Songs with bass lines that are better than expected

[Gopherbassist]

This thread requires good speakers or headphones.
I was listening to Evanescene's Going Under today. I've heard the song plenty of times on the radio, and on MTV back when they played music. But today was the first time I listened to it on a nice set of headphones and could really get a good listen to the bass.

I was surprised that it really grooves. Melodically it's not doing anything special; it mostly follows the guitar. But man, Francesco DiCosmo has damn good feel. Looking him up, he's also played with Thin Lizzy, so obviously he's got the goods.

Evanescence - Going Under


What are some other tracks that made you say "hold up... Who's on bass?"

 

[mambo4]

I was always surprised by this. Starts dead simple but at 1:31 the bass lets it rip



I've posted before asking if anyone knew who it was. No clear evidence, but signs point to Max Bennet

 

[Michedelic]

Back in their heyday, I was a fan of The Smiths, of the gestalt of the entire band, and could tolerate Morrissey’s “whoa is me” lyrics on almost a comedic level. The main thing was Marr’s fascinating multi-layered guitar chime, but that more often than not overwhelmed Andy Rourke’s bass work. In the wake of his passing a couple of years ago, there’s been a number of “isolated tracks” vids on YT, which is great for discovery and study, but even better is a well recorded live shot, unadorned by all the extra guitars. Here, even though repetitive, he is running a great groove…

 

[Gopherbassist]

Edwin McCain - I'll Be



This bass line flows through the song like a gentle stream; always moving, never overpowering anything else, always adding to the power of the surrounding instruments.

I was always surprised by this. Starts dead simple but at 1:31 the bass lets it rip



I've posted before asking if anyone knew who it was. No clear evidence, but signs point to Max Bennet

I bet if you watched the movie on TV you'd never know all of that was going on. Great!

Back in their heyday, I was a fan of The Smiths, of the gestalt of the entire band, and could tolerate Morrissey’s “whoa is me” lyrics on almost a comedic level. The main thing was Marr’s fascinating multi-layered guitar chime, but that more often than not overwhelmed Andy Rourke’s bass work. In the wake of his passing a couple of years ago, there’s been a number of “isolated tracks” vids on YT, which is great for discovery and study, but even better is a well recorded live shot, unadorned by all the extra guitars. Here, even though repetitive, he is running a great groove…

Killer groove!

 

[roccobass]

Love the way Mike Mills uses harmonics on this. Not too much but adds so much.

 

[Michedelic]

Bruce is in perpetual motion here….

 

[iqi616]

Back in their heyday, I was a fan of The Smiths, of the gestalt of the entire band, and could tolerate Morrissey’s “whoa is me” lyrics on almost a comedic level.

I wish I had your sense of humour! This Charming Man is the only song I can handle his warbling because it's close to actually being a tune and it even bears some musical relationship to the accompaniment. A pity because the band was so great.

 

[IMMusicRulz]

Not many people on Talk Bass discuss Bobby Sheehan, unfortunately, but his bass playing on Run Around by Blues Traveler is very melodic. Whoever mixed the song really did a great job, because his bass playing has a prominent part in their sound. I think he played a Peavey bass, but I personally don’t remember.