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.
RumorsTHE DRIVER ERA & Ross Lynch
A brisk dance number born from the combined talents of Ross Lynch and Rocky Lynch, Rumors was released on October 23, 2023.
As a comfortable bass sets the rhythm, sharp insights into everyday rumors and gossip unfold over a buoyant beat.
The determined, confident lyrics are sure to energize listeners.
Ross’s own words—saying they kept at it until they were fully satisfied—convey the passion embedded in the tasteful bassline.
Even if you’re not a bass aficionado, be sure to feel the song’s uplifting sense of positive empowerment.
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!
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!