Stuck for new things to learn on the bass? Well, here are 100 bass riffs spanning from 1955 to 2013. Learn these 100 riffs and oh yes, you will be a better player for knowing them.
Would knowing these songs make for a better cover band?
Yes. The more songs a cover band knows, the better. However, this is 100 songs we’re talking about, with each song at an average of 4 to 5 minutes each. If you don’t want to do the math, that’s about 7 hours of music.
While true there are cover bands that are the “play all day/night” kind, it would take many hours of rehearsal to get these songs learned. In other words, to have a band learn them all – and learn them correctly – would be quite a feat. Not impossible by any means, but the band would have to commit a large amount of time to learn them all.
Chances are you know a good amount of these songs already
…and that’s a good thing. But now you can add in a few (or many) that you wouldn’t have otherwise considered learning before.
Check out the video below and let us know what you think. Is this a good list of songs to know? Which ones do you think rise above the rest?
(Yes, this video is 17 minutes long. It is 100 riffs, after all.)



Needed to have Treasure by Bruno Mars on there, a more classic bassline in the modern day is not known to me at the moment.
Excellent medley! Three suggestions: Pipeline, Lady Madonna, Tear Your Playhouse Down!
“Cosmic Slop”, Funkadelic 1974
What? No Bootsy Collins, No Slave (Mark Adams)?!
Any chance of remixing for an even volume?
Agreed. Muddy bass sound too. But Great idea. Thanks!
Nicely Done! Both of these guys are excellent musicians.
I would add these: Bass line from the ’70’s TV show “Barney Miller”, Paul McCartney’s “All My Lovin’ “, and John McVie (Fleetwood Mac) “The Chain’
What four pedals are you using there
props to the drummer in this vid!
Yup uneven volume and muddy bass sound but I LOVE the idea! Thanks.
can someone put together the music for all of these so i can learn them. just the bits of the rifts in the video, not all 7 hours worth
Muddy tone. Had to stop, it was just annoying. Great idea, but not if we can’t hear what he is playing.
The new Mud Basses are here!!!
Excellent playing, I enjoyed every second of it.
You need ‘Babylon’s Burning’….one of the greatest bass riffs ever!
I’d love to see tabs on these!
did i miss somethig…The Stranglers,The Who???not here.
Hee hee – that version of “What is Hip” really… isn’t.