Famous Monotonous Bass Lines

[39-Bassist]

We got the Beat.....Go GO's

 

[two fingers]

Everyday people- sly and the family stone

First one that popped in my head. Just lays down a G for about ten minutes.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

Any Rush song. I swear all Geddy does is plunk along on the root notes.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Fortunate Son

I am a sucker for simple yet awesome bass parts. I love E-E-E-E-E

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

What are some of the most popular songs in which the main theme of the bass repeats over and over and over?

There are some great songs where the main bass part repeats 50 x or more.

Here are just a few that come to mind

1. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin (never counted, but this one has to be over 50 x)
2. Money - Pink Floyd
3. Not Fragile - BTO (maybe not that popular, but certainly one of the most severe "repeat" offenders)

So, what songs can you think of?

Stratus - Billy Cobham

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

We have so many old weekend warriors here. I'm amazed that Billy Jean hasn't made the list yet.

Billy Jean is not my lover, it's just a line... that I will play till I'm dead. Is the soooong still not done?

I actually turned down a gig recently because Billy Jean was the first song on the setlist. I just can't anymore.

 

[40Hz]

About half the pop music hits of the '80s.







etc.

 

[Orion1985]

Pawn Shop-Sublime

(Sorry if someone already said that, I didn't read the whole thread.)

 

[Lia_G]

Not sure how "famous" this song is ... but it's one of my industrial favorites:
Golden Dawn by Ministry, off the Land of Rape and Honey album ...

 

[Basshappi]

No one has mentioned it so:

 

[Spent]

Daft Punk's Get Lucky. I used to hate playing that song, boring. Now that I think of it, most top 40 music is monotonous.

 

[bujubonton]

Cool topic. Our band does a(deelite) grove is in the heart right into hella good(no doubt) and i love this because i can check out, and watch the chicks dancing. Other times i balance my checkbook in my head, or recall hillarious seinfeld epoisodes.

 

[chuck3]

Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime.
It doesn't get more mundane than that.

good one - I'm planning to try that one with a looper (live, but with a looper). Just a 5-note phrase, repeated for 5 minutes.

We also do "Mystery Achievement" by the Pretenders - that is very repetitive, but a lot of fun to play.

 

[Flooflox]

Just about any KISS song. Although I enjoy playing Rock n Roll all night.

and part of every dayyyyyy (misheard lyrics)

 

[BassBrass]

no mention yet of what was once over covered but the original is still wonderful
25 or 6 to 4, Chicago
the beat goes on
Bitch's Brew
Iron Man, Paranoid etc
American Woman
lots of Shriekback, for instance My Spine is the BassLine
if Bill Lazwell is famous there are lots but probably not famous generally like
Jah wobbLE PIL

 

[Spectrum]

Now that I think of it, most top 40 music is monotonous.

^Truth.

Although I'm a little hazy on the definition of "monotonous". There are repetitive bass lines which are fun to play, and then there are ones which I'd rather get stabbed in the butt in a hot air balloon over France than have to play ever again.

 

[Pilgrim]

Can't believe I'm the first to call out Sunshine of your Love.

Nothing really monotonous about that one, IMO.

But in oldies, the Peter Gunn theme has only 5 notes. I enjoy playing it, as it's very effective at driving the music.

 

[tbz]

Careful with that Axe Eugene is probably the most boring one I can think of.

Root - octave - root - octave, half notes, for...10-30 minutes.

 

[birminghambass]

I played More Human Than Human by White Zombie in a band years ago. 1 note repeated over 100x.

 

[hambonie]

Just my imagination- the temptations
Let's get it on-Marvin Gaye
Every modern day contemporary Christian song on the radio today
I tell new drummers to listen to the Bee Gees "more than a woman" when they try to get all crazy showing their mad skillz. Nothing but a high hat, snare and kick drum the whole song