Hi,What are in your mind top 5 best bass lines ever?

These definitely aren't a definitive list and I probbly like a million others more but off the top of my head.

1.Outro to RHCP's "Funky Monks."

2.Intro to "So What" Miles with PC on bass.

3.Verse from Jaco's "Come on Come over."

4.When the Clavinet line from "Superstitions" by Stevie Wonder is slapped with a Wah.

5.The pre-verse in "Wynonda's (sp) big brown beaver" by Primus. The best song off their worst album (IMO).

Shouldn't be too many suprises, if anything changes big time I'll let you know.

In the same vein as your #2("So What")-
The intro & subsequent groove on Mingus' "Haitian Fight Song"; I know a lotta of you have "heard" this...a certain car manufacturer(?)has been using it in TV ads.

1. My friend of misery
2. Dazed and confused
3. Another one bites the dust http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/smile.gif
And I can't remember the others.. There are lots of lines that I love.

Jim, I haven't heard it but i read somewhere its the same as better git it in your soul. If it is well it's one of those lines that make my list indefinitive(??is that a word)
but i cant include everything!

I have a problem with the word "BEST", but my 'favorite' is YYZ!!! http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/biggrin.gif I don't know why, but it still is, as for the other 4, well, I just don't know...there are sooooo many great ones, I just can't think of putting them in order!

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Hey....Who said Ric's are for kids?.....Bye, --MR

5 favorites, tough to say. In no particular order ~

We Got to Get out of This Place - Chas Chandler. The bass line inspired me to become a bass player in the first place.

Barbary Coast - Jaco. No need for further explanation.

Politician - Jack Bruce. Sounds great and so much fun to play.

Funky Broadway - Tommy Cogbill. Same thing as the Politician. Fun and sounds great.

Midnight Hour - Duck Dunn. I can't imagine any bass player of my era that didn't have to learn and play this about a 1000 times.

Jack Bruce...Sitting on top of the World from Goodbye Cream. The sound, the feel.

Geddy Lee.... YYZ, La Villa..., sound & challenge.

Geezer Butler..Bass solo before NIB, sound and it introduced me to Bass..

Stanley Clarke... Hot Fun

Jack Bruce... Born Under a Bad Sign from the 50th birthday cd.

I'm like a lot of you...ther are SO many
good,great and phenominal lines out there,
but what inspired me to pick up my first
bass,was "What Is Hip".None other than
Francis Rocco Prestia.In fact,ANY groove
laid down by "The Rock" is a must for a
novice,or even a skilled player!

Philly-
"Haitian Fight Song" is sometimes called "II BS"...it's not the equally classic "Better Git Hit Your Soul"(though both do kick off with a bass solo by Mingus).
"Better Git..." is one of those Mingus 6 over 4 tunes(Mingus loved those polyrhythmic figures).
"Haitian Fight Song"-...the groove is something like this(in 4/4, in 1/8 notes w/ a swing feel)-
/.......&/1.2&3.4&/1.2&3.4&/ etc

Notes-
/.......D/G.BbGC#.DD/G.BbGC#.DD/ etc

Played on these strings(1st finger on 10th fret)-
/.......E/A.AAD.DE/ etc

i can only think of 2 at the moment. they are:

Gotta love it - Aerosmith
Around the World - RHCP


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sitting on a castle, on the floor with Ezmeralda, waiting for the geezer, captain crunch to come around. felling suicidal 'cos of certain situations, hanging from the stairs too long, i think i'm coming down....it's time to CRASH!!!

I cant think of my 5 favourite basslines, I cant decide...but I have to say...

FillyTheKid: Right on, outro to funky monks, is soooo beautiful (having said that, so is pretty much all the bass on BSSM)

I don't know much about bass lines but here's something:

--Best 'lines' for a bass player--


Uh this isn't my usual band/ drummer (pick one) … I'm/he's just filling in…

This is not my usual bass/amp/strings (pick one) … mine is in the shop

Just had a root canal…surprised I can even stand up

I'm broke, got any smokes?

