Top 10 songs with an outstanding bass solo

You only realise how important the bass guitar is in music when it’s not there for a moment. The bass simply isn’t as upfront, and bass-guitar solos are few and far between. And if you do come across a bass solo, it’s often in an overplayed metal track. Guest blogger Marlies therefore went searching for lesser-known solos from funk and soul, among other genres—her favourites. Ten delicious bass solos in a row! Any additions?

Top 10 songs met een bijzondere bas-solo

Ten bass-guitar solos

#1. Teen Town by Weather Report

Teen Town by Weather Report, featuring the fretless bass of course played by the ‘Paganini of the bass guitar’: Jaco Pastorius. The track comes from the 1977 album Heavy Weather. Ideal if you’re into funk and jazz!

#2. Dean Town by Vulfpeck

Dean Town (2016) by Vulfpeck with Joe Dart on bass. Not only the title, but the whole track has more than a hint of Teen Town about it.

#3. For What It’s Worth by The Voices Of East Harlem

For What It’s Worth by The Voices Of East Harlem (1970) is a wonderfully funky gospel track. The original is by Buffalo Springfield, but I honestly think this version is far better. And that’s all ‘thanks’ to bassist Jerry Jemmott.

#4. Light Six by Herbie Flowers & Barry Morgan

In 1971, bassist Herbie Flowers (yes, the one from Take A Walk On The Wild Side by Lou Reed) and drummer Barry Morgan released the album Bass Guitar And Percussion Vol. 1. A bass lover’s paradise. Light Six is taken from that album—but there are plenty more great bass solos on it too.

#5. Seinfeld theme by Jonathan Wolff

The music from Seinfeld is a must for bass fans. The track was written by Jonathan Wolff, who’s written plenty more music for TV series. You think you’re hearing a slap bass, but that’s not actually the case. It’s a synthesiser… A bit of a let-down, but it doesn’t make the track any less great!

#6. You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon

Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland is packed with great bass lines. You Can Call Me Al also has a beautiful bass solo. It’s played by South African bassist Bakithi Kumalo. This super-short solo starts at 3:44 and is absolutely worth a listen.

#7. There’s Nothing Like This by Omar

There’s Nothing Like This (1990) by British soul singer Omar starts with a bass solo that keeps rolling throughout the whole track. Nice and laid-back!

#8. It’s A Man’s World. Part 2 by James Brown (live)

It’s A Man’s World. Part 2 by James Brown in a fantastic live performance. On bass you’ll hear Jimmy Lee Moore, also known as String Puller.

#9. Douala By Night by J.M. Tim and Foty

J.M. Tim and Foty ‎is a duo from Cameroon. In the ’70s they made the real deal: African funk. On the track Douala By Night (1977), you can hear a great bass solo from 1:40, played by Jean-Yves Messan on bass guitar.

#10. Dancing In The Moonlight by Thin Lizzy

The last bass solo is by Thin Lizzy, with Phil Lynott on bass guitar. It’s Dancing In The Moonlight, taken from the 1977 album Bad Reputation. By the way, I got this tip from Toine Keulemans, who pointed it out to me in the article Top 10 songs with a smashing bass intro. Lynott plays a great bass line at the start of the track, which returns again halfway through.

Do you know a track with a bass-guitar solo we shouldn’t forget? Leave a comment + YouTube link below!