My Top 15 Beatles Bass Lines

[@windyhillbomber]

Paul wrote some killer bass lines and managed to sing and play them at the same time. Certainly one of my favourite bass players.

[@animalgeo]

Genious

[@cliffords2315]

Motor Memory

[@bruhmoment28]

i could never play and sing something at the same time

[@spaghettisauce445]

@@bruhmoment28you just have to practice

[@bruhmoment28]

@@spaghettisauce445dude wtf you have the same username AND number as one of my friends 💀💀

[@nathanmanning4961]

She's so heavy is also one of his best, so catchy. Paul is so great

[@majipoorcat]

There is something so Doors like about this song. Just goes off into space. It’s amazing!

[@InsomniacRocker]

"Something" is just the perfect song to highlight the subtle genius that was Paul's bass playing.

[@rovcanada1]

Was that the song where George asked Paul to reel back a bit on the bass complexity, but Paul just drove on? Serious question, no harm no foul.

[@wisnuops]

​@@rovcanada1 yeap. George said it was too busy.

[@ZaphiroAnejo]

@@wisnuops glad he kept it that way

[@Dirtcowboy95]

It's pure and gentle, so melodic! 😍😍

[@conquistadorrecords]

Love the fact that Paul's best bass parts were on songs for which he wasn't the songwriter. He gave so much of himself to the band and especially for his "Little Brother" George.

[@matthorton3023]

Agreed 👍

[@RussellMorash-m8w]

I just said that on another post even when he was at his most spiteful of the band he would say paul was and inspired bass player. That's a complement john seldom gave to anyone.

[@lukebilling8846]

Totally agree. It shits me when you see old George interviews where he is critical of Paul’s help. It’s easy to see how much Paul gave him the whole timr

[@patbrennan6572]

Lets not forget that Paul did these masterpieces when he was quite young a long time ago and without any tabs. The were no utube instruction vids back then so it was his genius alone that made him the greatest of all time. Hope he lives another 80 years.

[@ezrac704]

Any good bassist understands how to construct a bassline, so that's not what makes his work impressive. I think his lack of music theory knowledge actually caused him to create more creative basslines. Bassists around his time like James jamerson were also amazing, but they never would've written Come Together's bassline.

[@wmkennard]

Good point plus they would play 8 hours a night play in a bat in Germany. George Through good said it was the hottest club heat wise that he was soaking in sweat playing only 3 hours n he couldn't imagine playing 8 hours. Paul developed so much during the Rubber Soul album. And James Jamesons Bass lines was a big influence. Something is a masterpiece of sweet tones n grove I wanna learn that song more than anything. Like Bruce Springsteen said he learned more from a 3 minute record than he did ever in school. Great musicians like Paul n the Beatles just had God blesseth talent. Like Lil Richard n Elvis etc

[@jonasvilhena7270]

Ele e eterno

[@andrewcallanan8315]

And hadn't been playing bass that long , really

[@donjohnston4215]

Plus, he did many of them while singing at the same time.

[@anshulanilgaur1118]

All my loving bassline is underrated

[@Tom-d2k2c]

Do you want to know a secret, Tell me why, I'm happy just to dance with you, helter skelter too

[@OswaldoCastil]

The sounds you get to make with that Jazz Bass are just outstanding

[@SignatureStampsFan]

I was thinking the same thing

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you, almost only neck pickup, tone at 50% and a couple of plugins such as compressor and a mastering plugin

[@alexyerkey3141]

Does your tone knob have a full sweep? Most lefty guitars and basses I’ve played are kind like tone on/off because they are wired differently

[@LeftyBassman]

@@alexyerkey3141 yes for this Jazz (American version) but I have that problem with my Fender Precision Player Series

[@you_tubeslonelyheartsclubband]

@@LeftyBassman do you think turning the tone knob all the way off sounds closer?

[@VukG]

I'd like to see one about Paul's post-Beatles basslines :)

[@cookieslayer7075]

Silly Love Songs on bass is goated

[@VukG]

@@cookieslayer7075 Indeed it is! Take It Away bassline is also on fire

[@velvetwatermelon2647]

Mrs. Vandebilt

[@VukG]

@@velvetwatermelon2647 oh! Yes Daytime Nightime Suffering, Soily, Goodnight Tonight

[@mikkysteaders]

Too Many People

[@ezrac704]

"You don't see me" deserves to be mentioned. Definitely one of his first greats.

