# Best Bass Line in a Song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 25, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099 "2016-04-25T16:32:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/81 "2016-04-27T17:21:44Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I Want You Back by the Jackson 5 > [http://youtu.be/DGDyAb6pePo](http://youtu.be/DGDyAb6pePo) > > I love it. It’s not too difficult to play and it’s a catchy tune. I’m not a modern slappin’ bass player, so this tune is just my style. Right; nothing mind-blowing or show-offy like “The Real Me” or anything, but it does some of everything: instantly identifiable catchy hook, run-ups before the beat, just hitting the downbeat chords, descending scale (that somehow turns into the hook again), dropping out for a few measures to leave some space and make the bass line grab a little more when it comes back, busy fill below a single chord. Did I mention the hook? And, like a B.B. King solo, nothing fancy or difficult, but every. note. is. the. right. one. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/82 "2016-04-27T17:24:09Z")
The Smithereens-Blood and Roses. Dammit! I stopped to listen to the song a couple times and missed \*\*Grestarian\*\*'s post. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/83 "2016-04-27T17:24:57Z")
Also, if we’re just throwing in nominations for a list of great bass moments, has the riff from “Jungle Boogie” gotten one yet? ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/84 "2016-04-27T17:28:37Z")
I’m sorry, you are all incorrect. The winner is “ **I Wish** ” by Stevie Wonder. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/85 "2016-04-27T17:29:09Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > Colin Moulding’s bass part on XTC’s “One of the Millions” is amazing. How about AP’s ‘precision engineered’ bass part for Mayor of Simpleton? I love it. But my personal favourite bassline is Chuck Rainey's on Peg by Steely Dan. It's grooving along to begin with - but tight - then that line in the lead-in to the chorus - then thumbing and slapping in the chorus! Awesome work. MiM ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/86 "2016-04-27T17:35:02Z")
> [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](#): > > my favorite is The Chili Pepper’s cover of “Higher Ground”. Flea is a maniac on the bass! > > MtM Then we should include the Flea-on-bass version of Alanis Morrisette’s _You Oughta Know_. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/87 "2016-04-27T19:50:31Z")
[Stop.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzDQ9OB-9ZY) By Jane’s Addiction. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/88 "2016-04-27T22:43:13Z")
> [@Made\_in\_Macau](#): > > How about AP’s ‘precision engineered’ bass part for Mayor of Simpleton? I love it. > > But my personal favourite bassline is Chuck Rainey's on Peg by Steely Dan. It's grooving along to begin with - but tight - then that line in the lead-in to the chorus - then thumbing and slapping in the chorus! Awesome work. > > MiM Ooo… Peg is a good one. The rhythm section on that is so _tight_. Rick Marotta and Chuck Rainey. Good choice. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/89 "2016-04-27T22:58:15Z")
I’ve always loved the bass line to Zappa’s “Valley Girl”. It’s also really fun to play. [Frank Zappa - Valley Girl - YouTube](https://youtu.be/p-LArv-sEQU?t=3m54s) (Video jumps to the end where nearly everything else drops out except for bass, drums and vocals.) ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/90 "2016-04-28T01:47:47Z")
I like Peter Hook’s bass in [Perfect Kiss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3XW6NLILqo) (New Order). ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/91 "2016-04-28T02:44:17Z")
Tony Levin’s wack playing with the Chapman Stick here: (starts at 0:25) Mesmerizing - I think I’ve seen this Crimson vid a trillion times Only time I watched that Fridays show when I was a kid - I knew they were gonna come on, and they also did “Thela Hun Gingeet”, where he plays really creepy/awesome lines in the verses, and then punches out a hard-driving three-note pattern during the choruses. I wish I could have located the vid for that one. (and those “funk finger” thingies he invented - nuts! Can’t tell if uses them on the song “Sleepless” or if he’s just slapping) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/92 "2016-04-28T05:37:49Z")
Someone mentioned Sly Stone up thread but missed what’s got to be a strong contender for this thread, If You Want Me To Stay: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sUPiJ5-nNPA/maxresdefault.jpg "Sly and the Family Stone - If you want me to stay.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUPiJ5-nNPA) Also chek out this Steve Miller offering, with a tasty bass solo starting at about 2:13: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LeU7yGdiBc) ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/93 "2016-04-28T05:47:35Z")
Sheesh, it’s like I don’t even know you people! Set this one up to play loud (if you like this sort of thing) though be prepared for a law enforcement visit due to neighbors noise complaint. Tommy Bolin’s _Post Toasties_ [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A7FOTBdbPN8/hqdefault.jpg "Tommy Bolin - Post Toastee") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7FOTBdbPN8) Thank me later. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/94 "2016-04-28T06:02:43Z")
‘‘Billion Dollar Babies’’ Alice Cooper. ‘‘Smoke On The Water’’ Deep Purple. Could you folks please put the name of the song in the post, not just ‘‘THIS’’ and a link? Sometimes I just don’t the time to follow every link! ---
**Author:** ![EmbarrassingDad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/embarrassingdad/32/5441_2.png) [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/95 "2016-04-28T06:07:33Z")
I kind of agree with “Silly Love Songs”, but I also like “The Ballad of John and Yoko”. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/96 "2016-04-28T15:31:41Z")
Where would something like U2’s Exit (in the movie Rattle and Hum) fit into this. Very simple bassline (I could play it) that drives the song? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/97 "2016-04-28T15:37:30Z")
Because I have nothing better to do with my life, have a 7h30m Spotify playlist of all the songs mentioned in this thread: > **[Straight Dope Bass](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1spa1DQWWxJE5jS4i1yXlM)** > > Straight Dope Bass · Playlist · 100 songs · 1 likes ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/98 "2016-04-28T17:38:28Z")
I’m really grooving on this bass line that I’m learning right now: Time Bomb, by Rancid (so upbeat and happy) Other favorites: [ul] [li]Mirror in the Bathroom, by The English Beat (simple, yet mesmerizing)[/li][li]Love Will Tear Us Apart, by Joy Division (full of double stops (“droning”) with the open D string that sound really cool)[/li][li]Longview, by Green Day (again with the double stops)[/li][li]Wipe Out, by The Surfaris (a 12-bar blues bass line has never been so much fun to play!)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/99 "2016-04-28T17:59:02Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Because I have nothing better to do with my life, have a 7h30m Spotify playlist of all the songs mentioned in this thread: > > [https://open.spotify.com/user/amanset/playlist/1spa1DQWWxJE5jS4i1yXlM](https://open.spotify.com/user/amanset/playlist/1spa1DQWWxJE5jS4i1yXlM) Bravo! Thanks! MiM ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/100 "2016-04-28T18:19:04Z")
Josephine Wiggs playing the bass for Cannonball, by The Breeders, ladies and gentlemen. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fxvkI9MTQw4/hqdefault.jpg "The Breeders - Cannonball") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxvkI9MTQw4) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099.md?page=6)