My Favorite Songs with Notable Bass Guitar Performances

By Galactically Renowned Music Critic Mike Kimbro

1. Phoenix by Dan Fogelberg from Phoenix in 1979 (mp3's: refrain & bridge):  Norbert Putnam
2. Taxi by Harry Chapin from Heads & Tales in 1972 (mp3):  John Wallace
3. Superstar from Jesus Christ Superstar by The Original Broadway Cast in 1970 (mp3):  Alan Spenner (my favorite lead bass performance)
4. Super Mario Odyssey Medley by FamilyJules in 2017 (video):  FamilyJules
5. Crazy On You by Heart from Dreamboat Annie in 1976 (mp3):  Steve Fossen
6. Big Time by Linda Eder from It's Time in 1997 (mp3):  David Finck & Will Lee
7. With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker from With A Little Help From My Friends in 1968 (mp3):  Chris Stainton
8. Kings of the Day by Asia from Aura in 2001 (mp3): John Payne
9. Me Gusta by McLemore Avenue from 926 East in 2007 (mp3 & live video):  Mr Chris Johnson of Austin, TX.
10. No One In The World by Anita Baker from Rapture in 1986 (mp3):  Neil Stubenhaus or (Neal Steubenhaus, sorry, but I see it spelled both ways)
11. Karn Evil 9 First Impression-1st Part by ELP from Brain Salad Surgery in 1973 (mp3's: #1 & #2):  Greg Lake
12. Shine by Salvador from Dismiss The Mystery from 2006 (mp3):  Josh Gonzales
13. Constant Change by Paul D'Adamo from his CD Tell Me Something in 2010 (mp3):  Leland Sklar
14. Testify to Love by Avalon from A Maze of Grace in 1997 (mp3's: #1 & #2):  Mark Hill
15. Dreams by The Rippingtons from Moonlighting in 1986 (mp3):  Jimmy Johnson (my 2nd favorite bass performance)
16. Heartbreaker by Grand Funk Railroad from Grand Funk in 1970 (mp3):  Mel Schacher (for me, Mel is rock's most influential bassist)
17. 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson from In The Court of The Crimson King in 1969 (mp3):  Greg Lake
18. Arizona by Mark Lindsay from Arizona in 1970 (mp3):  ???
19. Paradise By The Dash Board Light by Meat Loaf from Bat Out Of Hell in 1977 (mp3):  Kasim Sultan
20. Heaven by Asia from Axioms in 1999 (mp3's: Intro & #2):  John Payne
21. Still Rainin' by Jonny Lang from Wander This World in 1998 (mp3):  David Smith
22. Love Rain O'er Me by The Who from Quadraphenia (Original Version) in 197? (mp3): John Entwisle (while this song doesn't feature John's best bass guitar efforts, look no further than "The Real Me" from Quadraphenia for one of the ultimate lead bass performances!)
23. Anthem by Larry Carlton from Renegade Gentlemen in 1993 (mp3):  Michael Rhodes
24. Summer Song by Joe Satriani from The Extremist in 1992 (mp3):  Matt Bissonette
25. Kei's Song by David Benoit from Freedom at Midnight in 1987 (mp3):  Abraham Laboriel & Bob Feldman
26. Dangerous by Natalie Cole from Dangerous in 1985 (mp3):  Nathan East with additional synthesizer bass by Stephen Mitchell
27. Funeral For A Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding by Elton John from Good Bye The Yellow Brick Road 1973 (mp3):  Dee Murray
28. Gethsemane by The Original Broadway Cast from Jesus Christ Superstar in 1970 (mp3):  Alan Spenner
29. Smokin' by Boston from Boston in 1976 (mp3):  Fran Sheehan
30. That's the Way it Is by Celine Dion from All the Way in 1999 (mp3): Thomas Lindberg
31. Cafe Con Leche by Nestor Torres from Burning Whispers in 1994 (mp3):  Phil McArthur
32. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent from Ted Negent in 1975 (mp3):  Rob Grange
