Bass Lines That Everyone Recognises

[Pete Academy]

When you play the bass part to a song, most people don't recognise it. What bass lines would you say the average non-musician could recognise?

Billie Jean

Peaches

Good Times/Rappers Delight

The Chain/Formula One theme

Another One Bites The Dust

What would you say is the most recognised?

[Noisyjon]

The Clash - London Calling?

[Doddy]

[quote name='jonthebass' post='1030775' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:48 PM']The Clash - London Calling?[/quote]

Nah. I wouldn't even know it.

Obvious choices- 'Stand by Me' and 'Gimme some Loving'.

[Pete Academy]

I would say 'Soul Limbo', the cricket theme.

[steve-soar]

Walking on the moon.

[Doddy]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1030777' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:51 PM']I would say 'Soul Limbo', the cricket theme.[/quote]

That's better known for the cowbell though really.

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1030776' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:50 PM']Nah. I wouldn't even know it.

Obvious choices- 'Stand by Me' and 'Gimme some Loving'.[/quote]

Definitely. Also 'Everybody Needs Somebody' and 'Green Onions'.

[steve-soar]

Under Pressure, Queen and David Bowie.

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1030778' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:52 PM']Walking on the moon.[/quote]

Yep

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1030781' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:52 PM']Under Pressure, Queen and David Bowie.[/quote]

Yep again.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='jonthebass' post='1030775' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:48 PM']The Clash - London Calling?[/quote]
My guess would be that most people have never heard of The Clash, let alone know a bass line.

Someone played that line at last years south-east bash and I didn't recognise it.

[Monz]

Come together (Beatles)
Love Cats (Cure)
Word up (Cameo)

Can't think of anymore right now but I bet there is loads

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='Monz' post='1030787' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:54 PM']Come together (Beatles)
Love Cats (Cure)
Word up (Cameo)

Can't think of anymore right now but I bet there is loads[/quote]

Good call.

[steve-soar]

Love Cats, The Cure.
Ooooh, just pipped.

Edited November 20, 2010 by steve-soar

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1030774' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:47 PM']When you play the bass part to a song, most people don't recognise it. What bass lines would you say the average non-musician could recognise?

Billie Jean

Peaches

Good Times/Rappers Delight

The Chain/Formula One theme

Another One Bites The Dust

What would you say is the most recognised?[/quote]
I think you are way over-rating the ability of the so-called 'man in the street' to recognise a bass line.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Monz' post='1030787' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:54 PM']Come together (Beatles)
Love Cats (Cure)
Word up (Cameo)

Can't think of anymore right now but I bet there is loads[/quote]
Who are Cameo, I've never heard of them.

[Pete Academy]

Jacksons. 'Shake Your Body'

Stevie Wonder. 'I Wish'

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1030793' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:56 PM']Who are Cameo, I've never heard of them.[/quote]

[Lozz196]

Think most people would recognise the bassline to Another One Bites The Dust.

With many other basslines, such as New Years Day by U2, or Town Called Malice by The Jam, these may be generation specific, but ABTD has been played so much over the years, on radio, tv etc, it has to be the most recognised.

A few simple notes, thats why John Deacon was so important to Queen - he let the flash boys do their work, and just stood there keeping the music steady.

[steve-soar]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1030796' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:57 PM'][/quote]

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1030791' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:56 PM']I think you are way over-rating the ability of the so-called 'man in the street' to recognise a bass line.[/quote]

Not necessarily.

[Doddy]

I wouldn't say people would know 'Word Up'.

Maybe 'I want you back'?

Then again,maybe not.

[Pete Academy]

It proves how important the bass part is to people recognising the song.

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1030802' date='Nov 20 2010, 08:00 PM']I wouldn't say people would know 'Word Up'.

Maybe 'I want you back'?

Then again,maybe not.[/quote]

Yep. That bassline is the song.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1030800' date='Nov 20 2010, 07:58 PM']Not necessarily.[/quote]
I didn't mean necessarily, I meant actually.