39 Best Songs With Bass Guitar EVER

The bass guitar is not often an instrument that is front and center in a song. However, the bass often plays a critical role in the underlying groove. 

Feel the need to move your head and shake your hips? That’s likely the bassist throwing down that infectious groove that you can’t help but get down to.

Here are some of the best songs with the bass guitar to ever be recorded. It is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is one full of delectable grooves.

“The Joker” by Steve Miller Band

If this Steve Miller Band song didn’t have its iconic bass line, would it still be the same song? Signs point to no, it wouldn’t be.

This bass line is one of the most famous and enduring musical passages of the 20th century. It has all of the right moves: plenty of space, a little bounce, and inflection when needed.

The true unsung hero of this track is without a doubt, Gerald Johnson. He played with a number of different artists including Dave Mason, the Pointer Sisters, and CSNY. 

“Power Of Equality” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

When it comes to the modern bass, Flea is at the very forefront. Sure, he may be pigeonholed into slap-funk styles, but that is his specialty. 

The Blood Sugar Sex Magik album is full of excellent bass playing. As an entire work, this still stands as one of the band’s best releases.

For that reason, it’s difficult to pick one song from the album serving as an example of excellent bass. The band had their 2nd album produced by legendary P-Funk founder George Clinton. You can tell he left an influence when the band hit the studio for this album.

“Green-Eyed Lady” by Sugarloaf

The 1970s were chock full of great songs with heavy bass sitting prominently in the mix. One such song to emerge from the era is Sugarloaf’s, Green-Eyed Lady.

Throughout the entire song, the bass has a very important melodic role. You can hear it churning away and setting up grooves for interesting interjections by other instruments.

This iconic bass line was played by bassist Bob Raymond. It forever stands as one of the greatest classic rock songs with a great bass line.

“Groundhog’s Day” by Primus

When bass players are being mentioned, one name will always be said: Les Claypool. This man has revolutionized the role of what could be possible for the bass within a band.

Of course, when you listen to Primus, you’ll find that every song is full of excellent bass riffs. And that’s precisely what he does so well. 

Claypool somehow manages to play the bass like a rhythm guitar, lead guitar, and bass, all at the same time. There aren't too many people that can do what he does without sounding like a blatant copycat. 

Rumor has it that when Les Claypool tried out for Metallica, they turned him down. The reason being, he was too good. How about that?

“Some Kind Of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad

Here’s another song straight out of the 1970s that is very heavy on the bass. In fact, the entire song consists of only bass, drums, vocals, and some organ.

You read that right. There are no other instruments playing on this recording.

This might come as a surprise, partly because it might be overlooked due to being overplayed on the radio. Do yourself a favor and give the song a closer listen.

The organ doesn’t even come in until the final chorus, for extra oomph. In all reality, this song literally doesn’t need any other extra instrumentation.

Young bassists can take a page from this playbook to understand the importance of repetition in a groove. If the bass was all over the place, the vocals wouldn’t have that steady foundation underneath.

“Freewill” by Rush

Rush is one of those bands that have fans who favor a particular member of the group. Each member is an excellent player in their own right. 

However, recognition really needs to go to Geddy Lee. He not only serves up tasty bass lines but delivers searing vocals over top. 

And let’s be real for a second. Geddy’s vocals are not generally focused in one tonal area. He regularly exercises his entire range, all while playing complex bass lines.

It is obvious that Geddy Lee has served as inspiration for so many other bass players. You can really hear it with Les Claypool, who leads his own band in a similar fashion.

“The Sun Goes Down” by Level 42

Level 42 is a band from the 1980s that often gets overlooked. To be fair, some of their material might be full of stereotypical 80s cheesiness.

If you let that point of view take over, you’re missing out on some excellent bass playing. Bassist Mark King not only slays the bass with his slap technique, but he’s holding down the vocals as well.

Do yourself a favor and check out some of Level 42’s catalog. You’ll definitely discover some hidden gems that will rock your world.

“Come Together” by The Beatles

The Beatles have a catalog full of hit songs, nobody can deny that fact. However, Come Together contains one of the most recognizable bass lines in the band’s catalog.

From the beginning, you know exactly what song is being played. This bass line helps to carry the song on the groove’s back throughout its entirety.

