MMMBop - the Leonard Cohen ukulele version

[Ultramoose]

this is straight up fantastic. you do his voice very well.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@Ultramoose Thanks for watching.

[goodgollymr]

Genius.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@goodgollymr Thank you.

[twosoulsup]

absolutely brilliant

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank.

[XinBiDe]

You saved this song from itself.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[XinBiDe]

@KenMiddletonUkulele You're welcome. Much respect, you mimic Cohen's style quite well. You should do more like this :)

[apollo992]

play through fire and flames by dragon force. :D

p.s learn a real guitar 

[javamusic1]

this rocks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks

[XoXMcCunieXoX]

I have been a Hanson fan since this song was first released in 1997...and this might be the best cover I've ever heard. You are incredibly talented. I love it.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for your comment.

[JaymeStephens84]

Thats actually really cool, and I'm a life long Hanson fan... not offended at all! Thats an awesome re-imagining of the song

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[JaymeStephens84]

@KenMiddletonUkulele you're very welcome!

[japoofry]

Perhaps a bit late to say well done, but meant anyway! Good part of my music diet then.... Nice rendition.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks anyway.

[agriffina]

We have a winner...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, it won. Thanks.

[senorsquiid]

You made me smile and chuckle.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I enjoyed doing this one.

[charlesasher]

this is amazing! i think hanson would dig the hell out of this.

this really does sound like lc rewriting mmmbop, hah.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[tgz1000]

You seem like a serious person, and this is good, because you know, MMMbop is serious business!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I am not that serious but it was a serious attempt to win the competition. And it did.

[suuhkaulitz]

mais animação ;B excellent

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[slomojojojo]

wow I can actualy listen to this version the original makes me want to vomit. Well done

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[twiffersmith]

awesome

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[tay12ash]

LMFAO. made my night

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[HansonDreams]

sounds like something you'd here on those little christmas specials like rudolph.

[1Atomtan]

Ken...have you ever done Cohen's " if it be your will? "

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't think so.

[kmp7471122]

willie nelson should cover mmmbop!!!!!!!!!!

[cassetteboji]

Nice, but shouldn't you be out catching Michael Myers?

[FredFerdberger]

LMAO ROFL

[hagamosuntrato]

nice

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[nosruoymai]

what is this cohen's song you imitated?

I want to know.. It's lyrics is good.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It is not a real Cohen song. I just made it up for a competition.

[nosruoymai]

thanks for the fast reply... I thought it was a real cohen's song not only for the melody but for the lyrics .....

[paradoxsquid]

this is pretty fantastic!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[dibsrocks]

What a wonderful rendition ... I chanced upon this while I was searching for mmmbop's original music video which seems to have vanished from youtube. Bravo for your deep understanding of Cohen style and use of the ukulele, seemed so authentic and in many ways more soulful than the original mmmbop ...

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much for that comment. I appreciate it.

[FredFerdberger]

The original was not supposed to have deep meaning. It was a up tempo pop song by some teens. This make me want to shoot myself.

[sbatteraia]

FredFerdberger, sorry...but I don't completely agree with your comment: the original Mmmbop by Hanson HAS and HAS ALWAYS HAD a deep meaning...the Lyrics are the same in fact.. ;-)

This just demonstrates how the music chords influence feelings...The original Mmmbop sounds happy because it's mainly made of major chords.... In this version I bet you could sing the funniest lyrics in the world and it would sound sad because of the chord progression.. don't you think?

[michelle850]

the original song is supposed to have meaning to it..

[chelletay]

Who said his version didn't? I actually really liked it sounding this way!

[michelle850]

im not saying his version doesnt.. im replying to that fredgerberger guy.. lol

[mugambismonkey]

This is really funny! :-) Thank you.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[jxblair]

This is GREAT Ken!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[snowcooley]

You're a great Cohen imitator... I could certainly take this seriously.

Except for that last sad stroke. Gold!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[ahz123]

Very nice indeed. So it seems that Hanson really wedged quite a decent song :-D

Of course, they made more money off of that single than I will make in my life. So who's the chump... ;-)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. They made a LOT of money.

[4DJB25]

A month after you posted it and I have to admit, there is a certain poignancy and sadness to this song that was totally glossed over, much less eluded to in the original. Maybe that's due to the magic of Mr. Cohen which you emulated so well.

Co-congrats.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[lbeckwithmph]

My hat and socks are off to you Ken--that's it for now though (pants remain securely on).

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks for that.

[GingerJaneM]

Out of the loop for a while knitting woolen socks! Looking over your newer entries I stumbled on this. It looked hilarious, but you've done it up to where L.C. himself could think maybe he'd written it. My hat is off to you.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Jane. Perhaps is 'cause I tend to look serious even when it supposed to be funny.

[FreddiesMum]

Do you realise what you've done? You've got me addicted to your uke channel now! This is so good. You always did like Leondard Cohen as I recall.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

From where do you recall it?

[FreddiesMum]

School days. You told me about your youtube channels in an email this morning (friendsreunited) and I've been watching them. It's nice to see you again. You've not changed a bit!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'm heavier, greyer and happier.

Why not get your ukulele out and record a video?: The ukulele community is really friendly. And join Ukulele Underground.

[FreddiesMum]

Lack of skill prevents, but I'm enjoying watching. Keep it up.

