songs with surprisingly good bass lines

[garp]

This tune was released in 1980 – the year before T-Bone Wolk joined the band. John Siegler is on bass here. A relatively simple part, yet also perfect for the song.

 

[bobyoung53]

I have to say Meatloaf Two out of three ain't bad had a surprisingly cool bass line

I thought the bass playing on that whole album was very good. Kasim Sulton of Utopia played it.

 

[bobyoung53]

Bob Babbitt playing the great inventive bass line here:

 

[bobyoung53]

Ron Wood was an exceptional rock bass player, I think he was much better on bass than guitar, check out this cut, if you don't like the song at least play the end of the tune, maybe from about 3:00 on, you'll be impressed (at least I was) he used a late 60's Fender Telecaster bass with Rotosounds and a pick and a Marshall Major, not sure if he used the Marshall in the studio but it sure sounds like one:

 

[joebar]

Our lips are sealed- Gogos
Great P bass/ pick sound

 

[joebar]

Our lips are sealed- Gigi's
Great P bass/ pick sound

 

[bobyoung53]

Another great bassplayer: Tim Bogart, he was a madman, again if you don't like the song check out from about 1:55 for the lead (lead bass?) break, great drumming by Carmine Appice, I think they breathed in unison:

 

[bobyoung53]

And where would we be without the late great Jack Bruce? These three are/were the triumvirate of great hard rock bass players, these three should be required listening for all new bass players:

 

[Ant Illington]

If you haven't heard this song in 35 or more years and/or since you started playing bass, lookout!

 

[Ant Illington]

I'm primarily a hired gun, so I get some interesting set lists from time to time that force me to go back to the original recordings to make my own charts. A couple of tunes that I've played in the past year that fit this criteria:

- "Midnight at the Oasis" – Maria Muldaur (1974)
- "Help Me" – Joni Mitchell (1974)
- "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" – The Four Seasons (1975)
- "You're The One That I Want" – Grease Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1978)

This reminds me that the Grease bassline is a blast.

 

[tlc1976]

My connection won't support YouTube so sorry if I'm posting duplicates.

"The One I Love" by R.E.M. Heard it all the time when I was younger. Now, I have an appreciation for the phrasing, note choices, and counterpoint that Mike Mills plays. He's good stuff.

I love Mike Mills' style. "Stand" is my favorite. Some groove, some melody following vocals, some hard pops for extra accent, that song has it all.

"I Got A Name" by Jim Croce had a great bass part.

Many songs by Dan Fogelberg have amazing bass parts. Two of my faves are "Power Of Gold" and "Missing You". For a guy mainly known for slow folk songs, he really knew how to kick it up. It was a surprise when he died and I really wished I could have seen him perform.

 

[rtslinger]

I thought the bass playing on that whole album was very good. Kasim Sulton of Utopia played it.

Yes I agree a lot of creativity went into the sculpting of his lines I was very impressed

 

[Funky Ghost]

JoJo Garza is one of my forever under rated bass players. Criminally so imo. Dude is super talented, sings great and one funky mofo

Dig

 

[garp]

"I Got A Name" by Jim Croce had a great bass part.

Nice call on that one.

 

[Richland123]

 

[Richland123]

 

[Richland123]

 

[Timmah]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, "Wake Me Up (Before You Go-Go)" is pretty much a bass solo if you listen for it. Now people think I'm crazy when it comes on the radio and I start bobbing my head.

 

[aaronious]

A guy I work with, whom I've heard only listens to Rush told me about this one. Imagine my surprise when I saw who it was. Some bubble gum pop star. Never heard of him, and I'll probably never listen to another song of his again. But damn I love this bass line.

 

[Badwater]

Bass is in this one.