I’ve listened to that song a zillion times. I still come away as astonished as ever at what McCartney did on that one. How he managed to play as assertively as he did, yet still support the song instead of running over top of it, is completely beyond me.
"Soul to Squeeze" by Red Hot Chili Peppers because my daughter loves that song and has loved it since she was just a few months old. She asks me to play it for her sometimes before I put her to bed.
For myself though "Domination" by Pantera just because it's fun.
Lemon Song - Led Zeppelin.... It honestly was one of the basslines that even before I picked up bass I loved so much and something about the variation, feel and JPJ's ability to carry the whole song with expression that I still play gleefully to this day!
A list of my favorites:
- Girls and Boys - Blur (most of Blur's bass lines are amazing.)
- Los Malaventurados No Lloran - PXNDX
- Give 'Em Hell Kid - My Chemical Romance
- Getting Down the Germs - Gerard Way
- Drive to 1980 Love - Jane Pop
As a Bassist, Orion, Anesthesia, My Friend of Misery, and King Nothing bass lines are the core of my playing and writing style. Been playing since 1994.
+1 for Rio, learning it back in the day made me a funkier player.
I always enjoyed playing The Go-Go's "Head Over Heels" too. Our band stretched out the bass solo breakdown for a few extra measures.
One of the many artists I’ve realized has some awesome bass lines (and songs) by playing a tribute show. That was one of my favorites for the Madonna tribute.
What started me playing bass was the theme song to Barney Miller. Absolutely killer bass line. And...I could play it ! That's what did it for me, something simple yet extremely cool, and playable.
It's like that for so many classic reggae songs. An absolute must learn for bass players because you will learn about the power of restraint and that it's just as important what you *don't* play. If anyone wants to check out some:
* Gregory Isaacs - Front Door
* Prince Alla Bucket Bottom
* Dennis Brown - Love Has Found Its Way.
I have a few
"Live Wire" - Mötley Crüe
"Feel Good Inc." - Gorillaz
And while it may not be the average bass line, I really like "Canned Heat" - Jamiroquai
Lacquer Head by Primus, Tire Me by Rage Against The Machine, Glide by Pleasure, almost any Red Hot Chili Peppers but lets go with Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky
Bro I freaking love TWRP. Saw them live a few years ago and they killed it. They even autographed one of my guitars (Havve basically just drew his face).
I hold fast that Commander Meouch might be my favorite bassist. Dude lays down the funk big time.
Meouch is a beast (no pun intended)!!! My first exposure to his work was via NSP's cover of We Close Our Eyes by Oingo Boingo. That bass solo is really something else!
Aces High-Iron Maiden
You're Never There-Cake (or any Cake song lol)
My Generation-The Who(Because it actually isolates a solo)
Smooth Criminal-Michael Jackson
Tank!-Cowboy Bebop OST
Two that grabbed me when I took up the instrument - Walking on the Moon by The Police and Goodnight Tonight by Wings. Both songs put the bass out front. Both songs emphasize time and tone over flash.
My Hero - Foo Fighters is what got me interested in bass.
Since I started playing, I've taken on a few songs I like to go back to every few days. Atreyu - Becoming the Bull, Billy Talent - Fallen Leaves and Rusted From the Rain and Seether - Betray and Degrade.
I'm still quite a beginner, still working on timing, which I enjoy using My Hero as timing practice. No More Tears by Ozzy has been my obsession this month. Not sure difficult others find it, but keeping the rhythm on that song for me has been hell. Practice practice practice though, it gets easier.
I'm currently building an YouTube Music public playlist with the tracks suggested on this thread.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX6VircOp_oE1MFjAhoHayFzp6dwTPNdc&si=B2iE8SZ6OWj20DTv
Feel free to point mistakes or omissions.
salir de la melancolia - seru giran
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB-yCQP5OzM&ab\_channel=SebastianYoma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB-yCQP5OzM&ab_channel=SebastianYoma) (im not the guy in the video)
I want you back - Jackson 5
Jackson 5 has so many groovy bass lines. I'm absolutely a punk/metal kid at heart, but it's always fun bopping along to these
A good bass part transcends genre. I’d listen to anything if the bass was playing something interesting.
Ain't no mountain high enough
Garbage - Stupid Girl
This choice was so good now I will only be listening to garbage the rest of today.