The sound guy made my bass sound like crap

This place has lousy acoustics

The rhythm guitarist was out of tune again/Drunk (pick one)

Hey the guitar players leaving kind of early can I catch a ride with you

You live around here?

Its kinda late…can I stay at your place… I can sleep on the couch.

Large Double cheese and pepperoni… That will be $13.50


jc

There are so many to choose from but here goes, in no particular order:

1. Somke On The Water

2. Chick Magnet by MxPx

3. Bulls on Parade by RATM

4. Give it Away by RHCP

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I am the pirate.

mmm lets see i dont really have any bass players solo albums. out of my collection i would say peace sells by megadeth like on the mtv news a while ago they used that bass line. also higher ground the red hot chili peppers version. im more into guitar riffs though. i think more guitarists influenced me toplay than bassists

Thanks Jim.
I have WNPM on ingus at the Antibes which I dug up yo check the tune out and your diagram helped.

my favourite would have to be the bassline at the start of the megadeth song peace sells but whos buying although it isnt that complex i think it sounds cool

Only 5? I have closer to five thousand!!!

But here are just 6 of the few thousand-
1. Longview from Green Day
2. Higher Ground from the Peppers
3. Tommy the cat from Primus
4. You enjoy myself from Phish
5. When the Levee Breaks from Zeppelin
6. What Crime is it? from vic wooten

...and thousands more

i must say, here are my top 5, i havent heard any good responses on this post yet, here are some real bass lines for you to listen to

5)automatic mojo, by the meat puppets
4)standing by the sea, by husker du
3)the man wont annoy ya, by the bad brains
2)the glorly of man, by the minutemen
1)maidens milk, by the meat puppets

1. Come On, Come Over - Jaco
2. So What - Paul Chambers (Miles Davis)
3. Flashlight - Bootsy Collins (Parliament)
4. Chameleon - Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock)
5. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Larry Graham (Sly & the Family Stone)

Okay enough with Flea and the punk rockers!
Don't get me wrong I dig some old punk music but there is a difference between your favorite and "THE BEST"...
1. Teen Town(Jaco)
2. Norwegian Wood(W-00-10s version)seen it live, man that's amazing!!!
3.Anything by Jamerson.
4.Anything else Jaco.
5.Anything by Earth Wind&Fire (I just love them)

Was that the best or just my favorites????
You decide http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/smile.gif

I just came across a couple on the tape that I'm supposed to learn soon:
"Pump it Up" - Elvis Costello
"Rock Me Baby" - Johnny Winter (man, this one is a workout!)

And, since I'm a huge Dennis Dunaway fan, I just have to add:
"Blue Turk"
"Gutter Cats vs. The Jets"

(Alice Cooper for those who don't know...)

Well I guess it's my turn so here goes...

The Real Me - John Entwistle(can you say 'bass lead'!)

The Lemon song - John Paul Jones

Crossroads - Jack Bruce

School days - Stanley Clarke

Whippin' Post - Berry Oakley

All real fun to play (if you can! http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/wink.gif )

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bassline1414:
1. Come On, Come Over - Jaco
2. So What - Paul Chambers (Miles Davis)
3. Flashlight - Bootsy Collins (Parliament)
4. Chameleon - Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock)
5. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Larry Graham (Sly & the Family Stone)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Someone will probably mention this:

3. - Flashlight - Bernie Worrell (keys)
4. - Chameleon - Herbie Hancock (keys) though PJ does play a very cool, rhythm guitar-like bass line over top of the synth.

Paul Jackson is one of the funkiest bassists on the planet. Check out any of the later Herbie stuff he did with Mike Clark on drums. They're both definitely on the same page.

5. "Thank You...." Don't know if people realize just how important this line is http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/biggrin.gif One of those pivotal points in bass guitar history... there was bass before this and then bass after this.


