When you’re learning how to play the bass, it’s important that you learn how to play some songs. Fortunately, most of your favorite songs likely have a bass line that is easy for a beginner to play.
Here are some of the best beginner bass songs to get you started. There’s something here for everyone, regardless of your personal music tastes.
Let’s get on with the learning!
“Where Is My Mind?” by The Pixies
The Pixies are an alternative rock group that never quite saw the successes that bands like Nirvana achieved. However, this group was fundamental in influencing many of the grunge bands of that era.
Where Is My Mind? is perhaps their best-known track, recognizable to those who aren’t even fans of the band. This is great for a beginner to learn as the bass line plays a vital role in the song’s sound.
For the most part, the bass line repeats itself throughout the song. Once you learn the main section, you’re well on your way to learning the entire track.
“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
When it comes to reggae music, there is no name that is larger than Bob Marley. His music and the messages within have transcended all music genres.
While his musical messages have much for people to learn from, they are also prime for a bass player. Bass and reggae music go together like peanut butter and jelly.
A great example of this is the song Three Little Birds. This song is super simple, and you won’t have much of an issue laying down the foundation of this classic.
“Longview” by Green Day
If you're into punk music, you’re definitely going to want to spend time learning some Green Day tracks. The band was instrumental in putting punk music in the mainstream spotlight throughout the 1990s.
Dookie was the album that put Green Day on the map in terms of gaining a massive worldwide audience. Every song on this album is worthwhile for any beginner bass player to learn.
The song Longview is a popular classic from this album. A nasty, isolated bass line plays during the verses, which allows you to show off your skill.
You’ll definitely want to make sure you can play this flawlessly if you’re going to perform in front of an audience. Fortunately, the bass line repeats itself so once you get the main section down, you’re well on your way.
“For Whom The Bell Tolls” by Metallica
Metallica is undoubtedly one of the most famous metal bands to emerge from the late 1980s. Their music provided the perfect blend of accessibility and punchy, aggressive musicality.
This is another one of those bands that has an expansive catalog perfect for any beginner bassist. For Whom The Bell Tolls is a standout selection from this superb catalog of music.
The song has a great mixture of sustained notes, pulsed driving rhythms, and complex lines. Don’t worry though, there isn’t anything too difficult to master, just a lot of parts to remember.
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
What is the formula for creating a song that is instantly catchy and hooks in listeners of all genres? This is a question that has been baffling the music industry ever since the early days of recorded music.
One great piece of the puzzle is usually an iconic, unforgettable riff that carries the song. It is, in part, one small reason Seven Nation Army got as popular as it did.
With this song, you’ll primarily be playing the main riff with some changes during the end of the passage. This song is a glaring example of how simplicity can be more effective than complexity.
As far as modern bass lines go, Seven Nation Army has to be one of the most influential.
“Green Onions” by Booker T. & The M.G.’s
Looking to inject a sense of cool into your bass playing? You’ll want to learn the classic song Green Onions.
This is probably most notable for its melodic organ solos throughout the song. However, the entire song is hinged on a signature bass line that is too cool to deny.
Your playing discipline will grow with this song as you must stay consistent and in the pocket the whole time. Luckily, it’s simple and fun enough that you won’t mind playing the same thing over and over.
“Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen
When people talk about unforgettable bass lines, Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust is a frequent mention. The song’s intro essentially starts out with the rhythmic bass line pulse.
This track will give you a masterclass in how spaces in between your notes can be very effective. It also shows you the importance of a consistent bass line within the context of a pop song.
“Super Freak” by Rick James
The 1970s was an era that saw the bass guitar reach new heights. Before this era, the bass was often in the shadows while other instruments got the spotlight.
Everything has its moment in the sun, and with the rise in popularity of funk sounds, the bass became king. These funky sounds are often hinged upon the groove of the bass itself.
A classic example of this can be heard in the song Super Freak. It contains a bass riff that essentially holds within it the song’s melody.
After learning this song, you’re sure to catch the bug for learning other funk songs. Super Freak is one of the easiest that you can start out with.
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
In the era of bass players being somewhat hidden in the shadows, the song Stand By Me was an exception. This is actually one of the most popular songs to have ever been recorded.
In fact, just about anybody can easily recognize the song as soon as the track’s signature bass line comes in. It truly is a powerful song, which is one reason why it’s still frequently played today.
Like the aforementioned Green Onions, Stand By Me’s bass line repeats the whole way through. It will serve as a great exercise in discipline as well as playing through a standard progression.
