Daily Ukulele Leap Year Edition

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The Daily Ukulele Leap Year Edition (Jumpin' Jim's Ukulele Songbooks) is one of my favorite ukulele song books. It is a compilation of old-old-oldies, and a few new songs.  Some of the songs are so old that, -- old fogie that I am -- even I don't recognize them. When I don't recognize a song from the book, I'll go out to You Tube and see if I can find a version of it.  What I typically find is that the oldies I didn't recognize become my new favorites!   

I had so much fun finding and listening to the songs that I've decided to share.  Here, I've listed all the songs from the book along with links to my favorite You Tube versions of them. Some of my favorites are "alternative" or silly versions, but often I've listed the "classic" version or maybe a remake/cover that might be even better than the original. Some of the songs are great, others gag me, LOL, but all tolled, this is an entertaining list.

Have fun and let me know in the comments if anything is broken or if you know of a better version of any of the songs.  

A-B

A - You're Adorable -- The Muppets (starts at 33 seconds)
Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive  -- Willie Nelson
Act Naturally  -- Ringo Starr and Buck Owens!  They're bad, but in a cute way.
Ain't No Sunshine  Daryl Hall ('s House) with Finger Eleven.
Alabamy Bound  -- Les Paul (yes, that one) and Mary Ford
All The Way -- Brenda Lee belts it out ;-).
Allegheny Moon  -- The Patti Page classic version.  Shine, shine, shine!
Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy) -- A Meh-dventure classic from Helen sombody;-).
And I Love Her  -- Bobby Womack, a more soulful, interesting version, IMHO.
Annie's Song  -- John.  Wow, what a talent.
Anticipation -- Yes, I linked the Heinz Ketchup commercial ;-).
April Showers  -- Bugs Bunny, of course!!  Who else?
Are You Havin' Any Fun?  -- Includes the future of Social Security?
As Tears Go By -- Nancy Sinatra.  My mom owned this album.
As Time Goes By  -- Sam, of course.  Who else.
Atlantis -- Donovan.  Love the Irish accent.
Autumn Leaves  -- Eric Clapton in a different era woulda been a crooner.
Back In The Saddle Again  -- From Sleepless in Seattle  (NOT the Aerosmith version).
The Banana Boat Song  -- Harry Belafonte.  From Beetlejuice.  Makes me wanna go to a Bon Marche sale ;-).
Bang The Drum All Day  -- Todd Rungren. 
(It's A) Beautiful Morning  -- The Rascals.  A cute version
Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)  -- A Uke version.  It's for his father....
Beyond The Reef -- Classic Hawaiian version
Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (Means That You're Grand) -- Joss Stone. 
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea -- George Harrison.  On the uke. Really.  The Beatles were the first modern day uke hipsters.
Bewitched -- Tony Bennett
Big Girls Don't Cry -- Falsetto gives me a headache, Frankie Valli
Black Magic Woman -- Alicia Keys with Carlos S. on guitar.
Blue Bayou -- Linda and the Muppet Bayou accompaniment
Blue Moon Of Kentucky -- Anything with Albert Lee is for me.
Blue Velvet
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave To Me
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy -- The "Divine Miss M!" 
Book Of Love -- The Monotones
Born Free  -- Andy Williams
Born To Be Wild
Brand New Key -- Melanie ... and babies on roller skates.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do -- DAVID!!!! My "ex-fiancé" from the teenage years.
Bring Me Sunshine  -- WILLIE!
Bubbly  -- Colbie Caillat -- it starts in my toes
Build Me Up, Buttercup -- An amateur Ukester.  Hey, she got 2 million hits.
Bus Stop -- By the songwriter.  A stalker song.