33. Worlds Away by Pablo Cruise from Worlds Away in 1978 (mp3):  Bruce Day & Mike Porcaro
34. Song for America by Kansas from Song for America in 1975 (mp3's: #1 & #2):  David Hope
35. Move Over by Janis Joplin from Pearl in 197? (mp3):  Brad Campbell
36. Sowing the Seeds of Love by Tears for Fears from The Seeds Of Love in 1989 (mp3):  Curt Smith
37. The Sweetest Days by Vanessa Williams from The Sweetest Days in 1994 (mp3):  Keith Thomas
38. Backstabbers by The Rippingtons from Kilaminjaro in 1988 (mp3):  Jimmy Johnson
39. Mama I'm Coming Home by Ozzy Osbourne from No More Tears in 1991 (mp3):  Bob Daisley
40. Hey Big Brother by Rare Earth from Greatest Hits and Rare Classics in 1971 (mp3):  John Persh
41. War Pigs by Black Sabbath from Paranoid in 1970 (mp3):  Terry Butler
42. California by Jim Wilson from A Place in My Heart in 2003 (mp3):  Neil Steubenhaus
43. Peace of Mind by Boston from Boston in 1976 (mp3):  Fran Sheehan
44. Beach Trails by David Benoit from This Side Up in 1986 (mp3):  Bob Feldman
45. If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher from Heart of Stone in 1989 (mp3):  John Pierce
46. Kentucky Rain by Elvis Presley Released as a Single in 1971 (mp3):  ???
47. Day of the Eagle by Robin Trower from Bridge of Sighs in 1974 (mp3):  James Dewar
48. Angela by The Rippingtons from Moonlighting in 1986 (mp3):  Bill Lanphier
49. Tourist in Paradise by The Rippingtons from Tourist in Paradise in 1988 (mp3):  Steve Bailey
50. Voyager/What Goes Up... by The Alan Parsons Project From Pyramid in 1978 (mp3):  David Paton
51. Do You Feel Like We Do by Peter Frampton from Frampton Comes Alive in 1976 (mp3):  Stanley Sheldon
52. Man Alive by Johnny Diesel from Hepfidelity in 1993 (mp3):  Tommy Simms
53. The Last Time by Asia from Aura in 2001 (mp3):  John Payne (Status Bass and Line 6 Bass Pod)
54. Badman's Song by Tears for Fears from The Seeds Of Love in 1989 (mp3):  Pino Palladino
55. More Than A Feeling by Boston from Boston in 1976 (mp3):  Fran Sheehan
56. Halo of Flies by Alice Cooper from Killer in 1971 (mp3): Dennis Dunaway
57. Chill Factor by Richard Elliot from Chill Factor in 199? (mp3):  Alex Al
58. Make Me Smile by Chicago from Chicago II in 1970 (mp3):  Pete Cetera
59. New Day by Avalon from Testify to Love in 2003 (mp3):  Brent Milligan & Ted T.
60. Big Time by Peter Gabriel from So in 1986 (mp3):  Tony Levin & Simon Clark & Jerry Marotta
61. What Kind of Man Would I Be by Chicago form Chicago 19 in 1988 (mp3):  Jason Scheff
62. Key West by The Village People from ???? in 197? (mp3): 
63. Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull from Aqualung in 1971 (mp3):  Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond
64. Let Your Love Flow by The Bellamy Brothers from ??? in 197? (mp3): 
65. Power of Love/Love Power by Luther Vandross from Power of Love in 1991 (mp3)
66. Sweet Love by Anita Baker from Rapture in 1986 (mp3):  Freddy Washington 'Ready Freddie'
67. Rosanna by Toto from Toto 4 in 198? (mp3):  Michael Porcaro
68. Party at Ground Zero by Fishbone from Fishbone on 1985 (mp3):  Norwood Fisher
69. So Close to Love by Wendy Moten from Wendy Moten in 1992 (mp3):  Dave Smith
70. A Long And lasting Love by Crystal Gayle from Nobody Wants to Be Alone in 1985 (mp3):  Neil Steubenhaus
71. Hair by The Cowsills from ????? in 196? (mp3):
72. Something About You by Level 42 from World Machine in 1985 (mp3):  Mark King slappin' that thang
73. Catching The Sun by Spyo Gyra from Catching The Sun in 1980 (mp3):  Jim Kurzdorfer
74. Sausalito, California Summernights by Diesel (The Netherlands) from Watts in a Tank in 1981 (mp3):  Frank Papendrecht
75. Dancing Queen by ABBA from Arrival in 1976 (mp3):  better bass found on the cover from Broadway's Mama Mia! (mp3):
76. I Still Believe by Russ Taff from The Way Home in 1987 (mp3):  Neil Stubenhaus
77. I Wish I Knew by The Kentucky Headhunters from Songs from the Grass String Ranch in 2001 (mp3):  Anthony Kenney
78. Rock You Gently by Jennifer Warnes from The Hunter in 1992 (mp3):  C. Roscoe Beck on what sounds like keyboard bass, due to the total lack of 'slide'
79. Saving Grace by Point of Grace from Steady On in 1998 (mp3):  Leland Sklar
80. Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin from Post Card in 1968 (mp3):  Who needs bass when you've got...a TUBA. Producer: Paul McCartney
81. Duane's Song by The Dickey Betts Band from Pattern Disruptive in 1988 (mp3):  ??? on base guitar
82. Wonder Why by Avalon from Oxygen in 2001 (mp3):  ???
83. Let There Be Praise by Sandi Patti from Morning Like This in 1986 (mp3):  Nathan East
84. Hollywood by Maynard Ferguson from Hollywood in 1982 (mp3):  Stanley Clarke=bassist, writer, and producer
85. The School of Instant Pain by Triumvirat from Spartacus in 1975 (mp3's: #1 & #2):  Helmut Kollen
86. White Water by Lee Ritenour from Portrait in 1987 (mp3):  Jimmy Haslip
87. Lens by Alanis Morissette from Havoc and Bright Lights in 2012 (mp3):  Paul Bushnell and Sean Hurley
88. Tell Me To My Face by Dan Fogelberg from Twin Sons of Different Mother in 1978 (mp3):  Willie Weeks
89. Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones from Doubt in 1989 (mp3):  ???
