🌈 About the Song
“Rainbow Connection” is pure childhood wonder bottled in melody — wistful, innocent, and quietly profound. Sung by Kermit the Frog as he strums his banjo in the swamp, it’s equal parts lullaby and existential poetry.
It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you: simple on the surface, but loaded with longing — for magic, for meaning, for belonging. On ukulele, it’s the perfect match: small, sincere, and impossibly comforting.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
We’ll keep it in C major, just like the original.
You’ll need C, Am, F, G7, Dm, and E7 — warm and classic.
Verse progression: [C] – [Am] – [F] – [G7]
Chorus: [F] – [E7] – [Am] – [Dm] – [G7] – [C]
Strumming pattern: gentle down–down–up–up–down–up around 70 bpm.
Keep it light and lilted — it’s a waltz between lullaby and daydream.
For a more delicate sound, fingerpick slowly (pluck 4–3–2–1) and let each note overlap — it feels like ripples on water.
Singing tip: Don’t rush. Kermit’s phrasing floats like a sigh. Imagine you’re watching the stars move while you sing — that’s the right tempo.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- “Rainbow Connection” was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1980.
- Paul Williams wrote it while struggling with self-doubt, saying, “Kermit became my voice of optimism.”
- It’s been covered by everyone from Willie Nelson to Weezer, but the original still hits the hardest.
- Jim Henson recorded it live as Kermit in one take — sitting in a swamp set, strumming an actual banjo through puppet arms.
🌈 Final Word
“Rainbow Connection” is a reminder that hope doesn’t need to be loud. On ukulele, it becomes even smaller, warmer — a song that feels like light coming through leaves.
Play it softly, hum between verses, and let yourself believe in something beautiful, even if you can’t name it.
