Hey Rocksmith fans!
Lately there’s been a lot of talk about how @UbisoftSF isn’t catering to bassists enough with the weekly DLC. I had been racking my brain to understand exactly what exciting bass lines actually meant but I could only surmise it was a combination of difficulty, fun, and of course, personal taste.
In any event here are a list of bass lines that are sorely missing from the Rocksmith 2014 library and should be added tomorrow. Thanks in advance!
“Slow Ride” by Foghat
Only featured so far as a cover in Guitar Hero III this tasty bass driven classic features an incredibly varied bass part with no tuning off of A440 necessary!
“Age of Aquarius” by The 5th Dimension
While the first part of the song is interesting enough, 2:20 is where it really gets good. Matter of fact the whole Hair Soundtrack is incredible for bass lines. Watch/Listen to it and I guarantee you’ll be dreaming of playing those on Rocksmith.
“DMV” by Primus
Let’s be real, pretty much any Primus would be amazing, or anything by Les Claypool for that matter. So I’ll leave you to chewing me out for picking DMV over Tommy The Cat or Jerry was a Race car driver, or My Name is Mud, American Life etc.
“N.I.B” by Black Sabbath
Funny story, this was a cover in Rock Band when the game first came out (as DLC) and for whatever reason they cut out the Bass intro… Come on Ubisoft, we know that Guitar Hero somehow got four Sabbath tunes so surely you may be able to get one or two or twelve right? We lack Geezer!
“Longview” by Green Day
This one is a no brainer. An iconic and getting to be timeless 90s bass line that almost encapsulates an entire generation. More classic Mike Dirnt.
“Around The World” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Still waiting for the RHCP pack…
“Another One Bites the Dust” Queen
No explanation needed.
Update: Now available as DLC
“Little Green Bag” by George Baker
If you are a Tarantino fan you might recognize this one.
“I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
When was the last time you really listened to this track? There is a monstrous bass line lurking in this classic chart topping pop hit.
Footloose by Kenny Loggins
Yo, K-Log doesn’t mess around. Don’t get left behind on this scorcher or you may find yourself in the Danger Zone.
“Holiday In Cambodia” by Dead Kennedys
Klaus Flouride as far as hardcore punk goes is a pretty solid bassist, I’d say he’s the Geezer Butler of Punk Rock.
“Van” by Descendents
Since we are talking about Punk why not throw in a Descendents song, way too much talent in that band!
“Maxwell Murder” by Rancid
Listen to this bass line if you really want the truth.
“Carousel” by Mr. Bungle
Ok this is a bit unrealistic but I’d love to pretty much see any Mike Patton bands in Rocksmith and Trevor Dunn is just an incredible bassist in general.
“Veil of Maya” by Cynic
Do you like your fingers?
“The Pot” by Tool
Hey it could happen right? Any song would be appreciated.
“Around The World” by Daft Punk
Or basically anything by them right?
“Death Blooms” by Mudvayne
Nu-Metal labels aside the bassist in Mudvayne knows what’s up.
“Stash” by Phish
While guitarists would certainly benefit from Trey’s jazzy chords and soaring leads being added to the Rocksmith library, Mike Gordon is a true master of his craft and basically any Phish song would be a dream come true for any bassist.
“Terrapin Station” by Grateful Dead
I always found GD to have this kind of country twang to it so perhaps adding some of their material could temporarily satiate the very vocal “Where is the Country music” fans of Rocksmith? Regardless Phil Lesh’s bass lines are absolutely legendary.
“I Shot The Sheriff” by Bob Marley and The Wailers
YouTube Original
We are due for some classic Reggae by now wouldn’t you agree?
“Coopers World” by Squarepusher
Squarepusher is just the best! Having a totally bass driven artist backed by electronica would be quite the change to the usual mostly rock oriented DLC we get.
“Roundabout” by Yes
Yes, we need Roundabout.
“The Call Of The Wintermoon” by Immortal
This song actually has a cool bass line, but you’ll uh… Just have to take my word for it? Extreme Metal is something that rarely gets any play via DLC so it would be cool to get a nod to Black Metal from Ubisoft, does anyone else agree?
“Super Stupid” by Funkadelic
We need more funk!
So there we have it, some of my personal choices to satisfy bassists for years weeks days to come! What bass lines do you think are sorely missing from the Rocksmith library? Besides Orion I mean.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned one of classic rock’s most legendary basslines: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones!
Looks like we should cross Another One Bites The Dust off the list.
How could we forget The Real Me by The Who
Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit
I agree with everyone’s lists! I want some more great bassists!
Stuart Hamm – There’s plenty of do-able music with awesome guitar.
David LaRue – Dixie Dregs and/or The Dave LaRue Band – Please look him up! – Guitarist he plays with Steve Morse.
I’ve already mentioned Chris Squire – YES
Jeff Berlin – The song Bach would be a real finger shreader for bassists!
