Greatest Rock Basslines of All Time

OzzyVanHalen

The Top Ten

1 Money - Pink Floyd

This is no. 45 on the 'best basslines' list. Go on that list and vote it up

Despite of many people think, Roger is a great bass player, and this song proves it.

2 Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

The best bassline is actually Under Pressure, also by John Deacon, but since that's not here, this one is top notch as well, Another One Bites The Dust, another John Deacon super creation.
So glad that the genius of Deacy is finally being recognized, as he is the most underrated bassist, same as Queen, the greatest band on the planet, yet so underrated and not fully appreciated or recognized for their phenomenal talent and genius. Had Queen's obscure songs gotten proper exposure, they'd All be hits! If you know Queen, you know what I'm talking about. They have masterpieces galore among their lesser known stuff, much better than the popular ones in their Greatest Hits even. Yet they remain lovely hidden gems for huge Queen fans like me, truly a treasure trove of ecstasy!
Queen is the most awesome band w/ 4 of the most talented, most incredibly brilliant, most eclectic, most innovative, and most versatile geniuses the music world has ever seen/heard.
And then there's FREDDIE! ...more

Maybe the best is in Under pressure, but I like this song so much!

Why it's #2 in both the lists?

Iconic bass line.

V 5 Comments
3 Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Seven Nation Army is played on a guitar with heavy distortion, but I could see how people thought it was a bass. The White Stripes only has two members: Jack White on guitar and vocals and Meg White on drums. - HardRockSam

This is a Guitar Riff, Not a bassline

This is played on guitar you idiots

Played on bass AND guitar clearly.

4 Freewill - Rush

The solo in Freewill is a testament to the fact that Rush is the best collaboration of rock musicians EVER and Geddy Lee does not disappoint

I don't care what anybody says... Geddy is hands down one of the greatest bassists and vocalists of all time, Rush kicks some serious butt!

5 Roundabout - Yes

11, seriously, this should be 1

Chris Squire is the Jaco Pastorius of rock.

Great bassline.
RIP Chris Squire

6 Under Pressure - Queen

Why in the world is this not even on the list? This and Another One Bites The Dust has got to be the best and most recognizable baselines, and I actually prefer Under Pressure. The fact that it is not in the list makes me RAGE.

One of the greatest songs ever - CalebMusic

7 Peace Sells - Megadeth
8 Dazed and Confused - Led Zeppelin

The song is driven around the bass of John Paul Jones.

9 Come As You Are - Nirvana

love this bass
Only bass I can play lol

V 1 Comment
10 N.I.B. - Black Sabbath

Funny list- so many great basslines so far down.

One of the best bass intro of all history

The Contenders

11 Hysteria - Muse
12 Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
13 Longview - Green Day

You could recognise this song just listening to the basslines.

14 Had a Dat - Sublime
15 Powerslave - Iron Maiden
16 Three Days - Jane's Addiction
17 YYZ - Rush

This should be on the top of the list

18 American Life - Primus
19 Tom Sawyer - Rush
20 The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

What a bass line why was this not on there

21 Would? - Alice in Chains

I'm a bassist, and all these are great basslines, but this one is the best rocking bass line to me. It just jams and has been my favorite bass line well before I started playing. Just amazing.

Greatest bass line in the last 25 years

22 Where Is My Mind? - Pixies
23 La Villa Strangiato - Rush
24 Human Insecticide - Annihilator
25 I Want You (She's So Heavy) - The Beatles
26 Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf
27 Orion - Metallica

The distorted intro is very catchy along with the drums, the two bass solos are heavenly, and the way this song changes throughout make it a pure masterpiece. RIP Cliff Burton

28 Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
29 Smoke On the Water - Deep Purple
30 Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) - Metallica
31 Sunshine of Your Love - Cream
32 My City Was Gone - The Pretenders
33 My Last Words - Megadeth
34 The Pot - Tool

It's extremely complex and catchy at the same time.

killer

35 The Real Me - The Who

It may not be as catchy as some of the other examples, but in terms of sheer skill, it doesn't get much better than this! John Entwistle recorded it in one take. One take!

36 Pictures of Home - Deep Purple
37 Come Together - The Beatles

Paul's best bass line

38 Lounge Act - Nirvana
39 Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers
40 Animal I Have Become - Three Days Grace
41 Lab Monkey - Alice in Chains
42 Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix Experience
43 Israel's Son - Silverchair
44 Walk On the Wild Side - Lou Reed
45 No More Tears - Ozzy Osbourne
46 One of These Days - Pink Floyd
47 157 Riverside Avenue - REO Speedwagon
48 The Invisible Man - Queen
49 Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High - Arctic Monkeys
50 Can't Stop - Red Hot Chili Peppers
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List Stats

300 votes
60 listings
8 years, 4 days old

Top Remixes (6)

1. Had a Dat - Sublime
2. Three Days - Jane's Addiction
3. American Life - Primus
JCHOW
1. Under Pressure - Queen
2. Peace Sells - Megadeth
3. Powerslave - Iron Maiden
Metal_Treasure
1. Money - Pink Floyd
2. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
3. Tom Sawyer - Rush
HYDRAflash

WRemix
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