The Police - The Bed's Too Big Without You (1979)

Paul McClean - ATL Producer

Enormous. Sting may be a lot of things, but let's not let that get in the way of his ability to provide the occasional monster bass excursion. In terms of the music, the bassline is way up high in the mix and provides the foundation for this entire song. The time signature is out of kilter and the scratchy guitars and percussion patterns all revolve around the riff. Its been crying out for a drum and bass remix for many years, any takers?

Yes - Roundabout (1971)

Steven Rainey - ATL Buddy and After Midnight Presenter

For years, most people thought of bass guitar as something that belonged in the background, keeping the tune, but remaining unobtrusive. Obviously Chirrs Squire of Yes had different ideas, and on the opening track to Yes' 1971 masterpiece Fragile, he re-defines what bass guitar could do.

After an intricate acoustic guitar figure, Squire's bass EXPLODES out of the speakers, throwing in highly syncopated funk patters, lead guitar lines, and astonishing runs of notes. The sound is spiky and jagged, and the effect is to create a piece of music unlike any previously heard. Put aside any preconceptions of prog rock - this is exhilarating stuff.

Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime

Amy McGarrigle - ATL Content Assistant

From the first note, you know bass is going to drive this song as the opening note slides down to its repeated riff. It's hardly the most difficult bass line to play, but the genius of Tina Weymouth is that she knew how to place notes into a song without over crowding it. This particular bass riff is what keeps your head bopping and it's really the spine of the whole track. It simply wouldn't work with a different bass line. And yet as simple as it is, the stamina needed to keep the rhythm and groove is probably not that easy at all. Plus, maybe I'm just guilty, but 'air bass' has appeared on the dancefloor to this song. Many times...

Joy Division - Disorder

Carys McMorran - ATL Trainee

The first band that sprung to mind was Joy Division. Their basslines are very prominent. Disorder is a great track and the bassline at the beginning makes it for me. Peter Hook is great and says that he developed his high basslines because the speaker that he initially used was so poor he had to player higher to be able to hear what he was doing as Bernard Sumner's guitar was too loud.