- Instant Crowd Pleasers: Songs like "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" and "The Lumberjack Song" use simple chords and quirky melodies to get laughs immediately.
- Easy to Learn: Many hilarious tunes, including "I'm My Own Grandpa" and "The Pizza Song," are built on three or four basic chords (C, F, G, Am).
- Genre Versatility: Funny ukulele songs span folk, pop, meme culture, and musical theater, offering something for every taste.
- Performance is Key: The comedy comes as much from your delivery, facial expressions, and timing as it does from the lyrics. Commit to the bit.
Most ukulele song lists are full of gentle folk ballads and wistful Hawaiian melodies. But the real magic of the ukulele lies in its ability to deliver pure, unadulterated joy and laughter. Its cheerful, slightly silly tone is the perfect vehicle for comedy.
This guide is your arsenal for turning any gathering into a memorable, laughter-filled event. We're diving into the best funny ukulele songs, from timeless novelty tunes to modern meme-worthy hits. You'll find easy chords for beginners, clever parodies, and strategies to become the life of the party. Let's get started.
Why Funny Songs Work So Well on Ukulele
The ukulele is approachable, humble, and inherently cheerful. This creates a beautiful comedic dissonance. When you sing about something absurd or dark on a uke, the contrast between the sweet sound and the silly subject matter amplifies the humor. It disarms the audience.
Furthermore, playing is less intimidating than on other instruments. You can maintain eye contact, make faces, and move around. This direct connection is a comedian's dream tool. The rise of online tutorials makes learning these songs easier than ever, fueling a community where sharing a laugh is the ultimate goal. For more on getting started with the right instrument, check out our comparison of soprano vs concert ukulele to find your perfect fit.
Finding Your Level: From Beginner to Prankster Pro
Not all funny songs are created equal. Some are simple three-chord wonders, while others require quick changes or tricky strumming. Be honest with your skill level to avoid frustration and maximize fun.
- Absolute Beginners: Stick to songs in the key of C using C, F, G, and Am. Your mission is to master changing between these chords cleanly. Songs like "The Pizza Song" or a deadpan "I'm Yours" are perfect.
- Intermediate Players: You're comfortable with common chords and can handle a barre chord like Bb. Explore songs with more narrative depth or faster tempos, like "The Lumberjack Song" or "Re: Your Brains."
- Advanced Pranksters: You're ready for intricate fingerpicking, jazz chords, or rapid-fire lyrical delivery. Think complex parodies or songs from comedic musicals like Avenue Q.
Remember, your goal is entertainment, not technical perfection. A few flubbed chords delivered with a grin will get more laughs than a flawless but robotic performance.
The Ultimate List of 21 Funny Ukulele Songs
Here is your curated list, broken into categories for easy browsing. Each entry includes why it's funny, key chords, and performance tips.
Category 1: The Novelty Classics
These are the songs that defined musical comedy. They have stood the test of time because their humor is universal.
1. "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" by Tiny Tim
- Why it's Funny: The quintessential weird ukulele song. Tiny Tim's falsetto voice and bizarre, gentle delivery are instantly recognizable and hilariously unsettling.
- Key Chords: C, G7, F. It's deceptively simple.
- Performance Tip: Channel your inner eccentric. Use a slightly quavering voice and a serene smile. The disconnect between the sweet melody and the creepiness is gold.
2. "The Lumberjack Song" by Monty Python
- Why it's Funny: A masterpiece of deadpan delivery. The song starts as a proud lumberjack ballad before revealing increasingly absurd details about his life.
- Key Chords: Often played in G (G, C, D) or C (C, F, G). The progression is simple and repetitive.
- Performance Tip: This is all about the acting. Sing the first verse with macho pride. Let your confidence slowly crack as the lyrics get sillier.
3. "I'm My Own Grandpa" by Lonzo & Oscar
- Why it's Funny: A mind-bending, paradoxical story about a man who becomes his own grandpa through bizarre marriages. The humor is in the convoluted word puzzle.
