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 awesome bass in Western music: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists (31–40)
Chicken GreaseD’Angelo
When people think of Western music with cool bass lines, many probably picture intense rock bands.
However, the appeal of the bass isn’t limited to rock.
Bass pairs extremely well with Black music, and it’s an especially perfect match for neo-soul, a genre that trended in the ’90s.
“Chicken Grease” is a track by D’Angelo, a pioneer of neo-soul, featuring a bouncy, simple bass line that really shines.
Sunshine Of Your LoveCream
This is “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream, the British three-piece rock band led by Eric Clapton.
The bassist is Jack Bruce.
The performance skillfully weaves together unison sections where the bass plays the same phrase as the guitar and parts where it plays a different bass line, further enhancing the song’s appeal.
It’s a track that really shows how important the bass is as an instrument!
Penny LaneThe Beatles
One of the famous songs by the original rock band, The Beatles, “Penny Lane.” The violin-shaped bass that Paul McCartney plays is known as his trademark.
This track features his rich, weighty bass tone and a cheerful walking bass that’s sure to lift your spirits.
SchismTool
Tool is a rare band that, in the early 1990s at the height of alternative rock and grunge, played a singular, unclassifiable brand of heavy rock and also achieved major commercial success.
They’re known for having a relatively small discography, and it’s still fresh in our minds that they released Fear Inoculum in 2019, their first new album in 13 years.
Among the members with distinctive and highly sophisticated musicianship, bassist Justin Chancellor—who joined as the second bassist in 1995—stands out for his melodious, effect-heavy lines that often step outside the traditional role of a rhythm instrument.
It’s said that Justin’s contributions to the band are immense, and nothing showcases his playing style better than Schism.
Hear the bass line leading the song from the intro, and your whole notion of what the bass can be might change.
Can’t Feel My FaceThe Weeknd
The Weeknd, a Canadian R&B singer said to have given birth to the new genre of alternative R&B.
While he has many danceable tracks, “Can’t Feel My Face,” released in 2015, is arguably one of his catchiest.
What underpins the song’s infectious groove is its steady, reliable bassline.
Rather than sprinkling in intricate techniques, it fills the gaps between beats, giving the track an absolute sense of stability.
For listeners, this makes it easier to focus on the song itself than if there were too many technical flourishes or constant changes.
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.
Stay With Me ft Justin Timberlake, Halsey & PharrellCalvin Harris
Calvin Harris is a music producer from Scotland.
He has collaborated with a wide range of artists and created numerous hit songs.
One such work is “Stay With Me ft.
Justin Timberlake, Halsey & Pharrell,” a collaboration with Justin Timberlake, Halsey, and Pharrell Williams.
It’s a summer-tinged disco-funk track with a distinctive, bouncy bass line.