15 Songs with Good Bass Lines
Located at the low end of the frequency spectrum, bass anchors music to the ground while driving the rhythm forward. From rock riffs to funk slaps and reggae subs, great bass lines are a key element in most modern music genres. In this article, we’ll look at 15 of the best bass lines of all time.
Gorillaz - "Feel Good Inc."
- Released: 2005
- Why It Slaps: The dark, groovy bass line contrasts beautifully with the playful synths, making this track an unforgettable funk classic.
- Watch on YouTube: Feel Good Inc.
Released in 2005 by Gorillaz, this track is a bass-lovers delight. It’s the lead single on their second album, with the virtual band collaborating with iconic hip-hop group De La Soul. “Feel Good Inc.” was listed in Rolling Stone and Pitchfork as one of the Best Songs of the 2000s, and it was also nominated for three Grammy Awards.
This song has an extremely catchy and hypnotic groove, which is mostly down to the bass. The low notes have a somewhat sinister quality that counteracts the playful synths and sweet strings. “Feel Good Inc.” is a modern funk classic with a bass line that really slaps.
Muse - "Hysteria"
- Released: 2003
- Why It Slaps: A powerful, fuzzy bass line that drives the energy of the song, making it a favorite among fans.
- Watch on YouTube: Hysteria
This epic song by Muse was released at the band’s height in 2003. It’s loved by hardcore fans and casual listeners alike, partly due to its heavy bass line. While “Hysteria” is pretty straightforward by Muse’s standards, it mixes a lot of musical elements together very successfully.
Heavy guitars take the lead, booming drums lay down the beat, and a fuzzy bass is doubled for maximum impact. This song has a short prelude track called “Interlude,” which sets the tone with dueling guitar and bass lines with lots of distortion and delay.
Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"
- Released: 1994
- Why It Slaps: An aggressive bass line that anchors the track’s blend of rock and hip-hop elements.
- Watch on YouTube: Sabotage
This track hits like a freight train, and it’s largely down to the bass. Released back in 1994, it was the centerpiece of the band’s fourth album, Ill Communication. In true Beastie Boys style, “Sabotage” blends rock drums and guitars with hip-hop scratching and heavily distorted bass.
Like many tracks on this list, “Sabotage” started with the bass line and grew from there. MCA played the signature groove in the studio, with Ad-Rock and Mike D picking up their instruments and building on the vibe. If you’re looking for aggressive, energetic rap songs with good bass, put “Sabotage” on your playlist right now.
Tool - "Schism"
- Released: 2001
- Why It Slaps: Complex rhythms paired with a heavy bass line that demands attention.
- Watch on YouTube: Schism
This epic seven-minute number was released on Tool’s third album, Lateralus. Hitting the airwaves in 2001, “Schism” was the first single from this much-loved long-player. This track features complex rhythms and deep themes, and the bass line is very much front and center.
Despite the complex nature of this song, the heavy bass line had very humble origins.
According to bassist Justin Chancellor, “The twiddly ‘Schism’ riff came from fooling around. I just play as much as possible, and I don’t write stuff down — so when I get a good idea, I play it until I can’t forget it.”
The Clash - "Rock the Casbah"
- Released: 1982
- Why It Slaps: A catchy bass line that perfectly complements the song’s punk-rock energy.
- Watch on YouTube: Rock the Casbah
Released in 1982, “Rock the Casbah” is a memorable bass-heavy song from English punk rock royalty The Clash. Lyrically, this song is about a Middle Eastern king banning Western rock music, which was an obvious reference to the Iranian Revolution.
“Rock the Casbah” was written by drummer Topper Headon, based on a small solo piano jam. Without bandmates present, he recorded separate drum, piano, and bass parts onto tape. Joe Strummer and Mick Jones liked what they heard upon their return, with only minor overdubs added.
Primus - "Tommy the Cat"
- Released: 1991
- Why It Slaps: Funk metal at its finest, with a bass line that takes center stage.
- Watch on YouTube: Tommy the Cat
You can’t make a “best bass song” list without mentioning Primus. This influential American funk metal group released dozens of amazing tracks, most of which featured heavy bass grooves. “Tommy the Cat” came from the band’s second album, Sailing the Seas of Cheese, with Tom Waits providing the voice of Tommy on the studio version.
This fun track has been included in many movies and TV shows over the years, including Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and trailers for South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut. Many other Primus songs could have made this list, including “Groundhog’s Day,” “American Life,” and “To Defy the Laws of Tradition.”
Black Sabbath - "Fairies Wear Boots"
- Released: 1970
- Why It Slaps: A high-energy, groove-laden bass line that’s a must-learn for aspiring bassists.
- Watch on YouTube: Fairies Wear Boots
Heavy metal giants Black Sabbath are responsible for lots of deep, dark music. “Fairies Wear Boots” is a great example, with Ozzy Osbourne and his bandmates producing a fantastic heavy bass tune. This track runs for just over six minutes, with the high-energy bass giving it a distinct and almost danceable groove.
Released in 1970 on the band’s Paranoid album, “Fairies Wear Boots” is learned by many aspiring young bass players. Even the track’s title is bass-related, with Ozzy Osbourne writing the lyrics after a group of skinheads called bassist Geezer Butler a “fairy” because of his long hair.
Bob Marley and the Wailers - "Stir It Up"
- Released: 1967
- Why It Slaps: A deep, soulful bass line that’s the hallmark of reggae’s low-end sound.
- Watch on YouTube: Stir It Up
When it comes to songs with good bass, you need to include some reggae. “Stir It Up” is the perfect choice, with Bob Marley and the Wailers going deep into sub territory. The lyrics of this song see the famous Rasta seeking help from his wife Rita to reignite their flame of passion.
