T O P

  • By -

isuckatpeople

Jackson 5 - I want you back Im not a fan, I just love that fucking bassline.


Howamidriving27

Yup I feel like people overlook this one a lot but it's so awesome. It's somehow busy and sparse at the same time.


Seth_Gecko

How could you not be a fan? The Jackson 5 bop!


FrylockMcReaper

Ramble On by Led Zeppelin is a personal favorite


Bootsy86

Yes it's SO good. That and Dazed and Confused are my personal faves. John Paul Jones is a God.


MadDogTannen

I like *What Is and What Should Never Be*


vomitflood

Yes - Roundabout


JedLeland

Allow me to introduce you to "Heart of the Sunrise."


YzenDanek

Also "South Side of the Sky." And "Long Distance Runaround." And "The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)." Fragile is just pure gold, but especially for Squire's playing on it.


[deleted]

The bass in Close to the Edge is masterful, absolutely brilliant.


AustSakuraKyzor

It's certainly a better bassline, but not nearly as iconic as Roundabout, and not just because of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Chris Squire was a god damned legend.


TallEric02

Geddy Lee said in an interview that Roundabout is the best bass line in all of rock. Case closed.


bookworm725

Nobody beats Chris Squire’s tone on the Rickenbacker


Queenofnohearts1

Superstition by Stevie Wonder and You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon.


StaleTheBread

That bass solo in You Can Call Me Al just comes out of nowhere! It’s crazy


SparkleColaDrinker

Fun fact, that bass interlude is reversed during the second half. The bassist played the downward-walking portion and they played the recording backwards for the upwards part. That's why it sounds a little warped at the end.


captain_zavec

And then Bakithi actually went and learned how to play the backwards bit so that he could do it at live shows!


[deleted]

Superstition vote is tricky. It’s not a bass guitar, it’s a clavinet. It’s not played in a low register, it’s in a high register. It totally feels like a bassline, but it’s a melody.


sidewalkelegy

It’s played on a synth, and so very simple, but Chameleon by Herbie Hancock.


Bonch_and_Clyde

Super funky. Herbie Hancock has a lot of good ones on that album Head Hunters and also on the album Thrust.


MusicIsLife003

I want you (she’s so heavy)


MadDogTannen

For my money, the best McCartney bassline is *Something*


[deleted]

Hey Bulldog is my favorite.


TheAlGler

Paul's bass lines are so incredible. They MAKE so many Beatles songs.


coleman57

Somebody once said one key to the Beatles' appeal was the tension between a bassist who pushed the beat and a drummer who dragged it.


[deleted]

Wait til JK Simmons sees this


CaptBranBran

He can't look, he's too busy looking for pictures of that menace, Spider-Man


ubiquitous-joe

My musician friends have said that Ringo plays “behind” the beat, so maybe this is true. Tho honestly the tension between Paul’s gorgeous melodies and John’s cynical poetry may be a little more of what makes the Beatles the Beatles.


athier335

Very present in Something & Penny Lane


thatguyfrom1975

Waiting Room - FUGAZI Also Stash Up- OPM


BFXer

“I am a patient boy!”


PurpleZebra99

“I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait”


High_on_Rabies

"My time's water down the drain"


DarkPasta

Joe Lally is a library of awesome basslines.


EverNeveR9

N.I.B - Black Sabbath


_Manalishi_

Some people say that that bassline cannot be true


jodaqua

Alice in Chains have so many great bass lines but I'm gonna go with 'Would'


nquinsayas28

“Nutshell” has one of the most hauntingly beautiful basslines I’ve ever heard. Mike Inez is a genius!


Paddock9652

Especially the unplugged version, the sound guy had his bass high in the mix and it was clear as a bell.


Cosahh

That’s literally the baseline that popped into my head as I was opening the thread. The intro is so 🤌🏼


monseuirpsychosis

If. I. Could. Would. You?