Jim, the Mingus cut is on the VW commercial where the old man sneaks out of the retirement home and is picked up by his grandson, "Boo Boo". It is sooo nice http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Here comes list of my favorite bass lines, all Reggae/Dancehall. It is hard to pick only 5, better would be 50!
-Stalag 17 (Tenor Saw Ring the Alarm, Sister Nancy Bam Bam)
-Real Rock (Riddim on Willy Williams Armageddon Time)
-Sleng Teng (Riddim on Wayne Smith Under Me Sleng Teng. Done by King Jammy. First Jamaican digital rhythm)
-Cassava Piece by Augustus Pablo (Old Studio
One riddim. I dont remember original name)
-Tempo ( Anthony Red Rose. DEEEP early Dancehall by King Tubby)

how about...

if you want me to stay - sly and the family stone

and has anyone heard: tell everybody by herbie hancock - pretty simple/basic line/riff, but really nice. (cool electro vocals too...!)

oh yeah, i forgot about bootsy (Lord, forgive me!)...

the pinocchio theory - I think its called...?

1. Low Rider: GWAR and KoRn's version.
2. Porno Creep
3. Longview: Green Day
4. Until it Sleeps: Metallica
5. Clunk: Limp Bizkit

There really are too damn many to name.

[This message has been edited by BassIsBest (edited August 02, 2000).]

Anything by LES CLAYPOOL.

wots that primus tune, it's about fishing (i know thats not much help)..it has a long bass solo intro, where les is playing a finger picked melody - I think its in E, but I'm not 100%. I think its on frizzle fry?

in no particular order...
1) dogs and chaplains - mighty mighty bosstones
2) hussein skank - skankin' pickle
3) higher ground - red hot chilli peppers
4) speak free - incubus
5) longview - green day
6) someday i suppose - mighty mighty bosstones
7) counterfeit - limp bizket
8) skatanic - reel big fish
9) blister in the sun - violent femmes
10) come together - the beatles

hey, i know it only asked for 5, but it was hard enough narrowing it down to 10 ;-) enjoy

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a bass ain't a bass unless it's purple and sparkley

oh yeah! i know my list was too long already, but i forgot about the theme song to "the kids in the hall"! look that one up http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/wink.gif peace out

How could I forget Jerry Jemmott's 'Memphis Soul Stew' off the Live King Curtis?

Everything I´ve heard with Infectious Grooves has the coolest bass line...well...And Donna Lee with Jaco is pretty cool too :)

1. Orion

2. Anesthesia

Damn! I thought that was a freaky effect on Flashlight, lol! I noticed Bootsy does have writing credits on that song, and he does play it live, so could he have written the line? And the reason I said Paul Jackson is cuz we played it in jazz band, and the part was written specifically for me, not the piano or anything, I thought Mr. Jackson was using a pedal or something. Anyways, I'd like to add Jerry Jemmott's line in B.B. King's version of "The Thrill is Gone". That is very funky....

If you guys want some funky bootsy, listen to something by "dee-lite." Theres some totally funky stuff on that CD.

how about chic's "goodtimes"?!?!?! that has to be the groove-eness, dopest, sickest bassline of all time. that is what a bass line should be able to do, lay a solid foundation for the song, sound melodically interesting, and have the ability to shake and move some serious booty!!!

it's pretty tuff to decide but
#1 is easily Anesthesia- pulling teeth- Cliff Burton
#2 -the rare Tower of Strength bass solo- Jason Newsted( a damn close second too!!!)
#3 Orion- Cliff again
#4 Bassically( the solo before N.I.B.) -Geezer Butler
#5.....slang -Jaco

Originally posted by zender976
how about chic's "goodtimes"?!?!?! that has to be the groove-eness, dopest, sickest bassline of all time. that is what a bass line should be able to do, lay a solid foundation for the song, sound melodically interesting, and have the ability to shake and move some serious booty!!!

