The bass has historically been an underrated instrument in rock music. However, it really shouldn’t be. The bass is the foundation of a song, and so much rock music through the years has been made even better by some seriously funky, hard, and clever basslines. Let’s look at just a few examples of killer basslines from rock music history, shall we?
“Money” by Pink Floyd
“Money” is a really classic Pink Floyd song. It also has one of the psychedelic rock band’s finest basslines. This standout 1973 track features an addicting walking bassline a la Roger Waters, and it weaves in and out beautifully with the organ, clicking of coins, and guitar tracks. It’s simple, like many of Waters’ basslines, and that simplicity is what makes it so good.
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“Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen
Name a bassline more iconic than John Deacon’s track on “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen. This 1980 track is one of many from Queen that is still memorable today, but few other songs by this famous rock band have a bassline quite as iconic. “Under Pressure” would be a close second. Deacon’s bassline was famously inspired by disco music, and the funk is unmistakable.
“Crosstown Traffic” by Jimi Hendrix
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was known mainly for its namesake’s legendary guitar skills. However, the bass track on the 1968 song “Crosstown Traffic” really steals the show. You might know this song best by its prominent kazoo line, but that bassline is also a real treat. Noel Redding’s work always had an element of the blues with a bit of psych-rock, and this track proves just how underrated a bassist he was.
“The Lemon Song” by Led Zeppelin
How about a deep cut? “The Lemon Song” was released by Led Zeppelin in 1969 and is a really solid example of how talented John Paul Jones was at his peak. He’s still great, of course. But this particular bassline has to be one of the greatest basslines in rock music history. Honestly, his work on the whole of Led Zeppelin II is astounding. And the latter half of “The Lemon Song” is like a love song to the bass itself.
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