“Stir It Up” is notable as the first Bob Marley song to have success outside Jamaica. While it’s technically a rocksteady tune, it formed a bridge between ska and reggae and paved the way for a lot of great bass-heavy productions.
The White Stripes - "Seven Nation Army"
- Released: 2003
- Why It Slaps: An iconic bass riff that has become a global anthem, despite being played on a guitar.
- Watch on YouTube: Seven Nation Army
From an alt-rock hit to a stadium staple, “Seven Nation Army” is The White Stripe’s most popular song. It’s the opening track on the Elephant album, which is a good descriptor of the bass notes coming from Jack White’s guitar. There’s no actual bass in sight, with the low notes coming from a guitar through a pitch shift effect.
This iconic song has an incredibly simple structure, with the basic drum and bass elements combined with distorted vocals to maximum effect. The bass riff has become a ubiquitous modern sensation, thanks to its constant use in football stadiums and sports venues around the world.
Rick James - "Super Freak"
- Released: 1981
- Why It Slaps: A classic funk bass line that’s as unforgettable as the song itself.
- Watch on YouTube: Super Freak
This 1981 hit by Rick James is one of the very best bass songs. First released on the Street Songs album, it became one of James’s signature songs. “Super Freak” has background vocals from Motown label mates The Temptations, but the bass line is what really drives this track forward.
On the 12″ cover for this song, James is holding his bass guitar like a weapon. It’s a Rickenbacker 4001, an iconic bass guitar produced in the late 1970s. While James wrote most of his own music, Oscar Alston was the studio musician responsible for playing this classic funk bass line.
Daft Punk - "Around the World"
- Released: 1997
- Why It Slaps: A steady, driving bass line that powers the track’s repetitive, catchy groove.
- Watch on YouTube: Around the World
This track by Daft Punk is an absolute groove. Like many of the bass-heavy tracks on this list, it also features a very simple construction. The bass holds a steady beat, while a robotic voice sings “around the world” continuously 144 times. It’s very similar to the bass line on the Chic song “Good Times.”
Released in 1997 on their debut album, Homework, “Around the World” became a major club hit across the globe. It hit the top of the dance charts in the US, UK, Canada, Spain, Iceland, and Italy. The simplicity of this song makes it incredibly catchy, and the quirky music video gives it an all-time status.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Higher Ground"
- Released: 1989
- Why It Slaps: Flea’s energetic bass line redefines Stevie Wonder’s classic with a fresh, funky twist.
- Watch on YouTube: Higher Ground
Originally created by Stevie Wonder, this alt-rock track is full of low-end funk. The Red Hot Chili Peppers breathe new life into this number, with bassist Flea bringing his unique sense of timing and groove. “Higher Ground” is sometimes called funk metal, a not-quite-real music genre that also includes bands like Primus, Living Colour, and Jane’s Addiction.
“Higher Ground” has been included in multiple movies, TV shows, and computer games over the years. From Beavis and Butt-Head to The Karate Kid and Guitar Hero, the rollicking bass line creates the perfect backdrop for sexy good times and fun-loving action adventures.
THe Jackson 5 - "I Want You Back"
- Released: 1969
- Why It Slaps: A tight, punchy bass line that drives the infectious rhythm of this Motown hit.
- Watch on YouTube: I Want You Back
The Jackson 5 released some of the best bass songs over the years, including this fantastic jam. The main vocal in “I Want You Back” was performed by a tween, the now-iconic then-just-11 Michael Jackson. The song is composed in A-flat major, and the bass line leads from the back with the tight drums.
“I Want You Back” was the first national single released by The Jackson 5. It was performed on stage and TV, and it sold over 6 million copies worldwide. While Jermaine Jackson was the original lead singer and bass player in this band, studio musician Wilton Lewis Felder played bass on this track.
The Weeknd - "Starboy ft. Daft Punk"
- Released: 2016
- Why It Slaps: A modern bass-heavy electropop track with Daft Punk’s signature production style.
- Watch on YouTube: Starboy
Canadian singer-songwriter, The Weeknd, released this in 2016 as the title track on his third studio album. “Starboy” was absolutely everywhere at the time, from radio and TV screens to festivals and clubs around the world. This track was co-produced by Daft Punk, and their unique bass-heavy production is a big part of its success.
“Starboy” is a catchy electropop number with hints of future R&B.
It made The Weeknd a huge global sensation, a wave he rode with other songs from the album like “Wild Love” and “False Alarm.
The video for “Starboy” was about The Weeknd’s attempt to murder his former personality.
Meshuggah - "By The TOn"
- Released: 2016
- Why It Slaps: Complex, heavy bass riffs that make this track an intense, headbanging experience.
- Watch on YouTube: By The Ton
This fantastic track by Meshuggah is full of complex riffs and heavy bass energy. It has an incredible groove throughout, including the middle bridge section played by both guitars and bass. Meshuggah is known for playing with strange time signatures, most of which are driven by bass guitar.
Dick Lövgren is the bass player for the band, with his custom 5-string Zon Bass used throughout the band’s catalog. While the overall tone of the bass is fairly mid-focused, “By the Ton” has a deep elastic groove that simultaneously roots you to the floor and makes you want to move.
Playlist
![Muse - Hysteria [Official Music Video]](https://rbeatz.com/wp-content/uploads/muse-hysteria-official-music-vid.jpg "15 Iconic Bass Lines That Shake Your Soul 2")
Final Thoughts
If you love your music low and deep, it’s important to find songs with good bass. When a solid bass line is combined with a tight beat and strong melodic hook, you have the recipe for great modern music. The songs presented here are among the very best, so add them to your playlist and get yourself in the mood.