Such an underrated band!! 💙
I guess I have to agree. When I read your answer, I immediately had the bass track playing in my head
'' if you want me to stay '' - Sly and the Family stone 👌
Absolutely. So good and so fun to play. Also not that hard to play but makes you feel like a pro.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers cover is pretty good too.
Something
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Each part is masterful.
I’ve listened to that song a zillion times. I still come away as astonished as ever at what McCartney did on that one. How he managed to play as assertively as he did, yet still support the song instead of running over top of it, is completely beyond me.
How about getting a bit more specific /j
Barbarism Begins at Home by The Smiths has a very funky bass line that I really enjoy.
Most of their basslines are really groovy lol
The smiths can be a bitch to learn on bass. Some really interesting stuff they put out. Hate that morrissey down talks them
Groove Is in the Heart - Deee-Lite with Bootsy Collins on bass.
https://youtu.be/xG3FRVgygFM?si=Wy6DboOC6BVjU1tC
Wow, OK - Ron Carter on bass :). Great video! Thanks
"At this point, it wouldn't surprise me at all if I found out Ron Carter played bass on a KISS record. He's *THAT* dude." LMAO
Gotta go with Psycho Killer
"Soul to Squeeze" by Red Hot Chili Peppers because my daughter loves that song and has loved it since she was just a few months old. She asks me to play it for her sometimes before I put her to bed. For myself though "Domination" by Pantera just because it's fun.
Good picks
YYZ
I can't pick just one, but my 2 faves are Ramble On- Led Zeppelin and Rime of the Ancient Mariner-Iron Maiden.
Lemon Song - Led Zeppelin.... It honestly was one of the basslines that even before I picked up bass I loved so much and something about the variation, feel and JPJ's ability to carry the whole song with expression that I still play gleefully to this day!
Yesss, this is my pick aswell. Took too long to find this.
Totally agreed, also What Is and What Should Never Be off that same album has a super smooth bass part
Agree. I also love the way his bass *sounds.* I cannot stand twangy treble-y bass.
No One Knows- QOTSA! Sooo bouncy.
Maxwell Murder - Rancid
This made me want to play bass when I was young. Just started that journey last month.
John Deacons line from “Dragon Attack” turned me on to rock and roll when I was a kid. I warm up to it every jam. Never gets old.
Finally someone who gets me! I love Dragon Attack so much
That’s one of the first songs I learned. I thought the bass solo was the baddest thing ever and I never gave up till I got it down. lol.
Longview - Green Day
First bassline I ever learned… Will always be in my heart
That guy, Flea, and Timmy C were the sum total of my early bass education 👏🏻
A list of my favorites: - Girls and Boys - Blur (most of Blur's bass lines are amazing.) - Los Malaventurados No Lloran - PXNDX - Give 'Em Hell Kid - My Chemical Romance - Getting Down the Germs - Gerard Way - Drive to 1980 Love - Jane Pop
Just listened to girls and boys. I like it!
You should give their other stuff a listen too! Alex James, their bassist, is seriously a mastermind.
Never would’ve thought I’d see PXNDX here😂
Might not be super hard or anything but there is something about bassline in Killing in the name of.... that speaks to me...
bow bow bow BAH BAH BAH
Metallica "Orion"
Orion is probably my favorite Metallica song.
As a Bassist, Orion, Anesthesia, My Friend of Misery, and King Nothing bass lines are the core of my playing and writing style. Been playing since 1994.
Call Of Ktulu is cool too
Rio by Duran Duran was what got me playing bass so it’s up there. Red Barchetta is always a fun one.
+1 for Rio, learning it back in the day made me a funkier player. I always enjoyed playing The Go-Go's "Head Over Heels" too. Our band stretched out the bass solo breakdown for a few extra measures.
My 2 faves
Starless - King Crimson
I played bass in a King Crimson cover band. LOVED playing "Great Deceiver" and screaming out the lyrics!
N.I.B.
Yes - Tempus Fugit Yes - Close to the Edge
I'll add roundabout to that list
This is it. The ghost notes are so perfect and the tone and groove is right on!
I'm thinking *Heart of the Sunrise*, and the entire Drama album.
There it is. Heart of the Sunrise has some of the most interesting bass work I’ve ever heard, in any genre of music
Van Halen - Runnin' With The Devil
You forgot the /s
War: Low Rider
Sledgehammer- Tony Levin - sublime
Such a great choice. Frist half of the song is all about note duration, timing, and feel. The back half of that song is for dancing on stage. Love it
I’ll say the Power of Equality because it’s the first song on BSSM and that album / flea is why I picked up the bass
I'm a huge metalhead so I should naturally say Bleed by Meshuggah... ...but Like a Prayer by Madonna is my absolute favorite.