C-D-E

Calendar Girl -- Neil.  I hear him, but I can barely see him! (red on red)
California Girls -- Oh yeah, the Beach Boys really were young once.
Call Me -- Donna Loren. Hollywood a Go-go-go?
Can't Get Used To Losing You -- The Beat
Can't Smile Without You -- Saved by the scenes from Lady and the Tramp
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You -- Heath Ledger and the High School Band
Candy -- Manhattan Transfer
Cara Mia -- Jay Black.  He apparently still has lungs.
Carolina Moon
Catch A Falling Star  Perry Como.  Fun song!
Catch The Wind -- Donovan and Crystal Gayle
Cecilia -- No trees were lost in the making of their percussion.
Cherish -- Oh, David.
Circle Of Life -- Elton.  Love this.
Come Go With Me  -- The Dell Vikings.  Get ready for some street corner doo-wop!
Come Monday -- Jimmy!
Come Saturday Morning (Saturday Morning) -- Percy Faith
Could I Have This Dance -- Anne Murray
Crocodile Rock -- Elton, back when he wore good glasses.  On the Muppets.
Crying In The Rain -- A-ha.  That's not a revelation.  It's the band name.
Dancing In The Street -- Jagger and Bowie.  Oh my. 
A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval)
'Deed I Do -- Diana Krall.  Jazzy.  Love this version
Delilah -- Tom Jones.  Who else?
Do You Believe In Magic -- Lovin' Spoonful
Do You Know The Way To San Jose -- She can actually still sing.  Amazing.
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans -- Billie Holliday with Louis Armstrong.
Don't Fence Me In -- David Byrne.  Were you expecting someone else?
Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying -- Ray Charles
Don't Pass Me By -- Ringo Starr.  Very catchy and fun.
Don't Stop -- Fleetwood Mac
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right -- Johnny Cash
Don't Worry Baby -- Billy Joel
Down At The Twist And Shout -- Mary Chapin Carpenter
Down In The Boondocks  -- D-Faction.  Reggae!
Down On The Corner -- Fogerty and an orchestra.  Not sure it works ;-).
Down Under -- Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band.  Craving some vegemite.
Dream -- Frank Sinatra
Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) -- Roy Orbison
Dream Lover -- Ahhh, 60's teen movies.
Drifting And Dreaming (Sweet Paradise) -- never heard of it.
Duke Of The Uke-- nada
Elenore  -- This one is a bit hillarious
The End Of The World -- Skeeter Davis
Every Breath You Take -- Sting, Live AID
Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes) -- Nilsson, from Midnight Cowboy
Everyday -- Buddy Holly. I think Lennon and Maisy should do this one with their butter dishes.
Everything Is Beautiful -- Ray Stevens
Exactly Like You  -- Diana Krall again

F-G-H

Falling In Love Again (Can't Help It) -- Billie Holiday
Falling Slowly  -- Glen and Marketa.  I love this
Ferry Cross The Mersey -- Gerry and the Pacemakers
Fever
Five Hundred Miles  -- Peter, Paul and Mary
Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)  -- Frank.
For All We Know -- Lots of good versions.  I had to post Karen.
Forever Young -- Rod Stewart
Freight Train -- By Elizabeth Cotten, the woman who originally wrote it.
From A Distance -- Bette Middler
Fun, Fun, Fun -- I finally broke down and posted a Beach Boys version
Garden Song -- John Denver and the Muppets.  So cute
Girl -- Sung by its authors (John and Paul).
Goin' Out Of My Head -- The Zombies.  Brains! ;-).
Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)  -- Glenn Campbell
Goodnight, My Someone -- Shirley Jones
The Great Pretender -- Freddie Mercury
Groovin' -- The Young Rascals (um when they weren't so young ;-)
Hallelujah -- K. D. Lang.  Gives me chills.
Hanalei Moon -- And a mini hula lesson!
Happy Days Are Here Again -- Sam Lanin.  The 30's version
Have You Ever Seen The Rain? -- Creedence
The Hawaiian Turnaround -- Liz and Jim Beloff (the book authors).
Heatwave (Love Is Like A Heatwave) -- Linda! (Linda Ronstadt)
Hello! Ma Baby -- That darned frog!
Hello Mary Lou -- Freddie Mercury
Hey, Look Me Over -- Luuuuuceeeeee
Hey, Soul Sister -- Adrian! (an 8 year old).  He'll give you a nice strumming pattern to use too.
High Hopes -- Bob from Sesame Street!
Homeward Bound  -- Paul Simon and Willie Nelson
Honey Pie -- Sung by its authors.  Paul and John.
Honeycomb -- Jimmie Rodgers
Honeysuckle Rose -- He calls himself "Fatsie Watsie" in this video, LOL.  Fats Waller.
Honolulu Baby  -- ClaraetBilly
Hooked On A Feeling -- Vonda Shepard.  Couldn't do the Oooga-Chaca version ;-).
Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) -- Apologies in advance on this one ;-).

