These famous songs feature some of the best bass lines ever played.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a bassist, you should know these legendary riffs, how to play them, and understand the stories behind how they were created.

Learning complex bass lines and the circumstances under which they were written can help you grow as a bassist.

Top Bass Guitar Riffs of All Time

Every emerging bassist should be able to play these iconic bass tracks. In no particular order, here are some of the greatest bass riffs ever recorded.

1. For Whom the Bell Tolls – Metallica

Played by Cliff Burton, this bass intro is often mistaken for a guitar due to its distorted tone and aggressive style.

2. Hysteria – Muse

Chris Wolstenholme’s bass line takes center stage in this track and has been consistently ranked among the best bass riffs of all time.

3. La Grange – ZZ Top

Dusty Hill’s simple yet iconic bass line helped define this classic track inspired by a famous Texas establishment.

4. Killing in the Name – Rage Against the Machine

Originally written during a guitar lesson, this bass riff was discovered by accident and became one of the most recognizable grooves in rock history.

5. Schism – Tool

Justin Chancellor’s complex bass rhythms anchor this track from Tool’s album Lateralus.

6. Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Flea’s energetic bass playing drives this funk-rock anthem centered around the idea that giving leads to abundance.

7. Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz

This Grammy-winning track features a bass line that balances upbeat groove with darker lyrical themes.

8. Money – Pink Floyd

Despite its title, this song critiques wealth and greed while delivering one of the most recognizable bass grooves ever recorded.

9. Longview – Green Day

Mike Dirnt wrote this bass line before the band found mainstream success, and it remains one of punk rock’s most iconic riffs.

10. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen

Inspired by Chic’s Bernard Edwards, John Deacon’s bass line helped make this one of Queen’s biggest hits.

11. YYZ – Rush

Named after Toronto’s airport code, this instrumental track features a bass intro based on Morse code and earned a Grammy nomination.

12. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

Meticulously crafted over several weeks, this bass line helped define modern pop music.

13. Roundabout – Yes

Originally over eight minutes long, this track was edited for radio and became a progressive rock staple.

14. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

Though played on a guitar with effects, this riff functions as one of the most famous bass lines of all time.

15. Orion – Metallica

Written primarily by Cliff Burton, this instrumental is regarded as his greatest compositional work.

16. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac

John McVie’s bass line enters late in the song and became one of the most recognizable moments in classic rock.

Imagine If Your Bass Riff Made This List

If you want to stand out beyond the local music scene, building your skills and connections through a music education can help you get there.

The Atlanta Institute of Music and Media offers bass-focused programs designed to develop both performance and production skills.

AIMM offers bassists the following programs:

• Music and Technology Associate Degree: Bass Concentration
• Performance Certificate in Bass

Prefer to learn online? AIMM also offers a fully online Music and Technology Certificate with a bass concentration.

Explore Bass Programs at AIMM