Paul McCartney may not be recognized as one of the best bass players of all time. However, he was very inventive.

Nearly every song of theirs has a unique bass line in some fashion or another. This is just one small part of why The Beatles were so successful.

“Dazed And Confused” by Led Zeppelin

John Paul Jones carries the band in Led Zeppelin’s famous track, Dazed And Confused. From the very beginning, you can hear the song’s iconic descending bass lines.

What makes this bass line so great is that it has just enough space in between each note. This inevitably creates some tension within the song, inducing the need for movement.

When you’re dazed and confused, sometimes it feels like the wheels are turning. You might be slow in your pace, but you know movement needs to be done. 

This sort of pensive feeling is perfectly emulated in this song. The bass also provides a fertile platform for Jimmy Page’s unique violin bow guitar solo. 

He might not have been the face of Zeppelin. But, John Paul Jones was vital in making the band the hurricane force that it was. His influence in every Led Zeppelin song is very understated.

“People” by The Silver Jews

You might not be familiar with The Silver Jews. And that’s okay because that changes today.

The Silver Jews is a group that was led by singer and songwriter David Berman. His lyrics are often poetic, but at times can be quite dark and depressing.

People is not one of those depressing songs. In fact, it’s the perfect song that emulates a summer day where the temperature is just right. All of your friends are getting together to waste away the night.

The real magic of People is by far the bass line played by Mike Fellows. It takes center stage in the rhythmic and melodic context of the underlying music. 

Ultimately, it provides a great platform for some excellent guitar work by Pavement guitarist Stephen Malkmus. 

This is another example of a song that wouldn’t be the same if it wasn't for the bass line. Fortunately, it went down the way it did, leaving us with this diamond jam.

“Autumn Sweater” by Yo La Tengo

The New Jersey indie-rock outfit Yo La Tengo dialed up the bass for their track Autumn Sweater. This song, from I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, is a jam that stands the test of time.

Looking for the perfect song to drive through the woods on an autumn day? This is your ticket, right here.

Autumn Sweater features a pretty repetitive bass line, coupled with some organ and a breakbeat. The effect, however, is a highly potent song that is sure to get stuck in your head.

“Back To Your Heart” by Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. bass player Lou Barlow can be heard in all his glory in the song Back To Your Heart. This song features a lot of the things Lou is known for as a bass player.

To break it down, this song has some heavy, distorted bass lines that pound through your body. In person, his sound is even larger than it is on the record.

This is achieved by his Rickenbacker bass and massive Ampeg SVT amp rig. He isn’t shy about being loud by any means.

In fact, you could think of his bass playing as the perfect juxtaposition for J Mascis’s guitar playing. Both can be raw at times, but Barlow ultimately provides the channels for J’s guitar lines to float upon.

The reality is that Lou’s playing is definitely influenced by punk rock and hardcore music. He manages to transition this quite nicely to a different music format altogether. 

“Seinfeld Theme” by Jonathan Wolff

You knew that the Seinfeld theme had to be here, right? This theme song is extremely famous, most notably for that slap-bass sound.

The ironic thing here is that this theme song was composed using a synthesizer for the bass. Yes, that’s right. This entire time, you’ve been trolled into thinking that someone was laying those slap-bass grooves with a bass guitar. 

We probably couldn't expect anything less coming from Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Whether it was planned or by coincidence, the show still finds a way to make you laugh somehow. 

“Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry

If you’re going to write a song about playing funk music, it better have a funky bass line! That’s just what Wild Cherry did.

This song is one of the most famous funk songs to come from the 1970s. It not only has a great bass line, but it has some tasty guitar parts as well.

That is where the real beauty of this song lies. Each guitar part has a sort of rhythmic melody in tandem with the bass line. 

Inevitably, this orchestration creates a very funky tapestry. It is a formula that many bands have adopted to major success over the years.

Play That Funky Music’s bass line is tight in the pocket. It adds inflection where needed for extra effect. You can hear this at the end of the song’s tagline.

“My Girl” by The Temptations

Immediately from the beginning of this song, you hear that bass thumping. Yet, this song is so iconic that you instantly recognize what song it is. This recognition is only further augmented when the guitar comes in. 

The bass line from My Girl contains a great example of why so many Motown hits were so good. If you’re familiar with famous session players, you might have a good guess as to who played this bass line.