“Come Together” by The Beatles
The Beatles are known for a lot of things and are often credited with changing modern music forever. This group’s songwriting is perhaps the aspect that usually gets mentioned the most.
When it comes to the bass guitar, The Beatles often do not get the same amount of credit. To overlook this group’s bass lines would cause you to miss out on some true magic.
The classic song Come Together features one of the band’s most iconic bass lines. This is another one of those songs that you immediately recognize because of the bass.
“The Guns Of Brixton” by The Clash
You’ve already seen how the bass can play a pivotal role in both punk and reggae music. What about if you were to combine those two genres?
That sort of combination is generally known as ska, which has become quite popular over the last few decades. Before ska really took hold, The Guns Of Brixton served as a sort of forefather to the genre.
The Guns Of Brixton is pretty much unlike any other song The Clash would record. It has a grooving reggae feel with the edgy aesthetic of punk rock.
“Disco Inferno” by The Trammps
It’s no secret that a funky bass line tastefully played is a key ingredient to making somebody want to dance. This is a major part of the reason why disco music was so successful in the 1970s.
Disco was essentially like funk, with just a bit more speed and pop aesthetic. Regardless, the bass still was fundamental in providing that groove that people would want to dance to.
Disco Inferno by The Trammps is a classic from the era, featuring a signature bass line. You’ll often hear this song still being played on the radio today.
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police
Many groups who were active in the 1980s achieved massive mainstream success, with The Police included. Unfortunately, most of the synthesizer-heavy music of that time period just does not hold up well today.
The Police really had a unique sound in the late 1970s that helped to put them on the map. Like so many other groups, they started to change their sound a bit in the 1980s.
Nevertheless, Every Breath You Take helped the group reach a very large audience. It’s not dipped too heavily in 80s aesthetics, which is always a plus (unless you like that sort of thing).
“Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Flea is perhaps one of the most iconic bass players of the modern era. With his funky chops and bizarre stage presence, it’s no wonder he’s become a household name.
Many beginner bass players tend to look up to Flea as a sort of idol. And, there’s a great reason for this, but it does pose a problem for complete beginners.
Let’s face it, some of Flea’s parts are not well-suited for any beginner to muster. The song Otherside, however, is the perfect entry for beginner bass players to learn some Flea parts.
“(I Got You) I Feel Good” by James Brown
Is there any name more synonymous with funk than James Brown? He essentially made funk and soul unavoidable, allowing people to see that this music had something to offer.
Brown has an incredible catalog of hit songs, with (I Got You) I Feel Good being the most famous. Just about every person alive probably knows this song.
It’s become the quintessential song to put on the stereo when you’re really feeling like you’re having a great day. As you might guess, an important ingredient to the song is indeed its bass line.
James Brown kept an incredibly tight musical ship, often firing musicians on the spot for making a mistake. Keep that in mind when you attempt to play this song with extreme discipline.
“Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz
Gorillaz is a fictional band that essentially only exists in an animated form. Regardless of this fact, the group has had several massive hits over its career.
The song Feel Good Inc. is one of the group’s most popular tracks. You can easily identify this song because of its ascending and descending bass line.
Learning this song will get you moving up and down the fretboard. Just remember to keep the riff in the correct key during the verses.
“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
Crazy Train is one of those songs that guitar beginners often learn first. You can probably guess why due to the song’s classic intro riff.
However, Crazy Train also makes for an excellent track for beginner bassists to learn, too. The song actually opens with a signature bass pulse, letting the space between work its magic.
Even if you aren’t really into the hard rock of this era, Crazy Train is still worth learning. When you go to play with a guitarist, there’s a good chance they’ll know this song.
Sometimes, when jamming with somebody new, it can be helpful to have some common ground to start from. Crazy Train makes for a great addition to the repertoire for that purpose.
“Autumn Sweater” by Yo La Tengo
Unless you’re well-versed in classic indie-rock music, chances are, you’re unfamiliar with Yo La Tengo. Since the late 1980s, this Hoboken, New Jersey group has been churning out albums that have become indie-rock staples.
Their album, I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, is a true masterpiece chock full of awesome songs. The song Autumn Sweater comes from this album, blending a breakbeat and organ with a classic bass line.
Compared to other songs on this list, Autumn Sweater thrives on long, sustained notes. Its simplicity allows it to be one of the main focuses of the song’s musicality.
“Some Kind Of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad
Looking for something extremely simple and easy to play that you can also sing along with? Grand Funk Railroad’s Some Kind Of Wonderful is an ideal choice.