[@ezrac704]

You won't see me*

[@majipoorcat]

One of my top Beatles 💙🩵🐈‍⬛

[@MrJohnmarr]

So much for locking in with the drummer and just playing along. Paul wrote a song on bass within the song. Most Beatle tunes would not have the complexity and enduring longevity without his bass playing....or at least not the same level.

[@cdz9400]

Hey Bulldog is definitely one of my favorite songs by the Beatles

[@jacquescousteau217]

The two octaves on getting better is brilliant,as is the entire bass lines. Paul always mixes it up.

[@brent3760]

The Beatles are just so damn good!

[@JeremiahPickardMusic]

I've always loved the bass in Baby You're A Rich Man The Dun Da Da Dun Da Da Dun Da Da Dun in the verse and the arpeggios in the chorus

[@kennet7837]

My top 10 in no particular order: - Something - Hey Bulldog - Rain - I Want You (She's So Heavy) - Sexy Sadie - Dear Prudence - Nowhere Man - Taxman - With a Little Help from My Friends - Lovely Rita

[@enzofariabaixista]

Very very very nice! I like that

[@bramsteenhoek2674]

No come together?

[@kennet7837]

@@bramsteenhoek2674 Aside from the riff itself, it's not an interesting or particularly fun bassline to play.

[@bramsteenhoek2674]

@@kennet7837 disagree

[@vsmicer]

Macca is my favourite bass player by far...melodic, subtle etc...but worth pointing out he didn't play the bass on 'Old Brown Show', that was George, and on 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' it was actually John (On a Fender VI). That said, your number one is a perfect choice...'Something' is probably my favourite bass line by anyone ever, played impeccably on his Rickenbacker RS 1999 by Paul.

[@theaverageduckenjoyer]

As well as Hey Jude, we'll known for having George play bass on it

[@tyrannosauruszeppelin2205]

Paul played on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. John didn't have the ability to write such a melodic line like the bass in the bridge.

[@bassioelmucho]

My fave too. Then Jaco Pastorius for Jazz Fusion stuff. Ray Brown for upright work!

[@wide_awake]

@@tyrannosauruszeppelin2205 yea I’m pretty sure you’re right. I know John played that fender 6 on Helter Skelter, but while my guitar gently weeps is all Paul

[@transtaganas]

The bass on WMGGW is actually disputed. I have seen good points being made for Paul, John or even George, although I tend to believe John played most of it, albeit probably with some Paul contribution. The song had such a unique recording, I would understand more than one took on the bass.

[@coolfool183]

two tips about the tone: playing with a pick produces a much quicker attack and a more treble heavy sound. turning the treble down on amp will mitigate this and help get a warm sound. paul palm muted at the bridge pretty prolifically; this is the key for songs like something

[@bramsteenhoek2674]

Palm muting?

[@hqhq4611]

@@bramsteenhoek2674 Palm muting is when you dampen the strings slightly with the heel of your picking hand. It softens the attack slightly.

[@hqhq4611]

Good observation about tone. All those years that I spent trying to learn McCartney bass lines I thought he was using his fingers. I was amazed when I found out that he always played with a pick. Another thing regarding Paul's tone -- I'm guessing that he probably used flatwound strings(?). It's amazing that he was able to get such a soft but thumpy sound using Rickenbacker and Fender Jazz basses which tend to have really trebly and growly tones.

[@tomtowle]

I could be wrong but I might speculate that the poster was trying to display the notes and not specifically mirror the timbre

[@wide_awake]

I love the Dear Prudence riff 🔥

[@matthewbartlett3442]

So glad to see someone recognize paperback writer! Severely underrated song with an underrated baseline!

[@nell580]

Day tripper & paperbackwriter my FAVS!!!!

[@brandonbrandon2822]

Best Bass Line By Ringo: Eleanor Rigby

[@loriottt]

And what about Yesterday !?

[@davidcarrillo3274]

Blackbird

[@HolocronStudios]

Her Majesty is a good one

[@enzofariabaixista]

Across the universe 🤨

[@HolocronStudios]

@@enzofariabaixista that has one I think

[@jods1]

Number five was George playing (cf. Creem Magazine interview), which goes to show how versatile the Beatles were.

[@Dottor_J]

Nowhere Man is my personal favorite. It's such a sweet bassline

[@movid]

❤ just amazing

[@johnvoorhees7881]

I've always played "RAIN" around the 12th fret on all strings for the whole song. And I'm also a lefty

[@jamesalfaro3155]

“Being for the benefit of Mr Kite” a jewel bass line

[@MattieBaxter-pg7el]

McCartney is one of the most underrated bass players of all time, his lines were not only melodic but rhythmically perfect, all whilst singing too. His Beatles lines were awesome but some of his wings and solo stuff is just outstanding, try “reception” from wings’ back to the egg album.

