50 Best Bass Lines of All Time: Part 5

Well, here it is.... the final installment of The 50 Best Bass Lines of All Time. I have been playing bass for over 25 years now and I learned a long time ago that a great bass part does not have to be technically amazing and flashy (although sometimes it could be) - it just has to #1: be creative, #2: fit the song and #3: be memorable. I should also mention that in order to make this list, I have to like the song too!  :)

Now, there are many songs that could have easily fit into the Top 50, and you may disagree with my choices. That's the cool thing about music - we all have different opinions of what makes something great.

The following ten songs are not in any particular order. Here are the other parts if you missed them: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Scroll down to the bottom for a Spotify playlist featuring all of the track featured in this series.

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Fire
Bass Player:  Noel Redding
Album: Are You Experienced? (1967)
Why?: Noel Redding was often overshadowed by the guitar work of Hendrix. Take a listen to Redding's bass lines - he laid down some really cool parts on those first 3 Hendrix albums, including this one:

Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues
Bass Player: Bob Babbitt
Album: What's Going On (1971)
Turn this one up loud and enjoy the groove.

Rush - Freewill
Bass Player: Geddy Lee
Album: Permanent Waves (1980)
My favorite Rush song.

Guns 'N Roses - Sweet Child o' Mine
Bass Player: Duff McKagan
Album: Appetite for Destruction (1987)
This is truly one of the greatest songs ever written. Duff McKagan's intro line is just perfect.

Jane's Addiction - Mountain Song
Bass Player: Eric Avery
Album: Nothing's Shocking (1988)
I usually bust this one out during soundcheck. A simple but powerful bass line. Eric Avery is the man.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mellowship Slinky in B Major
Bass Player: Flea
Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Funky as hell with a great tone.

Metallica - Orion
Bass Player: Cliff Burton
Album: Master of Puppets (1986)
Cliff Burton's life came to a tragic end shortly after this album was released. Around the 4:00 mark the song takes a really cool turn, and Cliff's playing really shines.

Psi Com - Human Condition
Bass Player: Kelly Wheeler
Album: Psi Com EP (1985)
I'm guessing you don't know this song/band. Psi Com was Perry Farrell's (Jane's Addiction) first band. I just love the bass tone on this entire album. Pay attention to Kelly Wheeler's use of staccato (choppy) notes.

Rick James - Super Freak
Bass Player: Oscar Alston
Album: Street Songs (1981)
You all know this one. Super freaky cool bass line. Can't touch this.  :)

U2 - With or Without You
Bass Player: Adam Clayton
Album: The Joshua Tree (1987)
Only four notes and beautiful in its simplicity. It's the first bass line I ever learned, and has a special place in my heart.

Thanks for reading.  let me know what songs you think should've made the Top 50.  - Bret

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50 Best Bass Lines of All Time: Part 4

After going through a ton of songs, I now present to you Part 4 of The 50 Best Bass Lines of All Time. I have been playing bass for over 25 years now and I learned a long time ago that a great bass part does not have to be technically amazing and flashy (although sometimes it could be) - it just has to #1: be creative, #2: fit the song and #3: be memorable. I should also mention that in order to make this list, I have to like the song too!  :) 

The following ten songs are not in any particular order. Stay tuned for the final part. Here are the other parts if you missed them: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.  Scroll down to the bottom for a Spotify playlist that collects the songs from this series.

The Beatles - Penny Lane
Bass Player: Paul McCartney
Album: Released as single (1967), then on Magical Mystery Tour
I never really appreciated Paul McCartney until I really started dissecting his bass parts. I could've chosen several songs by The Beatles, but I just love the movement of the bass on 'Penny Lane.'

David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes
Bass Player: George Murray
Album: Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
This song is like icy funk. The crazy keyboard sound mixed with the funky slap bass, just create a feeling that matches the cold loneliness of Major Tom's life in and out of space. Just perfect.

Primus - Jerry was a Race Car Driver
Bass Player: Les Claypool
Album: Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991)
If you aren't super familiar with the bass guitar, you may not notice that the bass line in this song is created by a technique called tapping. Instead of plucking the strings with your picking hand, you tap your fingertips on the fretboard to create additional notes. The bass begins immediately after the car engine sound in the beginning.  Yes, that's bass! What's even more impressive is that he sang at the same time!

Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion
Bass Player: Tom Hamilton
Album: Toys in the Attic (1975)
Such a cool, sleazy bass intro. Great song.

Porno for Pyros - Tahitian Moon
Bass Player: Martyn LeNoble
Album: Good God's Urge (1996)
I just love Martyn's bass and that heavy kick drum. For those not familiar with Porno for Pyros, it consisted of Perry Farrell & Stephen Perkins from Jane's Addiction, along with Peter Distefano (guitar) and Martyn LeNoble (bass).

Fishbone - Party at Ground Zero
Bass Player: Norwood Fisher
Album: Fishbone EP (1985)
Listen to that bass line. Norwood Fisher = rad.

War - Low Rider
Bass Player: B.B. Dickerson
Album: Why Can't We Be Friends? (1975)
Sick bass line. Everyone knows this song.

New Order - Regret
Bass Player: Peter Hook
Album: Republic (1993)
Peter Hook makes his second appearance on the list. Great tone and super melodic. One of my favorite songs of all time.

James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good)
Bass Player: Bernard Odum
Album: I Got You (I Feel Good) (1965)
This bass line is super tight. If it wasn't, James Brown would fine the players $5 for every mistake!

