Top 10 Songs with the Greatest Bass Solos
Bass might sometimes take a backseat to flashy guitars or vocals, but make no mistake, a killer bassline can absolutely steal the show. We're talking about those moments where the low end takes center stage, slapping you in the face with funky rhythms, intricate melodies, and raw power.Imagine you're listening to a song, and suddenly, the ground beneath you starts to rumble. The bass kicks in, not just holding the groove, but driving the whole track forward. It's got attitude, complexity, and an undeniable coolness that sets it apart. That, my friend, is what a legendary bass solo is all about.
He was the god of bass. He wanted to become the best bassist ever, and he did it. Within four years of his short career, he touched the greatest heights, which I don't think any other bass player could do. I respect Geezer Butler and Steve Harris, the closest competitors to him, but he was a unique bass player.
"Shifting the whole band for a bass player? Yes, Cliff was that good." - Dave Mustaine, about his early years with Metallica.
Of course, this is the best. How can it not be? Cliff Burton was the God of the bass. Come on, you can't beat it.
Its awesomeness speaks for itself.
Laugh out loud, it's funny. This has better bass than Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth), which is a legit bass solo. YYZ, on the other hand, is a full song, in which Geddy Lee also plays keyboards for about thirty or so seconds. This proves that Geddy Lee is the greatest bass player of all time.
Awesome bass in this song. Yet, it is not a bass solo. Geddy Lee knows how to complement any song but still create ripping bass without overshadowing everyone else. This is how a great bass player does it.
One of the best bass guitarists in rock history! It is a very impressive bass song and even more so when we know he was playing all the synth parts too! I think half of the bassists here couldn't play this!
This song is just awesome. Cliff Burton has put his soul into this song, and you can feel it. When you hear it, you just have a little heart attack when Cliff does the solo. Awesome performance for an awesome bassist!
It is a legendary song by Metallica. The bass plays a bigger role than the guitar, which is rare for modern rock music. Cliff has made the solos very, very good and beautiful for my ears.
Got the format wrong last time. Either way, great solos in this one. One of the best instrumentals by Metallica anyway.
Black Sabbath, with Geezer, is one of the best bands. His bass kicks you out of your shoes and lets you think about what is the soul of heavy metal. I think he played with Black Sabbath with his own soul.
I always thought it was simply a riff, but then I went and listened to it. That's a solid solo, contrary to many other entries on this list which are cool riffs.
I do believe he may be the best, most underappreciated bassist of recent years.
John Richard Deacon (born 19th of August 1951) is a retired English musician, who is best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. John Deacon is one of the very best bass players to have lived. Under Pressure and Another One Bites the Dust are two of the many great pieces of bass work John has ever played. I cast my vote to John Deacon.
Queen is the greatest band in the universe, yet so unappreciated and underrated, much like the genius of John Deacon. Under Pressure is absolutely phenomenal, thanks to Deacy, whose bass line is the most awesome ever. Eat your heart out, Vanilla Ice, whoever you are. One thing you are NOT, though, is the creator of this masterpiece, like you're pretending to be!
John Deacon rocks!
Queen rules!
Freddie - the god of rock!
Without a doubt, Flea is the most accomplished bassist ever.
Flea is the best and the most epic, no matter what song.
Great bassline and agree, he's the best bass player ever. This song is one of RHCP's (Red Hot Chili Peppers) best bass songs.
Should be number 1! It is very complicated and brilliant!
Alec John Such was the bass player in the band at the time, but it is common knowledge that the producer, Hugh McDonald, played bass on the recordings.
It was actually Alec John Such that did it on the CD originally, but Hugh McDonald is probably better and plays it awesomely.
Awesome all-around song, unbelievable live.
This bass solo made me want to learn how to play bass! I am confused why such a classic song that defined a generation like this is so low on the list. John Entwistle is the greatest bassist of all time and is my hero. This is also my favorite Who song.
Come on! This list is so stupid. Half of these songs don't even have bass solos in them!
This song is true of bass soloing. Bass players, do your research!
That's just shameful. The Ox at 39th with the best-known and recognized solo riff in bass history? What the hell are you people smoking?
Any list of "Best Bass Solos" that doesn't have John Entwistle in the top 5 loses any and all credibility. Wake up, 20-somethings, and get a clue.
Amazing bass throughout the whole song. The bass is the lead, not the guitar!
Absolutely - true drum and bass!
The Newcomers
A long solo (one minute and a half), which is impressive compared to most solos on this list.
And what a mad solo. The licks he plays are not that fast, but they're definitely relentless. It's one of my favorites of all time, right in the middle of a great song.
With Frank Zappa on guitar and Terry Bozzio on drums, it says a lot that O'Hearn's bass was able to stand out on this track.
Gosh, Cliff Burton's solo is not at the level of Les Claypool, just saying that Les is way better than Cliff. Cliff was a good bass player, but I invite you to listen to some of Les Claypool's sick bass lines.
Hot damn, anything Les Claypool plays is the best bass solo on earth, fools. Even when he's playing the banjo. How on earth is Cliff Burton at the top again? These lists offend me.
How can Claypool be in the same top as Mike Dirnt? How can he be below him?
I just cannot believe this piece isn't here. Squire performed this piece live on Yessongs in 1972 and again 30 years later. It's a complex work that easily outshines so many others and was written specifically for the instrument.
Truly one of the best bass solos I've ever heard, together with bass pedals and wah-wah.
Chris - RIP - We miss you!
It's just the best, and the energy is amazing. As mentioned, it's the Yessongs version.
It's a shame there's no film.
It's a tie between this and Longview. But nonetheless, probably the best bassist ever.
One of the greatest bridges in rock history.
It's too awesome... my first choice.
The best bassist playing the best solo, simple. It's a fast solo with an amazing sound, better than many songs out there. I personally prefer Myung's tapping on Metropolis Part 1, but this one is way better technically speaking.
Most of the songs in the top ten don't even have a bass solo. They're on the list just because of the song's popularity. So, if you want to hear a real bass solo, you've got to listen to Myung.
Deserves to be at least at the number 5 spot, damn it. John Myung is a hell of a bassist, and this song proves it.
It's definitely a lot better than "Welcome to Paradise."
So what is a great bass solo? The ability to play a difficult passage on the bass, or the bass melody that appeals to the ear of the listener? I think of Little Green Bag every time. It's short, singable, and comes at the start of the song.
Mind you, I'm no great guitarist, so I'm speaking as a 'listener'.
While this song may be simple, it proves that the bass can be a driving force in rock music. Deacon takes the lead on this great tune that gives bass players a reason to live.
Rock on!
Roger Waters made amazing lyrics, but he was a good bassist too.
How can this not be one of the best solos ever? Number 41? John Myung is one of the most talented bass players in the world, and this solo just documents it. Using tapping, this man does amazing things with his bass. One of the best solos ever, easily.
That moment when songs that you learned in minutes are ranked higher than a song containing a solo that you still can't play the first six notes of. Seriously, there may be a more difficult bass lick out there, but it is certainly in the top 10 without any doubt. John Myung went in for the kill on this one!
Come on, the hardest thing the greatest bass player has ever done. You can't be the greatest if you play slap, so don't give me any of that Flea nonsense.