The Most Iconic Ukulele Song of All Time
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" is arguably the song that introduced the ukulele to a global modern audience. Its gentle fingerpicking, warm chords, and emotionally resonant melody make it a milestone song for nearly every ukulele player. The good news: it's very learnable, even for beginners.
The Chords You Need
The song is played in the key of C. Here are the four main chords:
- C major: Ring finger on 3rd fret of A string
- G major: Index on 2nd fret of C string, middle on 2nd fret of A string, ring on 3rd fret of E string
- Am (A minor): Middle finger on 2nd fret of G string
- F major: Index on 1st fret of E string, middle on 2nd fret of G string
The main chord progression throughout the song is: C – G – Am – F, repeating with a few variations.
The Strumming / Picking Pattern
IZ's original uses a fingerpicking arpeggiated pattern — rolling through the strings individually rather than strumming them all at once. A simplified version that captures the feel:
- Pluck the G string (thumb)
- Pluck C string (index)
- Pluck E string (middle)
- Pluck A string (ring)
- Pluck E string (middle)
- Pluck C string (index)
Repeat this rolling pattern over each chord. It sounds complex but becomes automatic with a few minutes of practice per chord.
If fingerpicking feels too difficult at first, substitute a slow D – D U – D U strum pattern — it still sounds beautiful and lets you focus on chord changes.
Intro Tab
Here is a simplified version of the famous intro melody in tab format. Strings are listed G / C / E / A from top to bottom:
A: ----3---3---3---3---2---0-----------0--- E: --0---0---0---0-----------3---3--------- C: -------------------------------------------------------- G: --------------------------------------------------------
Play each number as a single plucked note on the corresponding fret. Let each note ring out before moving to the next.
Song Structure Breakdown
| Section | Chords |
|---|---|
| Intro | C – G – Am – F (×2) |
| Verse ("Somewhere over the rainbow...") | C – G – Am – F |
| Chorus ("Someday I'll wish...") | F – C – G – Am – F |
| Bridge ("What a wonderful world" section) | C – F – C – G |
| Outro | C – G – Am – F (fade) |
Tips for Nailing This Song
- Slow it down. IZ played this at a gentle, unhurried pace. Don't rush — the emotion is in the space between notes.
- Smooth chord changes first. Before worrying about the picking pattern, practice switching between C, G, Am, and F until the transitions are seamless.
- Hum or sing along. Even if you don't plan to sing publicly, vocalizing while playing helps you stay in time and feel the phrasing naturally.
- Listen to the original. There's no better teacher than the source. Listen to IZ's version repeatedly and let the rhythm sink in before you play.
This song is a rite of passage for ukulele players. Take your time with it, enjoy the process, and when it finally clicks — it will feel like magic.