More Geddy, Entwhistle, Flee, J P Jones. But we also really need to honor Reggae, Motown, Jazz! Stanley Clark, Larry Graham, Jaco, Bootsey, Victor Wooten.
I just want Bass players to be able to play all different music genres. It makes us all better players in the end!
I’m stopping now! I can get on a tangent! Sorry, and thanks for this thread!
Some great rock bass playing can be had from Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss.
Queens of The Stone Age:
Hangin’ Tree (upper and lower register all throughout the song)
A Song For The Dead
Gonna Leave You
No One Knows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=altzCqAApEU
In The Fade
Better Living Through Chemistry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrXl1SQ0ZG8
Mexicola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjxy3HqddsI
Everybody Knows That You’re Insane
A Song For the Deaf
The Sky Is Fallin’
Do It Again
Leg of Lamb
Walkin’ on the Sidewalks
Kyuss:
Hurricane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL6epqNj9js
One Inch Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHeXPYGwB4k
Phototropic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V0MZ4qKAfc
Catamaran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H-F7R0OIuE
Green Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0IfJiQY57Q
Freedom Run
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLsS1bp0oPs
Gardenia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlWTOIQZCeY
Asteroid
Supa Scoopa and Might Scoop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2htVnWauBc
Demon Cleaner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4cMcDh-svU
Odyssey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiRbmLlDhXo
Whitewater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AxmwVYsB9k
Thee Ol’ Boozeroony
Apothecaries’ Weight
Writhe
Bobby Vega Gosh
Time of the season – Zombies , if you don’t know
WOW!!! Can’t believe I forgot these two.
Booker T and the MGs – Green Onions
Cream – Strange Brew
since i only play bass, i’m thrilled this topic is up for discussion but i’m used to bassists being treated as the rodney dangerfields of the rock world so i’m not expecting optional 5 string charts or any songs without guitar parts in them no matter how awesome (love a fitz and the tantrums pack). this list was awesome (i’d prefer “war pigs” over “N.I.B.” and “tweezer” over “stash” tho) but bass is at its best in the funk genre imo. james brown, sly and the family stone, war, parliament etc. motown/R&B/soul/disco also good. for rock… cream (tales of brave ulysses), rush (most), and RHCP!
I have a tendency to take people who have purchased the game and quite a bit of the DLC at their word and not immediately tag them as a complainer when they point out the lack of fun bass. I have nearly every song released and can’t help but think that bass is just not taken into account much when choosing DLC to issue. On another page, someone from this site sarcastically named a couple of songs that are good bass songs as if anyone complaining is some kind of an idiot. The idea that we should expect the occasional interesting bass line would be fine if the game was not called RS Guitar and Bass.
As for the list, I would like some of those. Stray Cats and/or Brian Setzer Orchestra would be great fun and get out of the rut of sameness that overtakes a lot of weeks of DLC. More funk is needed big time.
Most importantly, anyone who wants an incredible bass line to play would want the Jackson’s Darling Dear far over and above ABC.
Well, you finally got Rock This Town 🙂
Great session players like “Ready” Freddie Washington and Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson put out some the best bass-lines of their time for Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Patrice Rushen and Donna Summer (only to name a few). Quincy Jones kept those guys workin…
Would not be much fun for guitarists, but Jamiroquai has pretty cool bass lines. Anyhow just give me more Funkadelics and I’ll be happy.
More Duran Duran. Gimme Girls on Film or Planet Earth.
Actually, lets do more 80s with some Level 42 and Kajagoogoo. You know you wanna play Too Shy!
And finally, some Rival Sons to bring us back to today.
Not many in the US have heard of these guys, and I’m not a bass player but I love the bass line in this song. Check out some of their other songs as well. Big Wreck would be awesome to have in Rocksmith.
Upon first listen I’m hearing Seal meets Stevie Nicks. That’s not a negative. This is actually a pretty nice song. I like it. And as a blues fan, I enjoyed that solo. Will have to check them out.
As a resident of Toronto this is a very strange Big Wreck choice to show newcomers haha
How about some Royal Blood?!
will it be true ; rancid on rocksmith!, hope so!!
Glad we already have guns of brixton and basketcase
Btw the Bouncing Souls have insane basslines. “True believers.. “
I hate Slow Ride. I never want to hear that song again.
Would be great to get Want You Back or more MJ like Billie Jean. He has some great bass lines despite everything.
Cynic would be epic. Sean Malone is an incredible bassist. He even wrote a book on Jaco’s solos. Amazing musician!
Rocksmith really needs some Wishbone Ash in general.
Good picks all around. I’d also throw in:
The Horse by A Wilhelm Scream
Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz
The Real Me by The Who
Leave That Thing Alone by Rush
Peace Sells by Megadeth
Come Original by 311
Statesboro Blues by The Allman Bros
Come On Come Over by Jaco Pastorius
The Horse is crazy on bass. Two tapping sections. I think We Built This City (On Debts and Booze) has a KILLER bassline that’s a bit more manageable.