The bass guitar already helps build the scaffolding of a successful song, but an iconic bass line elevates a track from simple cohesiveness to something exceptional. Here is a compilation of incredibly talented female bass players and some of their most iconic bass lines.
Incredible Female Bass Players Who Consistently Crushed It
Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads — “Psycho Killer”
One of the most recognizable bass lines is the one on the Talking Heads hit “Psycho Killer,” performed by Tina Weymouth. She also had notable grooves on “Once in a Lifetime,” “Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town,” and “Found a Job.” Weymouth has a light, plucky style that doesn’t weigh a song down, and has crafted some iconic bass lines over the years.
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth — “Youth Against Fascism”
Kim Gordon has put out some great bass lines that help build the scaffolding for Sonic Youth’s best songs. “Youth Against Fascism” from the 1992 album Dirty features rumbly, distorted bass that shudders throughout the song to bolster the intense lyrics and chaotic guitar.
Blu DeTiger — “Toast with the Butter”
Blu DeTiger is a relatively new face on the scene, but she’s not new to slick bass lines. She’s been playing bass since she was seven years old, toured with Caroline Polachek and Fletcher, and recently released her debut LP. “Toast with the Butter” from her 2021 EP How Did We Get Here has a subtle groove that elevates the song past simple bedroom pop.
Tessa Pollitt of The Slits — “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”
The Slits’ cover of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” has some of the best bass work from Tessa Pollitt. She plays steadily in the pocket with a solid sound throughout the song, showcasing her incredible command of the instrument.
Melissa Auf der Maur of Hole — “Celebrity Skin”
While Melissa Auf der Maur left Hole in 1999, where she joined the Smashing Pumpkins’ touring band, she did play bass on many of Hole’s albums, including Celebrity Skin. The bass line on the title track is an iconic groove, building the song from the bass on up. Auf der Maur also creates a steady rhythm on “Awful,” allowing the rest of the instrumentation to form around her.
Carol Kaye — “Whipped Cream” by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass
“Iconic” is not a big enough word to describe Carol Kaye. She’s played bass on nearly 10,000 recordings as a session musician, including work with the Beach Boys, Elvis, and Frank Sinatra. Her career has spanned more than 65 years, and while she has stated that she never liked her playing on Herb Alpert’s “Whipped Cream,” her first major recording still has merit.
Gail Ann Dorsey — “Under Pressure” with David Bowie
Gail Ann Dorsey toured with David Bowie from the 90s until his final tour in 2004, which became the live album A Reality Tour. On “Under Pressure,” she not only performs the iconic bass line but adds her skyrocketing vocals as well. The song is elevated by Dorsey’s incredible voice alongside Bowie’s, and her talents on bass are unmatched.
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