sorry about the quality of this video, I'm not sure why they come out blurry sometimes.
I really want to start doing more songs like this: cruel and nasty lyrics with the sound of a cute little ukulele on top. It's a great contrast!

#31 - If I Only had Brain

Song - If I Only had Brain
Artist - Harold Arlen (The Wizard of Oz)

New location! Don't be scared! Trying to mix up my videos a little bit and I'm trying to wean myself off of reading everything from the computer. Hopefully that will help me with my blank staring problem!

#30 - Question

Song - Question
Artist - Old 97s

Holy wow!! 30 videos! If I keep this up I really need to get some better recording devices. I love the banjo uke, but the sound really gets warped when I record with my iphone.

Still, this song is beautiful and right in my range. Thank you Carly for suggesting it, after actually looking at the lyrics I think I understand why you love this song so much.

#29 - My Freeze Ray

Song - My Freeze Ray
Artist - Joss Whedon

Have you seen Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog? If you have you know I am not doing this song justice, but it was fun to play. If you haven't, what's wrong with you?? Go view it immediately!

#28 - Jolene

Song - Jolene
Artists - Dolly Partin

I love Dolly Partin. She is so incredible and in every interview with her that I have heard she sounds like she would be a kick to hang out with. In one interview with Terry Gross she described this song and how she wrote it about a beautiful bank teller that she suspected was flirting with her husband. When asked why she thought so many people were drawn to the song (this was shortly after Jack White covered it) she said she wasn't sure because it was so simple a monkey could sing it. "It's just the same words over and over, "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene" anyone could have written it!" So modest!

#27 - Karma Chameleon

Song - Karma Chameleon
Artist - Culture Club

We had a garage sale today, which was a great idea until the northwest decided that intense heat one weekend means all day rain and low 70s the next! So I spent most of the day in the rain selling stuff, which actually ended up being way more fun than it sounds like it would be. I am now crazy tired and feel a little bit sniffly, so sorry about the low energy on this song!

#26 - Keep on the Sunny Side

Song - Keep on the Sunny Side
Artist - Ada Blenkhorn (popularized by the Carter Family)

This song took me WAY too tries to get right. This isn't even that great, but I was just done trying! Oof!

#25 - I Wanna Marry a Lighthouse Keeper

Song - I Wanna Marry a Lighthouse Keeper
Artist - Erika Eigen

This song is SO HARD but SO FUN! Thanks to Kahlil for requesting it! It's extremely hard also to gargle water and then continue singing, so that's skill I now know I have. I need to do more challenging songs like this!

#24 - Brand New Key

Song - Brand New Key
Artist - Melanie Safka

This song is for my mom on her birthday! We sang it together a few weeks ago and it was just a blast. It also reminds me of her as she is currently riding her bike around the world in Ireland!

Happy birthday mom!

#23 - Beer

Song - Beer
Artist - Reel Big Fish

What a great day it was when my brother decided he was done with ska and gave all of his Reel Big Fish CDs to me! I think I listened to them for about a year straight. This is my first attempt at anything ska-ish on the ukulele and it's apparent that I really need to work on strumming patterns. But this song makes me really want to play some more Reel Big Fish, anyone know how to play the trumpet?

#22 - Brown Eyed Girl

Song - Brown Eyed Girl
Artist - Van Morrison

This is another one of those songs that if you are doing covers it has to come up eventually. I think even my high school garage band did a version of this song. I think 3 Inches of Blood, Kiss, and 50 cent have probably done a cover of this song.

Anyway, it's a great song and fun to play! Sorry I didn't get the ukulele in the video very well, I hate when that happens as the banjo/uke is too adorable to miss. Better camera angle next time I promise!

#21 - Paparazzi

Song - Paparazzi
Artist - Lady Gaga

Here's my first attempt at a modern pop song! Aside from looking like high notes are actually causing me physical pain at times, I think it went alright. I really need to gain control of my face!

I'm trying to get a feel for which songs are better for the ukulele and others that might be better suited for the banjo/uke. What it comes down to is my recording capabilities are not great so if it's a song I can sing with some umph behind it, the banjo/uke works just fine. If the song is a little higher though or I can't get a lot of power behind it, the little uke is better because it has a softer sound. Of course some songs (Rainbow Connection and Little Boxes for example) just demand the sound of the banjo so there is no debate! I can see how some people end up owning a ton of ukuleles though!

#20 - Radio

Song - Radio
Artist - Regina Spektor

Ok, this was a previously recorded one! I couldn't quite get one in today, as our house was insanely hot and we spent all day in various places with AC. Is it fall yet?

I am excited that I have made it to 20 video posts though! A friend said that he can't wait till I have to do one with or cold. I'll be sure to do an awful one when I am sick just for his amusement!

#19 - I Want You to Want Me

Song - I Want You to Want Me
Artist - Cheap Trick

I'll admit it, the first time I heard this song was the cover in 10 Things I Hate About You. What 13 year old girl didn't love that movie?

