Difficult task. Let's see. I haven't learned all these personally exactly as they are but I love them nevertheless:
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I selected this song to represent the work of my #1 source of inspiration, James Jamerson. He was very inventive yet supportive without being too repetitive rhythmically, and IMO he really lifted the bass' role in popular music. This bassline, like all his work, is full of brilliant ideas that few others would ever had come up with, I believe. To Jamerson they came naturally.
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Very melodic, dynamic and inventive bassline that suits the song perfectly while still being far from basic. I would never have come up with this myself.
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One of the first busier basslines I learned (not exactly note by note though). A very cool, driving bassline that's very fun to play.
Where do I begin (Love Story) - Shirley Bassey
Suddenly thought of this excellent track. Basic supportive line in the verse, then blossoms up in the chorus. I've been unable to find out who plays bass here, but it sounds very much like James Jamerson. However, as I'm not 100% sure about it, I add this track to the list. Fantastic bassline.
Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
Especially this live version features a very driving and inventive bassline, which gets more and more intense towards the end. I'd love to be able to play like this.
I also have to be selfish enough to mention that I love playing my own basslines in my band Schlagwerk. There's three songs I love more than others in this perspective, but unfortunately they are not yet released anywhere (we have one album on spotify, called "intro", but these songs are not found on that one). The basslines are by no means as original and fantastic as the lines I mention above, but at least I can play these well, and I love doing so. I love being in this band, the songwriter is inredibly creative and talented and I love the music we do.
