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The Greatest Bass Line of all Time

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Printed Date: May 20 2025 at 19:58
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Topic: The Greatest Bass Line of all Time
Posted By: Icarium
Subject: The Greatest Bass Line of all Time
Date Posted: February 14 2025 at 16:42

Hie

 

This is not a thread about facts but more about bold opinion. As a bass guitarist and as a listening and analytic music opinionated nerd. Thoughts about the greatest, no matter instrument is a tall order and important privilege to have a firm opinion about. 

 

Whatever constitute a great bassline is an impossible task or a great instrumental feat no matter art form or performance is not a task for objectivity but pure subjectivity. Yet to my mind and gut feeling and listening experience. "I Want You Back" with Jackson 5 is the best bass guitar line of all time, it’s the nr 1 bass guitar line to which every new beginner of the bass, ought to know, have tried to learn or just be aware of.  This has nothing to do about anything Jackson, but that a bassline of such fame is also attached to Jacson 5s early career is pure bonus. 

 


In the school of bass this line is in between the James Jamerson and Bob Babbit, yet the bass-player and one of the major key reasons I think it’s the greatest, is that it is a line played by a random dude. Mr Wilton Felder who is never mentioned ever as one of the key guys in the development of bass playing technique nor in the top bass players lists, yet to me he is the creator and player of the greatest and most recognizable "in the pocket" bass line. 

 

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this is not to say this is fact based, this is purely made to create a discussion about taste, and can you ever have an argument about anything you believe is quintessential yet having a slightly concept of that it might in some aspect be truthful, to me what makes this bass line the greatest. is purely based on the opinion that this is a song every bass player to my opinion must learn, and it is all about the pocket. 

 

 

I just want to celebrate perhaps my favourite bass player whom I never remember the name of whom played my favourite bass line in a song ever. I will always say this is the greatest bass line of all time.  

 

a) is this a valuable song also for prog bass players to know

b) do you rate this bass line 

c) have you ever had any opinion about this bass line 

Also here is a video were you can learn how to play it




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Replies:
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: February 14 2025 at 20:32
I tried to find out who played Bass on Papa was a rolling stone… seems like it’s undecided between 3 bassists. Great bass line though !

Was it Babbit?
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/will-we-ever-know-who-played-bass-on-papa-was-a-rollin-stone-and-masterpiece.300059/

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https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine


Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: February 14 2025 at 21:40
The bassline in this lesser known prog gem is really stunning imho.


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Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 04:56
Chris Squire "Roundabout" is pretty great.


Posted By: MortSahlFan
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 06:27
Roger Waters' riff on Pink Floyd's "Money" or Paul McCartney on The Beatles' "Come Together" but if you want the entire package (instead of just a memorable riff), I highly recommend checking out Chicago - Something In This City Changes People... When you can listen to the isolated track and enjoy it, I'd say it's great.




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https://www.youtube.com/c/LoyalOpposition

https://www.scribd.com/document/382737647/MortSahlFan-Song-List


Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 07:39
Keep pumping out marvelous base licks.  I adore bass...especially in unexpected songs. 


Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 07:41
peaches!!

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https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine


Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 07:59
Golden Earring Radar Love


Posted By: BasedProgger
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 08:25
Wishbone Ash "Sometime World" Martin Turner


Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 09:56
The section of Triumvirat's Mister Ten Percent suite before "Lucky Girl"; Helmut Koellen nails it with his Rickenbacker bass!




Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 10:32
Originally posted by mellotronwave mellotronwave wrote:

Golden Earring Radar Love

Fantastic and a huge hit

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https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine


Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 11:20
One of the legendary fretless bass lines by genius Mick Karn.



Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 11:29
One great bass is great, but what can you do with more of them? (Not sure whether it's two or three but anyway, isn't this spectacular?) 



Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 11:38
I love Camberwell Now. I love the bass in so much Zeuhl.   I often read about how Myung is so low in the mix with Dream Theater and am so glad that the bassists get much more focus in a band like Magma. I love the bass on the debut by Magma which can be little more subtle.