- Key Chords: Typically C, G, and F.
- Performance Tip: Play it with earnest confusion. Scratch your head at the complex family tree.
4. "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (Funny Version)
- Why it's Funny: Subvert the serious folk ballad with exaggerated, ridiculous verses about his exploits.
- Key Chords: D, G, A7. A classic folk progression.
- Performance Tip: Adopt a tall-tale, swaggering cowboy persona. Embellish the lyrics with your own absurd details.
5. "There's a Hole in My Bucket"
- Why it's Funny: A classic circular argument set to music. The frustration of Henry and the condescending patience of Liza are hilariously futile.
- Key Chords: Extremely simple, often just two chords (like G and D).
- Performance Tip: A duet is best. One player takes Henry's exasperated role, the other plays Liza's sickly sweet persona.
Category 2: Modern & Internet-Born Gems
These songs emerged from meme culture, YouTube, and modern comedy.
6. "The Pizza Song" (aka "Pizza Day" by The Aquabats)
- Why it's Funny: An exuberant, punk-ska ode to the pure joy of pizza day at school. It's hyperbolic, nostalgic, and ridiculously catchy.
- Key Chords: C, F, G. The ultimate beginner-friendly, high-energy song.
- Performance Tip: Unleash your inner 10-year-old. Jump around and shout the lyrics with genuine excitement.
7. "Re: Your Brains" by Jonathan Coulton
- Why it's Funny: A zombie office worker politely emails his former colleague about wanting to eat his brains. The juxtaposition of corporate language with horror is genius.
- Key Chords: Am, G, F, C. A simple, melancholy progression.
- Performance Tip: Play it with the sad, resigned tone of a middle manager making an unreasonable request.
8. "Never Gonna Give You Up" (Rickroll)
- Why it's Funny: The Rickroll is a beloved internet prank. Playing it on ukulele adds a layer of ironic, wholesome sincerity to the meme.
- Key Chords: Am, F, C, G (the classic axis of awesome progression).
- Performance Tip: Maintain intense, direct eye contact. Play it completely straight, as if it's the most beautiful love song ever written.
9. "All Star" by Smash Mouth (Meme Version)
- Why it's Funny: Thanks to Shrek and memes, this song's over-the-top, earnest 90s optimism is hilarious when delivered on a tiny uke.
- Key Chords: G, D, Am, C. Another straightforward set.
- Performance Tip: Embrace the cheese. Strike a heroic pose.
10. "Baby Shark"
- Why it's Funny: It's the song parents love to hate. Playing it for an adult audience is an act of comedic aggression.
- Key Chords: One chord: D. Add a G for the "Mommy Shark" part (D, G).
- Performance Tip: Deadpan. Do not smile. Stare blankly at your audience as you subject them to this earworm. For more simple, crowd-pleasing ideas, our list of ukulele songs for kids is full of similarly catchy tunes.
Category 3: Folk & Campfire Goofs
These are interactive songs you shout around a fire.
11. "The Badger Song" (aka Badger Badger Badger)
- Why it's Funny: A surreal, repetitive early internet animation set to music. Its utter nonsense is hypnotic and funny.
- Key Chords: It's more of a chant, but you can vamp on an Am chord.
- Performance Tip: This is a group participation number. Teach the crowd the chant. You lead, they respond.
12. "The Scotsman"
- Why it's Funny: A bawdy, rhyming joke set to music with a clever, cheeky payoff. It's a classic "shaggy dog" story song.
- Key Chords: A simple I-V progression (C & G, or G & D).
- Performance Tip: Use your best (or worst) Scottish accent. Build the story with a twinkle in your eye. The pause before the final reveal is crucial.
13. "A Boy Named Sue" by Johnny Cash
- Why it's Funny: Shel Silverstein's story of a man seeking revenge on his father for giving him a girl's name. The gruff delivery contrasting with the uke is fantastic.
- Key Chords: A standard country blues progression: C, F, G.
- Performance Tip: Adopt a low, talk-singing growl. The ukulele makes the tough guy persona wonderfully absurd.
