Favourite Simple Basslines?

[Gloompunk]

(if i posted this on the wrong board, please let me know)
I, along many others, have fallen into the trap that "more complex = better" when it comes to writing and playing basslines. and while I'll still aspire to play like Justin Chancellor or Geddy Lee, I think it's still good to take a step back and appreciate the simpler things.

So, out of curiosity, what's everyone's favourite bassline(s) that isn't massively complicated?

Personally, I really enjoy the bass in "Sugar" by System of a Down (or any of their other songs tbh). it's a really simple 4 note riff repeated throughout the song, but it works so well at carrying the song as well accentuating the manic energy they're going for.

 

[bass12]

In the reggae world there are tons. "Real Rock" (originally by Sound Dimension) is up there (and is one of the most used riddims).

A few others:

"Gimme Some Lovin'" by Spencer Davis Group
"The Payback" by James Brown (about as simple as it gets)
"Thank You (Fa Lettinme...) by Sly & The Family Stone
"Papa was A Rolling Stone" by The Temptations
"I Get Lifted" by KC & The Sunshine Band/George McCrae
"Future Love Paradise" by Seal

 

[murphy]

 

[murphy]

@bass12

 

[Kerry Brown]

 

[Michedelic]

How 'bout one note?


But if you flub the consistency, it gets thrown off.

 

[Killing Floor]

Exquisite timing.

 

[bass12]

Sting is a goldmine of simple yet very effective/tasteful bass lines.

 

[feterpatch]

Exquisite timing.

First one that came to mind...

 

[bass12]

@bass12

Great pick! One of my favourite Grace records. Lots of fantastic (and relatively simple) bass lines on those Compass Point albums. "Nipple To The Bottle", "My Jamaican Guy", "Pull Up To The Bumper", etc.

 

[murphy]

@bass12

@bass12 you probably know this is a Pretenders song

 

[Michedelic]

Some new wave era funk(although there are some overdubbed lines)…



Hell, this entire album….


Then, going back further…

…and two that feature the riff that outlines a major triad…

 

[bass12]

Nice version - I hadn't heard that before. You can hear Sly & Robbie's sound right from the start!

 

[bassbones2]

This
JB

 

[jnuts1]

the beds too big without you is so simple yet so hard. the timing!!!

 

[bass12]

@bass12 you probably know this is a Pretenders song

Yes - although I heard Grace's version long before I heard the original. Apparently Chrissie Hynde heard it and said something along the lines of, "That's how this song is supposed to sound". Sly has said that he's particularly happy with how his drums turned out on that track.

 

[bassbones2]

Also…….



JB

 

[HardNHeavy]

old and simple...lol



But always liked this reggae-ish bass line from the Scorpions played by Francis Buchholz

 

[dbsfgyd1]

(if i posted this on the wrong board, please let me know)
I, along many others, have fallen into the trap that "more complex = better" when it comes to writing and playing basslines. and while I'll still aspire to play like Justin Chancellor or Geddy Lee, I think it's still good to take a step back and appreciate the simpler things.

So, out of curiosity, what's everyone's favourite bassline(s) that isn't massively complicated?

Personally, I really enjoy the bass in "Sugar" by System of a Down (or any of their other songs tbh). it's a really simple 4 note riff repeated throughout the song, but it works so well at carrying the song as well accentuating the manic energy they're going for.

"I Feel Good" James Brown.

 

[Jim Nazium]

"Roxanne" and "Walking on the Moon" by The Police
"New Year's Day" by U2