Here is Paganotti with Paga's Une parcelle d'Urantia only because it popped into my mind, not for having the greatest bass line.



Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 11:52
Always loved the bass by Jones in this one......




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One does nothing yet nothing is left undone.
Haquin


Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 14:16
Squire, 'Does it Really Happen?'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL68VE-Qi7Y" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL68VE-Qi7Y



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"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy


Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 14:17
Such a thread is never complete without mention of the bassists of Tower of Power!

Francis "Rocco" Prestia — the OG master of articulation.



Bobby Vega, ToP's "stunt bassist" and the Plectrum Paladin.



Julia Hofer, a superb bassist in her own right (currently playing in The Cream of Clapton), demonstrates her five favorite ToP basslines!



Anyone who's seriously into bass must watch https://www.youtube.com/@pdbass" rel="nofollow - Paul Thompson's YouTube vlog, @pdbass . He unearths some really great basslines and pays homage to many names who aren't household, but should be (and he's a great player, as well).

This is Thompson's analysis of ToP's masterful structural approach to their brand of funk, which has been replicated by no other band.


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https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay


Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 14:56


Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 15:28
Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

Squire, 'Does it Really Happen?'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL68VE-Qi7Y" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL68VE-Qi7Y



Squire dominates Drama. Tempest Fugit is also great.



Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 15:52
^ It is a spectacular record, in many ways classic prog's greatest late-stage release.



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"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy


Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 16:42
Yes, I love that thumping bass-line from Chris Squire on City of Love.



Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: February 15 2025 at 22:50
ELO - Last Train To London. Yep it's 'Disco-very' but Disco usually had the best bass lines as well all know!




Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: February 16 2025 at 00:32
I've always loved this track specifically because of the bass:

Al Di Meola - Race With Devil On Spanish Highway
 
 
 



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No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man.


Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: February 18 2025 at 13:15
Already onto the second page, and not even ONE mention of "Heart of the Sunrise"???


Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: February 18 2025 at 13:32
The late, great Gary Strater on Starcastle's "Dawning of the Day":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98DXh1uKcH0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98DXh1uKcH0


Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: February 18 2025 at 15:39
Dave Hope "Song For America".



Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: February 18 2025 at 23:09
I know nothing about greatest bassline as such. For me, three of the most memorable is perhaps:

The one that came to mind first, is the bassline Rutherford starts playing ca. 3:40 into Fountain of Salmacis. One of the few basslines that sometimes get stuck in my head (and I don't even mind it).

The second I thought of was Cecil McBee's walking double bass line that goes on throughout Journey in Satchidananda's opening title track. It sings.

Thirdly my Zeuhl-awaking started with the infectious groove of Francis Moze introductory bass riff on Kobaïa - the opening song on Magma's masterful debut album.

-others will come to mind as soon as I post this, I'm sure:)


Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: March 03 2025 at 10:28
Just thought of this one: Simple Minds "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" from 1982's New Gold Dream. As a matter of fact, Derek Forbes just about steals that entire album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QltJMmTj4V8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QltJMmTj4V8


Posted By: ThyroidGlands
Date Posted: March 03 2025 at 12:26
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

Here is Paganotti with Paga's Une parcelle d'Urantia only because it popped into my mind, not for having the greatest bass line.

Amazing bassline. I'd add the obvious 'De futura' by Jannick Top.


---

Steve Harris 



John Deacon 



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You don't know nothin'
You don't know nothin' about
You don't know nothin'
You don't know nothin' at all


Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: April 09 2025 at 04:54
Pink Floyd 'Sheep' - contains some of Roger's most menacing bass playing and he somehow manages to hold the whole track together.



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"Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour


Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: April 09 2025 at 09:01
Hi,

Goodness ... no Jako? I'm not sure there were/are as many folks that inspired so many.

I was thinking Lothar Meid, specially in "Dance of the Lemmings" all the way up to "Hijack". His touches in the MM Soundtrack from DOTL are really neat and a perfect example of how not to play the bass ... or should be said, not to over play it, and simply make the music itself move forward one step at a time!