I-J-K

I Can't Help But Wonder (Where I'm Bound) -- Johnny Cash
I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine -- The King
I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)  -- The Gallants?
I Got You Babe -- Sonny and Cher.  Who knew the guy in the fur vest would go on to be a Republican Congressman.  RIP, Sonny
I Heard It Through The Grapevine -- Marvin Gaye Live at Montreaux
I Just Called To Say I Love You -- Stevie Wonder.
I Love How You Love Me -- The Paris Sisters
I Only Want To Be With You -- Bay City Rollers.  Oh my.
I Saw The Light -- Todd Rungren (not the hymn)
I Think We're Alone Now  -- Tiffany
I Wanna Be Free -- James Messina and friend
I Want To Be Happy -- Sammy Davis Jr.
I Want You Back -- Jackson 5!  Get up and dance!
I Whistle A Happy Tune -- Animated version ;-)
I Will Survive -- The Alien version
I Wish You Love -- Harry Connick
I'll Never Fall In Love Again  -- Dionne Warwick.  I love this woman.
I'll Never Find Another You -- Zooey Deschanel
I'll See You In My Dreams -- Joe Brown.  Concert for George
I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande)  -- Amusing video from MIB III
I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) -- A Louis Armstrong classic
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter -- Paul McCartney remake
I'm Into Something Good -- Partridge Family
I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover -- Chevy Chase ;-).
I'm Sitting On Top Of The World -- Al Jolson
I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes -- June Carter Cash
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm  -- Sophie Madeleine
If We Only Have Love (Quand On N'a Que L'amour) -- Celine Dion
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out -- Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens).
The "In" Crowd -- Dobie Gray
In My Life -- Jake S and Bette Middler
In My Room -- Crosby, Carly Simon.
In The Middle Of An Island -- Ozzie Nelson.  LOL
In The Still Of The Nite (I'll Remember) -- Dirty Dancing
Isn't She Lovely -- Stevie.  Nobody does this song like he does.
It Had To Be You -- Harry Connick.  When Harry Met Sally
It Never Rains In Southern California  -- Hammond.
It Was A Very Good Year  -- Kirk.  LOL.
It's A Good Day -- Peggy Lee.  Hey!  Why don't I have a guitarist out my front window.
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie -- LOL, Fats Waller
It's Not Unusual -- Glee.  I just couldn't post the Tom Jones version.
It's Now Or Never -- Elvis in concert
It's Too Late -- Carole King changes it up.  Or not.
Jamaica Farewell -- Harry Belafonte.  Rasta fa!
Java Jive -- I'm pretty sure the Ink Spots are my favorite band ;-).
Kansas City -- The Beatles
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine -- Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne
Knock Three Times -- Tony Orlando and Dawn!  Who else.

