The bass guitar can go unnoticed in a lot of songs.
At least to the average listener.
But that is not the case with any of the songs on this list.
They are the best bass riffs of all time for a reason.
You can’t help but notice them.
And you can’t help but move your body when you hear them.
So keep reading for the 9 best bass guitar riffs ever. You’ll notice that some of them are not even all that hard to play.
Best Bass Riffs Of All Time
The following bass riffs our our top choices for the best riffs of all time on the bass guitar. If you have any additional suggestions, or you don’t like one of out choices, we’d love to hear from you. Just leave a comment below.
Peace Sells by Megadeth
Although metal music is mostly focused on serious guitar riffage, bass work in the genre should never be neglected. One of the finest examples of how bass is crucial for metal is David Ellefson’s intro part to Peace Sells by Megadeth.
In fact, it’s these riffs that really make the song appealing. And his particular style of playing with a pick gives it a serious attack. Once you learn this simple bass riff, you won’t be able to stop playing it. It’s so incredibly catchy, which isn’t a common trait for metal music.
Good Times by Chic
Bernard Edwards was one of the finest bassists of all time, not just in the funk and R&B world, but the music business as a whole. While Edwards is certainly known for many bass lines, Good Times by Chic is probably be the most memorable example.
That song practically relies on his bass parts. Without them, it really wouldn’t make any sense. And this is where he set the standards for bass players of all genres.
His incredible way of keeping the groove and staying “in the pocket” is so prominent all throughout the piece. And most importantly, it perfectly interacts with all the instruments, showcasing what bands should really be about.
My Generation by The Who
Although John Entwistle passed away in 2002, we have yet to find someone else who can play like him. When you look back at a song like The Who’s My Generation, it’s obvious that he was so incredibly ahead of his time. After all, the piece came out all the way back in 1965.
And although it seems straightforward, the song isn’t all that simple. During the piece, John incorporates a few pretty intricate bass riffs that really add to the song.
At the same time, the entire piece is filled with his innovative ideas. It’s one of the most important songs to know as a bass player and one of the most famous songs with bass at the forefront.
Digital Man by Rush
Obviously, Geddy Lee is a name that we just can’t omit from a list like this one. And while Rush’s discography is full of his impressive bass parts, the riffs Lee plays in Digital Man from the 1982 album Signals are just on another level.
And just like the song’s theme was way ahead of its time, Geddy’s bass parts were as well. It’s just one impressive riff after another. On top of that, his bass tone here is just out of this world. Both he and Rush definitely set the standards high for everyone else.
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Although Michael Jackson came up with the riff, it wouldn’t be nearly as popular as it is today if Louis Johnson hadn’t performed it. Still, Jackson had almost absolute control over what will go into his music. He had Louis try a bunch of his bass guitars and finally settled on a particular Yamaha model that he had.
We’ve all heard this one. However, what makes the bass riff in Billie Jean so special are the nuanced details. Sure, it may not feel like an incredibly complex part. But the careful dynamic and timing interplay in between the notes, as well as Johnson’s surgical precision in execution, are perfect.
Bullet In The Head by Rage Against the Machine
On the heavier side, we’d like to bring up Rage Against the Machine and the band’s incredible bassist Tim Commerford. If there was ever one bassist in rock and metal music that brought that serious groove from other genres, then it’s Tim.
Although we’re looking at a heavier band her, this song is relatively calm and steady. Nonetheless, Commerford’s incredible talents shine with the riffs that go throughout the song. And, most importantly, all of them perfectly complement the other instruments.
School Days by Stanley Clarke
The jazz fusion genre is full of incredible bass players. But almost no one even comes close to Stanley Clarke. The one song that really stands out for this list is School Days.
Although a fusion song, it’s incredibly catchy. It is definitely not an unnecessarily complex piece to listen to, which is something that you often get in this genre.
The song is almost eight minutes long. Although there are many changes all throughout, the song always comes back to its main bass riff and that is what everyone remembers it for. It’s just an absolute masterpiece and something that fans of all genres love.
Roundabout by Yes
Although Roundabout got back into the spotlight and achieved massive online attention in the To Be Continued series of memes, the song was a game-changer back when it originally came out at the beginning of 1972.
All the instruments work perfectly with one another, forming a coherent whole, but the main bass riff is what gets people really going.
Chris Squire is one of the most impressive bassists of all time. His passing in 2015 was a huge loss for the world of music, especially for the progressive rock community. He was an innovator, and this song proves it, since hardly any bassist these days can really pull off the Roundabout riff with the same original feel.
Ace of Spades by Motörhead
Obviously, you cannot avoid Lemmy Kilmister on a list like this one. It’s safe to say that Motörhead was more or less a bass-centric band. And Lemmy’s approach to the instrument was, in a way, similar to a guitar.
His thunderous bass is best heard in Ace of Spades. There is a reason this is one of the most popular bass riffs of all time.
Although the riff is not challenging, getting the real steady groove of this song may not be as simple as you think. We need to treat all Motörhead songs with respect and not underestimate them.
Best Bass Guitar Riffs Ever: Final Thoughts
Obviously, any list like this is subjective. These are our choices for the best bass riffs of all time, but you may have a completely different list. And that is fine.
We are always looking to add to our lists, so if you have some more great suggestions for songs with great bass riffs, please feel free to leave a comment below. You can also let us know if you feel one of our picks does not belong on the list.
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