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)
MixerAmber Mark
Amber Mark is an R&B singer from Berlin.
While contemporary R&B tends to focus on slow jams with strong hip-hop elements, she, though engaging with that style as well, mainly brings an old-school sound that follows the revival boom.
Her track “Mixer” showcases that side of her, with a cool bass line resonating throughout the song.
If you like Black music that carries a sense of nostalgia, be sure to check it out.
Songs with cool basslines in Western music: classic and popular picks recommended for bassists (51–60)
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.
Town Called MaliceThe Jam
Just hearing that bouncy, syncopated bass line is enough to make your heart dance—The Jam at their finest! Led by Paul Weller, long respected as a big-brother figure among British musicians, The Jam were the quintessential band of the so-called Mod scene.
Despite a relatively short run of about five years, they produced many classic songs and influenced countless bands that followed.
They’re also known for their deep admiration of American soul and R&B, and this Town Called Malice—just listen and you’ll hear it—is pure Motown style.
Their final album, The Gift, which includes this track, is heavily infused with Black music influences and features prominently assertive bass throughout.
If you’re a bassist or simply love a strong bass sound, it’s a must-check!
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.
LongviewGreen Day
This is the song “Longview” by Green Day, an American punk band that’s hugely popular in Japan.
While they’re strongly associated with a straightforward punk sound, they also have tracks that use the bass in this way.
The ability to completely change a song’s vibe by switching up the sound is the real charm of the bass.
JekyllHiatus Kaiyote
The unit with the intriguingly mysterious name “Hiatus Kaiyote” is a band formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 2011.
Their musical style, which uniquely blends elements of soul, jazz, and funk, is often described as future soul.
The charismatic sole female vocalist, Naomi “Nai Palm” Saalfield—who also handles guitar and keyboards—has a captivating voice as well.
“Jekyll,” included on their second album Choose Your Weapon released in 2015, is a standout track featuring a very cool performance by Paul Bender, who commands both six- and five-string basses.
The bass line, entwined with the tribal rhythm, is the kind that would make any bassist nod in admiration.
RedboneChildish Gambino
A song I recommend for night drives is Redbone, sung by Childish Gambino.
Released in 2016, Redbone feels like you’re driving through pitch-black darkness—somehow lonely and a bit frightening—and the more you listen, the more its quality shines.
It’s a laid-back track, but thanks to the just-right, bouncing bassline, it never gets too heavy and ends up being very easy to listen to.
Pay attention to the bass tone, too! It’s also a great track for studying arrangement.