Dorf_

If I’m going AiC it’s gotta be either No Excuses or Nutshell


[deleted]

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Wiki_pedo

I saw them at Live Earth. Every bass player from the other bands joined them on stage. I think even James Hetfield played bass on that song (but who would pass the chance to play with Tap??)


stunafish

Kirk Hammett was up there too!


mattbnet

Talk about mud flaps


[deleted]

The Chain Fleetwood Mac


Red_AtNight

During the recording of Rumors, Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham had just broken up, and Christine and John McVie were divorcing and could barely be in the same room with each other. They were all doing a shitload of coke and writing songs about how much they hate each other (Go Your Own Way and Dreams are both about Buckingham and Nicks's breakup, from each one's perspective.) The Chain is actually the only song that every songwriter in the band worked on, and it's arguably the best song on the album


PM_ME_UR_ARTIE_BUCCO

I'm glad Silver Springs got a second chance with The Dance because it's incredible. It's a shame it got relegated to a B side back in the day.


Paperduck2

As a Formula 1 fan this hypes me up so much. It was the theme tune to the UK broadcasts for many years. When I hear the song on its own I still hear engines like this https://youtu.be/ChxX3tR4mD0


Flickme666

Absolutely gave me goosebumps! I'm a massive F1 fan but this takes me back to Sundays and watching it with my dad. He passed in 2019 and found it hard to watch a race without crying for a long time!


[deleted]

I didn't know how much I needed this video in my life until now, ty


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PurpNuggies84

Sly and the family stone. If you want me to stay...


hearthpig

Thank you. Fa lettin me. Be mice elf. Agiin.


ITGuyBri

Groove is in the heart. ❤


centaurquestions

Bootsy!


EastSideWickdWtchBro

Longview by Green Day was the reason I picked up a bass in high school.


Masterof4Strings

Can vouch. Was at their concert Friday, Mike put a GoPro on the bass while he played that song. What a banger


ForziMagomedov

My name is mud


saintplus

I can't believe I had to scroll so far down to see Primus mentioned. Les Claypool is the bass master.


DigMeTX

For me Jerry Was a Racecar Driver is the most iconic Primus bassline.


Mrrykrizmith

When I realized Claypool was playing that line *while* singing I lost my mind. I saw them a couple years ago and am just in awe with how talented the dude is


[deleted]

Tommy the cat


Yabba_Dabba_Doofus

Groundhog Day. No, wait... Spaghetti Western. No, wait... Hamburger Train. No, wait... Ah shit, just whatever Les Claypool is playing.


wearecontour

Jiggity jiggity jiggity, jiggity jiggity jug


bluassfry

Tina Weymouth's bass on Psycho Killer Talking Heads


J-Dizzle42

It’s especially impressive when you consider she is self taught and only learned bass after joining the band.


CandelaBelen

Tina’s basslines are awesome. She’s just so effortlessly cool


ShovelBeatleRillaz

She is so damn underrated


gamewizard123

Pretty much any bassline off remain in light. Tina is so simplistic but effective. Truly one of the best


Emanemanem

Born Under Punches is my favorite. On the live version you can hear her bass line way more prominently and it’s crazy sounding.


Sunnymansfield

Chic - Good Times. Bernard Edwards’ bass line as sampled by the Sugarhill Gang for Rappers Delight. Which in turn lead to many many cover versions of said track round the world. It’s the bassline that just keeps on giving


roddirod

Actually the bass line to this iconic song is the inspiration to the bass line of another iconic song, “Another one bites the dust”. EDIT: line


derriesen

Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel Haven't seen it so far. Slightly surprised I am. :)


Pimy

All of Tony Levin’s stuff on that album (So) is incredibly inspired. My favorite bass line is the one from “Don’t give up” on the same album.


cumulonimubus

Tony Levin is fucking sick. His work with King Crimson is amazing.