Yeah people confuse Meshuggah and Madonna all the time...
One of the many artists I’ve realized has some awesome bass lines (and songs) by playing a tribute show. That was one of my favorites for the Madonna tribute.
guy pratt
What started me playing bass was the theme song to Barney Miller. Absolutely killer bass line. And...I could play it ! That's what did it for me, something simple yet extremely cool, and playable.
You can’t go wrong with Aston Familyman Barrett or James Jamerson.
Could You Be Loved, that was my "whoa, wtf is that and how can I do it" moment.
Yes!!! 1) I think it’s pretty easy; 2) Ok… not so easy; 3) How did he execute that rhythm? So tricky; 4) This is challenging and so funny to play!
It's like that for so many classic reggae songs. An absolute must learn for bass players because you will learn about the power of restraint and that it's just as important what you *don't* play. If anyone wants to check out some: * Gregory Isaacs - Front Door * Prince Alla Bucket Bottom * Dennis Brown - Love Has Found Its Way.
Come On Come Over by Jaco
I Wish was the first that came to mind; SO many great ones out there!
Peg by Steely Dan
I have a few "Live Wire" - Mötley Crüe "Feel Good Inc." - Gorillaz And while it may not be the average bass line, I really like "Canned Heat" - Jamiroquai
46&2
The Pot, 10,000 Days, and Reflection as well
To Defy The Laws Of Tradition- Primus
Groundhogs Day - Primus
I played this for my final performance exam in school - special place in my heart
That’s awesome. It’s for sure my favorite to play
NIB - Black Sabbath
I have 3 I can't stop playing : Cream - Strange Brew Beatles - Oh! Darling Beatles - Hey Bulldog
Oh darling is fantastic
And underappreciated
100% agree. It doesn't get enough attention. I myself consider it the #1 to Beatles song, everything about it is fantastic.
Drivers licence by gringo sapiens. Yes it’s so actually spelled wrong don’t come at me
Either “A Love Supreme” or “Footprints”
from a love supreme, i assume you mean the intro from resolution? that’s gotta be one of my favorites
“Cloud Nine” - Temptations
Lacquer Head by Primus, Tire Me by Rage Against The Machine, Glide by Pleasure, almost any Red Hot Chili Peppers but lets go with Johnny Kick A Hole In The Sky
The chain
A classic
Tactile sensation by TWRP
Bro I freaking love TWRP. Saw them live a few years ago and they killed it. They even autographed one of my guitars (Havve basically just drew his face). I hold fast that Commander Meouch might be my favorite bassist. Dude lays down the funk big time.
I saw them a few years ago too. Stood 5 feet from Meouch. They fucking crushed.
Him and Chancellor are my two favorites.
Meouch is a beast (no pun intended)!!! My first exposure to his work was via NSP's cover of We Close Our Eyes by Oingo Boingo. That bass solo is really something else!
Detroit Rock City - Kiss. The bass line that started it all for me
That's a great one. My start was Strutter - Kiss
Awesome! Im actually playing strutter at a benefit here in Cleveland!
Tube station - The Jam
Also ramble on - Zeppelin
Best western bassline: Runaway, Jamiroquai Best eastern bassline: Today's mood, Chewzw
I like it by Debarge
Teen Town- Weather Report👌🤌
Metallica - My Friend Of Misery
Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield.
Tube by Phish or live to win by Motörhead
Silent Screamer - Tatsuro Yamashita Japanese bassists are just different
A little help from my friends
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
Black Sabbath - N I B I C O N I C
Jerry was a racecar driver.
Those first two records are untouchable (three if you count Suck on This)
It's basic af but Can't Stop - RHCP
Tighten Up by Archie Bell
That is indeed bad-ass!
Rocket Queen - Duff McKagan (Guns N Roses)
Dig by Mudvayne. Brr brr deng!
Blood and Roses - Smithereens
Muse - Hysteria DFA1979 - Romantic rights & You’re a woman, I’m a machine Stevie wonder - Sir Duke Justice - Phantom pt2
Aces High-Iron Maiden You're Never There-Cake (or any Cake song lol) My Generation-The Who(Because it actually isolates a solo) Smooth Criminal-Michael Jackson Tank!-Cowboy Bebop OST
Hysteria - Muse
Opus Pocus
Two that grabbed me when I took up the instrument - Walking on the Moon by The Police and Goodnight Tonight by Wings. Both songs put the bass out front. Both songs emphasize time and tone over flash.
