it’s time to rev up that low-end and give the bass players a little love
give the bass players a little love
give the bass players a little love welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 bass lines
for this list we’re ranking the best and
for this list we’re ranking the best and most memorable bass lines from the
most memorable bass lines from the
most memorable bass lines from the worlds of rock music including but not
worlds of rock music including but not
worlds of rock music including but not limited to its subgenres of heavy metal
limited to its subgenres of heavy metal
limited to its subgenres of heavy metal progressive rock and funk
we’ll be paying close attention to rock
we’ll be paying close attention to rock songs in which the bass line plays a
songs in which the bass line plays a
songs in which the bass line plays a particularly integral and lead role
particularly integral and lead role
particularly integral and lead role although we’ll be saving famous pop bass
although we’ll be saving famous pop bass
although we’ll be saving famous pop bass lines such as the one found in Michael
lines such as the one found in Michael
lines such as the one found in Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean for another list
the galloping baseline which uh sure is
the galloping baseline which uh sure is in this Iron Maiden classic is by far
in this Iron Maiden classic is by far
in this Iron Maiden classic is by far one of the most iconic from the band’s
one of the most iconic from the band’s
one of the most iconic from the band’s leader songwriter and bassist Steve
leader songwriter and bassist Steve
leader songwriter and bassist Steve Harris with wrath child still bowling
Harris with wrath child still bowling
Harris with wrath child still bowling over fans since it’s 1981 debut on made
over fans since it’s 1981 debut on made
over fans since it’s 1981 debut on made and sophomore effort killers
song remains a linchpin within the band
song remains a linchpin within the band set for many years and is still pulled
set for many years and is still pulled
set for many years and is still pulled out by Harrison Company whenever they
out by Harrison Company whenever they
out by Harrison Company whenever they feel like rocking out and reliving the
feel like rocking out and reliving the
feel like rocking out and reliving the old days with former frontman Paul
old days with former frontman Paul
old days with former frontman Paul Di’Anno
Rothschild remains a stone-cold killer
Rothschild remains a stone-cold killer no matter who sings it however thanks in
no matter who sings it however thanks in
no matter who sings it however thanks in part to Harris’s bad ass bassline
number nine American life Primus Les
number nine American life Primus Les Claypool of Primus just maybe the
Claypool of Primus just maybe the
Claypool of Primus just maybe the bassist bassist a virtuoso of the fad
bassist bassist a virtuoso of the fad
bassist bassist a virtuoso of the fad string whose jaw-dropping dexterity with
string whose jaw-dropping dexterity with
string whose jaw-dropping dexterity with his chosen instrument has caused many an
his chosen instrument has caused many an
his chosen instrument has caused many an aspiring player to shake their heads in
aspiring player to shake their heads in
aspiring player to shake their heads in disbelief indeed Claypool’s ability to
disbelief indeed Claypool’s ability to
disbelief indeed Claypool’s ability to coax amazing and unique sounds from his
coax amazing and unique sounds from his
coax amazing and unique sounds from his bass guitar has led the progressive
bass guitar has led the progressive
bass guitar has led the progressive experimental funk trio of Primus since
experimental funk trio of Primus since
experimental funk trio of Primus since their debut in 1984 with American life
their debut in 1984 with American life
their debut in 1984 with American life serving as an early highlight from the
serving as an early highlight from the
serving as an early highlight from the band’s second studio album sailing the
band’s second studio album sailing the
band’s second studio album sailing the seas of cheese
the bubbling avant-garde baseline here
the bubbling avant-garde baseline here is indicative of Prime mrs. early
is indicative of Prime mrs. early
is indicative of Prime mrs. early direction which was itself an extension
direction which was itself an extension
direction which was itself an extension of Claypool and guitarist Larry low
of Claypool and guitarist Larry low
of Claypool and guitarist Larry low loans roots in the thrash metal scene a
loans roots in the thrash metal scene a
loans roots in the thrash metal scene a riff which captures prog funk craziness
riff which captures prog funk craziness
riff which captures prog funk craziness with a head bobbing groove
with a head bobbing groove
with a head bobbing groove it’s classic Primus
there will never be another basis quite
there will never be another basis quite like Metallica’s cliff burton
like Metallica’s cliff burton
like Metallica’s cliff burton the late bass man created many magical
the late bass man created many magical
the late bass man created many magical moments within his all-too-brief tenure
moments within his all-too-brief tenure
moments within his all-too-brief tenure with the band such as For Whom the Bell
with the band such as For Whom the Bell
with the band such as For Whom the Bell Tolls
there’s also this iconic instrumental
there’s also this iconic instrumental from his final studio appearance Master
from his final studio appearance Master
from his final studio appearance Master of Puppets however as orion opens up
of Puppets however as orion opens up
of Puppets however as orion opens up strong with Burton’s intent skip melodic
strong with Burton’s intent skip melodic
strong with Burton’s intent skip melodic style displaying some driving drum and
style displaying some driving drum and
style displaying some driving drum and bass into play before Burton calms it
bass into play before Burton calms it