[@movid]

😂😮...'underrated' ⁉️ you should be ashamed, do you know who McCartney is?...⛄your Brain is over-rated

[@MattieBaxter-pg7el]

@@movid you’re not very bright are you ? You do know what under rated means ? Right?

[@MattieBaxter-pg7el]

Underrated - “not rated or valued highly enough”.

[@movid]

​@@MattieBaxter-pg7el.....Have you just discovered or heard about the most famous musician of the past 50 years....and you say he's underrated? You're joking, right? 🤔....how can the most valued melodic musician bassist and guitarist of the Beatles BE UNDERRATED?? Ridiculous.... It's like saying Einstein is a vaguely known scientist 😂 😅

[@movid]

😅😅 underrated? He was always considered an amazing melodist, player, composer and with cherries on top!

[@simpleton8bit]

love the way he could kind of slide into the next note sometimes. you're so talented! i love his bass line for she's so heavy. my favorite i think

[@markhallam7821]

Great video and fine performances. McCartney is a great and melodic bass player. Thanks for sharing.

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you Mark! Very appreciated!

[@Kaito_Falcon]

You had all my favorites there and more, so I think you nailed this list! Only thing I might change would be the order.

[@enriquepena5206]

I love that Midnight Confessions brought me here and now I’m hooked on the bass guitar

[@danieljulian4676]

These are all splendid choices and ranked against one another appropriately. Hard to choose, but your selections are heavily weighted toward the later Beatles career, but that's when the musicianship was peaking. My sentimental choice is one of the most melodic, but perhaps too simple to make the list of finalists: The Night Before. There are many others on which you could have focused. Very tasty licks.

[@carlneoh5843]

Nice vid, great playing and truly shows how great the Beatles were

[@russell1603657]

Now that is a great selection of baselines, awesome playing! ❤️

[@maurocoimbra9624]

Perfect selection!!! Greetings from Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@andersonalmeidazobel3875]

Excellent, all these songs have exceptional bass line

[@RussellMorash-m8w]

Paul was the king of counter melodies I know george thought the bass was to busy on something but in those days you could hardly hear the bass and in the 80s when I heard the digital remix I couldn't believe that someone could play that well and keep perfect time.

[@EddOGrande]

15th Nowhere Man 0:07 14th Dear Prudence 0:46 13th Getting Better 1:31 12th Day Tripper 2:30 11th With A Little Help From My Friends 3:09 10th Rain 4:05 9th Don't Let Me Down 4:48 8h Paperback Writer 5:39 7th And Your Bird Can Sing 6:06 6th Taxman 6:46 5th Old Brown Shoe 7:15 4th I Want You (She's So Heavy) 7:51 3rd Hey Bulldog 8:51 2nd While My Guitar Gently Weeps 9:54 1st Something 10:53

[@clumsydad7158]

great taste man, i came here because i started to get obsessed w/ the old brown shoe bass line ... so many great ones, great choices, you play awesome !! ty !!

[@danielcerso]

Hey Bulldog may not be one of my favorite Beatles songs, but it's probably one of the best bass lines ever.

[@TNGfan8794]

Great list! A few of my favorites to play that weren't on the list include Michele, Drive My Car, and Ob-la-di Ob-la-da.

[@tnolddawg]

As a musician, you may appreciate the more technically intricate lines, but as a Beatles fan I'm surprised that Day tripper wasn't higher on your list due to it's prominence in the song, and how the base line grabs your attention right from the opening There's no question which Beatles song is playing within seconds of hearing the opening note (Still one of my favorites to this day)

[@elliegonzales8212]

Day Tripper was a guitar riff John wrote...it's his song. Paul was just following the guitar riff so it's not really one of "his" bass lines.

[@amirscher7918]

sir Paul McCartney is one of the greatest Bass melody innovators in pop music. particularly in 1968-1969 era in the Beatles. where he reached his pick in writing bass melodies

[@chirilas5217]

! Wow !, Paul was definitely a genius of the electric bass. A lot of work to do in this way to play the bass. Congratulations for this video, you are also a great bass player my friend. Virtuosity undoubtedly. Good job. Great video. Congratulations.👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you Gabriel!!

[@heisenberg6785]

Your bass does sound so sweet!

[@richardtaylor9702]

Wonderful. Fantastic! I'm out of superlatives. Thank you.