Another song where I wasn't sure what to do with the end of it, so it just got super awkward. Oh well, no one watches past the 1st minute of a Youtube video anyway!

#18 - Ring of Fire

Song - Ring of Fire
Artist - Johnny Cash (Co-written by June Carter Cash)

What music blog would be complete without a song or 10 by Johnny Cash? I think this version lands somewhere between his and hers version; his version up beat and a little nutty, hers slow and mournful.

Also, maybe I should get a metronome, I can't seem to pick a rhythm to stick with in this song!

#17 - You and I

Song - You and I
Artist - Ingrid Michaelson

Someone suggested this song to me a few hours ago and now I think it might be my favorite song ever! It's so adorable and it's great how it breaks the love song mold; sometimes a ton of money WOULD make life super awesome. Sure, love it great and squishy and makes everyone sigh, but wouldn't it be that much better if you could go live in France for a few years without thinking about money?
These song suggestions are great, keep em' coming!

#16 - Little Boxes

Song - Little Boxes
Artist - Malvina Reynolds

I love the show "Weeds" and I love this song, but it bugs me when this song is heard and someone says, "Oh, it's the weeds song!" The song existed before Weeds! I did love the second season when so many different bands covered the song, it really showed a lot of diversity within the meaning of it.

Little Boxes always reminds me of my high school drama teacher and going on class trips with her. When you cross over the Marcum bridge coming into Portland it gives you a view of all the houses lining the waterfront on the west side. They really DO all look the same! She would sing this song as we crossed over into downtown and it made me never ever want to live in one of those houses.

#15 - Union Maid

Song - Union Maid
Artist - Woody Guthrie

I thought this might be an appropriate number, seeing as it's labor day and all. Yet another song that is just out of my range, so there are a few cracks in there which I find kind of amusing. This project has really made me realize the limitations in my range, but that's great because it will just make me work harder!

There was a verse for this song that was later written other members of the pro union group Guthrie was associated with (The Almanac Singers). I had never heard it before and though it might have been appropriate for the time, I thought it went against Guthrie's "go get em' girls!" attitude. Here is the final verse:

You gals who want to be free, just take a tip from me;
Get you a man who's a union man and join the ladies' auxiliary.
Married life ain't hard when you got a union card,
A union man has a happy life when he's got a union wife.

I don't know, I wasn't super into it, but to each their own!

Finally, this song really makes me think of my former employees of Dosha Salon and Spa that organized themselves and unionized. As far as I know, this is the first unionized spa in the nation. I am so proud to call these people friends and former co-workers. They are smart, strong and by standing up for what they believe are carving a new path for all people in the salon and spa industry. Thank you so much for your hard work and determination.

#14 - Tiny Bubbles

Song - Tiny Bubbles
Artist - Don Ho

I hard the most difficult time ever finding a song to sing today. I felt unmotivated, tired and cranky, which doesn't exactly mean the creative juices were flowing. This song came as a request from someone on facebook, which was exactly what I needed. What a cute little song! It lends itself perfectly to the ukulele and I wish I could do the part in Hawaiian, but I really didn't want to butcher it.
I promise some more upbeat and inspired songs this week!

#13 - The Tide is High

Song - The Tide is High
Artist - Blondie (Originally recorded by The Paragons)

I've spent all day at the river so I apologize that this song is a little lazy and off key. Maybe I'll give it another shot when I have some more energy.

Really, what a bizarre and sad song though. Is this song sick and twisted anthem for battered spouses or something? A rally cry for all the neglected and needy women of the world? Fun beat and a fun song to sing, but man are those lyrics a little messed up!

#12 - American Music

Song - American Music
Artist - The Violent Femms

#11 - Eye of the Tiger

Song - Eye of the Tiger
Artist - Survivor

So apparently this song was written at Sylvester Stallone's request because the rights to "Another One Bites the Dust" couldn't be obtained for Rocky III. There's an awesome little tidbit your next cocktail party.

If you haven't karaoked this song before I highly recommend it. Nothing seems to pump people up quite as much as the intro, which didn't quite translate to the ukulele as I had hoped.

My favorite story about this song comes from a former boss who went to a Tony Robbins seminar. After hearing all about how easily they could take control of their own lives and break through all obstacles they had to learn how to punch through 2X4s. That's right, punch through blocks of wood. But what feat of strength without a power ballad playing in the background? And what power ballad do you suppose people broke their knuckles to? You guessed it.

#10 - Rainbow Connection

Song - Rainbow Connection
Artist - Kermit the Frog (or ya know, Jim Henson)

As a kid I always wanted to be blond and a soprano. I bleached my hair blond a few times and my attempts at singing soprano are just about as appealing. So I apologize for my squeaky squeaky voice, but I really wanted to try this song and it was already dropped down a key from the original.

I had a pretty rotten day and didn't know if I was going to whip something up for the day music-wise, but I have to say that I'm glad I did. Playing the ukulele makes me really happy; it's like trying not to really laugh when you're fake laughing, eventually the silliness will get to you. Thanks ukulele, for cheering me up.