L-M-N

La Vie En Rose (Take Me To Your Heart Again) -- My fave.  Louis Armstrong
The Lady Is A Tramp -- Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
The Last Time -- Rolling Stones
Lay Down Sally -- Quite an ensemble cast.
Lazy Day -- Spanky (Elaine) and our Gang
Lazy River -- Mills Brothers
Lazybones  -- Leon Redbone.  Famous jazz musician.
Lean On Me -- Nicholas David from The Voice
Leaning On A Lamp Post -- George Formby. Very big box office star of the 30's. 
Leap For A Man, Girls, It's Leap Year -- somebody needs to make a You Tube of this one
Leaving On A Jet Plane -- John.  (Denver).
Lemon Tree  -- Peter, Paul and Mary
Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella -- George Clooney's Aunt Betty Clooney
Let Your Love Flow -- Bellamy Brothers
Let's Get Away From It All -- Frank.  Typical crooner stuff
Longing To Belong -- Eddie Vedder.  The song that got me started on the uke.
The Look Of Love -- Diana Krall.  She's great
Lookin' For Love -- Johnny Lee.  the classic from Urban cowboy
Lookin' Out My Back Door -- Stray Cats, one of my favorite college bands.
L-O-V-E -- Nat -- I mean NAAAAT King Cole.
Love And Marriage -- Married with Children opening credits (Frank)
Love Is In The Air -- John Paul Young
Love Is Just Around The Corner -- Louis Armstrong again.  He's my guy
Loving You -- Elvis.  Multiple takes.  What a voice.
Lulu's Back In Town -- The Muppets ;-).
MacArthur Park -- Richard Harris
The Magic Islands  -- make me a You Tube
Make Your Own Kind Of Music -- Mama Cass Elliott
Mama Tried -- Merle Haggard, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson.  Love this song.
Mame
Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys -- Waylon and Willie.  High school.  Me
A Man And A Woman (Un Homme Et Une Femme) -- James Last.  This is best as an instrumental.  I don't know why it's in the uke book.
Maneater -- John Oates....unplugged.  These guys are so much better when they aren't doing the pop thing....IMHO.
Massachusetts (The Lights Went Out) -- The Bee Gees...pre-disco
Memories Are Made Of This -- Johnny Cash
Mr. Bojangles -- I loved Sammy Davis doing this song
Mr. Tambourine Man -- Dylan et al.
Mockin' Bird Hill -- Burl Ives.  The kiddies know him as the narrator of Frosty the Snowman.
Monday, Monday -- Mamas and the Papas
Moon Shadow -- Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens)
Moondance -- Van Morrison.   Great blues tune
Moonglow -- Tony Bennett/K.D. Lang -- Great jazz
More (Ti Guarderò Nel Cuore) -- Instrumental
More Today Than Yesterday -- Bruno Mars
Morning Has Broken -- Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens).  He is just awesome
Move It On Over -- Ye Olde Hank Williams (Sr) classic
Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter -- The first time I ever wanted to fake a British accent ;-).  Herman's Hermitts
The M.T.A. -- Kingston Trio.  A political song
Music To Watch Girls By -- I had to finally break down and link to an Andy Williams song...so I linked to a Man from Uncle video....The Man From Uncle is actually Ducky on NCIS now....so.
My Cup Runneth Over  --  Ed Ames....D-awwww, so sweet.
My Way -- William Shatner --  Regrets I've had a few (Howard the Duck).
Never On Sunday -- The Chordettes.  Meh
No Moon At All -- Ella Fitzgerald
No Particular Place To Go -- Chuck Berry
Nowhere Man -- Beatles.  Cuts from various concerts. 

O-P-Q-R

Octopus's Garden -- Ringo.  2005 concert.
Old Cape Cod -- Patti Page
On A Carousel -- The Hollies.  Seriously, if it were the 80's the lead singer would be in a hairband.
One Fine Day -- Okay it's a movie trailer.  But the song is in there.
One Love -- Bob Marley -- Getchu hands a-clappin maaaan.
Only You (And You Alone) -- I really don't like this song.  I made it better for myself okay?
The Open Road -- Jim Beloff wrote this song and performed here.  I like it.
Our Day Will Come -- Amy Winehouse.  What a talent
Paddlin' Madelin' Home -- LOL.  The Lawrence Welk campus quartet.
Peaceful Easy Feeling -- Eagles
People Got To Be Free -- The Rascals
Please Mr. Postman -- Oh wow.  The Beatles
P.S. I Love You -- The Beatles
Puff The Magic Dragon -- Peter, Paul and Mary.  Was it really about a dragon? ;-).
Ram On -- McCartney on the Uke
Ramblin' Man  -- Allman brothers
Ramblin' Rose -- Nat King Cole
Red Roses For A Blue Lady -- Eddy Arnold
Red Sails In The Sunset -- Deano.  How did he smoke and still have that voice
Release Me -- Engelbert Humperdinck. 
Return To Sender -- Elvis.  He was so flippin' danged cute.  I'm sorry.  But Sandra Dee had to try really hard to seem peeved.
Rhythm Of The Rain -- Dan Fogelberg
Rockin' Robin -- Jackson 5
Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms -- Scruggs et al.
Route 66 -- Rolling Stones

