Songs to play on baritone ukulele can cover far more than traditional uke music. Because the baritone uses D-G-B-E tuning and has a deeper voice, folk, country, rock, and mellow pop songs often feel especially natural on it. Here are 12 songs worth adding to your playlist.
1. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” feels right at home on a baritone ukulele. Its relaxed country rhythm works beautifully with the instrument’s deeper tone. Additionally, the familiar progression makes it a great choice for practicing steady chord changes.
Common Chords: G, Em, D, C
Difficulty: Easy
2. Peaceful Easy Feeling – Eagles
The warm, laid-back sound of “Peaceful Easy Feeling” pairs especially well with baritone uke. Meanwhile, its steady strumming pattern gives beginners a chance to work on timing without dealing with an overly complicated rhythm.
Common Chords: D, G, A7, Em
Difficulty: Easy
3. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
“Hallelujah” is a great choice when you want the baritone ukulele to sound full and expressive. Because the song moves at a slower pace, you can focus on smooth chord transitions, dynamics, and letting each chord ring clearly.
Common Chords: C, Am, F, G, Em
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
4. Riptide – Vance Joy
Although “Riptide” became famous as a ukulele song, it also works extremely well on baritone. The lower tuning gives the familiar progression a warmer character. Furthermore, its repeating rhythm makes it excellent for building strumming consistency.
Common Chords: Am, G, C, F
Difficulty: Easy
Read More: Finding the Best Beginner Soprano Ukulele for Your Musical Journey
5. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
“Brown Eyed Girl” brings plenty of energy without requiring advanced playing. In addition, its upbeat rhythm gives you an opportunity to practice keeping your strumming loose while moving confidently between common chord shapes.
Common Chords: G, C, D, Em
Difficulty: Easy
6. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
“I’m Yours” already has the relaxed acoustic feel that suits a baritone uke. However, the deeper DGBE tuning can make the song sound even warmer. Once the chords become comfortable, concentrate on giving the strumming a relaxed, slightly syncopated feel.
Common Chords: G, D, Em, C
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
7. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
This soul classic sounds excellent with the baritone’s mellow lower register. Rather than strumming aggressively, try letting the chords breathe. As a result, the instrument can provide a relaxed accompaniment that fits the song’s easygoing mood.
Common Chords: G, B7, C, A, E
Difficulty: Intermediate
8. I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
The baritone ukulele can get surprisingly close to the character of an acoustic guitar, which makes Johnny Cash songs especially fun. “I Walk the Line” also gives you a chance to experiment with bass notes between chords instead of relying entirely on strumming.
Common Chords: G, D7, C
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
9. Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan
If you want something simple and recognizable, “Blowin’ in the Wind” is an excellent choice. Because folk music often relies on straightforward chord progressions, the song lets you concentrate on singing, rhythm, and clean transitions.
Common Chords: G, C, D
Difficulty: Easy
10. Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” combines a memorable melody with an approachable chord progression. Moreover, the baritone’s darker voice suits the song’s roots-rock character. It is also a useful tune for practicing stronger down-and-up strumming.
Common Chords: C, G, Am, F
Difficulty: Easy
11. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
“Stand By Me” is built around one of the most recognizable chord progressions in popular music. On baritone ukulele, that repeating pattern creates a rich foundation for singing. Therefore, it is a strong choice for practicing rhythm while keeping your fretting hand relaxed.
Common Chords: G, Em, C, D
Difficulty: Easy
12. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
“Sweet Caroline” is an ideal sing-along song for parties, jams, or casual performances. Additionally, the baritone uke gives its big chorus plenty of body without requiring a full guitar. Once you know the changes, you can focus almost entirely on rhythm and dynamics.
Common Chords: G, C, D, Em
Difficulty: Easy
Why These Songs Work So Well
Baritone ukulele is normally tuned D-G-B-E, the same notes as the four highest strings of a guitar. As a result, it has a lower and often more guitar-like voice than a standard G-C-E-A ukulele. Published baritone arrangements cover everything from folk standards to Beatles, Eagles, pop, reggae, and rock songs.
Some especially useful styles to explore include:
- Folk and singer-songwriter songs
- Country and Americana
- Classic rock
- Acoustic pop
- Blues and soul
- Reggae and laid-back island music
Start Simple and Build Your Song List
You do not need dozens of chords before you start playing recognizable music. In fact, collections written specifically for DGBE baritone ukulele include many songs built around a few common chords. Therefore, learning G, C, D, Em, Am, and a few seventh chords can open the door to a surprisingly large catalog.
Which Baritone Ukulele Song Should You Learn First?
For a complete beginner, start with “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Stand By Me,” or “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Afterward, move into songs such as “I’m Yours” or “Dock of the Bay” as your chord changes and rhythm improve.
The best songs for baritone ukulele take advantage of its warm tone rather than trying to make it sound exactly like a standard uke. From Johnny Cash and John Denver to Vance Joy and Van Morrison, there is plenty of music to explore. Pick a favorite, learn the progression, and start strumming.
