Brown Eyed Girl – A Singalong Classic That Pops with the Right Ukulele Pickup

Why this Van Morrison favorite is perfect for live jams — and how adding a high-quality uke pickup can help your playing be heard, felt, and enjoyed by all

Released in 1967, Brown Eyed Girl is one of Van Morrison’s most iconic songs — and arguably one of the most performed covers at jams, parties, and open mics around the world. It’s cheerful, catchy, and instantly recognizable — making it a must-have in any ukulele player’s repertoire.

But if you want your sound to carry through a crowd or cut through the mix in a band, a high-quality ukulele pickup is a game-changer.

🎤 A Song That Was Never Supposed to Be a Hit

Van Morrison once said he thought of Brown Eyed Girl as a "throwaway" track. But audiences disagreed — and the song went on to become his signature tune. Its bright groove and nostalgic lyrics (“sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah…”) make it a natural fit for ukulele strumming.

“You, my brown eyed girl…”
There’s no better moment to get the crowd singing along.

🎶 Why It’s Built for Uke (and for Pickups)

• Easy chords (G, C, D, Em) make it great for all levels

• Upbeat tempo perfect for downstrum rhythm and singalongs

• Shines in live group settings, especially with amplification

• Sounds fantastic with active or passive uke pickups installed

🔌 Ready to take your ukulele from practice room to stage? Explore our Best Ukulele Pickups Collection — perfect for turning your acoustic tone into a performance-ready sound.

🎯 Playing Tip: Chunk the Strum for Groove

Use tight down-up “chunk” strums for verses, and open up into full strums on the chorus. If you’ve got a pickup, experiment with subtle effects like reverb or a light chorus pedal to give your sound extra sparkle.

Performing outdoors or with a group? An onboard pickup means you’ll be heard — and stay in tune under pressure.

🔗 Sources

• SongFacts – Brown Eyed Girl

• Van Morrison Interview – Rolling Stone

• Ultimate Guitar – Ukulele Tab