Also, I really need to close my damn mouth when I'm concentrating and work on that vacant stare of mine.

#9 - Come On Up to the House

Song - Come On Up to the House
Artist - Tom Waits (This version is based off of the cover by Sarah Jarosz)

A friend of mine posted this video today, such an amazing and moving song. Searching for versions of it lead me to Sarah Jarosz and an great cover she did of it that was a lot more ukulele friendly. This song has so many damn words though! It took me about 6 times to get it almost right, and I STILL didn't nail the last verse. Ah well, close enough!

#8 - These Boots are Made for Walkin'

Song - These Boots are Made for Walkin'
Artist - Nancy Sinatra

If you haven't seen the video for this song, check it out because it's amazing. So much turtle neck and leotard action you won't know what to do with yourself.

Songs like this make me realize that I really am afraid of finger picking. I've never understood how some people can just find the melody and run with it, making things up as they go along. I read music as a kid and I'm kind of a follow the rules kind of gal, so when there are no rules, what's a girl to do? So I'm going to try to find more songs that will let me ease my way into playing more "lead" ukulele parts (is that even what you would call it?) I found some tabs for "Bang Bang" and if I take it slow maybe I'll be able to do it by Christmas or something!

#7 - Walkin' After Midnight

Song - Walkin' After Midnight
Artist - Patsy Cline

Sorry for the poor quality of this video, looks like it's time for me to stop using my phone to record everything.

#6 - I Think We're Alone Now

Song - I Think We're Alone Now
Artist - Tiffany (originally Tommy James and the Shondells)

First time recording a video with someone else in the house, I'm pretty nervous! I wasn't sure exactly how to end it, so it seems I did it in the most awkward way possible.

#5 - I'm Gonna Mail Myself to You

Song - I'm Gonna Mail Myself to You
Artist - Woody Gurthie

I spent last night with my folks out near the coast where it is SO much cooler than in Portland! My mom gave my dad and me a song book called Rise Up Singing, which lead to us playing music for about 3 hours. It was really wonderful and a great opportunity to "jam" with my dad who is so knowledgeable about music, instruments, and all things interesting about old songs.

We first learned this song (me on the auto-harp and I think my dad on the mandolin) when I was around 13 and we were a production called "A Tribute to Woody Guthrie". It was a lot of fun that we both remembered it and could play it on some new instruments.

#4 - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Song - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Artist - Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King originally sung by The Shirelles

I really love these doo-wop style songs and would like to try more of them on the ukulele. Anyone want to volunteer to do backup vocals on them? Mr. Postman just wouldn't be the same without them!

Ukulele/Banjo lovin'

I'm headed out to the coast today which is generally out of range to upload anything but hopefully I'll record something with my Pop and get it up here tomorrow (maybe I'll put up a previously recorded video though, just to stay in the habit) . My Dad is the reason music is a big part of my life and has really encouraged me to keep up with this ukulele business.

The day my Pop presented me with the gift of my firefly banjo ukulele boingboing.net ran an piece on the very same instrument.

Here is the article

If you haven't played on before, I would recommend picking one up and plunking around on it . A ukulele itself has a fun sound, but you can't help but smile when you play a banjo/ukulele.

#3 - Big Rock Candy Mountain

Song - Big Rock Candy Mountain
Artist - Harry McClintock

I recorded this song on my lunch from work in my car (I promise I'm not stuck in traffic or something). While the Subaru Loyal is a really great car, it's acoustics aren't that great. I apologize that the sound of the ukulele/banjo is a little blown out, maybe I should only use the Mahalo in the car....or you know, not record with my phone all the time.

I love this song! According to wiki "Big Rock Candy Mountain, first recorded by Harry McClintock in 1928, is a song about a hobo's idea of paradise. McClintock claims to have written the song in 1895 based on tales from his misspent youth hoboing through the United States, but some believe the song, or at least aspects of it, have existed for far longer."

I think I first heard it on the sound track to O Brother Where Art Thou? which played on loop at the cafe I worked at when I first graduated from high school. That CD was on ALL THE TIME yet I managed not to get sick of the songs. The movie recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of its release (thanks NPR for that tidbit of info) which lead me to go through some of the songs again.

This one is for my buddy Joe, who I'm pretty sure was the king of all the hobos in another life!

#2 - I Want to Grow Old With You

Song - I Want to Grow Old With You
Artist - Adam Sandler

The Wedding Singer has to be one of Adam Sandler's best movies ever and this song showed that he can actually sing when he wants to. The best part of the movie is during this song though, "Don't you talk to Billy Idol that way!".
I recorded this song for my sweetie on his birthday, happy birthday Felix!

#1 - My first ukulele video

Song - Such Great Heights
Artist - Iron and Wine (Originally by The Postal Service)

This was the first video I recorded on my Mahalo. A beautiful song that my brother and I lovingly referred to as a panty dropper, Such Great Heights was one of the first songs I learned to play when I got my uke.