🎬 About the Song
“Shallow” isn’t just a duet — it’s a cinematic gut-punch disguised as a pop ballad. Written for A Star Is Born, it’s the moment the characters Ally and Jackson stop pretending and let the music say everything they can’t. Gaga co-wrote it with Mark Ronson and friends, and together they built a song that feels raw, unscripted, and heartbreakingly real.
The first half hums like a secret whispered in a dive bar; the second half explodes into a cry for connection. It’s one of those tunes that still hits even if you’ve never seen the film — the emotional architecture is baked right into the chords.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
The original is in G major, which works great for uke. You’ll need G, D, Em, C, and Am — easy shapes that shift smoothly.
Verse pattern: [Em] – [D] – [G] – [C]
Chorus pattern: [C] – [G] – [D] – [Em]
Start softly. Use slow, deliberate downstrokes for the verses; switch to a fuller down–down–up–up–down–up pattern once the chorus blooms. When Gaga hits that “I’m off the deep end…” line, open your wrist and let it roar — it’s supposed to sound cathartic, not tidy.
If you’re playing the duet solo, sing Bradley’s part low and smoky, then flip into that powerful chest voice for Gaga’s section. It’s a workout, but when you nail the transition, it feels like flight.
Tempo: around 96 bpm, but flexible — it breathes with emotion more than metronomic time.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- Gaga and Cooper recorded many takes live on set, with Gaga insisting there be no pre-recorded lip-sync.
- The song won Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe awards — basically the EGOT of a single.
- That chorus modulation? Pure Hollywood trickery — rising emotion encoded in harmonic math.
- When Cooper and Gaga performed it at the 2019 Oscars, the internet collectively combusted from secondhand chemistry.
🌈 Final Word
“Shallow” on uke transforms from delicate confession to full-throated release. It’s the perfect song for dynamic control — whisper, then wail. Don’t be afraid to lean into imperfection; that’s the charm. The song’s power isn’t in flawless technique — it’s in letting yourself feel slightly wrecked by the end.
For a smoother emotional landing, pair it with Always Remember Us This Way — same film, same heartbreak, slower burn.
