The Ukulele Alphabet: Big Backyard by Molly Tuttle
Letter B, Week 2
“Big Backyard” by Molly Tuttle
It’s a bold statement to say that “Big Backyard” is a Great American Protest Song on the level of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” It takes a whole lot of guts, but heck yeah, I’m gonna say it.
In fact, I’ll even say that it’s my personal protest song for this millennium.
It’s a total coincidence that I chose this song to be performed and posted here within the first few weeks of this horrifying presidential administration (version 2.0), though it seems fitting.
But I’m not here for an ugly rant. I fight ugliness with beauty every day.
So here’s an idea: Whenever you’re feeling down about the ugly and the hate in the world, use this song as your counterbalance. Play it loud, sing it loud.
Think about your friends in LA and how much you love them.
Think about your nights in the Mojave desert and how you saw Cassiopeia with the naked eye.
Think about your dream of living on a rocky shore in New England.
Think about the hazy clover smell of a wide-open prairie.
And use those feelings to keep pushing yourself forward even when things are bleak.
(Because the opposite of fear is love!)
Listen to the original version of “Big Backyard”:
What’s the Ukulele Alphabet?
Read all about my 2025 ukulele performance project (and its rules) here.
I want to A-B-SEEEE some more!
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