bass into play before Burton calms it down with a rather tranquil solo
it’s a classic Metallica moment and one
it’s a classic Metallica moment and one which the band continues to sombrely
which the band continues to sombrely
which the band continues to sombrely remember to this day
there are a few iconic names when it
there are a few iconic names when it comes to classic rock faces and the
comes to classic rock faces and the
comes to classic rock faces and the who’s John Entwistle is certainly one of
who’s John Entwistle is certainly one of
who’s John Entwistle is certainly one of them my generation was one of the first
them my generation was one of the first
them my generation was one of the first examples of Entwistle’s immense talent
examples of Entwistle’s immense talent
examples of Entwistle’s immense talent on his instrument as this classic who
on his instrument as this classic who
on his instrument as this classic who Jam displays the basis fast fleet and
Jam displays the basis fast fleet and
Jam displays the basis fast fleet and nimble playing style far more tribal
nimble playing style far more tribal
nimble playing style far more tribal base than most for stringers
the ox cuts right over Pete Townsend’s
the ox cuts right over Pete Townsend’s massive guitar riffs with the greatest
massive guitar riffs with the greatest
massive guitar riffs with the greatest of ease Morlocks in tight with Keith
of ease Morlocks in tight with Keith
of ease Morlocks in tight with Keith moons frantic drumming when the song
moons frantic drumming when the song
moons frantic drumming when the song calls for it
number six give it away the Red Hot
number six give it away the Red Hot Chili Peppers the world of bass players
Chili Peppers the world of bass players
Chili Peppers the world of bass players sadly doesn’t have the same amount of
sadly doesn’t have the same amount of
sadly doesn’t have the same amount of rock stars when compared to that of
rock stars when compared to that of
rock stars when compared to that of guitarist or lead singers although this
guitarist or lead singers although this
guitarist or lead singers although this diminutive bass playing powerhouse has
diminutive bass playing powerhouse has
diminutive bass playing powerhouse has always served as the counterpoint of
always served as the counterpoint of
always served as the counterpoint of cool to that notion
indeed flea is a textbook definition of
indeed flea is a textbook definition of Rockstar basis and this frantic chili
Rockstar basis and this frantic chili
Rockstar basis and this frantic chili pepper has lived up to a time and time
pepper has lived up to a time and time
pepper has lived up to a time and time again with his innovative slapping
again with his innovative slapping
again with his innovative slapping technique and hyper aggressive attack
give it away showcases a groovy or more
give it away showcases a groovy or more laid-back version of flee however an in
laid-back version of flee however an in
laid-back version of flee however an in the pocket bassline which anchors this
the pocket bassline which anchors this
the pocket bassline which anchors this slice of slinky and sexy funk
number five dazed and confused Led
number five dazed and confused Led Zeppelin sometimes it isn’t about how
Zeppelin sometimes it isn’t about how
Zeppelin sometimes it isn’t about how flashy one can play but how much groove
flashy one can play but how much groove
flashy one can play but how much groove one can lay down with the simplest of
one can lay down with the simplest of
one can lay down with the simplest of riffs Led Zeppelin clearly knew this
riffs Led Zeppelin clearly knew this
riffs Led Zeppelin clearly knew this rule as evidence from this
rule as evidence from this
rule as evidence from this straightforward yet immense classic
straightforward yet immense classic
straightforward yet immense classic Dazed and Confused treasures along with
Dazed and Confused treasures along with
Dazed and Confused treasures along with a heavy chromatic riff anchored by the
a heavy chromatic riff anchored by the
a heavy chromatic riff anchored by the booming bass of John Paul Jones an
booming bass of John Paul Jones an
booming bass of John Paul Jones an immensely talented songwriter arranger
immensely talented songwriter arranger
immensely talented songwriter arranger and multi-instrumentalist who just might
and multi-instrumentalist who just might
and multi-instrumentalist who just might have served as Zeppelin’s secret weapon
when the song really kicks into gear
when the song really kicks into gear around the three and a half minute mark
around the three and a half minute mark
around the three and a half minute mark Jones really gets to let loose on the
Jones really gets to let loose on the
Jones really gets to let loose on the fat strings burning those bass licks for
fat strings burning those bass licks for
fat strings burning those bass licks for all he’s worth
Canada’s most beloved progressive rock
Canada’s most beloved progressive rock bands have crafted countless memorable
bands have crafted countless memorable
bands have crafted countless memorable musical moments over the course of their
musical moments over the course of their
musical moments over the course of their 40 plus year career but this intricate
40 plus year career but this intricate
40 plus year career but this intricate instrumental arrives that oh so delicate
instrumental arrives that oh so delicate
instrumental arrives that oh so delicate line between fan favorite and commercial
line between fan favorite and commercial
line between fan favorite and commercial success
YYZ is notable for a number of reasons
YYZ is notable for a number of reasons from the always interesting melodic
from the always interesting melodic
from the always interesting melodic movements from guitars Alex Lifeson to
movements from guitars Alex Lifeson to
movements from guitars Alex Lifeson to the dizzy and drumming of Neil Peart but
the dizzy and drumming of Neil Peart but
the dizzy and drumming of Neil Peart but it’s the way both musicians lock in with
it’s the way both musicians lock in with
