Is This the Greatest Christmas Bass Line EVER?

[@AlvesterGarnett]

Tracy Wormworth! Yes! I attended her wedding and she attended ours! She's SO groovy and a beautiful person!

[@drummersagainstitk]

I was one of the people that suggested this song. Thank You. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Never heard about her until now. Thanks!

[@134rwa]

When I first saw the title of this video, I said to myself, "it has to be the bass line from Christmas Wrapping"!

[@daydayh7671]

My FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG Growing up in Harlem, entering Jr High School with a feeling of everything changing. Disco was waning and I saw The Waitresses' video on MTV. When I saw this Black Girl on the Bass. I was like... WHO IS THAT! At 11 years old, she blew my mind! And I knew, I was not just made up of Soul Music❤❤❤. There was so much more. MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄

[@ericnolen-weathington7919]

Saw her live on that tour with Sting you showed footage from, and she was great. She did a duet with Kenny Kirkland-who she was dating at the time and who introduced her to Sting and led to her getting that gig-that was simply gorgeous.

[@Lysdexia]

My favourite Christmas song - the bass is sublime!

[@christophervaca7116]

" you know how some people's enthusiasm can be infectious..." perfectly describes this channel. Happy holidays everyone.

[@raylo1017]

Grand Slam Home Run Bass line!!!! This chic is a beast on bass!! Thanks for the mention of this classic Xmas song.

[@richardarmida8151]

Nother great reference, Tracy Wormworth. Thanks Paul and Happy Holidays!

[@BuddhaBites]

Tracy is phenomenal. I saw her live with the B-52s. Killer player!

[@lucybarney1]

First time I heard it I loved the bass line , so imaginative and as a bass player I had to go home and learn it ,,,,so clever

[@phurniture]

This is my favorite Christmas song hands down!

[@Below-Average_Joe]

Great! That is such a tricky bass line; Tracy Wormworth created a classic.

[@kisha7lynn]

The brass band I play (flute) in (Brass Pro and the Waterfront Revivilst) covers this song every year, and my girl Kimbo on the Bari sax has a lot of fun with this bassline!

[@Mr.Taylor56]

WOW! Now I know why I love that song so much!

[@AntonyStrus]

Finally!! I've loved this bassline since I actually understood musc, I've never found anyone else so far paying it the attention that it deserves!

[@Armakk]

Fuck yes! The only xmas tune I enjoy year round. Love those bars of 7 in the stanzas 🙂

[@wiscodisco1]

I remember when I first heard this on a college radio station in the mid-eighties. I was struck by the melody and clever lyrics. I started collecting contemporary Christmas songs from like Bruce Springsteen, Sting, etc., back when they were fresh. A few years later I picked up electric bass and was blown away by this bass line. I’m thrilled that you highlighted this song and pointed out its genius bass work all these years later. Thank you!

[@1904style]

pdbass knocks it out of the park again.

[@boba2783]

Great stuff thanks - I bow in homage to brilliance

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

Seasons' greetings maestro Thank you for these accessiblely informative and instructive video modules. 🎄🎅🏿🌴🏏📻

[@eliotmccann2589]

Tracy Wormworth is such an underrated bassist! Love her playing.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Fell in love with this when I first heard in the Fred Claus movie with Vince Vaughan had to look it up

[@aquamarine99911]

Yeah, I've always loved this one, pumping out of my car radio speakers every holiday season as I go shopping. Lots of different attempts at the bass line by youtubers, but none have the same feel. Someone on reddit (IIRC) posted a pdf'ed tab version that Bass Player magazine had done, and I've downloaded that. But the hard part is injecting that swing into it. You can tell Tracey's a pro with a real musical pedigree, as you say here. It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.

[@AJMjazz]

Yes, Tracy W. is an underrecognized genius of the bass. And she is almost always wearing that beautiful smile while performing, letting us know she is truly loving what she does. It's so infectious, you can't help but smile with her! Serious musician, serious talent, and all smiles. Thanks for bringing her to the front row, Paul. Keep up the great work. All the best to you & your family.

[@ThomBoecker]

That was fun, thank you! 🙂

[@TheKablue]

Tracy Wormworth is awesome! I was lucky enough to see her perform with the B52s a few years ago. Love this bass line!

[@bradpiovesan8550]

I was just thinking to myself the other day I pdbass does a segment on this. Thank you so much and enjoy the Holidays.

[@lcheadle]

I was one of those people that requested this. Thank you, Paul. So great to get your take on it. Invaluable analysis like you always do, showing the undeniable threads of musical ideas through players. One trivial item to add about Wormsworth: Her brother played drums in the Jimmy Vivino Band on Conan.

[@fuzzytimes187]

I was just listening to I Know What Guys Like. Tracy was killing that bassline

[@Howeverwhatabout]

Top job Paul. You’re looking well, which is great to see too. Have a great Christmas and thanks for continuing to make great videos.

[@ChicaLocaGB]

Brilliant, didn't know it was a female bassist on it - classic Christmas song. Merry Christmas!