For those of you who guessed James Jamerson, give yourself a pat on the back. This man had his hand in creating many hit songs, not just My Girl.

This won’t be the only time we see James Jamerson’s name mentioned in this list. His influence is too great to be ignored. Even if you try, you’ll inevitably end up running back into his name.

“No More Tears” by Ozzy Osbourne

Speaking of iconic bass line intros, mention must be made of Ozzy’s No More Tears. This bass line has a rolling, watery sound that is integral to the song’s overall sound.

In fact, while many people likely focus on the guitar parts, the bass actually holds center stage. You can thank bassist Bob Daisley for this signature bass line, although it was written by Mike Inez.

Much of Ozzy Osbourne’s catalog features boundary-pushing guitar playing as a focal point. He’s had a number of virtuosos play for him, which is part of the reason for this.

The song No More Tears is actually a bit of a breath of fresh air. There are some guitar solos, but it's not in your face. Allowing the bass to shine through actually makes Ozzy’s sound more well-rounded and polished.

“Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent

Sure, Stranglehold might not be the first song you think of when it comes to great bass playing. This is a song dominated primarily by guitar solos, and pretty much only guitar solos.

However, you have to give real props to bassist Rob Grange on this track. He consistently holds it down through the entire song, without wavering.

Have you ever tried to play the same exact thing for nearly 10 minutes? If you have, you know exactly how difficult it is.

On the surface, it might not seem like a hard thing to do. But, as musicians, we are always inclined to add variations and little ornamentations here and there.

You won’t hear anything but pure discipline on Stranglehold. Grange provided the song with exactly what was needed. Nothing more, and nothing less.

“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” by Sly & The Family Stone

When it comes to iconic bass lines, this famous Sly & The Family Stone song must be mentioned. It was played by none other than the bass legend Larry Graham.

This song features Larry’s signature bass slapping, which can be heard throughout its entirety. In fact, aside from the vocals and the horns, the bass is really what is in the driver’s seat.

If we are to take a look at modern music history, you’ll find that Larry Graham has influenced millions. He literally invented the slap technique, which forever changed bass playing into what it is today.

For that, we can’t help but allow Larry to be himself in this song. It just wouldn’t be the same without his thump.

“Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock

Jazz took an interesting turn in the 1970s as many of the genre’s henchmen started to explore other genres. What culminated was a period rich in a fusion of jazz, funk, and progressive music.

One track that really stands as a fine example of this is Herbie Hancock’s Chameleon. It is a funked-out platform primed for improvisation.

What really holds the song in place is the signature bass line being played throughout the track. This is played by bassist Paul Jackson, and he maintains the pocket the entire time.

Chameleon is another instance where repetition in a bass line is actually a good thing. It establishes a playing field for others to add their parts into the mix.

This repetition is also downright infectious, and you can’t help but get into it at least a little bit. 

You’ll often hear this song being covered by musicians because it is a relatively easy song to play. Consider adding it to your repertoire and allow your friends to stretch their musical limbs.

“Weekapaug Groove” by Phish

Phish bassist Mike Gordon is often overlooked by many bass players. Perhaps it's the fact that he tends to play with a pick that people look the other way.

To do so, however, would result in missing out on some very tasty music. Mike Gordon plays a pivotal role in the music Phish is able to create.

Anyone who has ever improvised with a group knows the level of familiarity required between each member. Phish takes this to a completely different level altogether.

Weekapaug Groove is a great example of Gordon’s bass skills. This song typically appears at the end of a 3-song suite, and always begins with a bass solo. 

Those that think Mike only plays with a pick will see that he employs quite a bit of technique without. Where he really shines is in the context of an improvised jam.

When you’re playing with a guitar virtuoso like Trey Anastasio, this isn’t always the easiest thing. However, Gordon effectively manages to cohesively work with the band in creating layered platforms for jams to take place.

“Tell Me Something Good” by Rufus And Chaka Khan

The funk song Tell Me Something Good was groundbreaking for Rufus And Chaka Khan. This track was actually penned by Stevie Wonder and helped propel the group into the mainstream spotlight.

Tell Me Something Good is also one of the first instances that a talk box effect pedal was used. This effect pedal would obviously become a popular tool, used by Peter Frampton and many others.

