Enthralling Bass Lines

The Bass line is the rhythmic pillar or melody of a song. It is the skeleton, backbone or the harmonic foundation of a song which is attainable through the use of the bass guitar or synth or double bass. It is that continual flow or sequence of notes which outline a song’s chord progression and rhythmic texture or configuration.

The memorability of a song is mostly attributed to the Bass line which spurs dancing and singing. It is my favourite part of a song and in this post, I share 38 songs with powerful and memorable bass lines.

  1. Aaron Neville. “Everybody Plays The Fool” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOm8d4nMwM8

  2. Barry White. “Baby’s Home” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBLkCNPVgws

  3. Blackstreet. “Joy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXj6nihoZGE

  4. Bob Marley. “Turn Your Lights Down Low” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRid8Tjw_bU

  5. Boyz II Men. “Water Runs Dry” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOHwmYGbyaE

  6. Celine Dion. “Call The Man” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq9_DMbrmpA

  7. Chaka Khan. “Be bop Medley” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK9U5bdQzuY

  8. Commodores. “Nightshift” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3FMFFdYkNo

  9. Earth Wind & Fire. “Fall In Love With Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm7d50z-sjs

  10. Gladys Knight. “Mr Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8lhaCGHy6U

  11. India Arie. “I Am Not My Hair” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7ASsobU2C8

  12. Isaac Hayes. “Shaft” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q429AOpL_ds

  13. Janet Jackson. “Alright” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho-p8R3fbeM

  14. Kabaka Pyramid. “Natural Woman” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8YWEWuMWtk

  15. K-ci & Jojo. “Girl” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFsawWGMoSQ

  16. Lauryn Hill. “Forgive Them Father” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YnmxhGegn4

  17. Lionel Richie. “You Are” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM5Rd6oM-C4

  18. Luther Vandross. “If I Didn’t Know Better” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvrkNy0tJd0

  19. Mariah Carey. “Anytime You Need A Friend” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICL6BuyHsQU

  20. Marvin Gaye. “What’s Going On” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M

  21. Mary J. Blige. “All That I Can Say” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpuDsvWAC9M

  22. M.C. Hammer. “Pray” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJT5_Y_H4_E

  23. Michael Jackson. “Remember The Time” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM19eRgOK1Q

  24. Michael Jackson. “You Rock My World” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiE1inuK5tE

  25. Mint Condition. “Forever In Your Eyes” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aEkyT7m9x4

  26. Mother’s Finest. “Cry Baby” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIVm3_-TMKY

  27. Oleta Adams. “Rhythm Of Life” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1auvGdVYvKc

  28. Patti LaBelle. “When You’ve Been Blessed” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So-ERFcB6kQ

  29. Prince. “Little Red Corvette” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjg2X_hxi8

  30. Ricky Martin. “Be Careful” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycofjIik7Zs

  31. Sade. “By Your Side” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKCWHUudnmY

  32. Shaggy. “Keep’ n It Real” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHy-oAMCpPc

  33. Stevie Wonder. “Redemption Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZKjdTU_-Rk

  34. The Jacksons. “2300 Jackson Street” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfGlxqYw56I

  35. Tina Turner. “Golden Eye” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Aq5rQdPso

  36. Toni Braxton. “Spanish Guitar” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czFLKT8MBqI

  37. Toni Tony Tone. “Anniversary” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UviG2rGwi9A

  38. Whitney Houston. “I Believe In You And Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DixNI7IRtVQ

Kensedeobong Okosun

Kensedeobong Okosun is a music enthusiast, music researcher, music journalist with expertise in music selection & planning, vocalist and an author. Her academic article “Sisterhood and Soul Music as expressions of Black Power” is featured in the edited volume, Black Power in Hemispheric Perspective (Raussert & Steinitz, eds, 2022). She has reviewed Dorothea Gail’s Weird American Music for the Forum for Interamerican Research (fiar, 2019). Her work has appeared on Nigeria’s Sun News Online and The Nigerian Observer.

Kensedeobong’s blog highlights music’s interconnectivity with society and comprises personal music experiences, researched information, concept playlists for multiple themes, etc.

A hard-core 90s R&B fan, she utilises the vehicle of memory, to position long forgotten music of yesteryears on the front-burner.

She is persuaded that music is a core conduit of collective harmony, equanimity, vitality and healing. And as such requires criticality in the filtration process, in order to disseminate meaning. Her blog promotes music equality and diversity.

She resides in Germany.

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