🍓 About the Song
“Watermelon Sugar” is what happens when sunshine flirts with nostalgia and gets caught in the act. Released in 2019, it’s Harry Styles’ ode to fleeting summer moments — those perfect, juicy seconds that taste sweeter because you know they’ll melt away.
It’s got a retro groove that struts right out of the late 1970s, with horns, handclaps, and a wink in every note. Critics called it “summertime pop with a sugar rush,” but let’s be honest — it’s about more than fruit. The song’s cheeky ambiguity gave it meme immortality, while the sound remains pure serotonin.
On ukulele, it’s a breeze — four chords, one groove, and a healthy dose of swagger.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
The tune lives in D minor, giving it that warm, slightly wistful flavour. The progression stays steady: Dm – Am – C – Bb, looping like a lazy wave.
Strumming pattern: down–down–up–up–down–up at around 95 bpm. Keep it bouncy, with a little skip between the second and third beats — think “late afternoon groove with sunglasses on.”
To add texture, chuck the strings on downbeats to mimic the rhythm section, or pluck once per bar during the verse for a whispery, intimate vibe before opening up in the chorus.
Singing tip: You don’t need to belt it. Harry sings it like he’s smiling with a secret — playful, airy, and slightly teasing. Let your voice lean into the vowels; stretch “strawberries” and “summer evenin’” like you’re savouring them.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- The song was recorded at EastWest Studios in Los Angeles, where The Beach Boys and Sinatra both worked.
- It debuted live before it was released — Harry first played it on tour in 2019, and fans went feral trying to decode the lyrics.
- “Watermelon Sugar” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020 — Harry’s first solo chart-topper.
- The music video, filmed on a Malibu beach pre-pandemic, starts with the line: “This video is dedicated to touching.” (Which hit differently after lockdown.)
🌈 Final Word
“Watermelon Sugar” on uke is like bottling sunshine and pouring it into four chords. It’s light, sensual, and stupidly fun. Play it barefoot, with sand between your toes and a grin that says you know exactly what Harry’s on about.
If you want to explore similar beachy vibes, try “Adore You” next — same album, same honey-sweet pop craftsmanship, perfect for a lazy afternoon strum.
