🔥 About the Song
When Faith landed in 1987, it didn’t just top charts — it strutted up in tight jeans, wiggled its hips, and owned the decade.
George Michael had just gone solo after Wham!, and this was his “watch me fly” moment. A percussive acoustic guitar riff, a cheeky Bo Diddley beat, and George doing that finger-clicking swagger made it instantly iconic.
It’s not a mopey love song. It’s a self-confidence anthem disguised as a bop. He’s not begging for love — he’s choosing it on his own terms. That’s why the rhythm isn’t just catchy — it’s cocky.
George wanted the track to sound like classic rock ’n’ roll shot through an ’80s glitter cannon. Mission accomplished. A leather jacket in song form.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
Chords (in B♭): B♭ – E♭ – F – Gm – Cm.
Verse groove: B♭ – E♭ – B♭ – E♭ – F – B♭.
Pre-Chorus (“But I need some time off…”): Cm – F – B♭ – Gm – Cm – F.
Chorus: E♭ – F – B♭ – Gm – Cm – F – B♭.
Strumming pattern: Classic Bo Diddley / rockabilly swing — Down (rest) Down-Up (rest) Up-Down-Up around 96 bpm. Accents on beats 2 and 4.
Tone: Bright and percussive — strum close to the bridge and keep it tight.
Feel: Think pelvis-forward, not hammock-floating. This groove struts.
Optional trick: A light chuck mute between phrases gives it that signature snap.
Sing tip: Don’t croon — preen. Add a wink mid-line. George didn’t just sing this, he wore it.
Capo tip: If B♭ feels spicy for your fingers, capo on fret 3 and play in G — or check out our handy Transpose Without Tears guide (or a capo on Amazon, because we’re enablers).
🧠 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
– “Faith” was George Michael’s first solo No. 1 single in the U.S.
– The song opens with church organ and a snippet from “I Want Your Sex,” setting up a tongue-in-cheek sermon vibe.
– That famous guitar riff? Played on a rockabilly-style acoustic — George insisted on recording it dry to get that punchy sound.
– The single sold over 25 million copies worldwide and helped the album become one of the best-selling of the ’80s.
🌈 Final Word
Play Faith like you’ve just stepped out in sunglasses at night and you know you look good.
Keep the strum sharp, the groove cocky, and the vocals with a grin hiding just behind them.
If your uke isn’t practically shaking its hips by the chorus, give it another go. 💃🕺