90. Forever Man by Eric Clapton from Behind the Sun in 1985 (mp3):  Nathan East
91. Take You At Your Word by Avalon from In A Different Light in 1999 (mp3)
92. Mother Russia by Renaissance from Turn of the Cards in 1974 (mp3):  Jon Camp
93. The Pretender by Jackson Browne from The Pretender in 1976 (mp3):  Bob Glaub
94. Hold On by Wilson Phillips from Wilson Phillips in 1990:  Jimmy Johnson
95. The First Noel by BeBe and CeCe Winans from David Foster's Christmas Album in 1993 (mp3):  No bass credit listed so it must be keyboard bass.
96. A Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice?) from The Wiz-Original Soundtrack in 1978 (mp3):  Ron Carter
97. Humility by Twila Paris from Keepin' My Eyes on You from 1982 (mp3):  ???
98. Hold Me Now by The Thompson Twins from Into the Gap in 1984 (mp3):   Tom Bailey
99. Welcome to the St. James' Club by The Rippingtons from Welcome to the St. James' Club in 1990 (mp3):  Russ Freeman
100. Twist in My Sobriety by Tanita Tikaram from Ancient Heart in 1988 (mp3):
101. Longfellow Serenade by Neil Diamond from his album Seranade in 197? (mp3):  ???
102. Take My Time by Steve Gaines from One in the Sun in 197? (mp3):  John Seaberg
103. Awake by Asia from Aura in 2001 (mp3):  John Payne
104. The Kingdom of God is at Hand by Danielle Rose from Mysteries in 2003 (mp3):  Tom Booth
105. Promises Made by Dan Fogelberg from Netherlands in 1977 (mp3):  Norbert Putnam
106. Grey Seal by Elton John from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in 1973 (mp3):  Dee Murray
107. Hollyann by Boston from Third Stage in 1986 (mp3):  Tom Scholz
108. False Faces by Dan Fogelberg from Netherlands in 1977 (mp3):  Norb Putnam
109. Closer to Home by Grand Funk Railroad from Closer to Home in 1970 (mp3):  Bassist Mel Schacher
110. The One by Elton John from The One in 1992 (mp3):  Pino Palladino
111. Don't Know Much by Linda Ronstadt from Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind in 1989 (mp3):  Leland Sklar
112. My God by Point of Grace from Steady On in 1998 (mp3):  Leland Sklar
113. Breathe Again by Toni Braxton from Toni Braxton in 1993 (mp3):  Kayo
114. Guardian Angel by The Brothers Dimm from their To Oblivion CD in 2006:  Drayfus Grayson
115. Miracle by Richard Marx from Flesh and Bone in 1997 (mp3):  Randy Jackson
116. Karn Evil 9 Second Impression by Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) from Brain Salad Surgery in 1973 (mp3):  Greg Lake
117. Along the Way by Richard Elliot from On the Town in 1991 (mp3):  Naoki Yanai
118. Circle in the Sand by Belinda Carlisle from Heaven on Earth in 1987 (mp3):  John Pierce
119. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In by The 5th Dimension from The Age of Aquarius in 1969 (mp3):  Joe Osborne ... now this is definitely LEAD bass.
120. Carpet of the Sun by Renaissance from Ashes are Burning in 1973 (mp3):  John Camp
121. If She Only Knew by 98 Degrees from 98 Degrees and Rising in 1998 (mp3):  Brian Newcombe
122. I Believe in Love by Paula Cole from Amen in 1999 (mp3):  Tony Levin (Music Man Bass and Chapman Stick)
123. Vox Humana by Kenny Loggins from Vox Humana in 1985 (mp3):  Nathan East, bass player
124. Always Be Together by Pablo Cruise from Worlds Away in 1978 (mp3):  Bruce Day & Mike Porcaro
125. Birds Still Dance by Sandi Patty from Artist of my Soul in 1997 (mp3):  Neil Stubenhaus
126. Deeper by Nancy Wilson from Forbidden Lover in 1987 (mp3):  Abraham Laboriel
127. Where Have All The Cowboys Gone by Paula Cole from This Fire in 1996 (mp3):  Tony Levin on bass
128. Fill The World With Love by Richard Harris from The Richard Harris Love Album in 1968 (mp3):  ???
129. Ashes Are Burning by Renaissance from Ashes are Burning in 1973 (mp3):  John Camp
130. Astral Vampires by Phil Gould from Phil Gould in 2006 (mp3):  Yolanda Charles & Al Slavik
131. Long Ride Home by Peter White from Caravan of Dreams in 1996 (mp3):  Jerry Watts
132. Someone Special by Richard Marx from Days In Avalon in 2000 (mp3):  Michael Rhodes
133. Grease Don't Freeze by Gnappy from Unloaded in 2006 (mp3):  Brad Bradburn

Songs are listed pretty much by how they appear on the "My Favorite Songs" page, and do not reflect any bass performance preference. 

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