27 Best Bass Songs of All Time

Although you can’t see it, music can make you feel physical sensations, especially the best bass songs. One of these hits will surely make your head buzz and your heart pound in no time.

Some of the greatest tunes have featured killer bass lines and heart-pounding pulsating beats.

Now it’s time to grab your headphones, jump in your car, or track down your portable Bluetooth speaker and jam out.

 

The 27 Best Bass Songs of All Time

We’ve spent some time listening to and analyzing tons of mesmerizing bass jams and found what we think are the most impressive hits in music history.

Here’s our playlist of the 27 best bass songs of all time:

 

27. Power Mad – Primus

“Power Mad” was released on alt-metal band Primus’s sixth studio album, Antipop, in 1999. Fun fact: Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine was also a co-writer for this song!

The lyrics comment on how U.S. presidents became “power-mad” once they sat in the presidential seat.

The heavy bass song earned the #44 spot on the Billboard 200 in 1999, while the band currently boasts over 1.3 million Spotify listeners.

 

26. Come As You Are – Nirvana

“Come As You Are” was the third track and second single off Nirvana’s second album, Nevermind, released in 1992.

Some believe this grunge song is about tolerating every person no matter what they look like, while others think it’s about using heroin.

Nirvana also appears on our best karaoke songs playlist with their hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

“Come As You Are” reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the UK Singles chart between 1992 and 1993.

 

25. Stand By Me – Ben E. King

“Stand By Me” is a soul/R&B tune originally released in 1961.

This fantastic song was based on a gospel hymn by Same Cooke and J.W. Alexander entitled “Stand By Me Father” and describes the narrator’s ability to withstand trials with God on his side.

The popular bass song made #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.

 

24. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye

This powerful political song was inspired by violence and police brutality in America during the 1960s.

“What’s Going On” was given to Marvin Gaye after the Four Tops refused to record it because it was a protest song.

The tune topped the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and earned the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.

 

23. I Wish – Stevie Wonder

“I Wish” was the lead single released from Stevie Wonder’s eighteenth album, Songs in the Key of Life.

Stevie Wonder wrote the tune after having a great time at a community picnic. The lyrics describe his childhood and his desire to relive those special moments.

The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1977 and hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

 

22. Yeah! Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris

This song is one of the best bass songs hip hop has to offer. It’s a club banger that’ll have you dancing immediately!

“Yeah!” is about a guy who gets seduced by a woman on the dancefloor despite already having a girlfriend.

The bass heavy jam topped the Billboard Hot 100 and twelve charts worldwide in 2004.

 

21. Ramble On – Led Zeppelin

“Ramble On” was released on Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album, Led Zeppelin II, and is one of the band’s most famous songs.

Many of the lyrics were influenced by The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien and describe the male vocalist’s life journey (which some think alludes to the lifestyle of a touring musician).

In 2007, the tune made #66 on the Canadian Billboard Hot Digital Singles chart and was sampled by Insane Clown Posse on their hit, “50 Bucks.”

 

20. Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers

American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers released this jam as the third single from their album, By the Way, in 2002. Its lyrics encourage listeners to live with passion and individuality.

If you’re a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan interested in hearing more of their music, check out their hit, “Dani California,” on our best summer songs playlist.

“Can’t Stop” peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2003.

 

19. Good Times – Chic

If R&B is more your style, you’ll enjoy this one from Chic, which has become one of the most sampled songs in music history!

“Good Times” features an iconic bass line and describes the joyful days of the roller-disco decade after the recession of the 70s.

This particular track earned the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #3 on the Disco chart in 1979.

 

18. Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas

“Boom Boom Pow” is a popular hip hop track from 2009, which features lots of bass. If you’re into dance music, you’ll want to add this one to your playlist!

The entire song brags about the strength of the band’s music and how they are way ahead of other musical artists.

The tune topped the Billboard Hot 100 for twelve consecutive weeks and hit #1 in Australia, Canada, and the UK in 2009.

 

17. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

American rock duo, The White Stripes, released this great bass track from their fourth studio album, Elephant, in 2003.

“Seven Nation Army” was inspired by lead singer Jack White’s childhood in Detroit, and its lyrics focus on the harmful effects of gossip.

You’ll also find more from The White Stripes on our best songs about friendship playlist, which features their tune, “We’re Going To Be Friends.”

The song won Best Rock Song at the 2004 Grammy Awards and hit #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay and UK Indie charts in 2003.

 

16. Another One Bites The Dust – Queen

“Another One Bites The Dust” also has one of the most memorable basslines of all time, and it’s the perfect song to listen to when you’re feeling on top of the world.

The Queen anthem features a narrator who refuses to succumb to his enemies and instead confidently says that he will conquer them.

The tune won an American Music Award in 1981 for Favorite Rock Single and hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980.

 

15. Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are making a second appearance on this list because they’re known for their bass heavy songs!

“Give It Away” came from the band’s fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and explores the value of selflessness and the idea of “the more you give, the more you receive.”

The track topped the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1992.

 

14. Lovely Day – Bill Withers

You’ll find some more good bass in Bill Withers’ funky groove, “Lovely Day,” which is a soulful 70s tune about the special feeling of being with a lover.

It’s a feel-good song that features some catchy bass guitar and acknowledges how a loved one has the power to instantly change your mood.

If you love Bill Withers’ music, then you’ll enjoy his song, “Lean On Me,” which appears on our best songs about helping others playlist.

The hit made #6 on the Billboard R&B charts and #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978.

 

13. Money – Pink Floyd

“Money” was Pink Floyd’s first successful song in America and features an iconic bass line. The tune was released from their 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon.

The progressive rock tune addresses the issue of materialism and talks about how there are some incredible things that money just can’t buy.