Average White Band - Pick Up the Pieces
Bass Player: Alan Gorrie
Album: AWB (1974)
Just listen to that killer groove.

Continue to Part 5

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50 Best Bass Lines of All Time: Part 3

Okay, here is Part 3 of The 50 Best Bass Lines of All Time. I have been playing bass for over 20 years now and I learned a long time ago that a great bass part does not have to be technically amazing and flashy (although sometimes it could be) - it just has to #1: be creative, #2: fit the song and #3: be memorable. I should also mention that in order to make this list, I have to like the song too!  :) 

The following ten songs are not in any particular order. Stay tuned for Part 4. If you missed Part 1, click here and Part 2 is here. You can listen to all of the songs featured in this series - just scroll down to the bottom for a Spotify playlist.

Eric Avery photo credit:  © Fausto Ristori - http://www.pantellerialink.com/rockshots/pantelleria-arte-artigianato/jane-s-addiction.jpg

The Cure - Lovesong
Bass Player: Simon Gallup
Album: Disintegration (1989)
I love this one. Like U2's Adam Clayton, Gallup is a solid player whose style works perfectly within the context of The Cure's unique sound.

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Bass Player: Louis Johnson
Album: Thriller (1982)
Did you know that producer Quincy Jones didn't want Billie Jean to be included on the Thriller album? I guess he didn't like it at the time. Anyways, a great bass line played by one of The Brothers Johnson.

Tool - Schism
Bass Player: Justin Chancellor
Album: Lateralus (2001)
Unique riff, great tone and weird time changes.

The Rolling Stones - Under My Thumb
Bass Player: Bill Wyman
Album: Aftermath (1966)
The list would not be complete without a Stones song. Bill Wyman is a great player and 'Under My Thumb' is a standout line from him.

Iron Maiden - The Trooper
Bass Player: Steve Harris
Album: Piece of Mind (1983)
Intense! That takes some stamina to pull this one off.

Jane's Addiction - Summertime Rolls
Bass Player: Eric Avery
Album: Nothing's Shocking (1988)
Just beautiful. I could fill this list with Eric Avery bass lines.

Fugazi - Waiting Room
Bass Player: Joe Lally
Album: Fugazi EP (1988), compiled on 13 Songs
Killer opening riff and a great song.

Led Zeppelin - Ramble On
Bass Player: John Paul Jones
Album: Led Zeppelin II (1969)
It was difficult to choose a Led Zeppelin song because all of JPJ's bass lines are great. This is probably my favorite of his work.

Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead
Bass Player: David J
Album: Released as single (1979), compiled on Crackle
Three descending notes and goth rock was born.

John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - You're the One that I Want
Bass Player: Mike Porcaro or David Hungate
Album: Grease Soundtrack (1978)
My Dad took us to see Grease when it came out and we ended up watching it twice in the same day. Turn up the volume and listen to the bass, such a great line.

Continue to Part 4

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50 Best Bass Lines of All Time: Part 2

Okay, here is Part 2 of The 50 Best Bass Lines of All Time. If you missed Part 1, click here.

I have been playing bass for over 25 years now, and learned a long time ago that a great bass part does not have to be technically amazing and flashy (although sometimes it could be) - it just has to #1: be creative, #2: fit the song and #3: be memorable.  

The following ten songs are not in any particular order, so Paul Chambers' jazz chops may appear right next to U2's Adam Clayton. Stay tuned for Part 3. If you'd like to listen to all of the songs collected in this series, scroll down to the bottom for a Spotify playlist.

Pink Floyd - Money

Bass Player: Roger Waters

Album: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

Probably the most recognizable bass line in a non-standard time signature: 7/4. Say it out loud with me: 1 2and3 4 5 6 7 (repeat)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground
Bass Player: Flea
Album: Mother's Milk (1989)
Well, it was hard to choose from many of Flea's great bass parts, but this is one that had a huge effect on my early years. Be sure to check out the original version by Stevie Wonder.

Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side
Bass Player: Herbie Flowers
Album: Transformer (1972)
The harmony of the two bass parts (one on electric bass, the other on the upright). Perfect.

Level 42 - Love Games
Bass Player: Mark King
Album: Level 42 (1981)
Just listen.

Duran Duran - Rio
Bass Player: John Taylor
Album: Rio (1982)
Most people probably remember this one for the video and catchy chorus, but check out John Taylor's bass part.

Miles Davis - So What
Bass Player: Paul Chambers
Album: Kind of Blue (1959)
Turn it up and listen to Mr P.C.'s double bass sing. Beautiful.

U2 - New Year's Day
Bass Player: Adam Clayton
Album: War (1983)
I spent countless hours of my youth playing along with all of the early U2 albums. Adam Clayton rules.

Cream - Sunshine of Your Love
Bass Player: Jack Bruce
Album: Disraeli Gears (1967)
The second bass line I ever learned. A classic.

Megadeth - Peace Sells
Bass Player: Dave Ellefson
Album: Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1986)
'MTV News, where you hear it (insert Peace Sells bass riff here) first!'  Remember?

Young MC - Bust a Move
Bass Player: Flea
Album: Stone Cold Rhymin' (1989)
Listen to that bass when it kicks in at the 34 second mark, it's Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love this song. It reminds me of several things: 1.  Uncle Buck (the movie), 2. Going to clubs when I was a teenager with my brothers, 3. My brother Carl and his friend singing this at karaoke (whoa).

Continue to Part 3

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