[@vesean4141]

Tracy is one of my favorite bassist of all time,I saw her with Sting and Wayne Shorter with Terri Lynn Carrington on drums and of course with the B-52s,as we like to say back in the day “baby Girl is bad”, and though she didn’t play it on the record,If you saw the Waitresses live, she killed ‘I know what boys like’,just a phenomenal bassist and a sweet person when you meet her.

[@donnieb.8515]

This is a great channel. Bass lessons, history, and shout-outs to legends all in one. Keep up the great work!

[@robgutkowski7141]

Definitely one of the best bass lines in a Christmas pop song, Tracy Wormworth definitely delivers the grooves.

[@stylesb959]

Cool I’m gonna try to learn that bass

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

The only Christmas song I genuinely like, and one of VERY few I don't actively hate. Just absolutely brilliant.

[@nightshiftgarage8824]

Great story. Getting inspiration from another brilliant bassist of the day. Even the album cover artwork looked like Chic's 1981 "Take It Off" cover. I was unfamiliar with Tracy until you just introduced her to me. Thank you. How could I miss her?! Now that I know her sound...she is everywhere. Happy Holidays. But you know....Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rapping" is still pretty funky too.

[@KindredBrujah]

It has gradually, over time, climbed up the ranks to become my favourite Christmas song. The bass is incredible, the false chorus, the dedication to avoiding Christmas cliché. Just all-around great.

[@MacTeee]

I agree 100%...Tracy is moving it underneath. Merry Christmas Paul!!!

[@tedhuntington7692]

was just appreciating this song again, and finally a busy bass part! Love that bass part

[@kevgamble]

Oh yeah! This one is pure magic. One of the most inspired pop bass parts ever. Wormworth did stellar work with such marvelous feel and command, and is indeed a wonderful bassist all around. Cheers!

[@jeff8ball]

Thanks for mentioning this song and killer bass part. I always thought the bass was the best part of this song!🌲❄🥂

[@edennard1]

Tracy's groove was off the charts.. I got to see her with Wayne Shorter's group and she had guys eye's wide open ..her note placement was incredible

[@hermanbril2682]

Happy Christmas and a great 2024!!!!!!!!

[@RandomlyVB]

This is an awesome video to start the day with!

[@geddyleesdaman]

I know what boys like... is the only song I've ever known so far by The Waitresses..... didn't bother to check their other stuff.... UNTIL NOW!!! As a bass player, I'm still checking out so called hidden gems. Heading to the shed now!! Cheers bro... and a Merry Christmas to you and fam!!

[@haroldbrooks4235]

She kills the Bass in that too

[@revmd621]

Wow! This was amazing! Thanks for sharing!!! 🎸🥰❤️

[@butchcarter9227]

I was just talking about Tracy yesterday!

[@eduardoduarte9706]

This bassline is incredible! I sent this recommendation to Ian Allison, from SBL, some weeks ago.

[@Xlornick]

Great video! I went on a Waitresses jag a while back and really dug their second album Bruisiology. The bass playing on that is phenomenal. There's some tricky stuff on that album. Never made the connection that Tracy went on to the B-52s. Fantastic bassist.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Tracey kills it just like she does in I Know What Boys Want

[@JohnD-qd1go]

Love this song! Stunning bassline!

[@NuncNuncNuncNunc]

You made my day! Merry Christmas!

[@ffbasspop]

Tracy out here hanging out with Marcus, playing with Paula, Lena Horne, and having a hot single that was (what would at that point be considered) Pop-punk, a-la' Blondie or the Go-Go's.....proving once again that "genre" is a concept that only exists for NON music makers. If you're a player, either you're playing, or you're not!

[@MBedell-VA]

Tracey, what's your thoughts on this "throwaway" Xmas song you guys did? You do realize it's part of the official Xmas playlist for every retail department store up and down the East Coast, right?

[@Henni63]

Happy new year to you, too!

[@nylesfrench3568]

Great bassline. Tina is an icon and hanging out with Marcus don't hurt😊. One can hear the influence of Good times. It's perfect, Soulful , Funky, Grooving , and imaginative. Her Resume is Amazing!!!❤❤

[@bustabass9025]

That's the thing about being a musician and a music lover. You learn something new everyday...never heard of her!

[@dfreeman120]

That’s an incredible bass line Paul, love the melodic aspect of it. Brilliant!

[@LowKeyTired-q7d]

Very on point bro. That is a truly superb Christmas tune

[@kentbyron7608]

Thank you for taking the request to explore this, I love this Christmas song. Christmas for me is no longer the same without it and it is a big contrast to the old Classics in my playlist like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. It has such a different mood. I wondered about the bassline and you are covering it. Awesome! many thanks! Your channel is so good it would be beautiful if you could start interviewing these bassists you feature. Much gold would come out of that, with you and your guest just chatting, like Rick Beato does, but equally, you do you! You've got your own special helpful magic mojo. Big gratitude!❤️🌹🙏🏼

[@tedkay3750]

It has that Genius of love flavor!! Quirky and catchy! 2 female bas players created 2 of the oddest Bass / tunes tunes ever recorded.

