A Girl and her Uke

When I was online dating, there were a couple of guys who emailed me saying “I like asian girls” - was it the only thing that they liked about my dating profile?  I’m reclaiming this song from David Bowie, who created smutty fantasies about us Asian Girls by hiring one to roll around the sand nude in his video. I was tempted to put on a chinese accent when singing it, but refrained, since it still is a pretty song. 

China Girl - David Bowie Cover by iloveuke

Guess who brought sexy back today? :) That’s right, Katie and I brought it back. It wasn’t far. All it took was a couple of ukuleles and a shaker. We started at around 1 and finished bringing sexy back at precisely 2:13pm. It was a lot of fun. 

Sexy back - Justin Timberlake (ukulele cover) by iloveuke A.

A little Portishead on a Friday night…

Glory Box - Portishead (ukulele cover) by iloveuke

I got a baritone ukulele back from a friend that was moving (it needs a foster home), and I have been thinking about this song that I like to play on the uke so I decided to fire up Garageband to play this on the baritone uke. When I started singing, I found that it was odd because it’s told from a man’s perspective. So I’ve altered it a bit and I think it works well. The question I pose to everyone is, while MJ was dancing on lit sidewalks, did you ever think about poor Billie Jean? I know it’s not a real story but I’m just sayin’, someone has to love that little baby and take care of it and that person was Billie Jean. Here are the altered lyrics below. Thank’s for a good song MJ. Altered lyrics are below. Billie Jean (woman’s perspective) on ukulele by iloveuke 

Billie Jean (from her perspective) 

It’s not like I am a beauty queen from a movie scene
He said don’t mind, but what do I mean that you are the one
Who should dance on the floor in the round
I said you the one who should dance on the floor in the round

I told him my name was Billie Jean, and he caused a scene
Then every head turned with eyes that gleamed of being the one
Who would dance on the floor in the round

People always told me be careful what you do
Don’t go around breaking your own heart
And mother always told me be careful who you love
Be careful what you do ‘cause his lies are never true

Billie Jean is not your lover
I’m just a girl who knows that you are the one
and the kid is your own blood
I say you are the one, the kid your own son

For forty days and forty nights
The law was on his side
But who can stand a baby’s demand
this is no schemes and plans
‘Cause we danced on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice

I told my baby we’d danced ‘till three
and he looked at me
I showed a photo of baby cryin’
who’s eyes are divine
Come on dance on the floor in the round, baby

People always told me be careful what you do
Don’t go around breaking your own heart
I came and stood right by him
with the smell of sweet perfume
This happened much too soon
He called me to his room

Billie Jean is not your lover
I’m just a girl who knows that you are the one
and the kid is your son

Billie Jean is not your lover
I’m just a girl who claims that you are the one
and the kid is your own blood
I say you are the one, the kid your own son

My name’s Billie and you’re breakin’ my heart ya
Billie Jean is not your lover
Billie Jean is not your lover
Billie Jean is not your lover
Billie Jean is not your lover

I was watching Chuck and at the end of the show the two main characters were lying on the bed listening to Feeling Good by Nina Simone. I had forgotten about that song for a few years. Hearing it again, my mind said Oh Nina, it sure is a good one, . There’s nothing like Nina Simone’s alto voice and minor chords. When I hear the song as she performs it, I wondered if she is really feeling good? After singing it myself, my interpretation is that it’s not meant to be ‘feeling good’ as in giddy, but rather, feeling present and engaged with all that the world offers. To find the speed in order to sip the beauty around oneself. Walking slowly, with wonder. That’s what I need. A slower mind.

Feeling Good - Nina Simone Cover on the Ukulele by iloveuke

I don’t brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack. I like Colgate (always the paste and never the gel). I appreciate the irony of me playing this one, since I don’t party hard and I would kick someone to the curb if they did look like Mick Jagger.

However, all this being said, I do have an appreciation for a catchy pop tune when I hear it. Especially the ones that have 3 chords, some sing-song rapping styles, and the potential for some harmony, so I had a bit of fun this afternoon with this one.

Tik-tok - Ke$ha ukulele cover by iloveuke

It’s Sunday, and raining. I like to play this one a lot. It reminds me of how communication can break down between people, but I feel like there’s an element of hope to it. Leonard Cohen did a fine job, Jeff Buckley perfected it. Rufus Wainwright and KD Lang have both done a superb job. KD’s performance for the Olympics, unrushed, drew the Hallejulah didn’t she?

I’ve played this twice in public:

- Once at the Dominion Public Corktown Uke Jam where the whole room sang hallelujah together. It was so beautiful that it made me feel like my soul was floating above the room.

- Once at the Harp in Port Credit after Paul passed away. Barely knew the guy but I can recognize a spirit who affects people around him.

When I sing it, I like to strip it away and let it just be honest and vulnerable, the way I think it’s intended. So this is just me, my feelings, my uke and my voice.

I put a low G on my Fluke uke. I think it makes it sound better.

Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen cover / Jeff Buckley version by iloveuke

Amber

My facebook picture translates into the key of Bm, two grand pianos and an acoustic guitar.

http://music.almerblank.com/synthia_tracks/783

I like it actually. I think that sounds like me.