33 Songs With Good Bass You’ll Really Feel

Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet

Song Year: 2003

Twelfth on our list is what Triple M refers to as the 38th Most Australian song of all time. Peaking at number 3 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks, it was even nominated for the Song of the Year in 2004.

Opening with a subdued bassline, you can already feel the groove before the whole band has kicked in. With a garage rock sound, the bassline stays groovy from start to finish.

From the Pinnacle to the Pit by Ghost

Song Year: 2015

Another of the heavier options, Ghost, may not be for everyone. The band dresses up in Satanic garb and identical Nameless Ghoul masks for every member outside of the frontman. For most of the band’s career, the musicians were anonymous under pseudonyms until being revealed in recent years.

This particular song has one of their meatier bass riffs, especially in comparison to their newer releases. The riff stays active from the first bar of the song until the last, lending a sinister feeling to the track.

My Name Is Mud by Primus

Song Year: 1993

Primus is well known for its intense focus on bass in its songs. Frontman Les Claypool is also the bass player and keeps the basslines front and center.

A famous story of Claypool is his audition for Metallica after Cliff Burton’s death. Metallica’s Lars Ulrich reportedly rejected Claypool because he was too good at bass and that he’d be better off doing his own thing.

Following that advice is part of why this track is on this list. While nearly every Primus song features a fantastic bassline, My Name Is Mud reigns supreme as one of their most popular.

Schism by Tool

Song Year: 2001

Tool’s songs range from epic prog ballads to more simple, heavy songs. Schism fits somewhere in the middle, not too long but undoubtedly proggy.

The bassline of this song is one of the more famous basslines in prog music—a challenging title to earn. It has confounded a good many bass players, and you can’t help but drum your fingers along to the notes.

Roundabout by Yes

Song Year: 1972

If you’re of the newer generations, you might recognize this song from a widespread meme for the last few years.

Regardless of where you know it from, Yes’s Roundabout has one of the grooviest, most in-your-face basslines of any other song out there.

Peaking at 13 on the Billboard 100, writers Jon Anderson and Steve Howe were awarded a BMI Award for the writing of this song. Since then, it’s become one of their most famous songs and a staple of their live show, performed at nearly every concert they’ve done since its release.

Testify by Rage Against The Machine Is One Of The Best Bass Songs

Song Year: 1999

Rage Against The Machine sings songs that nearly everyone can recognize within a few listens. Often using repetitive lyrics and aggressive instrumentation, it’s almost impossible to stop yourself from banging your head in tune.

Testify breaks away from repetitive lyrics, making its political statement in scathing critique. With screeching guitars and a funky bassline, this is one of Rage’s best tracks, without a doubt.

N.I.B. by Black Sabbath

Song Year: 1970

Ozzy Osbourne needs no introduction, and Black Sabbath’s music with him at the front is some of the most influential metal out there. N.I.B. makes a case for Sabbath’s music as well as any other song could.

N.I.B. tells the story of the devil falling in love and deciding to become a better person. The lyrics were written by bassist Geezer Butler, which could explain why the bass hits so hard.

Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie

Song Year: 1998

Rob Zombie is a renaissance man of the entertainment arts. After White Zombie broke up in 1998, Rob went under his own pseudonym and gave his first album a release, Hellbilly Deluxe.

This album holds several classics, including Dragula and Superbeast. Living Dead Girl brings one of the strongest basslines in Rob’s discography.

Emergency On Planet Earth by Jamiroquai

Song Year: 1993

Jamiroquai’s bass talents are well known and more impressive with every listen. Bringing funk and groove to every track, Emergency On Planet Earth remains one of their greatest hits. As a danceable earworm, this is one of Jamiroquai’s best tracks.

Chameleon by Herbie Hancock

Song Year: 1973

Herbie Hancock’s Chameleon is one of the only jazz songs we’re bringing to bear. In fact, jazz may not come to mind when thinking of chunky basslines and bass that hits you in the heart.

If that’s what you think, Hancock can prove you wrong. There are two versions of the song, a 15:44 and a 9:41 version. The more extended version is the one that made the list.

Chameleon is instantly recognizable in the jazz world and a song that won’t leave your heart from the first time you hear it.

Money by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1973

Merging prog rock, hard rock, and blues, Money is one of the most recognizable Pink Floyd tracks.

A big part of that is the bassline that runs through the whole song, even sticking with you through a lengthy guitar solo. This bassline can keep you grounded for the rest of the rocky run through a 7/4 time signature.