S

San Francisco Bay Blues -- Eric Clapton
Satin Doll -- Nancy Wilson
Scarborough Fair/Canticle -- Celia Pavey, The Voice Australia.  Pretty accent
Scotch And Soda  -- Kingston Trio.  Love it.
Sealed With A Kiss -- Neil Sedaka, LOL
Seattle -- The Here Comes the Brides opening credits.  Bobby Sherman and David Soul
Secret Agent Man -- Johnny rivers
Sherry -- Jersey Boys
The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) -- Cher
Show Me The Way To Go Home -- Scene from Jaws (movie)
Singing The Blues -- Marty Robbins.  I want a uke with my name on it.
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay -- a street musician.  Gave me chills.  Very good.  Then another.  And another.  This is a fantastic recording.
Slow Poke -- Pee Wee King (NOOOOT the April Wine version tho).
Snowbird -- Chet Atkins instrumental version.
So Long It's Been Good To Know Yuh -- Woody Guthrie.  A WWII song, part of US history
Somethin' Stupid -- Frank and Nancy.  A father-daughter duo.
Somewhere, My Love -- Theme from Doctor Zhivago.  Andy (cough) Williams. 
A Song Of Old Hawaii -- George de Fretes
Soon It's Gonna Rain -- From the Fantastics.  The version in the uke book is abridged.
Sophisticated Hula -- a nice uke version
Southern Nights -- Glenn Campbell
Spanish Eyes -- Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias
Spooky -- Dusty Springfield
Stayin' Alive -- Bee Gees.  Get ready to point your finger North and then Southwest (I'm left-handed)
Stoney End -- Sara Bareilles
Stop! In The Name Of Love -- The Supremes
Stormy -- Santana
Sugar, Sugar -- The Archies!
Sukiyaki -- Best version I could find on You Tube.  You'll recognize this song
Summer Breeze -- Seals and Crofts
Summer In The City -- Joe Cocker.  I really like this version
Summer Wind  -- Crystal Bowersox.  I loved her on American Idol.
Summertime -- Norah Jones
A Sunday Kind Of Love -- Ella Fitzgerald, of course.
Sunny -- Bobby Hebb (also wrote the song)
Sunshine (Go Away Today) -- Jonathan Edwards (with lyrics!)
Sunshine Superman -- John Cougar! (Mellencamp), with Donavan
Sway (Quien Sera) -- The Pussy Cat Dolls
Sweet Caroline -- Ed and the Guys.  I'm not a huge fan of this song so I had to post an alternative version.
Sweet Georgia Brown -- Harlem Globetrotters video
Sweet Pea -- sadly this isn't the version in the book.  But it's a perfect ukulele song.
Sweet Pea -- this is the version in the book
Sweet Someone (35) -- Don Ho on the ukulele.  He's better than Bobby! and he can sing too!