[MrNeelix690]

What an interesting take on a pop song. Through your fine interpretation, you have revealed many hidden depths of this lyric. I'm sure it could have been a Cohen classic, but the Hanson fans would never have bought it. Well done, Ken.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks again. I appreciate the support.

[lulu62uk]

Simply lovely, thank you.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[monsterbazz]

ken, you have the most distinct uke sound ~ very remarkable!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. I'm quite pleased with the sound on my latest video. Have a listen when you get chance.

[ollipoppolli]

oh great - that was funny

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks, I enjoyed doing it.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[hanmusic]

awesome

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[lisaxy424]

I experienced an array of emotions while listening to this song: Laughter at first, followed by contentment, then reflection, and ending with a single tear with my lighter in the air.

LOL - LOVED IT!!! :)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you, Lisa. It wasn't meant to be serious, just a, improv vaguely in his style. But, having heard it a few times, I quite like the verse and middle 8 (not keen on the chorus though).

[bambuchajr]

Great rendition Ken. Wow, I'm off vactioning for 2 weeks and everyone is on this MMMBop contest. Got a couple of questions Ken. Please check your in box.

Fernando

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

OK Fernando.

[alicaurusrex]

Haha this is brilliant! Having seen both Hanson and Leonard Cohen live in the past (unfortunately not at the same time) I can say that this is a very impressive combination. Genius!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much. Glad you liked it.

[aspieone]

Very Well Done. Just a wonderful arrangement and ukulele moves. Bravo.

Loon

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you so much, Loon.

[globetrekkerboon]

haha nice nice!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[honeyspur]

Amazing!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[WarrenWeeder]

Really something. Nicely done.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[JTPokie]

Awesome!

Makes me want to raise a Pint and mmmbop someone.

JT

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks JT.

[GrumpyCoyoteTunes]

Spectacular.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you, Coyote.

[mctrmt]

Are you SURE this is not a Cohen song? Ken, you are the master.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

To be honest Mary-Anne, Deach's idea just inspired me. I just went for it. I suppose there must be bits from lots of his songs, but I didn't imitate any particular one.

[tarmenmin]

Well done;) I think this version sounds a lot better than Hanson's;) Well done!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks very much.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Gosh, Adelle. I have been listening to L Cohen and playing his songs since the late 1960's. I suppose that's why I can imitate his style.

[ukulelenwelt]

well done, ken

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[theBradlands]

It kinda turns into a catchy Sea Chanty.

Love the treatment Ken!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[helloukulele]

I am laughing out loud, this is so dead-on. I love it and have NO idea how someone could top this.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to hearing other people's versions though.

[ukeshale]

beautiful. well done

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[pcole5045]

Absolutely Amazing!!! Perfect!!! Other than the chorus (with no apologies to Hanson) your take on this song actually makes it a very pretty song. Great job!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Yes, Cohen would have sung "la,la,la", not "mmmbop". Though the verse words do sound like something that Cohen would have written. Thanks.

[degcon]

Awesome!!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[ValerieValirah]

This is probably one of the best freaking covers of any song that I've ever heard. Mixing two things I love together has never sounded so good.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Wow! Thank you Valerie, that's a really great comment.

[tadam3000]

This is freakin' fantastic, Ken. But, maybe you could have held off a few days so we could see a lower bar for Deach's contest? Just kidding.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Sorry. As soon as I saw Deach's contest yesterday morning I recorded it. I didn't think it would be so popular.

[krabbers]

i love it when someone does a cover in an original style

well done ken

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks K.

[BornAgainJeeper]

You repeatedly surprise me...this is hilariously wonderful, yet beautiful at the same time great work

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you, Alex. Nice comment.

[waterdog226]

Ooooh, such a growly voice!

[rawuke]

Great!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you.

[russbuss415]

so awesome/scary/funny/brilliant.­ well done Ken!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'm glad you realised that I was not being entirely serious, Russ.

[BenTheWriter]

Great work! Contest over.

:)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I don't know about that, but thanks.

[hoosierhiver]

Super!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank HH.

[okvolleyball]

great job Ken hope you do well .

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Stephen.

[UKISOCIETY]

Good grief, Ken. This was brilliant!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Alan. Singing those bottom F's was the hardest thing.

[crwlddotorg]

That's amazing Ken, it definitely sounds like Cohen hehe. Great job.

Good luck on the contest.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thank you, Carlos.

[dannster]

Grinning from ear to ear over here!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I really enjoyed singing this one.

[PandaaTv]

personally that's the best ive heard hanson sound in years ;)

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I'd never heard of them until the other day. I thought people were talking about Henson - Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets. I thought the Bushman winners were singing a Muppets song - seriously.

[BaronK69]

Ha ha - this sounds exactly like Cohen! You are so gonna win this contest - but that won't stop the Baron! Look out for my entry on a computer screen near you pretty soon!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It looks like being a great contest.

[Sammyboy72]

I am in AWE

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks Sam. You must enter the contest yourself.

[Sammyboy72]

Oh, have no fear Ken, I have a great idea for this one. I'm not sure anyone will quite capture their hero as you have.....

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I can actually imagine Cohen singing these words (sort of).

[irvingjohn]

Wow that was quick Ken. Great entry, I see you winning.. don't think anyone else is going to have a great idea like this!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

You wait and see, others will come up with some awesome ideas.

[deach69]

This is exactly what I am talking about! Great job Ken and thanks for setting the bar high!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

I didn't expect you to be awake yet, Deach.