# Songs that make you play air bass **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 8, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611 "2007-11-08T00:52:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/61 "2007-11-12T14:53:54Z")
**Born to Run** - _Frankie Goes to Hollywood_ cover of the Springsteen classic. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/62 "2007-11-12T15:48:45Z")
I like this thread – one doesn’t often think about doing “air bass”, but we all know it happens. It happened to me again just yesterday, when _Watching The Detectives_ by **Elvis Costello** came up on my iPod. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2007, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/63 "2007-11-12T16:16:31Z")
I always play it during the opening lick of **Hurt So Good** by Mellencamp. Also on that David Foster Winter Olympic song from the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![Grey\_area](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/64 "2007-11-19T01:48:18Z")
Second the Distance by Cake. Also… The Roots - [The Next Movement](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnevMn60Unk) Bee Gees- [Stayin Alive](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdv8Qi_k-I4)(hey someone had to say it) ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/65 "2007-11-19T07:19:33Z")
“For whom the bell tolls” and “(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth” By Metallica. Cliff Burton was the man ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/66 "2021-07-13T15:13:35Z")
Over the weekend I heard a song that had me playing air bass so I decided to reanimate this zombie. LTD’s “Back in Love Again” is funkalicious and easy enough to play for the aspiring air bass player. [LTD - Back In Love Again](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WGyix05PA4) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/67 "2021-07-13T15:44:07Z")
Hush Hush by the Siegel-Schwall Band [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qgWBjKdlH88/hqdefault.jpg "THE SIEGEL SCHWALL BAND - Hush Hush (Live) 1971") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgWBjKdlH88) (starts around six minutes in) ---
**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:** [July 13, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/68 "2021-07-13T20:27:17Z")
Boston’s “More Than A Feeling” has an understated bass line that is pretty complex. Many people don’t even notice it because of the layers of guitars, but it’s a neat thing to listen to in isolation from the rest of the tracks. And King Crimson’s “In the Wake of Poseidon,” which is not difficult to play, but it consists of numerous variations on some basic figures. I can’t remember them and have to use sheet music…even if it’s just air bass. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/69 "2021-07-13T20:30:48Z")
Down on The Corner-Creedence Come Together-Beatles Sixteen Tons-Eric Burdon I actually play the walking cane bass. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/70 "2021-07-13T22:00:18Z")
The entire Rush catalog. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/71 "2021-07-13T22:06:03Z")
Too Many Fish in the Sea - Phil Collins. mmm ETA: Whoops, read thread title wrong, never mind. ---
**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:** [July 13, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/72 "2021-07-13T22:10:42Z")
“Along Comes Mary” - The Association [Jerry Scheff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Scheff) is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/73 "2021-07-14T05:57:54Z")
I’m ashamed to admit I have only one album with **Jeff Berlin** ’s participation in my catalog, but _DAMN!_ This guy can play. Nastiest (not even close to the right word, but all I can come up with right now) grooves and runs I’ve ever heard. I really should get off my but and get more of his stuff. I got him playing with _Bruford. Gradually Going Tornado._ Amazing stuff. You’ll tear down your Jaco posters. Check it out if you don’t care for your socks. > [@Yodalicious](#): > > The entire Rush catalog. Good answer! And ain’t that Black and White Fender the coolest thing ever? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/74 "2021-07-14T13:15:53Z")
_Mystery Achievement_ - Pretenders _Seven Nation Army_ - White Stripes ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/75 "2021-07-14T13:43:01Z")
Live version of Zeppelin’s _Dazed and Confused_. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/76 "2021-07-14T14:44:59Z")
Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/77 "2021-07-14T14:50:05Z")
Updated link to [You Can Call Me Al.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-gYOrU8bA) ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/78 "2021-07-14T16:12:45Z")
OK, I rescind my “never mind.” That’s the brilliant Bakithi Kumalo, whose fretless sound is instantly recognizable. Here’s my song that gets me playing air bass (albeit a different kind of bass): [So What](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylXk1LBvIqU) (Miles Davis, and that’s Paul Chambers on bass) ---
**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:** [July 14, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/79 "2021-07-14T16:15:01Z")
Embry looks like he’s having a ball miming bass on [Dance With Me Tonight.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b5pdrivA8g) He should, since he actually _plays_ bass IRL. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611/80 "2021-07-14T17:31:34Z")
The Nice - Rondo [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fvNWFNsuOcU/maxresdefault.jpg "Rondo - Original") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNWFNsuOcU) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-play-air-bass/425611.md?page=5)