Where this song really shines is in its instrumentation. The bass and the guitar have a syncopated call and response technique which gives the song a very funky feel.

You’ll notice that the bass accents the upbeat throughout the verses. However, the downbeat becomes accented during the choruses. This is a very effective compositional technique for creating emphasis. 

“Low Rider” by WAR

When you think of classic songs that will forever be cool, Low Rider is one that likely comes to mind. It’s cemented itself in popular culture as a song that epitomizes the word “cool”.

What makes this song so great? Well, sure, the vocal delivery, the horns, and percussion are all a part of the winning combination.

The real magic with this song is B.B. Dickerson’s signature bass line. It’s iconic, and it's definitely memorable. Just the bass line alone invokes imagery of cruising around in a car on a summer day. 

This ascending bass riff is so effective, which is quite interesting. There seem to be more iconic descending bass lines than lines that ascend.

Low Rider will likely never diminish in popularity. There are few songs that have even come close to being a parallel of cool that this song serves up.

“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King

In the 1960s, music was dominated primarily by vocalists. However, a keen ear knows that some great instrumentation was taking place to provide that perfect musical context.

One of the most iconic songs to emerge from the early 1960s is Ben E. King’s Stand By Me. This is an instance where the bass line might be even more famous than the lyrics.

It’s a bit of a mystery as to who actually played the bass line for this classic song. Those with an educated guess have proffered Wendell Marshall as a likely candidate.

Whoever it was that played this bass line likely didn’t fully realize the historic after-effects that would result. It happens to be one of the most famous bass lines in modern music history.

“Electric Feel” by MGMT

MGMT blew up onto the mainstream music scene around 2008. Their success was ultimately propelled by their hit song Electric Feel.

This song is full of lush instrumentation, driven by a fat bass line that pulses through the song. The group would go on to have some hits after this, but none quite as big as this jam.

In a bit of irony, the group is comprised of musicians who went to school for music. They were annoyed at how popular music is often composed of diluted compositions.

As a joke, they decided to write some of their own watered-down music. What ended up happening is that the band became ultra-famous for a short period of time.

The moral of the story here is, don’t do something out of jest. You might just spend the rest of your life doing something you absolutely loath. Life is funny like that.

“It’s Summertime” by The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips have been in a state of perpetual evolution. Their music has consistently changed over the years from their acid-induced garage rock to creating sprawling universal hymns.

A song of theirs that features some excellent bass is It’s Summertime. This track opens up with a delay-heavy bass.

This repeating effect opens up a platform for some kaleidoscopic instrumentation to take place over top. Nevertheless, it is the bass that drives the song the entire time.

It’s Summertime is another fine example of how a consistent bass line can allow for magic to happen elsewhere. Modern bassists should take note of its effectiveness.

“Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz 

Gorillaz is an interesting group, from a marketing perspective. This band is essentially an animated 2-D music group, similar to Dethklok. 

While Gorillaz hasn’t had its own TV show (such as Metalocalypse), the group has had many hit songs. One of their most famous is Feel Good Inc. 

Feel Good Inc. features heavy bass which is used in the forefront of the song. However, there isn’t much ornamentation here, rather, it relies on repetition to build a solid pocket.

The bass line in this song is about as iconic as the bass line from Seven Nation Army. It’s big, it’s booming, and it comprises most of the music in the song. 

“Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)” by Parliament

Any list covering famous bass lines would be remiss if George Clinton’s famous group wasn't mentioned. Parliament is one of the primary forces that helped keep the funk alive throughout the 70s and 80s.

It is a bit unfortunate that P-Funk is not as popular as they should be. The collective has seen many top-notch musicians in its lineup. These include Eddie Hazel and Bootsy Collins, to name a couple.

Give Up The Funk is by far one of the most famous funk songs of all time. It has an iconic chorus that anyone is likely to start singing along with.

Of course, this song also features some excellent funk bass throughout. You can thank funk master Bootsy Collins for his contributions to this song.

If you’re a fan of funk music, it is your duty to spread the gospel of Parliament-Funkadelic. This catalog deserves to have more ears listening to it. 

“Dr. Funk” by The Main Squeeze

You might not be familiar with this song if you aren’t hip to modern music. However, The Main Squeeze is a definite force to be reckoned with.

