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BEST "POP" BASS LINES

tombowlus said:
I was going to give some grief about that, but was waiting for you to do it personally, Mike. :p

I actually discussed this with Mike. Although "My Girl" is a great bass line when played in the right key, Mike:D, I still think of the tune for it's signature guitar lick. One of the most touching moments in SITSOM was when the interviewer was interviewing the guitar player who played that lick (Robert White) at a restaurant in LA and the tune came on the sound system. Robert started to tear up, here he was an old man (he died before the documentary was completed) who had played one of the recognizable guitar intros in history and nobody knew his name.

Anyway like I said before about Jammerson, you could very easily do a Jammerson list. I suggested "What's going on" but the consensus tune was "I was made to Love her". I must admit I regretted putting in "Too Shy" by Kajugogo, but I let others suggestions overcome my lack of knowledge of 90's pop music. I missed that decade in pop music, I still contend it's no great loss.:hiding: If I had to do it all over again I would put "Walking on the moon" by Sting as number twenty in the list.
 
MikeBass said:
You mean by Al Green don't you?!?!;)

That was a cover by The Talking Heads.


I don't know Al green's version. Is it the sqme bass line as by the Talking Heads?
You have excited my curiosity. I try to find the Al Green version to compare.

EDIT: I found an extract on amazon... I think I prefer the Talking Heads version, more sensual I guess and the bass line is just cool.
 
forget me nots - patrice rushen
superfreak/ give it to me baby - rick james
rock steady - aretha
stay -chaka khan (performed by erykah badu)
graceland - paul simon
whipping post - allman bros.
heard it through the grapevine - gladys knight

that and just about every kool & the gang and earth wind and fire tune.
 
bassybill said:
...On nearly all these records, the thing that makes the bass great is the line that's being played, not necessarily the tone of the bass. It doesn't really matter what bass was used, or rig, or effects, etc...

I was just revisiting this thread to help me compile a list of 'must learn' songs and I ran across this comment. I mostly agree with it, however I recently discovered that the kind of STRINGS you use can play a HUGE roll in how your basslines comes out and how you play it.

I just recently slapped a set of flats on my Jazz V and my world changed completely! Being a round-wound user for almost 25 years, I never knew the difference that flats could make in my sound AND approach to crafting a bassline. I have always been a McCartney fan and even been told that my original lines remind people of his because of my melodic style - BUT I have never been able to sound like Sir Paul until the flats went on. Suddenly my lines really DO sound like his - and I LOVE it!

So yes, the amp, bass, pedals... not much impact on the lines there - but the strings? I am thinking flats vs. rounds really does have an impact.
 
Not All Pop But Here Are My Favourites:

Al Jarreau - My Old Friend (Abe Laboriel)
Sade - Smooth Operator
Chic - Le Freak
Nirvana - Come As You Are
Maria Muldur - Midnight At The Oasis
Duran Duran - Rio
Golden Earring - Radar Love
Yes - Long Distance Runaround (Chris Squire)
Tramps - Disco Inferno
Kiss - I Was Made For Loving You

And for the big FINALE!!!
Grease - You're The One That I Want