Songs (tabs) bass players should know

[tweezed]

Hey guys,

I'm tapped on ideas of songs to learn on the bass, and I also feel that I'm not covering the quintessential bass songs everyone learns at one point or another. I think it'd be cool if we had a list of songs for beginners like myself to pickup. Can anyone help me?

 

[waleross]

I bought this one a while back ;
Hal Leonard 25 Essential Rock Bass Classics Tab Songbook
Invalid Link Removed

 

[tweezed]

I guess I'll throw in my own two cents and say that anything with James Jamerson is pretty good.

 

[PBnJBassist]

I agree with anything from James Jamerson. Also, anything from The British Invasion bands would be stellar for any beginner to learn, such as: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, or The Who. Every bassist should have at least played "Come Together" once during their entirety playing the bass.

 

[bstewy]

I started off on songs I listened to - so back in the day... Metallica - Orion, got me use to moving the fingers across the board

Rage against the machine - know your enemy

Pearl jam - Jeremy

They were probably the first 3 songs I learnt - not that well mind you, but took a while to get used to

 

[abstractart06]

I think that James Brown is a must for new players.

 

[Hellbastard]

Mostly Rock

Pink Floyd-Money
Badge-Cream
Sweet Emotion-Aerosmith
Come Together-Beatles
Living on a Prayer-Bon Jovi
Detroit Rock City-Kiss
Smoke on the Water-Deep Purple (Every rock guitar Player knows how to play this song, but only a few Bass player know how to really play it. The bass line for the guitar solo is actually very challenging.)

Mostly not Rock.
I want you Back-Jackson 5
Sir Duke-Stevie Wonder
What's hip-Tower of Power
Ain't Nothing like the Real Thin-Marvin Gaye
Hard To Handle-Otis Redding

 

[the general]

Queen - Another One Bites the Dust
Black Sabbath - Iron Man
Aerosmith - Dream On
Green Day - Longview
Nirvana - Come As You Are or Smells Like Teen Spirit if you prefer
Meat Puppets - Backwater
Alice in Chains - Would?
Blink 182 - What's My Age Again
The Police - Walking on the Moon
These are all just personal choices but its not necessary that you know these songs. They're just easier for beginners

 

[f.c.geil]

Queen ~ Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Stray Cats ~ Stray Cat Strut
Blues Brothers ~ Soul Man
Van Morrison ~ Moon Dance
Finger Eleven ~ Paralyzer