[@movid]

❤from Montreal... I was amazed by Nowhere Man.... Pure genius 😮

[@denniskramer9657]

man. you got that under your fingers.great job..

[@AJ_from_Queens]

The top 5 are SOOOOO spot on dude. You inspired me to play Hey Bulldog on my channel tomorrow haha or wait…. Maybe She’s So Heavy??… hmm…. We shall see tomorrow!

[@brent3760]

I also really like the bass to Dig A Pony, and well, so many more!

[@james5353]

Amazing, nailed every single one. Macca was great from Rubber Soul onwards

[@brandonbrandon2822]

Top 15 bass lines in least to greatest: You Know My Name Sgt. Pepper Reprise I Want You She's So Heavy Sun King Get Back All My Loving One After 909 The End I Saw Her Standing There Old Brown Shoe Helter Skelter Taxman Maxwell's Silver Hammer Yer Blues Baby, You're A Rich Man

[@vincefromph9264]

Where is hey bulldog?

[@samsowden]

SOMETHING

[@constancebargiacchi-huret9470]

couldn't agree more with your top 3 🤌

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Great stuff. Well done. Love Paul. But it always bugged me that he plays that C# over the Am chord in Nowhere Man.

[@DH-TV]

Lovely playing mate

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you my friend!

[@1968joseph1]

People who talk trash about the Beatles and how they are "overrated" have never sat down and done this kind of thing. Those key changes and rhythms aren't all like "I Want To Hold Your Hand".

[@majipoorcat]

I Want To Hold Your Hand is not just another pop song.

[@AJPFab]

Great picks in my opinion! Some of my favorites (in no order) One After 909 Paperback Writer Dig A Pony All My Loving Day Tripper Dont Let Me Down I Saw Her Standing There

[@markpickardlife]

Very enjoyable video. thanks!

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you!

[@miguelcabrera1298]

Great sound!!! A Jazz sounding like a Hofner or a Rick.

[@flewawayandaway4763]

old brown shoe bassline was played by george ( george confirmed it himself in an interview) and i believe there is a 12 string guitar( george on his rickenbaker) doubling the bassline on while my guitar gently weeps

[@LeftyBassman]

Yes I think the line was too hard for Paul

[@paulreese3071]

@@LeftyBassman Great video and love your choices!!! With all due respect, I don't see where the baseline to OBS would be too difficult for Paul to play. Probably just another example of who was there for the session or possibly George just wanting what he wanted on his own composition? Thanks for all of your work!

[@LeftyBassman]

I think, but it’s only my opinion, some riffs were to fast to play smoothly for Paul.

[@paulreese3071]

@@LeftyBassman Duly noted, I would contend that certain parts of Rain are equally difficult and one of my favorites is the middle eight of Taxman where his admiration for James Jamerson is in its full glory! Glad we can share ideas! 😃

[@vsmicer]

@@paulreese3071 This is essentially correct. At the time of 'Old Brown Shoe's recording, although Paul took part in it, he wasn't around for the overdubs, going back and forth to High Farm, which gave George the chance to do the bass himself, which he relished.

[@JF-ub3qy]

Excellent as usual 👍 I love 👌

[@obiobiwan9268]

#2 Come Together, #1 She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

[@bachman.]

I mean, I know it's george playing and if you listen to the isolated bass it's sloppier than paul, but Oh Darling has a special place in my heart. Probably my top 5 beatles bass line.

[@majipoorcat]

I always thought of the bass as the fifth Beatle. It is another voice that sings and harmonizes with John, Paul,& George. I love the bass on Help.

[@rovcanada1]

#4 (She's so heavy), gets my vote as #1.

[@oddnoobswe1977]

My top 15: 15. Back In The U.S.S.R 14. Penny Lane 13. Mean Mr. Mustard 12. With A Little Help From My Friends 11. Drive My Car 10. Lady Madonna 9. Magical Mystery Tour 8. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window 7. I Want To Hold Your Hand 6. Something 5. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! 4. All My Loving 3. Roll Over Beethoven 2. Taxman 1. I Saw Her Standing There

[@KellyAddington-v8s]

I love the list and your perfect covers of these masterpieces but am so surprised Think for Yourself isn’t on the list.

[@anthonyargemusic]

Sometimes I feel like I love bass lines more than most bass player haha!! Paul Mccartney was one of the best . Would love to see this video with jethro tull bass lines!! Loved the video!! Cheers!!

[@白狐姫]

3弦よりもっと４弦を活用した弾き方をポールはしていると思います。 ヘイブルドッグは４弦中心にハイフレットで弾いていますね。 音色でわかります。

[@ivangranja4566]

Paul e seu baixo, a alma dos Beatles.

