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)
Uptown Funk ft. Bruno MarsMark Ronson
Mark Ronson’s 2014 release “Uptown Funk.” The standout feature of this track is the build-up before the chorus.
When it came out in 2014, smooth, funky tracks were appreciated, but the dominant trend was flashy EDM.
While the song is rooted in a retro funk groove, it goes all-in on flashiness for the build-up and drop, incorporating elements of dubstep.
During this section, instead of anchoring the low end, the bassline ascends along with the build-up.
This creates a big sense of movement in the track, pulling listeners in all at once.
Hot WaterLevel 42
Level 42 is a British rock band that every technique-loving bassist goes through at least once.
Among their songs, this one pairs a catchy melody with explosive, technically demanding slap bass.
The bass performance alone is incredible, and the fact that he plays it while singing is astonishing!
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!
Tommy The CatPrimus
Primus is an American band whose sound centers on Les Claypool’s insanely virtuosic, downright eccentric bass playing—an act known only to the initiated in Japan, yet highly acclaimed.
They’re labeled alternative rock, but their music is so eclectic it defies easy categorization, and despite not being commercial by any stretch, their classic third album, Pork Soda, released in 1993, reached No.
7 on the U.S.
charts.
A quintessential track that distills Primus’s strange allure is Tommy The Cat.
Released in 1991, it’s one of the band’s signature songs, showcasing Claypool’s ferociously off-the-wall bass work from start to finish.
YYZRush
Speaking of Rush, they’re a national rock trio that Canada is proud of, and a band renowned as a pioneer of progressive rock in North America.
All three members are highly skilled, and while keenly responding to the movements of the times, they have remained active for a long time since releasing their debut in 1974.
The track being introduced here, YYZ, is an instrumental number that ranks among Rush’s most popular.
While leveraging the advantages of a minimal lineup, the band’s ensemble is overwhelming—pushing the possibilities of a trio to the absolute limit.
You could say the guitar, bass, and drums are all in the spotlight, but Geddy Lee’s bass lines generate a surging groove, and his flashy playing captivates with solos woven in throughout.
If you’re a bassist aiming to improve your technique, you’ll definitely want to try covering it at least once!
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.
Number Of The BeastIron Maiden
Iron Maiden, legends of the heavy metal world.
This is one of their hit numbers, and the bass is absolutely the best.
Your attention tends to go to the guitar work and vocals, but Steve Harris’s bass—starting from the intro—has a presence that rivals the guitars.
The way he executes his role to perfection makes him a man among men.