Ten brilliantly bouncing bass lines from 1970s classic songs

Meghan Trainor declared it’s all about the bass on her smash 2014 hit. But we didn't have to wait until then to know that. Great bands with extraordinarily skilled bass players have been hitting us with throbbing, funky, deep, booming, or bouncing bass lines on many classic songs for years. 

A bass guitar can give an extra sound, drive the pace and rhythm, or become a key part of a song. Often it kicks the whole tune off with a major part or lead into the song intro, far more than just a backing instrument. The 1970s was a classic period for many styles of music. A great bassline isn’t limited to a particular type or genre. Be honest, you don’t have to be a funk band to have a great bassline on a song. Though you probably do need a great bass player to be a top funk band. 

You’ll find superb basslines on all sorts of songs, punk, funk, rock, soul, RnB, and more. Let's prove that with a diverse range of classic songs from the 1970s. A word of caution though. Any list will always be notable for what gets listed, but just as much for what is not included. This one is no different. 

Ten classic songs with brilliant basslines from the 1970s

One reason why a song you have in mind might not be here is the limit I’ve applied of a maximum of one song per artist or bass player. Otherwise, some superb bass guitarists could take over the list. Let's get into it with these ten classic 1970s songs which just wouldn't be the same without their distinctive bassline. 

Pink Floyd - “Money”

When it comes to classic songs then this Pink Floyd number “Money”, from A Dark Side Of The Moon,  is a natural fit. Especially so with Roger Waters’ bass notes setting the early tone for it. The iconic cash register sound kicks it off but then Waters’ almost lazy sounding bass comes in. It sets the pace and rhythm for the song, working superbly with David Gilmour’s guitar later in the song too.

There have been a few versions of this song emerging since the original. The early Waters’ demo for the song gives a different approach as it features an acoustic guitar, but it’s still the most significant component. Waters released his own redux version of the  Pink Floyd classic album last year. His version of “Money” for that is slightly different with a growled voice, the bas line prevails though, but at a slightly slower pace, sounding even lazier still. Nothing beats the original though with the video below offering an insight into the bass line itself.

Joy Division - “Transmission”

It wouldn't be much of a list without the low-slung bass of Peter Hook being included. Several tracks could have been chosen, but this Joy Divison debut single from 1979  just edges it. Hook kicks off “Transmission” in trademark style with a fast and persistent bass line. 

He keeps that going through the song. It’s dark. Intense, and atmospheric. But then it’s Joy Division, so it will be. Hook plays with pace and depth but in a still simple style bringing an added edge to the song, it’s not funky like other bass-strong tunes, this is almost like a new genre of bass playing. One which Hook used extensively with the band and of course New Order afterward. 

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