When you listen to rock music, it’s the hard hitting notes that draw instant attention. Electric guitar riffs and drum solos in rock songs are exceedingly popular, however, the focus while listening to music is never on the bass line or bass riff of the song. The truth is… it’s the bass line or the riff that cements the structure or foundation of the song. Without a good bass line a rock song cannot come to life. The bass guitarist is a vital link between the drummer and the rest of the musicians in the band.
The Importance of Bass in
MusicThe bass line along with the drummers kick drum parts act as the pulse of the song. When the bassist and drummer lock a beat it helps other instrumentalists in the bad explore musical boundaries with their respective instruments. At live performances we often see guitar players break into an extended solo when the bassist and drummer lock a beat. Without the bassist and drummer locking beats it is not possible for other instrumentalists in a rock band to find their groove.
The bass guitar parts glue a song with a tight rhythm section thereby enabling the rest of the instrumentalists find their musical metaphors. A good bassist takes a song to a new level with improvisational skills. Since rock music and its subgenres came into being, there have been numerous rock songs with standout guitar riffs, however only few songs with memorable bass lines have earned the spotlight.
It’s the rhythm section in a rock band that determines how good the band is. It’s the bass line along with the kick drum parts that holds the entire foundation of the song. It’s during live performances bassists in rock bands get to showcase their skill with their instrument. Rock songs with good bass often highlight key aspects in a song. Slap technique bass lines which are often used in the realms of jazz and funk have become exceedingly popular in rock genres. Slap technique bass brings forth prominence and warmth in a hard hitting note. What the bassist plays in accordance with the rhythm guitar and keyboard part defines the chord shape.
A good bassist brings new life in a song with his/her technique. While most bass players use their fingers to pick notes, few bassists use a plectrum to pick notes. Ultimately it all boils down to comfort, feel, and the type of sound a bassist requires. Slapped notes on a bass sound more prominent than the conventional bass playing technique with fingers. Rock songs with good bass bring a musical space that enriches the sound of other instruments when played.
The lines below showcase a comprehensive list of the best rock songs with astounding bass.
100 Greatest Rock Songs with Insanely Memorable Bass
- Give It Away- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
- Another One Bites The Dust- Queen
- Come Together- The Beatles
- Orion- Metallica
- My Generation- The Who
- Money- Pink Floyd
- Come As You Are- Nirvana
- The Real Me- Who
- Under Pressure- Queen
- Roundabout- Yes
- My Friend of Misery- Metallica
- Walk On The Wild Side- Lou Reed
- Tommy The Cat- Primus
- Longview- Green Day
- Ramble On- Led Zeppelin
- Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)- Metallica
- YYZ- Rush
- Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)- Pink Floyd
- Hysteria- Muse
- Higher Ground- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
- London Calling- The Clash
- The Lemon Song- Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Emotion- Aerosmith
- Around The World- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
- Fire- The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana
- Peace Sells- Megadeth
- Time Is Running Out- Muse
- Radar Love- Golden Earring
- A Town Called Malice- The Jam
- The Chain- Fleetwood Mac
- Walking On The Moon- The Police
- N.I.B.- Black Sabbath
- Metropolis Pt. 1- Dream Theater
- Dance of Eternity- Dream Theater
- Whipping Post- The Allman Brothers Band
- Should I Stay Or Should I Go- The Clash
- New Year’s Day- U2
- The Boys Are back In Town- Thin Lizzy
- For Whom The Bells Toll- Metallica
- Play That Funky Music- Wild Cherry
- Too Many Puppies- Primus
- Sail- Awolnation
- Limelight- Rush
- Badge- Cream
- Susie Q- Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Would?- Alice In Chains
- Pictures of Home- Deep Purple
- Schism- Tool
- Psycho Killer- Talking Heads
- Sunshine of Your Love- Cream
- White Room- Cream
- Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
- Californication- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
- Monkey Gone To Heaven- The Pixies
- Heart of The Sunrise- Yes
- Stranglehold- Ted Nugent
- Jeremy- Pearl Jam
- Hard To Handle- The Black Crowes
- I Am The Resurrection- The Stone Roses
- Frankenstein- Edgar Winter Group
- Taxman- The Beatles
- No More Tears- Ozzy Osbourne
- Day Tripper- The Beatles
- The Joker- Steve Miller Band
- Josie- Steely Dan
- Moondance- Van Morrison
- Beds are Burning- Midnight Oil
- Take The Power Back- Rage Against The Machine
- Fools Gold- The Stone Roses
- Magic Man- Heart
- Eyes of A Child- The Steve Morse Band
- Dazed and Confused- Led Zeppelin
- Thela Hun Ginjeet- King Crimson
- Hyper Music- Muse
- Heartbreaker- Led Zeppelin
- Falling To Pieces- Faith No More
- Death Blooms- Mudvayne
- Stressfest- Steve Morse Band
- Blue Monday- New Order
- White Rabbit- Jefferson Airplane
- Tempus Fugit- Yes
- Love Is A Drug- Roxy Music
- Jerry Was A Racecar Driver- Primus
- Dragon Attack- Queen
- Brass In The Pocket- The Pretenders
- Epic- Faith No More
- Heat of the Moment- Asia
- 46 and 2- Tool
- Digital Man- Rush
- Contact- Phish
- Sloop John B- The Beach Boys
- This Charming Man- The Smiths
- That’s It For The Other One- The Grateful Dead
- Sympathy For The Devil- The Rolling Stones
- The Fish- Yes
- The Day I Tried To Live- Soundgarden
- Fairies Wear Boots- Black Sabbath
- Lie- Dream Theater
- Kindergarten- Faith No More