14. "The Unicorn Song" by The Irish Rovers
- Why it's Funny: A tragicomedy about Noah's Ark where the unicorns miss the boat. It's sweet, sad, and silly all at once.
- Key Chords: G, C, D. A breezy, folk feel.
- Performance Tip: Play it with sincere wonder during the frolicking parts, and switch to mournful sadness for the chorus.
Category 4: Pop Parodies & Silly Love Songs
Taking well-known songs and twisting them is a timeless comedic art.
15. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz (Played Excessively Sincerely)
- Why it's Funny: The joke is to play this ukulele staple with such overwhelming, smarmy sincerity that it becomes a parody of itself.
- Key Chords: C, G, Am, F.
- Performance Tip: Don't break character. Overdo the smile and "feel-good" vibes. The more committed you are, the funnier it is.
16. "My Girl" (Food Parody – "My Burger")
- Why it's Funny: Writing a parody about something mundane (like a burger) to the tune of a classic love song is a guaranteed laugh.
- Key Chords: Use the original's chords (C, Am, F, G) and write your own lyrics.
- Performance Tip: Perform it with the same romantic passion you would for a real love song. Serenade your burger.
17. "Shake It Off" (Uke Ska Version)
- Why it's Funny: Taking a high-production pop anthem and playing it as a lazy, ska-inspired ukulele tune with exaggerated up-strums.
- Key Chords: C, G, Am, F.
- Performance Tip: Over-emphasize the ska up-strums. Nod your head with too much enthusiasm.
Category 5: Theatrical & Niche Humor
These songs come from musicals or specific comedic genres.
18. "The Internet is for Porn" from Avenue Q
- Why it's Funny: A catchy, upbeat song with hilariously blunt and crude lyrics. The puppet musical origins make it funnier when a human sings it.
- Key Chords: Up-tempo, using chords like C, F, G, Am.
- Performance Tip: Sing it with naive, cheerful energy. The disconnect between the sweet delivery and the lyrics is the whole joke. Best for mature audiences.
19. "You'll Be Back" from Hamilton
- Why it's Funny: King George's passive-aggressive break-up song to the colonies. Playing this dramatic Broadway number on a ukulele highlights its pettiness.
- Key Chords: The verse uses a simple I-V-vi-IV pattern (C, G, Am, F).
- Performance Tip: Perfect your haughty British accent. The uke turns his threats into a tantrum.
20. "The Elements Song" by Tom Lehrer
- Why it's Funny: A rapid-fire, brilliantly rhymed recitation of the periodic table. It's a feat of lyrical genius and nerdy humor.
- Key Chords: The melody can be accompanied with simple chords like C and G7.
- Performance Tip: The challenge is the comedy. Try to get through it without messing up.
21. "The Galaxy Song" by Monty Python (Eric Idle)
- Why it's Funny: A cosmically pessimistic yet jaunty tune about our insignificance. The cheerful melody paired with dark lyrics is sublime comedy.
- Key Chords: More complex, using chords like C, Am, Dm, G7. A good intermediate challenge.
- Performance Tip: Sing it with a cheerful, informative smile, like a children's TV host explaining doom.
How to Perform Funny Songs: The Delivery Manual
Knowing the chords is only half the battle. The other half is performance.
Commit Fully: No winking at the audience. If the song is sad, be truly morose. Your total belief in the bit makes the audience believe it too.
Master Your Face: Eyebrows are powerful comedic tools. A raised eyebrow at a key lyric can get a laugh without a word.
Control Your Timing: The pause is your best friend. Pause before a punchline. Let the silence hang so the audience can process the absurdity.
Interact with Your Ukulele: Treat it as a character. Give it a concerned look when a lyric goes awry. This physical comedy adds a layer.
Know Your Audience: A song full of internet memes might confuse a room of retirees. "The Lumberjack Song" has broader appeal. Choose your set list wisely.
