Dating back to antiquity, the ancient Greeks knew there was a connection to math and music. On this last night of August, fifteen of us including Sally, Larry, Jack, Ting, Dawn, Dan, Betty, Frank, Bill, Louise, Arlene, Anne, PJ, Ken, Cathy (newbie) and myself gathered to play "Number Songs!" I sometimes wonder if Socrates and Plato would agree if one was indeed the loneliest number -- maybe not if they played the uke!

Our playlist for the night:

1). Side by Side - Written by Harry Woods (1927)

Ken started playing this song as a tip he got at the NJ Uke Fest. The thought is that by playing a familiar song at the start of the jam, it would quiet everyone down and get us focused. Nice attempt, but we were mostly confused by this. (Note by Ken: We WILL be starting the meeting with this song each time so please practice this one.)

2). Henry the Eighth by Herman's Hermits (Betty)

We played and sang this twice because one chord sheet left out the H_E_N-R_Y part. We've played this song lots of times before including "King Songs" and it's always fun to play.

3). Rock Around the Clock - (Betty)

Great energy! We played it well.

4). When I'm 64 by The Beatles (Betty)

We tried to stretch out the ending which worked alright.

5). Because by The Dave Clark Five (Dan)

Nice singing, Dan! As soon as it started, I recognized the song. I've never heard of The Dave Clark Five, but apparently they rivaled The Beatles for a short time in 1964.

6). Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da by The Beatles (PJ)

Yes, it certainly fits the number theme with "20 KARAT GOLDEN RING". Nice pick, PJ!

7). Three Times a Lady by the Commodores (PJ)

PJ started us off singing. It's a pretty song, mellow and slow.

8). I'm into Something Good by Herman's Hermits. Written by Carole King & Gerry Goffin (PJ)

Nice. We used Bill's excellent chord sheet.

9). Five-Foot Two (Arlene)

Suzala, who is responsible for starting this club, picked up the uke for the first time in three years. This was the first song she ever played. We played it slow and then played it again really fast. Fun song! Great for beginners to practice.

10). Hot Tamales, They're Red Hot (Arlene)

Very funny, Arlene! This song became an earworm to all those who attended the NJ Uke Fest. Arlene unfortunately managed to shoehorn this song into the theme with this line: "She got two for a nickel, got four for a dime". Hot Tamales!

11). 26 Miles by The Four Preps (Arlene)

Jack knew this song and thought it could be written by "The Four Perps".

12). Lonesome Number One by Don Gibson (Arlene)

Sad lyrics again confirming the theory that one is the loneliest number.

13). One by Three Dog Night (Anne and Dan)

Ken combined two chord sheets and Dan sang this well! Anne gets a future "get out of jail free" brownie card for picking a song with a number in the title and in the band name.

14). City of New Orleans by Steve Goodman (PJ)

We've done this song before and I love the chorus. I was singing this song on the car ride home. Thanks for a good pick, PJ!

15). 76 Trombones from "The Music Man" (Bill)

Bill started us out with a kazoo solo. There were some tricky chords, but it was a fun song to play. Love this musical!

16). The Galaxy Song by Monty Python (Arlene)

We revisited this song after Dan suggested it back in July. Packed with numbers and Dawn gave us the basic meaning of the word "bugger" which is slang for "nothing".

17). 59th Street Bridge Song by Simon and Garfunkel (Arlene)

Feelin' Groovy short and sweet.

18). Love Potion No. 9 (Wendysue)

I thought this song was the best of the night!

19). 867-5309 (JENNY) by Tommy Tutone (Jen)

Not many people knew this song but fun to try anyway.

20). 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago (Ken)

Dan started us off and it was great fun to play! This song is apparently about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. Some thought it was a reference to drugs and it was banned in Singapore back in 1986. The song's writer, Robert Lamm, wrote another song which could be the question, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" which 25 or 6 to 4 in the morning could be the answer.

21). I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers (Dawn)

What a great song by this Scottish duo! Nice pick, Dawn!

22). ...Baby One More Time by Britany Spears (Ken)

We tried this once before and both times we've tried it, it was a disaster. Maybe we'll have to try it one more time.

23). Two of Us by The Beatles (Ken)

This is in the original recorded key. Instead of [Bm] you can use [G]. What a great song!

Until next time! Next Jam will be about "Places".

Cheers,

-- Jen.