The Main Squeeze comes from Bloomington, Indiana, and has been progressively climbing the musical ladder towards success. It is songs like Dr. Funk that are absolute stand-out tracks within the band’s catalog. 

Dr. Funk comes from the band’s 2012 self-titled release and is just one of many bangers on the album. The song opens up with some slap-happy bass, playing like an invitation to come and throw it down.

The band willingly accepts that invite, and the result is an excellent modern-retro funk song. If funk music has medicinal qualities as the song suggests, then this is a potent dose.

If you get the opportunity, be sure to see this band live. You can be sure that the juice is well worth the squeeze here.

“Dean Town” by Vulfpeck

Vulfpeck stormed the music industry in 2011, providing fat grooves and quite a bit of innovation. The group managed to successfully combine elements of the jam music scene with funk and modern pop.

Joe Dart, the bass player, made a name for himself with this group. He not only provided deep pockets but had a killer tone that others lusted after.

You can hear Joe’s fat playing on the song Dean Town. This song really centers around Joe’s bass lines.

Guitarists reading this might notice another face in the Vulfpeck crowd. That would be Cory Wong, who has gone on to have a successful solo career of his own. 

It’s been a little while since Vulfpeck has released any of their excellent retro-modern tracks. Even if they do not continue on, their catalog will likely hold up quite well over time.

“Vultures” by John Mayer Trio

I know what you’re thinking…Why is John Mayer on a list of songs with some of the best bass of all time?

The answer is really quite simple: Pino Palladino. Pino is an accomplished and superbly-good session bassist, and he really shows it on this recording of Vultures.

You’re not going to find any flashy bass playing here. Rather, Pino really excels at staying deep within the pocket and holding the foundation down.

This, in turn, allows John Mayer to really show his own special set of skills. After all, it is his name on the marquee. 

Any bass player should take this kind of playing to heart. Simplicity allows the doors to be opened for complex magic.

If Pino was ripping crazy runs during the entire time John Mayer is soloing, the song wouldn’t work. The song would come across as too busy because there would be no open spaces.

Rather than interjecting every single line that John Mayer plays, Pino hangs back. This is the mark of a disciplined bass player who knows his role, and also knows what the music needs.

“One Of These Days” by Pink Floyd

One Of These Days is a song that you instantly recognize as soon as you hear the opening note. In this case, it’s a bass guitar with some heavy delay.

Roger Waters then utilizes this delay to create a vibrant, pulsing texture. Throughout the song, he manipulates this delay to a high degree of effectiveness.

At one point in the song, it sounds as if he has a tremolo effect on his bass. It pulses off and on, but with the smoothness of a cello.

This just sets the stage for some straight jamming to take place, the way only Pink Floyd can do. The entire time, the bass is pulsing heavily with Nick Mason’s drums in a cohesive manner.

One Of These Days is a great example of how certain effects can be used on the bass guitar. Roger Waters does this quite tastefully in this song.

Take note, however, that not all effects are created equally. Some effects can be used while still allowing the bass to hang back in the pocket.

Other effects (such as this delay) are likely to become integral to a song. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is when the song isn’t written that way.

“Boogie On Reggae Woman” by Stevie Wonder

When it comes to funk, Stevie Wonder absolutely hits a grand slam with Boogie On Reggae Woman. It has everything you’re looking for in a funk song.

Primarily, this song features a heavy bass line augmented by quasi-reggae rhythmic stabs on the piano. You really cannot help but surrender to the groove of this classic song.

Believe it or not, the bass was actually played by Stevie Wonder, himself. Of course, this was done on a Moog synthesizer, and not an actual bass.

However, this song has gone on to be covered by a wide range of different bands. The band Phish regularly plays this within their 300+ song catalog. Mike Gordon plays this bass line as if he owns it.

“Bernadette” by Four Tops

Bernadette is a classic Motown song by Four Tops. Why is this song here?

Take a close listen. While the mix of the song leans more on the treble side of things, you’ll notice some complex bass happening.

Famous session player James Jamerson had his hand in creating the recording for this hit song. You can tell it is his playing by listening for some of his signature bass moves.

The music industry was definitely a different world than what it is today. Music was churned out much like a factory producing any type of product.

We are fortunate that world-class musicians such as James Jamerson were around back in the day. It gives us plenty of material to learn from and apply to today’s music.