If you love Pink Floyd, then you should check out their song, “Comfortably Numb,” on our best songs of all time playlist.

“Money” ranked #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 in Spain and Austria, and #15 in Italy in 1973.

 

12. Come Together – The Beatles

This Beatles hit was released as the opening track from their 1969 album, Abbey Road. “Come Together” was written by John Lennon for a politician friend’s campaign, whose slogan was: “Come Together: Join the Party.”

Many people (even Lennon himself) are unsure of the meaning of this tune, as it seems to be just a bunch of strung-together words put to a good beat.

Many other artists have covered this song, including Tina Turner, Aerosmith, and Michael Jackson. The tune reached #1 in the U.S. and peaked at #4 in the UK in 1969.

 

11. Chameleon – Herbie Hancock

“Chameleon” is a funk/jazz song composed by Herbie Hancock along with Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson, and Harvey Mason in 1973.

The song is based on two chords and features a catchy bass line set to a funky beat. It’s a jazz standard focusing on the fickle nature of certain people, comparing them to chameleons.

The instrumental quickly rose to fame, earning the #42 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and #18 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart in 1974.

 

10. Brick House – The Commodores

The Commodores released this funk hit in 1977 off of their self-titled album. And in fact, they were inducted into The National Association of Brick Distributors’ Brick Hall of Fame in 1991 because of it!

The disco classic doesn’t have any deeper meaning. It’s simply talking about a woman with a nice body, highlighting that she’s built like a “brick house.”

“Brick House” peaked at #32 on the UK Singles Chart, #5 in the U.S., and #2 in New Zealand in 1977.

 

9. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

“Billie Jean” is considered one of the greatest pop songs ever made and a great dancing tune!

This song begins with a bass guitar and slowly adds more instruments as the song progresses. It’s based on MJ’s real-life experience with a woman who accused him of being her baby’s father.

Michael Jackson won Best Male Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for “Billie Jean” at the 1984 Grammy Awards. The tune also topped the charts in France, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Canada in 1983.

 

8. Breathe – The Prodigy

If you’re a fan of electronic music, this song will be right up your alley! After the release of “Breath,” it quickly became The Prodigy’s second consecutive #1 hit in America.

“Breathe” was released from the band’s third album, The Fat of the Land, and is a warning to listeners to avoid using drugs.

The track made #1 in multiple countries, including Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. It also earned the #18 spot on the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart between 1996 and 1997.

 

7. Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz

Alternative rock band, Gorillaz, released this strong bass song off their second studio album, Demon Days, in 2005.

“Feel Good Inc.” criticizes people with a herd mentality and the concepts of isolation and escapism.

The track reached the top ten in 15 countries, including Belgium, Australia, Finland, Hungary, Italy, the U.S., and the UK. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration in 2006.

 

6. For Whom The Bell Tolls – Metallica

“For Whom The Bell Tolls” was released as a promo single from Metallica’s second album, Ride the Lightning, in 1984.

The song is based on Ernest Hemingway’s novel of the same title, which discusses death in modern warfare.

If you’re a die-hard Metallica fan, we encourage you to check out our best 90s songs playlist, which features another of their famous tracks, “Enter Sandman.”

This great song rose to fame in 2019, earning the #18 spot on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. It also became certified Gold in the U.S. and Silver in the UK.

 

5. Hysteria – Muse

The alternative rock band, Muse, is no stranger to using a bass guitar as the lead instrument. This particular song features a highly intricate bass line.

“Hysteria” focuses on the feeling of obsession and features a male stalker who loses his mind over a woman he loves.

The track reached #9 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and #17 on the UK Singles Chart between 2003 and 2005.

 

4. Planet Earth – Duran Duran

“Planet Earth” is the debut single of pop-rock band Duran Duran, which was released in 1981 and features a killer bass line.

The lyrics talk about a male narrator who seems to be the only person left on earth and is trying to see if anyone else is around.

If you love Duran Duran’s music, you should listen to their song, “Ordinary World,” which appears on our best 80s songs playlist.

This song reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart, #8 in Australia, #14 in Ireland, and #1 on the French Airplay Chart in 1981.

 

3. Sail – Awolnation

Rock band, Awolnation, released this song on their 2010 debut album, Back from Earth. It is their most commercially successful song thus far.

“Sail” features a famous distorted bass line and describes the narrator’s desire to “sail” away from his problems.

The tune peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the UK Indie Chart between 2010 and 2015. It also spent the third-longest amount of time on the Hot 100, charting for 79 weeks straight.

 

2. Ace Of Spades – Motörhead

This anthem is characterized by its intense, overdriven bass intro, which sets the tone for the whole song.

Heavy metal band, Motörhead, released their hit, “Ace Of Spades,” as a single off their 1980 album of the same name. Its lyrics are all about gambling and taking risks.

The live version reached #15 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980 and topped the UK Rock & Metal Singles and Albums Chart in 2016.

 

1. I Can’t Stop – Flux Pavilion

“I Can’t Stop” has one of the most famous basslines in the world, which took mainstream dubstep by storm.

Joshua Steele, otherwise known by his stage name, Flux Pavilion, released “I Can’t Stop” off of his debut EP, Lines in Wax, in 2010.

The song only features one sentence, which is the same as the song’s title. The lyrics feature a male vocalist talking about how he can’t help but keep going, which could be interpreted in various ways.

The dance track reached #115 on the UK Singles Chart in 2012 and sampled by famous artists, Kanye West and Jay Z.

 

Summary

When you’re ready for an all-out jam session, you’ll have a go-to list of the best bass songs.

Whether you’re the designated DJ at a party or cruising down the street, these tunes will keep the bass pumping.

What’s the best bass song of all time, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.