[@atquinn1975]

This video itself was a gift! I only knew the Waitresses for I Know What Boys Like. This song has the same feel, but is better. And now that I pay attention, the baseline is great! Thanks for bringing awareness to her

[@Liquid_Alchemy]

Thank you for this episode brother. Brings back great memories for this Gen-X kid.

[@joemartucci4786]

As a bassist myself sorry I'm not overly familiar with her but I do know that song & always love the bass playing on it. Love your videos Merry Christmas!!

[@stanleywilliamsbigdreams7867]

Merry Christmas Paul. Dude my gift is well wishes to you and yours. What a way to wrap up the year! See what I did there? I loooooove your channel. As a bass player and music lover since to 60’s, you take me on exhilarating adventures in bass. Thank you 1000x

[@pmberry]

So many early rap/hip-hop tracks, or when bands such as Blondie, Queen and even Pink Floyd were trying to emulate the sound, used Rapper's Delight as their template. So their basslines are essentially Chic's Good Times in feel and groove:

[@michaelpowell3980]

YES!!! This is a great bassline - I once managed to empty an entire dance floor by requesting this at a club in about 1983.... the DJ killed it after a few bars. Bastards, I bet they all pretend to love it now!

[@mlhbrx96]

This is my favorite Christmas song because of the bass and guitar groove!

[@daveymeshell6337]

Yes, it is the best Christmas bass line. I’m so so happy that you agree. I love you and I love your channel you’re doing great things keep it up.

[@hallamhal]

So glad to see this get covered! I love the part right at the fade when she plays Jingle Bells!

[@mikematthews5890]

Great bass line man, definitely gotta check out more of her library of songs. Merry Christmas Paul and thanks for your contributions to the Bass Community!!!

[@josephromano7867]

Thank You so much Paul Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!!!

[@tednruth453]

Totally ❤

[@markr.denison9768]

I'm a total Grinch with most holiday tunes, but this is one of my all-time favorite seasonal charts! And it really is because of that bass line. Thanks for making this video!

[@TheOriginalDJMrVee]

Thanks for the inclusive, informative video. Good work as always. Happy Holidays!

[@AvvieLanche]

Tracy Wormworth was AWESOME and everyone should listen to the album "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?"

[@snakeeyes3733]

One of the best Christmas songs ever and one of the best bass lines ever. This just pumps throughout the entire song. What an incredible bass player. And I honestly think it sounds far better than Bernard Edwards bass line. Not taking anything from Bernards tone or abilities though.Tracy bumps it up a couple of notches :D

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video! Happy Holidays!

[@per-olafengen7838]

Hey PD! I just love your approach to deciphering amazing bass players and bass lines ! Merry Christmas brother!

[@niklasbern937]

Thanks for teaching me about this one! My personal favorite xmas bassline is Up on the house top by The Jackson 5,so catchy, driving and rythmic. Happy holidays!

[@verite]

Love this!

[@jgbirds]

Excellent profile!

[@matthw633]

As always, great music , great history Paul. Happy Holidays everyone! Blessings 😇

[@sarahwelty9223]

Great Christmas song this one simply the reason because of the great bass lines!🙂

[@robrobinson8597]

Thanks for this one! Another one I love this time of year is the double bass line on "Christmastime is Here" by Vince Guaraldi. Fred Marshall on the bass.

[@merrill-el-richmond8649]

this is my favorite christmas song. "you forgot cranberries too". Classic!

[@EC_123-h8i]

I just saw her play with the B52s in Vegas, and I couldn't take my eyes off her! What an incredible musician!

[@48streetrat]

Yup! Has a nice funky, happy sound! ❤Thanks! Have a safe Holiday season.

[@24hoursadaywithbobr]

This song will be a classic

[@mattfoley6082]

i of course noticed this bass line immediately back in 1981 but I had no idea who it was or who she's played with. Wow. I had no idea she's been hiding from me in plain sight.

[@riffmondo9733]

I am not a bassist but love your channel! Good content man.

[@JustK009]

I remember when she and Kenwood Denard played with Sting..Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you and your family Paul

[@BeastIt9]

Tracy is dope!!! I loved her contributions to The Waitresses and anything she touches. I remember her SNL "We'll Be Together Tonight" performance with Sting. I was in a rehearsal at the time and there was a TV on in another room. I damn near broke my neck to get to there. Maaaan she was killin' it. Hey Paul, I find it interesting that "Christmas Wrapping/The Waitresses and "Wordy Rappinghood"/ TomTom Club (BTW hats off to another T.W. on bass Tina Weymouth), both songs while totally differnt, IMO shared similar vocal approaches and had come out around the same time...and I ain't mad at either one. Both are cool. #tracywormworth #pdbass #greatbasslines

[@danielpalmersofficial]

Merry Christmas Paul!! 🎄😀👍

[@SeanMcMillan-mu3ln]

This along with Wham ; Last Christmas are my favorite Christmas songs

[@rsbff4521]

Very cool video, neat to see this info about Tracy Wormworth, thanks!

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Never heard of the song, band, OR bassist. Thanks, Professor Paul, for educating me yet again!

[@absolutetrash4278]

Wonderful video!