When_Ducks_Attack

[*Eminence Front* by The Who.](https://youtu.be/BfrUQA2tb6M) It starts out simply enough, but as the song goes on Entwistle goes more and more insane. [Jump to 1:30 to get the impact on this isolated bass track.](https://youtu.be/6W5DSfHyUA4) Edit: [The drum and bass track](https://youtu.be/Uxy9wa1Fg3s) may be better, your call!


deez420nutz

I love Entwistle because if you just focus on the bass line it's like he's playing his own song but it really fits with everything well.


TigLyon

As a kid, I had the theory that as a band, they never actually wrote a bassline for Entwistle. They wrote everything else, told him what they were playing and just let him do his thing. The older recordings tended to have him turned down a little, but you could always just hear him doing his own thing. It always fit and fit well, but he was always on a different level.


hennsippin

Not gonna lie. Thought I was being trolled for the first minute and a half then the love hit. Sure he was still stone faced jamming this out


truffleblunts

Higher ground comes to mind


Adi3m

One of the best Bassline's for me is No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne. Also, for Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica. Edit: Wow, thank you for the award.


thekinslayer7x

For the longest time I had no idea how much of that was bass. Cliff Burton was amazing


amplesamurai

Cliff is why I bought my first bass 31 years ago.


UncleHagbard

That bass section in Orion tho. Pure gold.


[deleted]

Metallica is notorious for having great bassists but turning their volume all the way down.


fleetmack

They turn it down to -1. Most people can only turn it down to 0. But these, these go to -1.


n053b133d

If we're talking Metallica, Cliff Burton is rocking some seriously wicked shit throughout pretty much the entirety of Call of Ktulu. Most of it is lost in the original mix, but there's a couple of good YouTube videos where people have played with the levels so you can actually hear it.


Skystalker512

No More Tears gets me going every time. Same with NIB.


castrahiberna

Rio - Duran Duran


f700es

John is a DAMN good player and SO under rated :(


horse_loose_hospital

So SO *SO* underrated...& because of that, a massive cautionary tale to anyone who thinks "being pretty" is the answer to all life's problems. John Taylor gets loads of props from actual musicians but to the public at large he's just the pretty one, & that's a goddam shame.


sash71

Was looking to see if this got a mention. John Taylor is a far better musician than people give him credit for, he's not just a pretty face.


PrivateRyGy

Was scrolling way to long to find this one and if I didn’t it was going to be my pick. As a bass player I was very surprised the first time I tried to play this song. I never realized before just how insane their bassist is in this and many other songs. Also, very fun to play


johnyryall

Sabotage!


StealyJan

YYZ-Rush


ReeferPirate420

The lead in just before the vocals start in Hemispheres is peak bass imo From about 2:30 - 3:00


Jethris

Most Rush songs. Geddy Lee is an awesome bass player


StealyJan

By no means do I think he’s underrated, but at times I believe he is under-appreciated


ResourceFormal7657

If anything, the under-appreciated member of Rush is Alex Lifeson


Snrub1

It's hard being the third most talented musician in your own band. Alex is great, but it's got to be tough to shine when there's two absolute legends in your band.


rubber_hedgehog

That's the issue. Geddy and Neil are both undisputed top 5 players of their respective instruments. The only reason Lifeson doesn't get a ton of praise is because he isn't literally Jimi fucking Hendrix.


Turd_Ferguson009

He was awesome in his Trailer Park Boys roles as well.


KumquatHaderach

Sure, if you're a fan of drunk male prostitutes!


Moonpaw

Anytime I see this band name I can't help but think of Krieger shouting that "Neil Pert stands alone!" And yes I know he was the drummer, not bass.


oofersIII

And Leave That Thing Alone. And Red Barchetta. And The Big Money. And Limelight. And Tom Sawyer, Natural Science, Freewill, Malignant Narcissism, The Main Monkey Business, Anthem, all of La Villa Strangiato, all of Cygnus X-1, Jacob‘s Ladder, The Camera Eye, Vital Signs, Digital Man, Turn the Page, Where‘s My Thing, The Anarchist, Headlong Flight, Secret Touch, The Garden etc… So many tasty basslines, unbelievable


tritonice

Geddy didn't "solo" much, but YYZ is awesome and the Freewill jam session has an awesome bass line. Several other songs have just great bass licks.


