4 Superior Bass Lines That Will Inspire Any Aspiring Rock Musician

Who doesn’t love a good bass line, especially in rock music? These four songs feature very prominent and memorable bass lines, and we think they’d inspire any aspiring rock bassist to keep pushing forward with their craft. Let’s take a look!

1. “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen

No matter your age, you can probably hear this bass track from a mile away. John Deacon is an incredible bassist, and his talents were on full display throughout this stellar 1980 funk rock track. 

In a way, Deacon was very underrated during Queen’s heyday. He wrote some of their best songs, including “I Want To Break Free”. Deacon’s pulsating rhythm is what really sets the mood and carries on the flow of “Another One Bites The Dust”.

2. “Longview” by Green Day

Throughout “Longview” Green Day’s famed bassist Mike Birnt is more or less playing lead. And it works. The tone of this 1994 punk rock song is very playful, and Dirnt takes a direct and almost aggressive approach to his bass track throughout the song. In a way, it’s like a walking bass line; and not something you’d hear in your typical punk song.

3. “Schism” by Tool

Virtually every song by Tool sounds (and more or less is) a mathematical equation. Everything is meticulously written, and the results are usually stunning. 

On “Schism”, bassist Justin Chancellor holds down the whole song with his disorienting, unique bass riff. He changes up time signatures about halfway through his performance, and the result is something both uneasy and incredibly captivating. That breakdown is particularly juicy, too.

4. “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver” by Primus

Primus has always been the kind of band to put bass lines front and center. In fact, some of their most memorable songs feature prominent bass tracks. “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver” is just one of many.

Les Claypool plays his bass like a lead instrument throughout this song, and he even uses a variety of ear-catching tapping methods to really pull in the listener. Like “Schism” by Tool, Claypool manages to create a disorienting and unforgettable soundscape with his bass alone.

Photo by Anthony Pidgeon/Redferns

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