In the uke'n spirit we had Sally, David, Dawn, Irene, Jean, Dan, Betty, Frank, Jack, Larry, Arlene, PJ, Ken, WendySue, Louise and her posse Gabe and Jesse.

After some clarification that this jam was about grammatical contractions, not pregnant belly contractions, we started off the night with our usual opening theme, SIDE BY SIDE.

2). TOP OF THE WORLD, Carpenters, 1972 (Sally)

Sally recommended this song for our last jam on folk songs. Luckily, we were able to use this song in this jam because it had several contractions in the lyrics such as "you're", "I've" and "won't". Nice one, Sally!

3). AIN'T SHE SWEET, Milton Ager, with lyrics by Jack Yellen, 1927 (Arlene)

This song became popular during the Roaring Twenties and it was covered by many including The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. It had some unfamiliar yet simple chords such as [C#dim7] and [A7+5]. We did this song twice with the second time around we played it really fast. Fun!

4). WE'LL MEET AGAIN, Vera Lynn, 1939 (Dan)

This song supposedly has the same chords as Five Foot Two and the beginning of The Charleston. Dan sang the first part really well and then we all chimed in. Big wartime song. Johnny Cash sings it in a different key. Pretty!

5). BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY, The Four Seasons, 1962 (PJ)

The men sang the parentheses and we did a good job on this one.

6). AIN'T WE GOT FUN, by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, 1958 (Arlene)

Cute song. We played this well. Dan likes the line, "the rich get richer and the poor get children".

7). DON'T BRING ME DOWN, Electric Light Orchestra, 1979 (Arlene)

Another good pick from Arlene!

8). BABY IT'S YOU, The Beatles, (Irene)

Dan sang this song well. It was hard to play and everyone wasn't sure how to play the D#(E flat). We had a rough start, but it has beautiful chord changes.

9). CAN'T BUY ME LOVE, The Beatles, 1964 (Irene)

This is always a fun, upbeat song to play.

10). THE 59th STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELIN' GROOVY) by Simon and Garfunkel, 1966 (Irene)

Irene almost got fined since "Feelin'" is not really considered a contraction. She was saved because the lyrics are full of "Aintchas" and "whatchas". I love when they sing the last line, "Life, I love you, all is groovy". This song is a bit difficult to change from chord to chord for me

11). I WANNA MARRY A LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER, from the soundtrack to a Clockwork Orange, 1972 (Dan)

Arlene and Dan sang this song. I saw this movie a long time ago and it was pretty violent.

12). HE'LL HAVE TO GO by Jim Reeves, 1959 (Jack)

Pretty song, but didn't know this one.

13). DON'T BE CRUEL, Elvis Presley, 1956 (Jack)

I still don't understand what Ken has against Elvis. He does such a good impersonation of him. Nice pick, Jack!

14). I'LL BE SEEING YOU, Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal 1938 (Jack)

This is an oldie covered by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.

15). DON'T STOP BELIEVIN', Journey 1981 (Jack)

What a terrific song to sing, but unfortunately we gave up on this one half way through.

16). DON'T THINK TWICE IT'S ALRIGHT, Bob Dylan, 1963 (Jean)

Love this song and we all ended perfectly together!

17). DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY Bobby McFerrin, 1988 (Me)

Nice whistling from David. Good job, group!

18). I’LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU, The Seekers, 1965 (Jean)

Larry told me this song is the theme song to Marriage Encounter, which is a weekend getaway for married couples to improve their communication skills. I wonder if you can bring your ukulele to this meet up?

19). YOUR CHEATIN' HEART by Hank Williams (Jean)

Yee Ha! Great pick, Jean!

20). DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING, Gerry and the Pacemakers, 1964 (Jack)

Ken played this song for us. He played lots of major 7th chords which always makes a beautiful sound.

21). DON'T, Elvis Presley, 1958 (Jack)

Jack did a really nice job singing this song, but we need to practice this a little more.

22). ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK, Bill Haley & His Comets, 1954 (PJ)

This contraction is "Of the clock". Good work gang!

23). I'M A BELIEVER, Neil Diamond and The Monkees, 1966 (Jack)

We've done this one several times before and we sounded great!

24). GONNA GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU NOW, Viola Wills 1998 (Jack)

Needs some help.

25). WORKIN' MY WAY BACK TO YOU (Jack)

We got lost on the last verse, but the chorus sounded fabulous.

26). CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU by Frankie Vallie, 1967 (Ken)

This was my favorite song of the night. Fantastic chord sheet!

27). WE'LL SING IN THE SUNSHINE (Arlene)

Perfect song to end the night.

This was a pretty fun jam. Hoping our next theme, which is Occupations, will be as entertaining. See y'all soon.

Cheers,

-- Jen.