💃 About the Song
“Uptown Funk” is a swagger bomb — all brass, groove, and ridiculous confidence.
When Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars dropped it in 2014, it didn’t just top charts — it restarted the party. Funk came roaring back from the 70s, dripping in gold and hairspray, and the world danced again.
On ukulele, it becomes even cheekier. It’s all rhythm, timing, and attitude — like strutting down a catwalk made of sunshine and sequins. Play it right and you’ll have people shouting “Don’t believe me, just watch!” before you even hit the chorus.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
We’ll set it in A minor, which keeps the groove clean and funky.
You’ll need Am, Dm, G, F, and E7.
Main groove progression (verse + chorus):
[Am] – [Dm] – [G] – [F]
Bridge (“Stop! Wait a minute…”):
[F] – [E7] – [Am] – [Dm]
Keep the rhythm tight — short, sharp, percussive strums.
The magic is in the silence between the chords.
Strumming pattern:
Down–(chuck)–up–(chuck) — play staccato, like a rhythm guitar.
Palm-mute with the side of your hand to kill the ring and make it pop.
Add quick flicks on the off-beats for that “snappy funk guitar” vibe.
Tempo: around 115 bpm — enough bounce to feel dangerous but still groovy.
Singing tip: You don’t need to be Bruno. Just sell it.
Talk-sing it with confidence. You’re half singer, half hype man here.
Smile wide, throw in a “Huh!” or “Yow!” whenever it feels right.
💡 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- It was written by six people — Mars, Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, and members of The Smeezingtons. Funk requires teamwork.
- The bassline was recorded live with vintage amps and tape machines for that warm 70s feel.
- The song broke streaming records and spent 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Inspired by Prince, The Time, and James Brown — basically the Holy Funk Trinity.
- Bruno reportedly made the band rehearse it over 200 times before recording it. The man is a groove perfectionist.
🌈 Final Word
“Uptown Funk” on ukulele is pure mischief.
You can’t play it and stay still — it’s impossible.
It’s the moment the uke goes from beach toy to disco weapon.
Play it with swagger, confidence, and a dangerous amount of grin.
If you’re not dancing, you’re doing it wrong.