it’s the way both musicians lock in with the restrained yet explosive performance
the restrained yet explosive performance
the restrained yet explosive performance of bassist keyboardist and lead singer
of bassist keyboardist and lead singer
of bassist keyboardist and lead singer Geddy Lee which makes this one a rush
Geddy Lee which makes this one a rush
Geddy Lee which makes this one a rush song for the ages
Paul McCartney is a rock and roll legend
Paul McCartney is a rock and roll legend for a number of reasons and Beatle mania
for a number of reasons and Beatle mania
for a number of reasons and Beatle mania aside chiefly among them is that he is
aside chiefly among them is that he is
aside chiefly among them is that he is an incredibly forward-thinking bass
an incredibly forward-thinking bass
an incredibly forward-thinking bass player McCartney’s unwillingness to
player McCartney’s unwillingness to
player McCartney’s unwillingness to remain a shadowed figure back at the
remain a shadowed figure back at the
remain a shadowed figure back at the drum riser gave more prominence to the
drum riser gave more prominence to the
drum riser gave more prominence to the notion of a bassist as a melodic and
notion of a bassist as a melodic and
notion of a bassist as a melodic and upfront performer right alongside a
upfront performer right alongside a
upfront performer right alongside a guitarist or singer this idea was put
guitarist or singer this idea was put
guitarist or singer this idea was put into motion to great success with the
into motion to great success with the
into motion to great success with the Beatles come together a song which is
Beatles come together a song which is
Beatles come together a song which is not only anchored by its hummable poppy
not only anchored by its hummable poppy
not only anchored by its hummable poppy bassline but indeed defined by it
bassline but indeed defined by it
bassline but indeed defined by it proving that the bass players time to
proving that the bass players time to
proving that the bass players time to shine was indeed upon us
number two money Pink Floyd if any band
number two money Pink Floyd if any band can make something catchy out of an
can make something catchy out of an
can make something catchy out of an incredibly complex time signature its
incredibly complex time signature its
incredibly complex time signature its Pink Floyd money is one of the most
Pink Floyd money is one of the most
Pink Floyd money is one of the most enduring hits from this group
enduring hits from this group
enduring hits from this group despite its foregoing notions like a
despite its foregoing notions like a
despite its foregoing notions like a chorus in favor of a bass driven hook in
chorus in favor of a bass driven hook in
chorus in favor of a bass driven hook in 7/4 time
what makes money even more successful
what makes money even more successful however is the fact that bassist and
however is the fact that bassist and
however is the fact that bassist and songwriter Roger Waters goes for a
songwriter Roger Waters goes for a
songwriter Roger Waters goes for a devilishly simple 4/4 rock beat behind
devilishly simple 4/4 rock beat behind
devilishly simple 4/4 rock beat behind guitarist David Gilmour’s three
guitarist David Gilmour’s three
guitarist David Gilmour’s three consecutive guitar solos before driving
consecutive guitar solos before driving
consecutive guitar solos before driving it back home to the 74 for the finale
even if you have no idea what any of
even if you have no idea what any of that means you can’t help but rock along
that means you can’t help but rock along
that means you can’t help but rock along to it
before we announce our number one
before we announce our number one baseline here are a few honorable
baseline here are a few honorable
baseline here are a few honorable mentions
number one another one bites the dust
number one another one bites the dust Queen funky beyond the shadow of a doubt
Queen funky beyond the shadow of a doubt
Queen funky beyond the shadow of a doubt this queen classic showed that even
this queen classic showed that even
this queen classic showed that even British rock royalty weren’t immune to
British rock royalty weren’t immune to
British rock royalty weren’t immune to getting down with a bit of disco the
getting down with a bit of disco the
getting down with a bit of disco the success of another one bites the dust
success of another one bites the dust
success of another one bites the dust hinges on that supremely catchy bassline
hinges on that supremely catchy bassline
hinges on that supremely catchy bassline from John Deacon a bouncy riff which
from John Deacon a bouncy riff which
from John Deacon a bouncy riff which gets the booty movin and the feature
gets the booty movin and the feature
gets the booty movin and the feature acing towards the dance floor similar to
acing towards the dance floor similar to
acing towards the dance floor similar to what Deacon would achieve a year later
what Deacon would achieve a year later
what Deacon would achieve a year later on under pressure
on under pressure
on under pressure the band’s successful musical
the band’s successful musical
the band’s successful musical collaboration with David Bowie
another one bites the dust prove that
another one bites the dust prove that Queen was just as comfortable riding
Queen was just as comfortable riding
Queen was just as comfortable riding groovy jams as they were heavy rock
groovy jams as they were heavy rock
groovy jams as they were heavy rock riffs and they were damn good at both so
riffs and they were damn good at both so
riffs and they were damn good at both so do you agree with our list
do you agree with our list
do you agree with our list what’s bass lines do you feel should
what’s bass lines do you feel should
what’s bass lines do you feel should have made the cut
for more fun top 10 list published every
for more fun top 10 list published every day be sure to subscribe to
day be sure to subscribe to
day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
”
Be First to Comment