OT: Best Bass Line?

Bruce K · #1 08-16-2018, 01:53 PM

The Aretha thread (and listening to “Think”) got me thinking about iconic/cool bass lines.

You know, the ones where you know the song just from the bass line or when the bass line just seems to carry the song.

I feel like we don’t have them very much in popular music today.

So what’s your favorite?

BK

572cv · #2 08-16-2018, 01:55 PM

O’Jays. Money. Has to be among them.

Blown Reek · #3 08-16-2018, 01:59 PM

"Bring Out Your Dead" by Anti-Flag comes to mind.

FlashUNC · #4 08-16-2018, 02:00 PM

New Order, Blue Monday.

Marc40a · #5 08-16-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 572cv

O’Jays. Money. Has to be among them.

Ha! Here we go.

Is there any topic that isn't political these days?

J/K

Ex-bassplayer (retired) here. My bread and butter for a number of years. Anthony Jackson really left a footprint on pop with that one. A pick and flange pedal was pretty unorthodox.

Likewise, David Hood, with all the early Aretha tracks and bass hooks.

LegendRider · #6 08-16-2018, 02:04 PM

The Who- Won't Get Fooled Again - John Entwistle's isolated bass:

https://youtu.be/80dsyo2Ox-0

parris · #7 08-16-2018, 02:07 PM

punch up some of the work that Carol Kay has done.

gdw · #8 08-16-2018, 02:08 PM

Bass line...stripers or fresh water?

jtbadge · #9 08-16-2018, 02:10 PM

I mean, it's gotta be "Good Times," right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKl6EZShaaw

The number of hit songs that have come since that either were inspired by this bass line or directly sampled it is staggering:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_T...ing_and_motifs

GOTHBROOKS · #10 08-16-2018, 02:13 PM

anesthesia (pulling teeth)

donevwil · #11 08-16-2018, 02:13 PM

Funny, the first thing that came to my mind was the theme to Barney Miller (TV show from my youth).

Marc40a · #12 08-16-2018, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donevwil

Funny, the first thing that came to my mind was the theme to Barney Miller (TV show from my youth).

I believe that was Carol Kaye, the player Parris mentioned.

rePhil · #13 08-16-2018, 02:23 PM

Under Pressure, Another one bites the dust. John Deacon / Queen

donevwil · #14 08-16-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc40a

I believe that was Carol Kaye, the player Parris mentioned.

This led to a fun Google search. According to Carol's FAQ's page it was actually played by Chuck Berghofer.

redir · #15 08-16-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LegendRider

The Who- Won't Get Fooled Again - John Entwistle's isolated bass:

https://youtu.be/80dsyo2Ox-0

I was thinking My Generation but yeah he's got a lot of hooks.

I'd also throw in Taxman, YYZ, Roundabout, Jerry was a Race Car Driver, Under Pressure....

This is one of those unanswerable questions. Some bass lines are simple but iconic others are require insane skill. I didn't mention any in the jazz category Like Jaco's 'A Remark You Made' or 'Come on Come Over.' Too many.