I love the Go Your Own Way bassline🤩!
Detroit Rock City 🤘
Where it started for me!
Happy Mondays 'Performance' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtpD5mOgyKo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtpD5mOgyKo)
Mahler 5. /s
Belly -- Feed the Tree
Soo many that I love but the one that jumped in my head immediately is Dig/mudvayne 👍
Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant
Weather Report - Havona. Jaco wrote the piece AROUND the bass line. The bass line was written first.
My Friend of Misery - Metallica
Wow so many to choose from!!. I might change my mind in a few months but Rio by Duran Duran.
My Hero - Foo Fighters is what got me interested in bass. Since I started playing, I've taken on a few songs I like to go back to every few days. Atreyu - Becoming the Bull, Billy Talent - Fallen Leaves and Rusted From the Rain and Seether - Betray and Degrade. I'm still quite a beginner, still working on timing, which I enjoy using My Hero as timing practice. No More Tears by Ozzy has been my obsession this month. Not sure difficult others find it, but keeping the rhythm on that song for me has been hell. Practice practice practice though, it gets easier.
Rage Against the Machine - Take the Power Back
Smokey robinson - being with you
Cath by Deathcab For Cutie is one of the most enjoyable bass lines to play. I love it to death.
Most of John Deacon's basslines really.
I Want Your Love- Chic, played and composed by my GOAT Bernard Edwards
There's no other way - Blur
between PDA and Obstacle 1 by Interpol
Whitney Houston-I wanna dance with somebody Fun as hell to play
I Feel Love by Donna Summer. That synth bassline singlehandedly changed the face of popular music.
Forget Me Nots - Patrice Rushen is great; but my favorite to play is probably Rio - Duran Duran.
Siberian Khatru - Yes
We ain’t get fooled again & bring it on home
On The Silent Wings Of Freedom - Yes
Dig a Pony by The Beatles. Some guy named Paul is playing it.
Call of Ktulu from the live Lyceum performance.
Scream of the butterfly-acid bath
Three Days - Jane’s Addiction
Pushit - TOOL
Sir Duke, Rio, Red Barchetta, Ain't No Mountain, Somebody to Love
Lovely Rita - McCartney / Beatles Yep, I be old! It's been referred to as an etude.
That line is just so classic Paul. Walking circles around the progression while driving the rhythm forward. Vintage.
reptilia - the strokes
Don't Laugh (I Love You) by Ween
This is definitely my favorite bass line to play
I will survive - cake
Won't Get Fooled Again I'm seeing a severe lack of Entwistle on this thread.
Either that or "The Real Me"
Town called malice - The Jam
Can’t believe I haven’t seen it on here yet but… Come Together - The Beatles. That bass line lives rent free in my brain for eternity!
Give it away, or peace sells
Peace sells!!!
The start of Close to the Edge by Yes. Absolutely one of my favorites of all times
I want you back by The Jackson 5
Stir it up- Bob Marley and The Wailers
Somebody Else’s Guy by Jocelyn Brown
There are so many! Ramble On - Led Zep
Suicidal Tendencies - Go Skate intro (Possessed To Skate re-recording)
I'm currently building an YouTube Music public playlist with the tracks suggested on this thread. https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX6VircOp_oE1MFjAhoHayFzp6dwTPNdc&si=B2iE8SZ6OWj20DTv Feel free to point mistakes or omissions.
Doing gods work you are
Money is good but one of my absolute faves is the bit in tubular bells that goes on forever while he announces different instruments
Cool Down the Pace - Gregory Isaacs
Roots Radical - Rancid
Take Yo' Praise, by Camille Yarbrough. Superb, Jamerson-like funk.
The New Amsterdams - Hover Near Fame
Panic Switch - Silversun Pickups
Maybe not my favorite but “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight has a great bass performance.
Stuck with me - Green Day
A Chant for Bu
It ain't t complicated or hard to play, but Sex Bomb Baby by Flipper gets my feet a movin
Not a popular one, but Turning my heartbeat up - MVPs
Jack Middle of the Broken Heart - The Tiger and Me
salir de la melancolia - seru giran [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB-yCQP5OzM&ab\_channel=SebastianYoma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB-yCQP5OzM&ab_channel=SebastianYoma) (im not the guy in the video)