Esteemed readers that haven't left while I've found little to write about lately, may remember the time that I listed out the Reasons I've Purchased a Ukulele. I can report that it's still the best $39.99 I've ever spent. Little Jack goes into a hypnotic trance whenever I bust it out, and it's so light and portable, it's easy to juggle it with whatever else you're doing.
But the main reason I return to this fascinating topic, is that I've found the one and only song you need to learn in order to sound like a soprano ukulele pro. One song only: I'll Follow the Sun by the Beatles (perhaps you've heard of them).
Once you learn C - C7, D7 - G7, and F - Fm transitions. You can start mixing and matching these to instantly sound like a Hawaiian ragtime virtuoso. Seriously! Also, by learning this one song, you can play others, like Proud Mary, Ring of Fire or Puff the Magic Dragon (I know, I know... but Jack loves 'em).
So that's it. If you're a recent or future ukulele owner, learn this one song, and off you go into 4-string stardom.
Update: I've recorded a little tune I like to call "Jackulele" over at Odeo. My first podcast, and hopefully not my last. The song uses all the chords from the aforementioned Beatles selection, with a few other experimentations. It's a bit rough, but is always a crowd pleaser (to a crowd of one. One that is 5 months old).