T-Z

Take A Chance On Me -- Erasure
Take Me Home, Country Roads -- Ray Charles
Tammy -- Debbie Reynolds.  Movies from my childhood
Tea For Two -- Backwards by the Muppets
Teach Your Children -- Two young French girls in a diner.  One plays the kazoo.
Tears On My Pillow -- Little Anthony.  I'm gonna say it.  He's hyperthyroid.
A Teenager In Love -- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Tell It Like It Is -- Aaron Neville.  That man swallowed a saxophone, I swear.
Tennessee Waltz -- Bonnie Raitt & Norah Jones
That's The Way (I Like It) -- KC and the Sunshine Band.    Love the horn section.
There'll Be Some Changes Made -- Chet Atkins & Jerry Reed
These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) -- Emmy Rossum
They Call The Wind Maria -- Harve Presnell.  Paint Your Wagon.
This Is My Song -- Petula Clark
This Magic Moment -- Aaron Neville again, live on a Seattle radio show.
Thriller -- The obligatory music video.  I wanna definitely play this on my uke.  The strumming pattern is hard.
Till There Was You -- Maisy Stella.  The Stella girls are incredible.  This is a pretty advanced uke song.
Time After Time -- Quietdrive
Tip-Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me -- Tiny Tim.  The Johnny Carson clip.
To Love Somebody -- Bee Gees.  I loved THEM before the Saturday Night Fever days.
To Sir, With Love -- Natalie Merchant with Michael Stipe from REM.  She's a little flat, but at least it's modern version.  I love him, looking like a crooner.
Tomorrow -- From the musical, "Annie"
Too Young -- From another childhood "ex-fiancé".  Yes, I was going to marry him.  But he never called, he never wrote.  So we broke up.  (LOL).
Top Of The World -- Carpenters.  That characteristic Carpenter lisp.  Ahhhhh
Traces (of Love) -- The Classics IV
Tracy -- The Cuff Links
Travelin' Man -- Ricky Nelson. 
Twilight Time -- The Platters.  I am looking for a more modern version of this one.
A Ukulele And You (68)
Ukulele Central -- British Ukuleleists!
Undecided -- The Delta Rhythm Boys
Up Around The Bend -- Creedence!
Walk Away Renee -- Vonda Shepard from Allie McBeal
The Wanderer -- Status Quo
Wanderin' -- Dave Van Ronk
Waterloo  -- Abba (cough)
The Way You Do The Things You Do -- UB40
We Are The World -- The original USA for Africa video.
Wedding Bell Blues -- The 5th Dimension. Who is this Bill guy?
What A Diff'rence A Day Made -- Dinah Washington
What Have They Done To My Song, Ma? -- Miley Cyrus
What The World Needs Now Is Love -- Dionne Warwick.  I used to pay this song with a comb and a piece of paper.
When Will I Be Loved -- Linda Ronstadt
Where Have All The Flowers Gone? -- Pete Seeger, classic, classic folk singer
White Rabbit -- Jefferson Airplane.  Classic Woodstock footage
White Sandy Beach -- IZ.  RIP
Who's Sorry Now -- Clay Aiken.  Okay, it was either this or Marie Osmond.
Will You Love Me Tomorrow -- Amy Winehouse.  RIP
Windy -- The Association.  From a 7-up commercial.  LOL.
With A Little Luck -- Paul McCartney and Wings
A Wonderful Day Like Today -- Anthony Newley.  I miss the old variety shows.
Wonderful! Wonderful! -- Johnny Mathis
Worried Man Blues -- Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash
Y.M.C.A.  My Blogger linking tool broke with this song.  It wouldn't load the dialog box.  I had to restart.  But I felt it was for a reason.....
You And I -- Ingrid Michaelson, the song writer
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life -- Can anyone else sing this song but Stevie?
You Belong To Me -- Jason Wade.  Nice current cover.
You Can't Hurry Love -- Dixie Chicks
You Didn't Have To Be So Nice -- Jerry Yester from The Lovin' Spoonfuls with a wooden banjo
You Don't Know Me -- Michael Buble
You Got It -- Bonnie Raitt
You Won't See Me -- Paul McCartney
You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful And You're Mine) -- Ringo Starr
You've Got A Friend -- James Taylor and Carole King
Young At Heart -- Classic Jimmy Durante
Your Mama Don't Dance -- Poison
Your Mother Should Know -- Beatles in white tuxes
Your Song -- Who else?