- These 5 basslines transcended their songs to become absolute music landmarks.
- From John Deacon to Paul McCartney, each bassist redefined the role of the electric bass.
- The “Good Times” by Chic bassline is one of the most sampled in history, at the root of hip-hop.
- The bass is not just a backing instrument: it’s the true driving force of a track.
We all have that moment etched in memory: the first time a bassline stopped us in our tracks. For me, it was “Billie Jean” in my dad’s car on a Sunday morning. That hypnotic groove that grabs you by the gut and never lets go. Bass is often talked about as a shadow instrument – yet without it, some of the greatest hits in history would be empty shells. Here are 5 legendary basslines that changed the face of music.
1. “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen (1980)
Impossible to start without John Deacon and his unstoppable riff. Released on the album The Game, “Another One Bites the Dust” is Queen’s best-selling single. Everything rests on this bassline: a tight pattern, played staccato with muted notes creating an irresistible groove. Deacon wrote the entire song – a rarity for Queen. His inspiration? The funk of Chic. He hung out with Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards in the New York studio, and Brian May himself acknowledged this influence.
Deacon was at New York’s Power Station when Bernard Edwards recorded Chic’s “Good Times.” The similarities between the two grooves were so obvious that the press accused Chic of copying Queen… when in fact it was the other way around chronologically!
2. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson (1982)
You recognize this track from the very first note. The “Billie Jean” bassline alone identifies the song, without vocals or beat. Released on Thriller, this hypnotic loop is one of the most iconic riffs in pop music. The sound doesn’t come from a single instrument: Louis Johnson laid down the electric bass on a Yamaha, while Quincy Jones layered three synth tracks. An organic yet electronic groove that defined the sound of an entire decade.
3. “Good Times” – Chic (1979)
The most influential bassline in history? “Good Times” makes a strong case. Composed by Bernard Edwards, released on the album Risqué, it became one of the most sampled tracks ever. Edwards played a Music Man StingRay with flatwound strings, and his “chucking” technique (thumb and index attack) gave his grooves a unique texture.
The impact went beyond disco: in 1979, the Sugarhill Gang borrowed this groove for “Rapper’s Delight,” laying the foundations of hip-hop. Rodgers and Edwards received co-writing credits. One riff, and the whole of popular music shifted.
To tackle “Good Times,” focus on rhythmic placement. The song is in E minor at 110 BPM, and the sixteenth-note anticipations are the secret to the groove. Practice slowly with a metronome – it’s in the precision of the silences that everything happens.
4. “Come Together” – The Beatles (1969)
Paul McCartney revolutionized the role of bass in rock, and “Come Together” is the ultimate proof. Lennon had written a fast Chuck Berry-style rock. McCartney suggested slowing the tempo to lay down a swampy groove. Two notes, a descending slide, perfectly in sync with Ringo’s drums – it became one of the most covered bass riffs in history. McCartney played his Rickenbacker 4001S with a round, almost cottony tone that gives the track its entire atmosphere.
To reproduce McCartney’s sound, play fingerstyle near the neck with the tone knob halfway rolled off. The goal: a warm sound without too much treble. A passive 4-string bass with a split Precision-style pickup will do the trick perfectly.
5. “Money” – Pink Floyd (1973)
We finish with a track that breaks the rules from the first seconds. “Money,” from The Dark Side of the Moon, starts with a 7/4 bass riff – a rare time signature in rock – before switching to 4/4 in the verses. Roger Waters composed this line on his Fender Precision Bass: a bluesy, aggressive, and danceable groove despite its odd meter. The intro with cash registers, then the bass entering alone… It’s one of the few progressive rock tracks to have conquered the mainstream.
Want to reproduce these legendary grooves? Discover our selection of electric basses, our bass amps, and our bass strings to find the perfect setup. Our electric bass buying guide will also help you see clearly.
The Groove Never Dies
These five tracks share one thing in common: without their bassline, they wouldn’t exist in the form we know. From Bernard Edwards’ syncopated funk to McCartney’s swampy groove, each riff defines the entire sonic identity of a song. And you, which bassline made you want to pick up the instrument? If these grooves gave you tingles in your fingers, it’s never too late to start.
