Music Listomania Edition 1: The Best Bass Lines

Listomania Edition #1 : 8 of the Most Amazing Bass Lines That Make Their Songs Great

Basses are underrated. Not as showy as the electric, not as often as showcased as the acoustic, basses are there to blend into the background. Just think of all the bassists you've seen in concerts: they’re off on stage left, anchored to their amp, all long fringed bangs and melancholy, dreamily staring off into the distance or the ground or the back of the stage while utterly engrossed in the music.

But basses add much needed depth, and often interesting counter-melody, to the mix, and when you discover those deep glimpses of bass between the screaming riffs of the guitar and the clamor of the drums - wow.  It hits you - pow - right in the heart. (And quite literally, if you’re near the speakers).

Also, importantly: bassist are the most attractive member of any band in general.

So here, in no particular order except for memory, is my list of some of the greatest baselines in music history (meaning, the music that I’ve heard and know - I mean no offense to people who find gaping holes in this list where the classic, not-to-be-missed should be.)

1. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Famously not actually a bass, but a guitar made to sound like a bass, this song is still driven by one of the most memorable bass riffs to date. Apparently it’s been given new life as a football theme (Italy World Cup 2006, Euro Cup, Bayern Munich); a Manchester United chant for our growing MVP, RvP (Robin van Persie); and apparently figured prominently during the Arab Spring prodemocracy rallies in Egypt, so rank this as potentially my favorite song, ever. 

2.  I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie

This song is just gorgeous, and in fulfilling all definitions of beauty, starts with a hauntingly yearning bass line, and then continues into a five minute long, thoroughly engaging instrumental riff in a frozen, icy, snow-carpeted boxcar BEFORE anyone even starts singing. This was JT-style epic before JT even born (well, before his solo act was born). Also, THAT VIDEO.

(That girl, with her draped scarves, headphones, and graceful manner, and her apparent career consisting of traveling and looking tragic and lovely and contemplative in exquisite locations around the world - this is who I want to be when I grow up.)

The words - well, if you listen hard, they sound rather creepy. So just ignore the slightly sinister meaning behind the words, sit back, watch the pretty girl close her eyes on the gorgeous bridges of Paris, and bask in the crooning voice of Ben Gibbard and the driving, thrumming bass.

3.  Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet

Dun-dun-dun-dun-da-dun-dun. Go! 

This song - which, even with its aspirations to rock, is nonetheless pure pop, which is not an insult in this case - is probably best known for that extremely catchy 4-beat bass riff paired in delightful combination with drums. It may not be a deep meaningful song, but it is fun, and it does get off your seat and onto the dance floor, and that's all we should really ask of a song. Good times.  

4.  Otherside - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Or, basically, every single Red Hot Chili Pepper song - which, no doubt, has to do with the extraordinary abilities of their bassist, Flea. But, this was also one of the first things I learned to play when I first picked up a guitar (of all things) during the crazy sweltering summer of 2003 as a wide-eyed freshman at Penn State, so this is the one that will stick with me forever.

(I have never watched that video before, and may I say, that is a really, really late 90s-early 00s video.)

5.  Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

An old school-funky bass line, almost immediately recognizable to everyone. People are going to start throwing eggs at me through their computer screens for suggesting this, but you should also check out this fun, blasphemous version, courtesy of Glee (I know, I know) and the incomparable Jonathan Groff (aka Kristoff in Frozen).  And yes, that is how I learned about this song (and about The Zombies, and The Doors. Please don't martyr me.)

6.  Pumped-Up Kicks - Foster the People

This song is basically just all bass line and vocal radio-compression, and I love it. It is addictive, it’s deliciously lo-fi, and I can't ever hear this song without thinking of salt-sea breezes on a Californian beach, hanging out of an old-school open air Jeep, watching the layered orange glow of the sunset. The lyrics are also incredibly creepy, but I will never tire of singing along and being blissfully ignorant of the meaning.

7.  Jenny Was A Friend of Mine - The Killers

This is first-chair bass, virtuoso bass, the Mozart of basses, if there ever was such a thing. This is the bass in the lead, creative and freed. I mean, the Killers live - a-mazing in general. But their bassist, Mark Stoermer, is definitely one of the most amazing bassists around these days - and an incredible song writer as well.

(I must admit though, having seen them live twice, this may be one of the cases where the lead singer is the most attractive member of the band. Brandon Flowers is the Tom Brady of lead singers - except not a pregnant-girlfriend dumping donkey.)

Any other suggestions? (and anyone want to teach me how to play the bass?)