Hey, Soul Sister – Train, A Pop Smash Powered by a Ukulele

How an unexpected soprano ukulele inspired Train’s biggest hit — and why knowing the name of strings on ukulele helps you play it just right

When you think of early 2000s chart-toppers, Hey, Soul Sister might not strike you as a ukulele song — but it 100% is. In fact, Train frontman Pat Monahan credits the ukulele with unlocking the entire melody. And not just any uke: it was a soprano with re-entrant tuning — giving the song its playful, lightweight bounce.

So if you're learning to play it, understanding the name of strings on ukulele can actually help you match the tone and strumming style that made this tune such a runaway hit.

✨ The Ukulele That Changed Everything

Train’s lead guitarist Jimmy Stafford didn’t originally know how to play ukulele. He learned it specifically for this song after Monahan brought in the vocal idea. The two of them quickly discovered that the uke’s high-G tuning (G–C–E–A) was what gave the melody its brightness and offbeat character.

“The song wouldn’t have worked on guitar,” Stafford said in an interview. “It would’ve sounded way too heavy.”

The soprano uke’s re-entrant tuning — where the G string is higher in pitch than the C — gives the song that signature skipping rhythm. If you're playing it yourself, knowing the string names helps you master that pattern.

🎸 Curious to try it out? We carry a curated selection of New Premium Ukuleles at Island Bazaar Ukes, including soprano models that are perfect for nailing that pop-perfect sound.

🧠 Quick Tip: Know Your Strings, Play With Confidence

For beginners, knowing the name of strings on ukulele — G, C, E, A (from top to bottom while holding it) — helps with:

• Chord shape memorization

• Strumming accuracy

• Melody picking

Many players remember it as:
Good Children Eat Apple — or come up with your own fun mnemonic.

This song also includes fast transitions between simple chords, making it a fantastic introduction to moving around the fretboard quickly.

🔗 Sources

• Train Interview – Songfacts

• Jimmy Stafford Talks Ukulele – MusicRadar

• Official Video – YouTube

• Ukulele Go: Chords for “Hey, Soul Sister”