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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com


Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: April 09 2025 at 13:55
Jako or Jaco?

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https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay


Posted By: wiz_d_kidd
Date Posted: April 10 2025 at 06:41
A couple of my favorites that come to mind...

John Wetton of K.C. on "We'll Let You know".
Ralphe Armstrong of Jean-Luc Ponty "Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea, pt. III".


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"Instrumental music is an expression that words can never capture." -- Peter Baumann


Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: April 10 2025 at 10:21
I can't get my brain to get past Anthony Jackson's bass line for The O'Jays' "For the Love of Money" though part of me wanted to throw in Eberhard Weber's 10-minute "bass line" from The Following Morning's "T. on a White Horse."



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Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/


Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: April 10 2025 at 18:54
Originally posted by Floydoid Floydoid wrote:

Pink Floyd 'Sheep' - contains some of Roger's most menacing bass playing and he somehow manages to hold the whole track together.


Yeah, except that wasn't Waters playing bass, that was David Gilmour:

"In Animals, Roger played the bass on "Dogs" and I played the bass on "Sheep" and "Pigs.". For a couple of years, most of the bassline from "Sheep" was played by Roger at gigs, when he was still "Raving and Drooling." Anyway, in the studio Roger wanted to play the rhythm part of the guitar, so we switched roles.
David Gilmour 1998, "Bass Player".


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...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined
to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...


Posted By: MortSahlFan
Date Posted: April 10 2025 at 19:03
Pink Floyd - Money
The Beatles - Come Together


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https://www.youtube.com/c/LoyalOpposition

https://www.scribd.com/document/382737647/MortSahlFan-Song-List


Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: April 10 2025 at 21:57
Originally posted by Valdez Valdez wrote:

peaches!!
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This one?



yep loving me some Jean Jacques Burnel for sure. Also Walk On By 




Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: April 28 2025 at 11:01
From Eddie Henderson's 1975 album Sunburst, listen to ALPHONSO JOHNSON play on "Galaxy"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HBVsFPeGXI" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HBVsFPeGXI


Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: April 28 2025 at 11:49
Originally posted by Valdez Valdez wrote:

Originally posted by mellotronwave mellotronwave wrote:

Golden Earring Radar Love

Fantastic and a huge hit


Hi,

(a little aside!)

In the old days ... my roommate and friend Guy Guden (Space Pirate Radio) played a lot of things that the rest of the station would not touch, because they were deaf to anything that was not "listed" and some fake periodicals that tried to tell us what the hits were (hello Virgin with fake lists that helped their sales!) ... and of the many European things Guy played, Golden Earring was one ... and one night, he was playing "Are You Receiving Me" and one of the other cardboard dj's interrupted the song to say ... it's not "rock'n'roll" and Guy, being quick on the wit side of things, slowed down the whole thing to a stop and then said "who cares! It's great music!", and immediately brought the song back up!

Guy should have gotten a Golden Record for Golden Earring, Gentle Giant, Average White Band (Guy a comedian and actor, had created an advert of music bosses saying that the AWB would never make it ) -- probably a sound off by some of the folks in the station, that had as much taste as kitchen wallpaper!

And sure enough, a couple of weeks later, it exploded in LA ... but the cardboard dj's weren't man enough to appreciate someone that had an ear for music, instead of hits and then only playing the stuff that was known ... now you know why Space Pirate Radio has lasted for 51 years, so far and counting!

Back on the top ...

Bass ... there are way too many differences and uses for it that makes a call on this really tough. I like to hear Charlie Haden, Miroslav Vitous, Eberhard Weber, David Darling, mainly as their work is varied so much and neat, as opposed to so many bar room bass players in so many rock bands, and specially progrock bands!

In rock music, Mike Howlett, Hugh Hopper, Richard Sinclair, Patrick Djivas, John Glascock specially with Carmen), Dave Pegg as just fantastic folks to listen to, but their music is very different, thus making it tougher to make a call as to which is better.

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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com



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