As I listened to the 1979 hit 'Life in Tokyo' by Japan, it dawned on me that Mick Karn's bass was so prominent in that song, that without it, just would not work. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsbrw9Y6_ng


Thought it would make for a good thread idea.  What are some other songs that have a bass guitar that is such a part of the song, that it would not sound the same without it?

Here's a few ...


The Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (1977)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY


Chic - Good Times (1979)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTusMLs9SJE


Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (1980)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE


Kool and the Gang - Get Down on It (1981)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qchPLaiKocI


Level 42 - Hot Water (1984)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKN52YetGxU


Propaganda - Duel (1985)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLhYxLE8uCA


New Order - True Faith (1987)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og1HAkjOuL0

How about these...?

Silly Love Songs (by McCartney and Wings) had a very prominent bass line.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK9QVN0bpa4

So did The Joker (by Steve Miller) ... less prominent but but important to the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmVusVh4TRQ

An Innocent Man - (by Billy Joel) also comes to mind. It starts with a prominent bass line too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThPI1kLGU8

Prince operates just fine without a bass line:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucZRore0-EE

Wouldn't be much left of this without any bass...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z_dNHwlBzM

Songs like these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOvJaXI-2CI
Windy - The Association

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sVUvpdT-NY
For the Love of Money - The O'Jays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QghwNqlCRE
Jump Into the Fire - Harry Nilsson

Another few came to mind...

Eric Burden & The Animals - We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxNEiZhpinY

The Beatles - Come Together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8LZGQ4MkvQ


Fleetwood Mac -The Chain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T0Dq_SXaWc

Pink Floyd - Money

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl6NfQyNLto

The Police - Walking On The Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk4WRhPQuyo

Bass-driven Britfunk that isn't Level 42...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byDRYI86cck&feature=related

These are four of my favorite bass lines in songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9-RY3RojPw&feature=related



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuQEmUTEtlQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8MXiwmNIk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1sf2CzEq0w

And this (great) one from the '80s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SuBUFHfct4

^^  That's a catchy bass line in that Skynard tune.  :)

Here's another that can't do without the bass line...  even though the bass line opens ...on a 6 string rhythm guitar.  :-\\

Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe1ScoePqVA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIKa3HMt6U

Stanley Clarke - Rock 'N' Roll Jelly {1978}



Live on The Midnight Special {1978}...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vYzwUd1eAM





Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAtc9mlX72Q

Police - When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around {1980}




Dan

And the theme from the TV show Seinfeld would not be the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epb5HCZNBZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIwcUcpY4Ak

Chicago - 25 Or 6 To 4 {1970}




Dan

I was listening to this early thsi morning, the base is so nice.

Temptations - My Girl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZh7nRw6gl8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIOjr38kPVU

Larry Graham - Walk Baby Walk {1982}




Dan

Talk Talk - It's My Life (1984)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npOn-AB7-So