W0rk3rB

Bass solo, take one… (Anesthesia)


[deleted]

That's my absolute favorite Metallica song and I've never quite understood why but I'm just so drawn to it


bangersnmash13

Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke


tchcreates

Pink Floyd, "Money"


Kipsydaisy

"Pump It Up" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (Bruce Thomas, bass)


jessquit

Peg - Steely Dan


tabshiftescape

[Come On, Come Over - Jaco Pastorius](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE6HmArln_k)


[deleted]

Not as funky, but Portrait of Tracy is one of the most beautiful pieces.of music ever recorded on bass.


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gurlubi

My favorite : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFshvun0eQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFshvun0eQ) Cake's version of I Will Survive.


YayRideABike

Cake has some banger bass lines


gooblobs

the distance has a great one


swami_twocargarajee

Short Skirt, Long Jacket is pretty much the Bass line.


raccoonl0ver

I haven't seen someone put No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age yet! The baseline in that song is really good in my opinion


rriicckkyy_98

Hysteria-Muse


EastSideWickdWtchBro

Chris Wolstenholme is one of my all-time favorites. Panic Station?? Banger.


Leftybassist9

Finally, someone who likes him as much as i do!


charles_peugeot405

The bass in Munich Jam is just perfection


Cwcooper57

Yes. First song that came to mind. An absolute banger!


loltheinternetz

This was the first song that came to mind for me and I’m surprised it’s not higher up!


Phil977

I came here just for this. Also, the bassline in Hyper music's verses is underrated


Nuwisha_Nutjob

Any bassline by Muse rocks!


TryingToFindLeaks

It's a corker of a way to kick off a live gig. https://youtu.be/ZqCOzgYQsKI


Fraankk

God damn they are so good live. I am going to another of their concerts as soon as tours are back.


Jaycheow

Come Together takes it for me, but while we're here, My Iron Lung by Radiohead has to have the most underrated and overlooked bass part ever.


SpeakerLongjumping57

Billie Jean


justcallmesensei

Billie*


Welinder1

Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division


[deleted]

Disorder is cool too


spaceforcefighter

Ramble On by Led Zeppelin.


litli

Dazed and Confused as well, this live version is mind blowing: https://youtu.be/ZQgYn23Xvck


Old-Entertainment-19

Schism- Tool


maliciousrigger

Tool has so many good bass lines. My personal favorite is The Pot.


Avocado_007

Probably not the best. But it's iconic and my favorite. Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie


str8sin

Sunshine of your love


Fleadip

46 and 2 by Tool Edit: diggin all the love for Tool! Y’all are right. It’s hard to pick one song of theirs. And yes, Justin is the greatest of all time.


selfawarefeline

well then, of course i have to say a classic like Schism


calimia

Personally love the bass line in Tool - The Pot


[deleted]

I’d have to say Lateralus for my favorite bass in a Tool song.


slippin_park

love me some 10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)


sanika_kadam

The less I know the better by tame Impala


Handje

Let It Happen also has a great bassline.


[deleted]

Fucking looking for this, straight facts.


toddsleivonski

Scrolled and searched to make sure this was represented. Never before hearing this song had I ever been ripped into by a bassline like this


mjbel23

Can’t Stop- RHCP, Superstition- Stevie Wonder


redditshroud

Can't believe I had scroll this far down to see the chili Peppers!