"Good Times" is one of those basslines I wish I'd come up with. There aren't many "perfect" basslines, to me this is one of them. YMMV

Originally posted by Bassline1414
Damn! I thought that was a freaky effect on Flashlight, lol! I noticed Bootsy does have writing credits on that song, and he does play it live, so could he have written the line? And the reason I said Paul Jackson is cuz we played it in jazz band, and the part was written specifically for me, not the piano or anything, I thought Mr. Jackson was using a pedal or something. Anyways, I'd like to add Jerry Jemmott's line in B.B. King's version of "The Thrill is Gone". That is very funky....

Here's something really obscure. I had heard Chester Thompson (not the drummer) play that line ("Flashlight") years before Bernie, with Tower of Power. For anyone not familiar with Chester, he's currently with Carlos Santana but back in the day he kicked serious butt with TOP on Hammond organ. He played that line with his feet!

For funk, check out any of the TOP songs where they broke it down to just Chester and Dave Garibaldi on drums. Chester comped with his left hand, soloed with his right AND played funk bass on the Hammond's bass pedals.

1 blues traveler/"but anyway" absolutely amazing line

2 dave matthews band/"so much to say" super creative

3 jackson 5/"i want u back something about the way he could lead and follow in the band

4 primus/"the awakining so much creativity and nearly impossible to replicate

5 rage against the machine/"take the power back
simple slap pattern but wicked cool

theses answeres vary alot from the rest of the forums but tell me what u think

Easy Question...
1. What Is And What Should Never Be - Led Zeppelin
2. What Is Hip? - Tower Of Power
3. Believe - Two Ton Shoe
4. We're Gonna Groove - Led Zeppelin
5. Brent Black - moe.

LED ZEPPELIN FOR EVER!!!!!

Chain Of Fools, Aretha Franklin & Mariah Carey from the VH-1 Diva's special,
Smooth, I think Benny lays it down well on that one
Jerry Sheff is smokin on Elvis' CC Rider (live at Madison Square Gardin version)
Stevie Wonder's I Wish is groovin pretty hard
Rocco Prestia on Soul With A Capital S



Can ya tell I love groove orientated stuff :D

couldnt really put them in order but some of my fav bass lines are

anesthasia (pulling teeth) by cliff burton although its more of a song

aeroplane by the rhcp

the awakening primus

maxwell murder- rancid

fade to black-metallica with cliff

and many many more!!!!:bassist:

cliffburtonfan

Jason Newsted really expanded on fade to black, you can see a part of it on mtv site under metallica videos, you should check it out.

I love all of Duck Dunn's bass lines.

I also really really dig Chris Wood's bass line to the John Scofield song "three sisters"(track 1 on "bump") it's like 3 notes, but it grooves so well.

Alphonso johnson has some really excellent and creative bass lines.

and I love the bass part to havona by weather report(jaco)

Here's my 5, in no particular order.

Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching (Stefan Lessard)
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Stomping Grounds (Victor Wooten)
Jaco Pastorius - Portrait of Tracy (Not really a line, per se, but so awesome I can't not include it.)
Victor Wooten - Classical Thump (See above.)
Weather Report - Birdland (Fits the piece so well, with that trademark Jaco melody/rhythm blend.)

Shake Hands With Beef - Primus
Californication - RHCP
Higher Ground- RHCP
1469 - CodeName: Rocky
Nothing To Gein - Mudvayne

1.anything by primus
2.anything by Rufio
3.Rise Against - Like The Angel
4.Rancid - Maxwell Murder
5.Kiss - Detroit Rock City
6.Coolio - 1,2,3,4

you guys are gonna laff at somke of my choices but I think there are too many wee lads in this forum that were born too late :)

in no order they are all good with the bass out front, and all have one thing in common: The BASS MAKES THE SONG.

1. Real Me - John Entwhistle

2. Silly Love Songs ( insipid song, GREAT BASS )

Sir Paul of course on da bass

3. Reflections ( Motown with James Jamerson )

4. Bernadette ( Four Tops with Jamerson again )

5. cant think of more right now