If you listen to the song, you’ll notice the song is only a simple drum beat, bass line, and vocals. For just a short few measures, some organ comes in to add a little extra help.
What this song proves is that you really don’t need much to have an effective song. Grand Funk Railroad decided the bass was all that was necessary for accompaniment, and they weren't wrong.
“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
Interested in learning something that has its own bass solo? Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain makes for a great selection for this purpose.
Fans of Fleetwood Mac often love this song, particularly because of its bass lines. Before the guitar solo kicks in, the bass sets the stage with an infectious riff.
You’ll definitely have a lot of fun with this one. Plus, you’ll find that some of the riffs can be easily morphed into something that sounds uniquely like you.
“Gimme Some Lovin'” by The Blues Brothers
Donned in black suits, fedoras, and sunglasses, The Blues Brothers are true pop culture icons. What started out as a popular Saturday Night Live skit culminated into massive blockbuster films.
This group was notable for doing cover renditions of classic blues, soul, and R&B tracks. Gimme Some Lovin’ is a song that The Blues Brothers often played, and it definitely has an iconic bass line.
The bass line in this track has a driving pulse upon which the rest of the song sits. It features one note primarily repeated with an additional note on a different string.
“Yellow” by Coldplay
Coldplay is undoubtedly one of the most famous pop groups of the modern era. This group achieved sustained success that other groups could only dream of.
However, Coldplay isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and you’d be forgiven if you’re in this category. Despite this, Yellow makes for a great beginner bass song.
For the most part, the song features notes played on the 2nd fret of each string. There is some variation in the chorus for a little bit of diversity and to keep things fun.
While you might not be a Coldplay fan, playing Yellow will certainly please certain audiences. Sometimes, it’s all about making your crowd happy, despite how you feel.
“Play That Funky Music White Boy” by Wild Cherry
When it comes to radio hits that blend rock and funk, Play That Funky Music is a true classic. This is another one of those songs that is easily identifiable by the main riff.
The song’s iconic riff is actually played on the guitar, though it does hold up well on the bass. You’ll find the bass part actually sits in the pocket and punches through the gaps in the musical lanes.
As far as learning the song goes, you should learn both the iconic guitar part and the bass line. It will teach you so much about laying back and letting the band work as an orchestra to create definition.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
Nirvana is often the go-to band for beginner guitarists who worship Kurt Cobain as a songwriter. There’s definitely nothing wrong with this, as much of their music is simplistic enough for beginners.
This doesn’t mean Nirvana’s material should be excluded from beginner bass players. Their hit song Smells Like Teen Spirit is perfect for the bass player who is into grunge music.
“La Grange” by ZZ Top
If you’re into classic rock, you’ll definitely want to learn ZZ Top’s La Grange. This is a staple within the genre and it is steeped in those tasty Texas blues riffs.
Compositionally, La Grange is fairly simple. In fact, the most difficult parts really lie within the guitar parts.
The bass serves to provide that extra oomph to the song’s main riffs. It maintains its foundation during the song’s guitar solos, holding everything down in a grounded manner.
“Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie
Rhythm and spacing are key elements of a classic bass line. If you don’t believe this, listen to Under Pressure.
This bass line is undoubtedly one of the most famous bass lines to ever be created. It is extremely simple, consisting of purely rhythm and spacing.
The bass line would go on to be featured in a very popular track by Vanilla Ice. This bass line is easily what caused Vanilla Ice’s song to be just as famous as the original by Queen.
“You Really Got Me” by The Kinks
If you’re into punk music, you will want to take some time to explore the catalog of The Kinks. While the group fit well into the pop sound of the 1960s, their musicality planted the seed for punk.
You can hear this being evident in songs like You Really Got Me, which features guitars with a biting tone. While this is great for beginner guitarists to learn, beginner bassists have just as much benefit here.
You Really Got Me will get you changing between chords relatively quickly. Plus, it’s easy enough that most of the fingerings are relatively convenient.
“In The Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett
Are you familiar with the musical legacy of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio? If not, you should know they were responsible for some of the most famous recorded music of all time.
This studio band worked with a massive list of well-known artists, including Wilson Pickett. In fact, Pickett’s popularity grew because of the quality of music he was able to produce in this studio.
The song In The Midnight Hour is one of Pickett’s most famous songs. It serves as a classic example of how the bass was so important in soul songs of this era.
“Money” by Pink Floyd
Even if you’re not a fan of Pink Floyd, you can probably recognize and identify the song Money. If it wasn’t for the sound of cash registers, the song’s bass line would easily give the song away.
