I do feel a bit sorry for The Glitter Band. Forever tainted by their association with Gary himself, they produced a few good songs of their own. This one reached No2 in 1975.
179 days into this thing and I realise that I know a song about solar electricity. Better late than never.
Time to unleash one of my favourite songs ever, of all time, full stop. Crowded House made some of the best clever pop records of the 80s, which still sound as good thirty years later. My humble effort...
I should have kept records, but this must be the shortest song so far, even though I slowed it down.
As well as rushing out to buy everything that T.Rex and David Bowie released, this teenager also collected old 45s produced by Phil Spector. I just loved the huge sound he had, and those voices...I finally got to see Ronnie Spector a few years ago, and wasn't disappointed - she still sounds as good, 50+ years on.
Something a bit light-hearted from Billy Bragg today, a fine guide to the joys of driving to Southend.
I'll be honest, a bit of a rush job today - back from the Gary Barlow trip (and he was fab, just in case you doubted it), straight into an afternoon talking to people about the evils of fracking. So, one from the tried and tested three chord song box. Written by Johnny Cash a mind boggling 62 years ago...
Did Gary Barlow really write this when he was fifteen? The clever little.... Anyway, I thought I would give it a go, as I am going to see him tonight. Yes, really.
Donation news - the total has gone through the £1200 mark, so a big thank you to all of you. And slightly more than half the year still to go. That's quite a few more songs. Here's a summer-ish one from Loudon Wainwright.
What's today? Hey, it's only my bloomin' birthday. So I can play whatever I want. This was quite possibly the first song I tried when I started playing the uke.
It's time for another Richard Thompson song. So many to pick from, but this one is a pretty little thing.
After a second day largely spent driving along motorways, this one seemed the logical choice. Another one from the pen of Nick Lowe.
Half way home after a glorious two weeks touring around Devon & Cornwall. Shame about the two and a half hour jam on the M5. This seemed a good day to play this little gem, written by a song machine from Australia who goes by the name of Pabrizzer. Thanks for all the support Brian.
Squeeze produced a run of great hit singles too many years ago. I'm surprised to find that this one was before the real hits began - it feels like it should have been up there too.
Another vaguely football related song, especially if you were a Man Utd fan c.1990/91. Happy memories of a 36 hour round trip to Rotterdam.
It's the Waterboys song that Ellie Goulding had the big hit with. Plus a visual gag for all Reggie Perrin fans.
I was hoping for a sea view in the background, but all I managed to get was tanned knees in the foreground. Also, apologies for the breeze blowing into the microphone. But worth it for the chance to capture one out of doors.
Songs from a van - the series continues. As we can see the sea from our back window, I thought this was appropriate. Of all the vintage blues players, Mississippi John Hurt is my favourite, for his range of songs and his warm gentle vocals. The words for this were written by William Myer, a lawyer and label owner. John Hurt pinched the melody from Jimmie Rodgers' Waitin' for a train.
An extra challenge this week, courtesy of the Ukulele Underground forum, is a song with furniture in it. So, featuring a table, some doors, and a blind, this one from Blind Boy Fuller and many others.
Chuck Brodsky is a songwriter I only found last year, and I am glad I did. His songs tell stories. OK, this one is a bit quirky, but it definitely takes you on a journey.
This campsite allows you twenty minutes of free WiFi each day. Just enough to upload a one and a half minute song from the 50s. My mobile data allowance can survive for another day.
A big Thank You to Matt at Uke Magazine, for the mention in the latest edition. Don't forget, uke players, if you click on the Donation button, make a donation, however small, and include your email address, you can download the words & chords for all 365 songs at the end of the year.
Another chance to record outdoors, and this time just the birds and a clanging gate in the background, not quite drowning out one of the reasons I like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang so much.
I tried to record this outside, but a combination of sudden breezes, and a barking dog (my own), meant I retreated to the passenger seat.
Had to do something quiet so as not to disturb the people in the caravan next door, first thing in the morning. So, a lullaby.
So, here we are, on a campsite somewhere near Gloucester. This song took about 2 minutes to record, and then 90 to upload, using the free WiFi of the pub next door. This showbusiness lark is tough...
I'm not sure if much is known about Hezekiah Jenkins, apart from the handful of 78s he recorded back in the 1930s. This is one I first heard in a long-lost pub in York, about thirty years ago. Happy days...
Another traditional song today, or at least, one which has changed and grown as it has been passed from singer to singer. I make no apologies for borrowing the Bellowhead version, probably word for word. If, like me, you are puzzled by the "Away Santy, my dear Annie" line, it is likely that it was borrowed from a sea shanty, Santiana, which in turn was referring to a Mexican general, Santa Ana. So now you know.
Every day in 2018, I will play a different song on the ukulele, video it, and post it here. Simple, eh? All raising funds for SolarAid. There's a bit more detail just here
The target of £1500 has been passed - and donations can still be made!. You can follow @365UkeSongs on Twitter for updates.
Nearly 600 million people in Africa have no access to electricity. If they want lighting they often have to use kerosene lamps, which are toxic, dangerous and expensive.
With a solar light, everything changes. These little lamps are safe, clean and affordable. They give off hours of light in the evening so families can earn, learn and feel safe after dark. Just one lamp can transform the fortunes of an entire family. SolarAid concentrate their efforts on the remote parts of Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia.
Uke players - if you make a donation, include your email address. At the end of the year, there will be an opportunity to download the lyrics & chords of all 365 songs.