All Time Great Bass Lines

When thinking of great rock performances, often as not its the guitarist or the vocalist who get the plaudits typically with a band situation they tend to have the more in-your-face personalities the pyrotechnics the flashiest gear or technique often its left to the drummer and bass player to hold the fort making sure everything hangs together. However when it comes to the music Bassists more than hold our own were renowned for inventing some of the most compelling hooks and melodies in music as this list of all time great bass lines shows.

1/ New Years Day U2

Adam Clayton tour-de-force simple pounding riff the key element to an all time classic taken from U2s 1983s War album

2/ The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

Classic Fleetwood Mac all burning guitars and energy but there in the middle eight building up for the finale - John McVies simple but incredible hook.

3/ Walk on the Wildside Lou Reed

Over 30 years old but still has that incredible sliding bass hook that everyone knows produced by Bowie Perhaps Lou Reeds finest and underpinned by that fabulous Herbie Flowers riff.

4/ Pink Floyd Money

Roger Waters in his prime great riff to start the song again an all time classic that everyone remembers for the bass part.a

5/ Stand by me Ben E King

Originally a hit in 1961 this soul classic with its repetitious (but instantly recognizable) 16-4 5 note bass riff is a lesson in creating a simple but great groove.

6/ Give it away Red Hot Chili Peppers

Flea cut loose loads of punk slap and slide a single brilliant take on why Flea is one the best Bassists ever

7/ Penny Lane The Beatles

Brilliant walking melody from Paul McCartney released in 1967 a fantastic lesson in how the melody and song structure can be derived from a brilliant bass line.

8/ Sunshine of your Love - Cream

Jack Bruce repetitious thundering bass line from one of heavy rocks first great anthems Creams finest hour.

9/ Under Pressure - Queen

John Deacons finest pulsating riff sampled often but never beaten

10/ Dont give up Peter Gabriel

Tony Levin showing that Bass parts arent just about storming riffs - Levin uses a repeating hook to create the mood of the piece a lesson in delicate playing!

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Author:: Adrian Martin
Keywords:: Bass guitar ,Bassist, bass player
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