Simple Basslines that are incredibly important

[Folmeister]

Brick House - People on other planets know that one!

 

[Joe Nerve]

I knew there was a thread about this.

Was listening to the song 'sad eyes' the other day. ‪Robert John "Sad Eyes" (1979 - #1 hit)‬‏ - YouTube . I believe the increidbly simple bass is incredibly important in that song. I also got a kick out of listening to the lyrics... always thought that song was a sweet commercial love song, but it's pretty much about low life piece of crap cheating dude.

I hate to but have to admit that I kinda like the song too. Brings back some melancholy memories.

 

[MrMeacham]

Two easy but well known line that I can think of.
Roadhouse Blues - the Doors
Sunshine of your Love - Cream

 

[pkstone]

Ball of Confusion

 

[SoCal1]

Joe Osborne created some incredible simple basslines...with great emphasis on primary rhythms and chords. Not much Jamersonesque syncopation, but spot on in all the right places. Some terrific examples are his work with The Wrecking Crew on songs like Gary Lewis And The Playboys...Everybody Loves A Clown, Green Grass, and Just My Style. Never the hook, but always logical and precise.

 

[TL5]

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

I was gonna' add 'Dreams' from the same album.. saw your post and thought it's applicable to almost all of John McVie's bass lines. I've heard a band/bass player wreck Dreams by trying to over-play the verses.


Hall and Oates songs come to mind as well: Maneater in particular.

Likewise, It's easy to over-think and over-play numerous country tunes.

 

[Hevy T]

Anything based on 12 bar blues. That should about cover 1/2 the music out there

 

[Hevy T]

Oh and I also have to mention my favorite easy bass line of all time "Jailbreak" AC/DC...Oh yeah it is also based on a 12 bar pattern

 

[Denial]

1. Steely Dan's Rikki Don't Lose That Number. Play the simple 1-5 intro and you know exactly what song it is.

2. B52's Love Shack. A little harder, but still pretty simple, yet fun to play.

 

[5StringBlues]

We gotta get out of this place-The Animals

 

[s_mcsleazy]

wow. no one has mentioned this

‪The Stranglers - Peaches‬‏ - YouTube

 

[Revolver]

I wouldn't say "I Shot the Sheriff" is a 'simple' bass line (along with quite a few others mentioned here). "Stir it Up", however, is quite simple, super effective and way more recognizable. "Another Brick in The Wall" is another excellent example.

 

[bassinplace]

One of my favorite super simple lines that I always thought served the song very well is Up The Neck by The Pretenders.

 

[nickbass79]

Don't know if it has been listed yet:

"Dazed and Confused" Led Zeppelin

 

[peledog]

I'm sure some of these songs may have been mentioned already, but here goes:

New Year's Day - U2
The Love Cats - The Cure
Lovesong - The Cure
Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
Walking On The Moon - The Police
When The World Is Running Down - The Police
Forget Me Nots - Patrice Rushen
London Calling - The Clash
Paradise - Sade
Flashlight - Parliament
Good Times - Chic
Come On Come Over - Jaco Pastorius
Down In The Tube Station At Midnight - The Jam
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
Lessons In Love - Level 42
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Blue Monday - New Order
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Sly & The Family Stone
I Wish - Stevie Wonder

Getting carried away here - also several Chili Peppers tracks

 

[champbassist]

Every Police song

 

[N.F.A.]

This is the one I thought of..
‪06 54 46, That's My Number Toots and Maytals‬‏ - YouTube

 

[Yerf Dog]

Seven Nation Army

 

[Sam Evans]

Just about any song on U2's The Joshua Tree.

Just about any U2 song, for that matter. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" certainly comes to mind.

 

[FilterFunk]

"Hollywood Swinging" - Kool and the Gang

I've heard many bass lines that sound like they were influenced by this simple line. Robert "Kool" Bell is one of the all-time masters of simple but effective bass lines.