Bassists responsible for Pop Chart Toppers

[RoaDan]

Paul Web... one of the most underrated bass players. His lines were always perfection...

 

[Rib 13]

In some alternate universe, this was Number 1



The bassist, Adam Schlesinger, was certainly responsible.....he wrote it. He was best known as the bass player for Fountains of Wayne (Stacys Mom).......unfortunately, Mr Schlesinger passed away from complications of Covid in 2020 (RIP)

 

[ELG60]

Bob Rothstein:



Piet Sweval:



Dave "Doc" Robinson:

 

[Paul New]

Paul Turner sounds great on the verses.

 

[zubrycky]

Not a chart topper (sorry for derailing the thread) but I really would like to know the name of the bassist responsible for this killer bassline...

 

[GeorgesEric]

James Renald, Band Sky, Love Song

 

[the_home]

Brown Eyed Girl. I think we all agree that the bass lines carry this song.

I was thinking of Van as well, but thinking Wild Night from Tupelo Honey (bassist Bill Church).

 

[TrevorR]

John (Johnny Gus) Gustafson


More Herbie Flowers


David Paton


John G Perry


Mo Foster


Yet more Herbie


Alan Spenner

 

[sonojono]

 

[halcyo]

I remember this song from my HS days but at the time didn't appreciate bass as I do now. The bassist is Mike Elizondo.

Mike Elizondo - Wikipedia

Always liked this bass part. Very punchy, a little slinky and under the radar, but it moves the rhythm in a fantastic way.

"L-O-V-E" - Joss Stone.

I think the bassist is Raphael Saadiq. He's credited as the bassist on tracks 2-14 of "Introducing Joss Stone," but according to Wikipedia, "L-O-V-E" is a bonus track, so I can't pin down exactly who actually played on it.

Raphael Saadiq is awesome. His playing on D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel” is a MASTERCLASS on laying waaaay back on the drum part. The FEEL of the drums and bass are just disgusting in how laid back they are. Stupefying!

LaMarquis "ReMarqable" Jefferson - his use of the filter on this just kills me

One of the best bass parts ever. The walking lines, the fills, the filter, etc. The fact that it is almost entirely improvised on the spot, and hardly any two lines repeat thru the entire song is just astounding.

 

[VoodooJazz]

Well, I was gonna go with the OJays’ “For The Love Of Money”, but Anthony Jackson is hardly an unknown. So for my entry, I’m going with Bob Raymond

 

[prowla]

Righty-oh...

 

[P-Belly Evans]

Felix Pappalardi anyone?? Not their biggest hit but one of my very favourites......

 

[FatCity]

Wilton Felder

 

[P-Belly Evans]

Rusty Allen?

 

[GodsLove66]

I’m honestly surprised NO ONE has said John Deacon yet!

But I suppose less obviously:

 

[Durham52]

This one popped into my head 'cause I posted it on another thread earlier today...

Tom Robinson Band . Tom wrote it, plays bass and sings (plus does the speaking bit)

 

[Oddly]

Mike Visceglia, on most of Suzanne Vega's hits.

 

[Folds]

Anything Bernie Edwards ever touched, which has been alluded to already. A few others off the top of my head:

Beyonce- Deja Vu (Jon Jon Traxx)


Outkast- Ms Jackson (Aaron Mills)


Not sure they qualify as chart toppers, but they did chart and have an outsized legacy:
Talking Heads- Psycho Killer (Tina Weymouth)


Joy Division- Love Will Tear Us Apart (Peter Hook)

 

[friskinator]

I'm a bit confused by the OP's title and original post. Are we looking for songs that topped the pop charts with a great bass line? Most of these didn't top the pop charts, and I'm sure some didn't show up on any charts at all.