“These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra

Here’s another track that might raise some eyebrows at its inclusion on this list. However, accomplished session bassist Carol Kaye had her hand in the recording of this iconic song.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ is a fine example of how a simple bass can be highly effective. She thumps on the downbeat with the kick drum, giving the song a palpable pulse.

And who can deny that effective walk-down slide on the upright bass? It slides right down into the pulse of Carol’s downbeat accent.

Carol has had her hand in many other recordings as she has credits for over 10,000 songs. You’ve heard her playing on songs like Sloop John B (Beach Boys), and Summertime (Sam Cooke). 

“Sinister Mister” by Béla Fleck And The Flecktones

Another prominent bassist we haven’t yet mentioned in this list is Victor Wooten. Victor has been integral in promoting foundational theory understanding for all musicians (not just bass players).

His playing on the song Sinister Mister shows he has plenty of flash but knows his role within a song. This bass line is fairly similar to that heard in the Gorillaz track Feel Good Inc.

Throughout the song, you’ll hear Victor employ quite a bit of different techniques. Each progression that passes finds him adding more complexities.

In this instance, the complex ornamentation works with the song. Working with Béla’s banjo, he is able to create a textured sonic tapestry.

Despite the ornamentation throughout, Victor Wooten fulfills his role quite well. He holds the song down for other instruments to play solos.

Of course, Victor gets a shining moment in Sinister Mister. It really shows the technical degree of skill he possesses as a bass player. There’s a reason why many bass players look up to him.

“Draggin The Line” by Tommy James & The Shondells

Tommy James & The Shondells are not what people think when it comes to popular 60s and 70s music. However, this group was a bit of a powerhouse, churning out hits like Crimson and Clover, and Crystal Blue Persuasion.

Draggin’ The Line is another one of the group’s massive hits. It’s instantly recognizable by the rolling bass line that plays throughout the track.

Like so many other songs on this list, the bass line is perhaps the most important aspect of the song. Its repetition allows the listener’s ear to sink into the song and allow it to wash over them.

This simple repetition also opens the doors for the orchestration of all of the other instruments in the song. It takes discipline to pull this off, but the end result is so effective.

“Shining Star” by Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire hit the ball out of the park with their smash hit song Shining Star. This song is downright nasty in the funk department.

A large part of this song’s success is owed to bassist Randy Jackson. Yes, you know, that guy from American Idol.

Randy does it all the right way in Shining Star, proving that he was a bit of a shining star himself. He accents on the 1st beat in true funk form, but has some incredible walking fills as well.

Let’s not pass up the tone that Randy Jackson has in this song. His bass’s tone embodies the very best aspects of what funk bass is known for. 

“Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen

Queen has a large number of smash hits, but one written by their bassist is one of the most popular. Another One Bites The Dust is instantly recognizable by its bass line.

It makes sense that John Deacon (Queen’s bass player) would write this track. After all, his instrument is prominently featured throughout as a staple part of the song. 

Don’t lie, when you hear this song come on, you know it’s about to get serious. You can thank the highly effective bass playing for inducing that. And really, that’s what it’s all about.

“If You Want Me To Stay” by Sly & The Family Stone 

If You Want Me To Stay is a track that has become standard fare for funk bands to play. The song has a signature thumping bass line that makes this song such a hit.

What is interesting about this song is that Larry Graham is not playing the bass on this track. Graham was the bass player for Sly & The Family Stone up until this point in time.

The bass player you’re hearing is in fact, Rusty Allen. He was Larry Graham’s first choice if he were ever to be replaced in the band.

Perhaps it is ironic, but it’s a bit odd to hear Graham’s replacement playing on a song such as this. When you listen to the lyrics, you have to wonder if Larry Graham was part of the subject matter. 

Even if he was, Larry proved himself to be successful without Sly & The Family Stone. Plus, we were gifted with this song that has a seriously addictive bass line pulsing throughout.

Best Songs With Bass EVER, Final Thoughts

It goes to show that the bass guitar is a fundamental aspect of creating a hit song. The bass can be played in many different ways, but at the end of the day, it’s about the pocket.

Listening to songs such as these can teach you a lot about the fundamental role of the bass guitar. It pays dividends to learn from the masters that have come before us. These masters have helped create timeless music that somehow always remains as fresh as a newly released song.