Where to Find Tabs, Chords, and Inspiration
A wealth of resources exists for comedy ukulele. For chord charts and tabs, websites like UkuTabs and Ultimate Guitar are invaluable. Simply search for the song title and add "ukulele chords."
For video tutorials and performance inspiration, YouTube is unbeatable. Search for "funny ukulele tutorial" or a specific song name. Channels dedicated to musical comedy often have fantastic arrangements.
Remember, learning an instrument should be fun. If you're also interested in guitar, our guide to easy acoustic guitar songs for beginners follows the same philosophy of accessible, enjoyable music.
The ukulele’s simplicity removes the technical barrier between you and making people happy. In a world that can often feel too serious, playing a silly song on a tiny guitar is a small, powerful rebellion. So grab your uke, pick a song from this list, and go make someone laugh. If you're inspired by the theatrical numbers on this list, you might enjoy exploring the dramatic tones you can get from electric guitar effects, like those from the best chorus pedals for lush, shimmering textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest funny ukulele songs for a total beginner?
Start with one-chord songs like "Baby Shark" (D) or "The Badger Song" (Am). Then move to three-chord wonders in the key of C, such as "The Pizza Song" (C, F, G) or a deadpan version of "I'm Yours."
Where can I find ukulele tabs for comedy songs?
Websites like UkuTabs, Ultimate Guitar, and Ukulele Hunt have massive searchable databases. Just type the song title and "ukulele chords" into their search bar. YouTube tutorials are also excellent.
Can I write my own funny ukulele song?
Absolutely. Start by taking a simple, well-known chord progression (C-G-Am-F is a classic). Then write parody lyrics about something mundane in your life. The contrast between the familiar tune and your silly lyrics creates instant humor.
How do I get over nerves when performing funny songs?
Remember, the audience is on your side. They want to laugh. The ukulele itself is a disarming prop. If you mess up a chord, make a face, laugh at yourself, and keep going. Often, the recovery is funnier than a perfect performance.
Are there funny songs for more advanced ukulele players?
Yes. Look at songs with quicker chord changes, fingerpicking, or complex lyrics. "The Elements Song" by Tom Lehrer is a tongue-twister challenge. Songs from musicals like Avenue Q often have more sophisticated arrangements.
Do I need a good singing voice to play funny ukulele songs?
Not at all. In many cases, a "bad" or character-driven singing voice adds to the humor. Talk-singing, exaggerated accents, or a monotone delivery can be funnier than perfect pitch. The comedy is in the commitment to the character.
What are the easiest funny ukulele songs for a total beginner?
Start with one-chord songs like "Baby Shark" (D) or "The Badger Song" (Am). Then move to three-chord wonders in the key of C, such as "The Pizza Song" (C, F, G) or a deadpan version of "I'm Yours."
Where can I find ukulele tabs for comedy songs?
Websites like UkuTabs, Ultimate Guitar, and Ukulele Hunt have massive searchable databases. Just type the song title and "ukulele chords" into their search bar. YouTube tutorials are also excellent.
Can I write my own funny ukulele song?
Absolutely. Start by taking a simple, well-known chord progression (C-G-Am-F is a classic). Then write parody lyrics about something mundane in your life. The contrast between the familiar tune and your silly lyrics creates instant humor.
How do I get over nerves when performing funny songs?
Remember, the audience is on your side. They want to laugh. The ukulele itself is a disarming prop. If you mess up a chord, make a face, laugh at yourself, and keep going. Often, the recovery is funnier than a perfect performance.
Are there funny songs for more advanced ukulele players?
Yes. Look at songs with quicker chord changes, fingerpicking, or complex lyrics. "The Elements Song" by Tom Lehrer is a tongue-twister challenge. Songs from musicals like Avenue Q often have more sophisticated arrangements.
Do I need a good singing voice to play funny ukulele songs?
Not at all. In many cases, a "bad" or character-driven singing voice adds to the humor. Talk-singing, exaggerated accents, or a monotone delivery can be funnier than perfect pitch. The comedy is in the commitment to the character.
