Brilliant POP bass lines?

[Annoying Twit]

OK, here's a challenge. Ignoring sophisticated music, prog-rock, art-rock, etc..... what out and out pop songs have absolutely brilliant bass lines that really complement the song. Not bass-lines that make it more than a pop song, but bass lines that are perfect for the song as a throwaway light confection.

I'll start, with Chip Douglas's line from "Salesman" by "The Monkees". Maybe not the middle 8 though, not so sure about that bit.

[thisnameistaken]

[Rich]

I can't do youtube from this work pc, so I have no idea what videos you just posted but I'd like to put in a vote for Abba's 'Dancing Queen'. For my money, [i]the[/i] perfect pop song.

[zero9]

Anything by Sting...

[cameltoe]

Ok, REALLY pop, but I was in the Gym the other day and this came on the TV.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFD-eGtBYWc"]Click[/url]


Thought the bass line was pretty cool, with some funky slides. Stays nicely where it is and doesn't overpower the song, but really the song wouldn't have much melody without it.

Edited August 25, 2010 by cameltoe

[amj]

As an off-the-cuff comment, there's some killer basslines all over Michael Jackson's music!

[xilddx]

[quote name='zero9' post='935933' date='Aug 25 2010, 01:39 PM']Anything by Sting...[/quote]

[Doddy]

Paul Simon's 'Slip Sliding Away'. Anthony Jackson just plays so beautifully on it.

[MacDaddy]

The Edge of Heaven - Wham!

Like a Prayer - Madonna

Edited August 25, 2010 by MacDaddy

[simon1964]

Not sure whether it counts as pop, but I heard Pump it Up by Elvis Costello for the first time in ages yesterday. What a cracking bass line that is - catchy, busy without being over complicated, and really works with the song.

Blondie, Atomic is another

[flyfisher]

The Beatles - Taxman

Edited August 25, 2010 by flyfisher

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='simon1964' post='935946' date='Aug 25 2010, 01:45 PM']Not sure whether it counts as pop, but I heard Pump it Up by Elvis Costello for the first time in ages yesterday. What a cracking bass line that is - catchy, busy without being over complicated, and really works with the song.[/quote]

Yeah that is a great bit of bass playing, both the verse and chorus parts are really good.

[waynepunkdude]

[Bassassin]

If we are allowed top-class bassists who made their name playing bubblegum, I'll have [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKIs_6qc4cQ"]Too Shy by Kajagoogoo[/url].

Jon.

[Annoying Twit]

If we're allowed keyboardz, and someone's mentioned Madonna, then I'm no fan but ... I like the Borderline bassline.




Edit: Is that some 80s Japanese bass with a stripey neck that's being played in Kajagoogoo?

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKWbMJOIkUk&feature=av2n"]Embedding disabled by request[/url]

Edited August 25, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[waynepunkdude]

[TommyK]

Lets get Retarded/Started - Blackeyed peas. I reckon it is near perfect, Bass wise. I absolutely love playing along to it. Just wish i could get my band to be brave enough to have a bash at it!!

+1 for Billie Jean.

[waynepunkdude]

[Annoying Twit]

This thread is fun! I thought of starting a thread on interesting root note only basslines, but this one might do it:

Edited August 25, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[Sonic_Groove]

[quote name='flyfisher' post='935947' date='Aug 25 2010, 01:46 PM']The Beatles - Taxman

[/quote]

Cor you see what they've done there? They've nicked the Jam's Start!

B

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='TommyK' post='935972' date='Aug 25 2010, 02:05 PM']Lets get Retarded/Started - Blackeyed peas. I reckon it is near perfect, Bass wise. I absolutely love playing along to it. Just wish i could get my band to be brave enough to have a bash at it!![/quote]

This is Fergie the first time she heard the Retarded/Started bassline played live.

Edited August 25, 2010 by Annoying Twit

[thisnameistaken]

[guzzibass]

Dahn in the Tube Station at Midnight has Bruce Foxton tying his fingers in knots!!!

[Cat Burrito]

I always liked this bass line from my memories of watching the Chart Show in the 1980s

[Heathy]

Club tropicana and wake me up before you go go by Wham have good bass lines.

Also, for me you can't beat the bass sound on Superman by Black Lace.


I'll get me coat - again!