Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
Among the roles in a band, the bass is the unsung hero that supports a song and gives it conviction.
It plays a crucial part across a wide range of music, from rock to dance music.
Not only in the latest hits and trending tracks—there are also timeless classics that feature incredibly cool bass!
So we’ve selected some must-hear Western classics for low-end lovers, spanning genres and eras.
Enjoy not just the flashy bass solos, but also the jaw-dropping techniques subtly showcased behind the vocals and the many uniquely characterful basslines.
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Songs with cool bass in Western music: Classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists (41–50)
I Want You BackThe Jackson 5
This is a signature hit released in 1969 by the Jackson 5, the group that featured Michael Jackson—one of the most famous pop stars in the world.
It’s also widely known in Japan by the title “Kaette Hoshii no” (“I Want You Back”).
With a bright, poppy melody delivered by a then-10-year-old Michael whose fresh yet outstanding vocal ability shines through, it’s a song that most people have likely heard at least once, even if they don’t know the title.
As with many Motown hits of the time that featured various top-tier session players, there are actually multiple theories about who played the bass line that creates the song’s captivating, syncopated groove.
However, it is generally credited to Wilton Felder—member of the Crusaders and a saxophonist/bassist.
Panic AttackDream Theater
Centered around members who graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Dream Theater is a globally acclaimed band whose members all possess outstanding technical prowess, and they are pioneers of so-called progressive metal.
Among them, John Myung—also known as a Chapman Stick player—commands a six-string bass with astonishing freedom, employing a three-finger technique to unleash blistering lines.
The track introduced here is from the 2005 album Octavarium, and the thunderous bass playing that erupts from the intro is nothing short of overwhelming.
Spanning over eight minutes, the song’s technical performances will make you realize the vast potential of the bass as an instrument.
Addicted To That RushMr. BIG
A song by MR.BIG, the American rock band that enjoys immense popularity in Japan.
It opens with a rapid-fire tapped bass phrase, followed by unison lines and call-and-response with the guitar—a dazzling performance that overturns conventional ideas about the bass.
Another highlight is how the bass doesn’t stay front and center the whole time; it creates contrast by firmly holding down the root under the vocals.
A must-listen track for bassists.
bad guyBillie Eilish
Billie Eilish, a new-generation star whose debut album released in 2019, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, became an explosive hit and achieved the remarkable feat of winning five awards at the 62nd Grammys, including the four major categories.
One of her signature songs, bad guy, features a simple yet strikingly cool bass line.
Because her tracks are fundamentally minimalist with a restrained number of sounds, each note that appears in the music stands out.
Even in the heavier developments in the latter half, the bass plays a crucial role, so keeping that in mind when you listen to the song may offer a whole new way to enjoy it.
Get Lucky ft. Pharrell Williams, Nile RodgersDaft Punk
Daft Punk disbanded in 2021, leaving music fans around the world in tears.
Released in 2013, Get Lucky can fairly be called a song that represents their long career.
It features singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, whose sexy vocals are a major draw.
The way the bass, drums, and guitar mesh perfectly is another big highlight.
None of the instruments overpower the others; each fulfills its role.
There’s nothing flashy going on, but the performance has an incredibly cool tone because of that.
Bassists struggling with their production should definitely take it as a reference!
