# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Unabashed\_Fascist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c2a13f/32.png) [@Unabashed\_Fascist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unabashed_Fascist)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/121 "2017-04-07T19:09:56Z")
I love the baseline from Lucretia My Reflection by the Sisters of Mercy. It’s got a great dark and mysterious feel to it. If you in the mood to play something gothy, the tablature is (supposedly) pretty simple. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/122 "2017-04-07T19:43:14Z")
You gotta wait until the second half of the song, but enjoy Joe Osborn rock everybody’s ass off in Age of Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPK7ZF6jfJE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPK7ZF6jfJE) ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/123 "2017-04-07T20:35:14Z")
The man from Toronto — [Geddy Lee](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGdQUMzRVxA) ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/124 "2017-04-07T21:33:20Z")
It’s nothing fancy I guess, but I always liked the bass in Ace’s “How Long has this been Going On”. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFBHNV935Zw) ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/125 "2017-04-07T22:49:26Z")
“Fascination Street”-The Cure “Skin Tight”-Ohio Players “Making Flippy Floppy”-Talking Heads “Climbing Up the Ladder”-Isley Brothers ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/126 "2017-04-08T01:40:26Z")
Here’s another example of a great Enwtistle bass line, from The Kids Are Alright: the [“Oxcam” angle from Won’t Get Fooled Again](https://youtu.be/80dsyo2Ox-0?t=1m41s) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/127 "2017-04-08T13:11:00Z")
I dabble on the bass, and my favorite album to play to is [Big Lizard in My Backyard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Lizard_in_My_Backyard) by **The Dead Milkmen**. The bass lines are easy to hear, easy to learn, and just _ **fun** _ to play. ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/128 "2017-04-08T13:16:12Z")
Certainly this: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tdu4uKSZ3M) Chris Squire! Chris Squire! Chris Squire! ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/129 "2017-04-08T13:19:03Z")
An easy one for me (and I think I’ve posted this before): Bruce Thomas playing “This Year’s Girl” for Elvis Costello and The Attractions. The bass line is much better than the melody. And it’s not easy to play. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/130 "2017-04-08T14:15:59Z")
Well, now that it’s up on Youtube, I can link to a song that has two of my favorite bass parts, and it’s only bass parts. Mike Watt and Kira Roessler have a dual bass duo named Dos. Here’s their [New Years Waltz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M-g0WMwleE). ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/131 "2017-04-08T16:13:51Z")
Primus: “Winona’s Big Brown Beaver” Rush: “Red Barchetta” Soul Coughing: “Super Bon Bon” Iron Maiden: “Number of the Beast” Primus: “John The Fisherman” ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/132 "2017-04-08T16:27:38Z")
I haven’t seen Tal Wilkenfeld mentioned yet. Her she is with a little help from a friend: [Intro to Blue Wind](https://youtu.be/jVb-izZVCwQ) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/133 "2017-04-08T18:01:52Z")
[quote=“TreacherousCretin, post:119, topic:753099”] My favorite bass performance for 49 years: Jack Casady w/Jefferson Airplane, **The Other Side Of This Life.** [/QUOTE] I had the cassette tape of that one for years, and got used to the way it sounded. I recently picked up the audio remastered cd of it, and it is amazing! Jack comes through loud and clear! You should buy it if you don’t have it. [http://furpeaceranch.com/store/product\_info.php?products\_id=1053](http://furpeaceranch.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1053) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/134 "2017-04-08T21:14:45Z")
Back to the thread a year later with another 60’s pop tune: Chip Douglas sounds like he’s having a grand old time playing bass on [What Am I Doing Hanging 'Round](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSYJDNSUkN8) by The Monkees. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/135 "2017-04-08T21:27:18Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I had the cassette tape of that one for years, and got used to the way it sounded. I recently picked up the audio remastered cd of it, and it is amazing! Jack comes through loud and clear! You should buy it if you don’t have it. > > [http://furpeaceranch.com/store/product\_info.php?products\_id=1053](http://furpeaceranch.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1053) Preach it, brother. I’ve owned the album on LP since the day it came out, and all three (?) cd releases since then. The most recent cd is the best of the bunch IMO. I still remember a line from a mid 70’s music critic (referring to the vinyl, no less): “Jack Casady’s bass thunders through the album like a herd of elephants.” He meant it as a compliment, and I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Flare4roach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Flare4roach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flare4roach)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/136 "2017-04-09T17:30:51Z")
I gotta go with Bootsy Collin’s on Jame Brown’s “Sex Machine”. Greasy! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeNY-\_Jo6oQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeNY-_Jo6oQ) ---
**Author:** ![Girlundone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Girlundone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlundone)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/137 "2017-04-09T20:13:39Z")
I’m not a musician, so I have no idea if these are lame/easy or what they are but they are super catchy bass lines to me. I find myself “singing” the bass parts which sounds a little weird heh Slightly Stoopid [Slightly Stoopid - This Joint - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohyfNPKW16g) Sublime [Scarlet Begonias - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsYCu2-kQTs) ---
**Author:** ![igor\_frankensteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/839c29/32.png) [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/138 "2017-04-09T20:41:50Z")
One deserving special mention ( don’t have the patience to read all three pages) is “I Will,” by the Beatles. Mainly because there is no Bass. You only think there is if you don’t listen carefully. It’s McCartney singing the bass line. “Doomp. Doomp. Doomp-doomp doomp doomp.” ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/139 "2017-04-10T01:01:17Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > “Blue Oyster Club” 🙂 > Did I just get whooshed? Ha Ha! Damn auto-correct… or maybe I’ve seen this [movie too many times.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niumQLDL_k0) ---
**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 10, 2017, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099/140 "2017-04-10T07:05:38Z")
Getting my gooey prog-on, here: Always liked the ripping beginning of [Heart of the Sunrise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z8_45duq6A) (Squire doubling with Howe’s guitar). Jethro Tull’s [Teacher](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esp_hOlFqiM) has one very groovy stone groove to it. Greg Lake’s mighty playing while singing “Roll up (X 3), see the shoooowwww!” A very subdued King Crimson number, [“Trio”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szX7ZOkFAP0), has John Wetton playing a particularly nice line about half-way in. In a different neighbourhood - Paul’s bouncy lines during the verses of “A Little Help From My Friends”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bass-line-in-a-song/753099.md?page=8)