[@henryyuliano3288]

fun fact - While My Guitar Gently Weeps was most likely John playing on a 6 string Fender Bass

[@IanDikhtiar]

Great video! You inspired me to learn many Beatles lines!! This list could you some "One After 909". Any chance you can make a cover? That bass line is ridiculous

[@LeftyBassman]

Is it because you’ve watched Get Back?

[@IanDikhtiar]

@@LeftyBassman not really. I've jumped from 2 years of Elvis train to 2 years of Beatles train. Got myself a bass few months ago, and already put a few hundred views into your vids. Your covers are amazing to play along with, dude!

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you Ian!!!

[@HudsonB-pd3ud]

God, Dear Prudence’s bass-line gets stuck in my head more than the song itself

[@tobyw9113]

His bass playing on magical mystery tour was some of his best, baby you’re a rich man, your mother should know, I am the walrus all you need is love are some of his best bass lines

[@tpatgod]

You never give me your money is one of my favorite

[@rubensnetto5331]

Want that T-shirt!!

[@andyhinds542]

I'd add magical Mystery Tour which has that awesome click echo on the 4th and 5th notes, as well as Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.

[@arakikaz246]

Great ! But which version of Getting better is that? Not same as original.

[@davidbaird4382]

The Word

[@LeftyBassman]

Ranked 16th

[@alandoran5428]

Another excellent video……. Thank you

[@LeftyBassman]

Super thank you Alan!!

[@johnhewett9483]

Nicely played sir

[@mikaelzerbib]

Awesome!

[@elwin38]

Savoy Truffle had a great bass line!

[@stevencutler3855]

Lucy in the Skies with Diamonds should have made the list. Great video

[@franktreppiedi2208]

Dear Prudence is the absolute best line he ever came up with.

[@patricedhautcourt1]

I perfectly agree ! I would add a Wings bass line : silly love song. ;-)

[@LeftyBassman]

I already made it!

[@CVGuitar]

Great video dude!!

[@jeffskinner7629]

what are the tone settings for this please!

[@jacquescousteau217]

She’s So Heavy . Genius …

[@robertfeathers8726]

Hey Bulldog!!!!

[@jackpetrella551]

Can’t wait!

[@polytheneprentiss1534]

Spoiler alert 🚨 ~ ~ ~ Wow, your top two were George songs! 😍 and 4 of the top 6 were George songs! One could make an argument that Paul’s best bass lines are for songs that are not his own 😏

[@LeftyBassman]

I always say that the best Beatles songs are George’s (in percentage).

[@uberheropatapon]

Probably because Paul can then focus on playing/creating more advanced basslines as they weren't his songs.

[@carlneoh5843]

Paul songs were more chill and piano, I guess that's why And the bass for Gently Weeps isn't confirmed, sounds more like John's bass to me

[@sillygoose0006]

Gotta love the spoiler alert

[@toddadale]

Nice job! Macca is a Bass God!

[@NicolasMogensen]

Absolute crime that the very best of Maccie's basslines isn't here. "Help",,, did you forget about this one?

[@purplecha1860]

Personally, I think "Come Together" deserves a spot in the top 3

[@hikikomori_3708]

Come Together didn't make the list?

[@racketman2u]

and no "Day Tripper"??

[@LeftyBassman]

Day Tripper is in

[@racketman2u]

@@LeftyBassman oops, sorry, so it is - but 12th? it's the most recognisable riff of the lot! I obviously don't have a bass player's perspective! ;-)

[@JubbLaRacing]

Honestly i think Come together is quite overrated

[@jonswift7174]

SUPERB playing

[@LeftyBassman]

Thank you Jon!!

[@rovcanada1]

I don't know why, but "Whilst My Guitar Gently Weeps" just totally says Hank Marvin & the Shadows to me. Maybe because their cover was so respectful?

[@rovcanada1]

LOL I have The Shadows (50 Greatest Hits) on my truck-driving playlist, and I always love it when Hank's 'Something' comes up. That, and his 'Knights in White Satin'.

[@abacadaniel04]

“Oh! Darling” is my favourite, despite Paul not playing bass on that track. ✌️😅

[@elsienova4269]

On taxman I am 99% sure the bassline doesn't include that upstroke on the D. Its just 5 notes.

[@jacquescousteau217]

Paul mixes up the bassline . His accents are different given where he is the song …

[@RussellMorash-m8w]

Paul's signature was and octave higher note triplet and you have it down pat.