With this track, Pink Floyd adopted the formula of so many funk and dance songs at that time period. Sure, the song has iconic solos throughout, but the bass is the real star of the show here.
Money’s bass line is really a lot of fun to play. Because so many people know this song, you should have this up your sleeve.
“Oh Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison is undoubtedly best-known for his hit song, Oh Pretty Woman. However, Orbison was actually a musical genius and he is often overlooked by today’s musicians.
Oh Pretty Woman makes for a great entry into discovering some of Orbison’s catalog. The song is full of signature licks that are sure to make any audience member smile.
“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People
If you were alive in 2011, you probably heard Pumped Up Kicks more than your fair share of times. The song was absolutely unavoidable, enjoying play in just about every avenue imaginable.
It was this song that broke Foster The People into the mainstream. The fact that it was their debut single makes the song even more impressive.
This is a great track for a beginner as it will teach you to play across multiple strings. Luckily, the notes are all relatively simple, so once you get the string changes down, you’re pretty much there.
“Stir It Up” by Bob Marley
You’ve seen by now the vital relationship that the bass has within reggae music. If you’re interested in learning a true classic, don’t pass up Stir It Up.
As far as iconic reggae bass lines go, Stir It Up contains one of the most recognizable. It has a fat groove in all of the right areas.
This track will have you moving through chord progressions, playing passages rather than single notes. Anyone within earshot will have a hard time not singing the song’s memorable lyrics.
“Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream
At its formation, Cream was a supergroup, and one of the first of its kind. Eric Clapton often steals the show in the minds of most, but you shouldn’t overlook this as a guitar-centric band.
Jack Bruce’s bass playing in Cream is truly unlike anything that was being played at the time. You can really hear this in the group’s long improvisations.
Sunshine Of Your Love has an iconic riff that you are probably quite familiar with. It’s also an excellent choice for any beginner bassist.
“Enter Sandman” by Metallica
Enter Sandman might be a bit cheesy compared to other Metallica tracks. However, that doesn’t take away from the righteous riffs that go down in this song.
The bass has a pretty easy job during this song, especially during the repeated note part. When you double up the main riff, it gets slightly more difficult, but you’re sure to have fun with it.
“Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer is another prime pop song for any bass player to learn. This song will have you doubling up on the signature guitar riff for a deeper punch.
“Twist” by Phish
When it comes to improvised music, Phish are absolute masters. Every band member is a true wizard at their instrument.
The band often takes songs and jams on their progressions, often taking the song to uncharted territories. Twist is one of the band’s potent jam vehicles, which is hinged upon its simple bass line.
“Dark Star” by The Grateful Dead
Before The Grateful Dead, improvisation was really only heard within jazz music. The Dead was responsible for taking that spirit and applying it to rock and folk songs.
Their song Dark Star is one of their most famous improvisation vehicles, which features a signature bass intro. Learn these signature licks and any group you’re playing with can jam into musical spaces previously undiscovered.
“Touch Me” by The Doors
For not having an official bass player, The Doors have quite a few songs with iconic bass lines. What’s baffling is that Ray Manzarek played these on his organ during live performances.
Nevertheless, Touch Me is one of those songs that any beginner bass player can certainly have some fun with.
“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix
If you’re serious about the bass, you’ll probably end up playing music with a guitarist. Chances are, they’ll be influenced by Jimi Hendrix in some way.
Learn Hey Joe so that you have some common ground. It has some excellent walking bass patterns to add to your vocabulary.
“Should I Stay Or Should I Go” by The Clash
The Clash ventured more into the pop territory with Should I Stay Or Should I Go. Despite this, the song still manages to hold on to that punk musicality.
For that reason, you’ll find this an excellent song to learn as a beginner. It will teach you how to stay in your lane and respect the song’s silent breaks.
“Riders On The Storm” by The Doors
Riders On The Storm is one of the most famous songs The Doors would ever release. The song has a sprawling psychedelic feeling that makes you feel like you’re driving through a storm.
It’s actually the bass line in this song that helps to keep the song churning along that desert road. The riff might seem a bit understated, but upon learning it, you’ll realize how integral it is to the song.
Top Beginner Bass Songs, Final Thoughts
If you take the time to learn all of the songs in this list, you’ll become an extremely well-rounded player. Take the time to study the relationship that each of these bass lines has with the song as a whole.
By the time you learn all of these songs, you’ll have a pretty hefty repertoire to draw from. You could easily fill a 3-hour cover band gig with all of the songs on this list.
Side note, do you want to learn to play guitar songs the easy way? Learn how here – results are guaranteed!