Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists

Hot WaterLevel 42

Level 42 – Hot Water (30th Anniversary World Tour 22.10.2010)

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!

Chicken GreaseD’Angelo

Chicken Grease

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.

I Want You BackThe Jackson 5

I Want You Back – The 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.

Tommy The CatPrimus

Primus – Tommy The Cat (Official Music Video)

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.

MixerAmber Mark

Amber Mark – Mixer (Official Video)

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.

Can’t Feel My FaceThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face (Official Video)

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.

What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye

What’s Going On (Original Single Mix)

Marvin Gaye, a singer who was active in the 1960s and ’70s.

This track showcases his gentle, crystal-clear voice at its best.

It’s one of the iconic songs representing Motown Records, a label that made a huge impact on Black music at the time.

The band backing him is unbelievably cool, too.

The bass line is lively without ever sticking out in a bad way, yet it locks in the groove perfectly.

It’s a track where you can savor truly outstanding bass.