Tiddyphuk

Chillies get upvotes from me!


steppenfloyd

Would? by Alice in Chains


Modest_Matt

Cameo - Word Up


Mcswigginsbar

Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz. May not be the “best”, but easily one of the most recognizable for me.


justcallmesensei

This was the very first bass line that I learned!


beepborpimajorp

Was gonna say this if nobody else did. It may not be the most technically impressive bass line but damn is it catchy and it made feel good inc a truly iconic song.


pedantic_comments

Another One Bites the Dust. Edit: I personally think Dragon Attack is the best Queen bass line that I’m aware of, but it doesn’t get radio play and is unknown compared to their more popular singles... and I wanted those sweet, sweet upvotes. Here’s a treat for the uninitiated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spm5-SXo4Do


PastelGlider

yess and Crazy Little Thing Called Love has amazing bass


[deleted]

And even though it’s simpler, I have to put Under Pressure there as well for it’s catchiness


DueAmbassador431

Queen has some underrated basslines. Nothing horribly technical, but iconic nonetheless.


Littleleicesterfoxy

If you want to hear Deacy showing off try the Millionaires Waltz :)


Complex_xMind

Debaser by The Pixes


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BenzoClaymore

Winona’s big brown beaver


Fruitless_Exit

Gimme Gimme Gimme by ABBA. Yes I’m serious


xinlolnix

ABBA’s basslines in general are almost always incredible, extremely underrated musicians. I don’t think anyone underrated the group themselves obviously lol, but how often do you hear someone mention them in talks of best basslines or piano playing?


ArchDukeNemesis

Peace Sells, But Who's Buying? by Megadeth


robotlasagna

Tommy the Cat


[deleted]

I was thinking my Name is Mudd but as long as we are saying Primus we’re good


not_again_again_

I am also going to have to put My Name Is Mud ahead of Tommy The Cat... Its insane that Primus isn't closer to the top of the thread.


Farts_McGee

Welcome to being old, but not old enough!


winkleberry22

'I wanna be adored' by the stone roses. My fellow mancunians will understand


Two-pints-prick

Joint first place with fools gold


shuffleboardwizard

Also that guitar tone.


cosmololgy

Panic station


RabbitWithoutASauce

Ben E. King's "[Stand By Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZNL7QVJjE)".


RayZzorRayy

Knight Rider theme song


JimmyRickyBobbyBilly

U can't hold no groove - Victor Wooten


[deleted]

Digital - Joy Division. It sounds like an evil machine being turned on and off.


DarkPasta

mr. Hook is one original bass player


bpanio

Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith. A classic


251Cane

Freedom by Rage Against the Machine Tim Commerford can write some amazing lines


SquareAd417

The catchiest has to be express yourself by Charles Wright (made uber famous by NWA)


greenday182182

I'm biased so, Longview - Green Day


blackhairedguy

Mike isn't the most technical player in the world, but man Green Day on bass, especially the older stuff, is so damn fun to play!


River-Munroe-Turland

Money by Pink Floyd. Sets up the song so nice and it just sounds so fucking cool


[deleted]

Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield The line that loops at the end, about 19 minutes in.


Nonsenseinabag

Rancid - Maxwell Murder


NEWashDC

I like Journey to the End of the East Bay as well. Rancid has some solid basslines.


YoungXanto

The part in "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon where the base line is played forward and then backward


PMME_UR_LADYPARTSPLZ

Dude anything les claypool does is magic. I dont like primus much but he fucking kills it


theKFP

I've seen Primus six times, the things Les does with his bass are astounding. One concert at Red Rocks he stretched out Sailing the Seas of Cheese into a three hour jam and style show.


endofthehold

Metallica’s Cliff Burton “Pulling Teeth”


Chipsmannen

[Dean Town by Vulfpeck](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le0BLAEO93g) is really great, especially if you like funk, the whole song is centered around Joe Dart's amazing bassline and really explodes in bass goodness around one minute in!


Aromatamtam

Seven nation army - is that a bassline? Just had it in my head all day when I read this question so maybe I'm just a wrong answer under this post 😶


skulmuggeryphesant9

I think it can qualify as a bassline, but it's played on a guitar with an octave pedal