Latest / Tune In: 4 Must-Listen Songs / Episode 16- Feel the Low End: 4 Songs with Unforgettable Basslines
Transcript
- Nova Beat: Welcome back to Tune In, the place where we break down four must-hear tracks each week in under five minutes. I’m Nova Beat, and today’s theme is all about the bassline. That deep, rich groove that sits just under the surface—but makes everything else possible. Whether it’s subtle and smooth or front-and-center funky, a great bassline doesn’t just support a song—it gives it life. Today, I’m highlighting four tracks where the bass isn’t just present—it owns the room. Nova Beat: First up is “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen. You already know the bassline. You could hum it right now. And that’s exactly why it kicks off today’s list. John Deacon, Queen’s bassist, wrote this song—and that instantly recognizable groove was inspired by Chic’s Bernard Edwards. It’s a perfect example of how funk and rock can intersect through one iconic riff. The bassline is punchy, relentless, and hypnotic. The song builds around it—Freddie Mercury’s vocals, the minimalist drums, and even the guitar all orbit the bass. It’s not just the foundation—it’s the driver’s seat. “Another One Bites the Dust” is what happens when you give the bassline the spotlight and let everything else ride the groove. Nova Beat: Track number two is a very different vibe, but the same principle: “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz. This song thrives on contrast—light vs. dark, laughter vs. paranoia, melody vs. menace. And the bassline is where it all starts. Murky, thick, and ominous, the low-end groove feels like it’s crawling under your skin. As soon as that bass hits, you know this isn’t just any alternative hip-hop track. It creates tension without chaos and somehow feels both gritty and clean. What’s more, when the acoustic chorus hits, the bass drops away—and you miss it. You feel its absence. That’s how you know the bassline was doing more than carrying the beat—it was carrying the mood. Nova Beat: Third on the list is “Money” by Pink Floyd. Now this one’s a classic, but the way it uses bass is anything but old-school. Roger Waters built the groove in 7/4 time—a rhythm that throws off your internal metronome just enough to feel fresh and slightly off-balance. Add in the clinking cash registers and ringing coins in the intro, and you’ve got one of the most inventive uses of groove in rock history. The bassline walks—you can picture it pacing in a smoky room full of bad decisions. It’s sneaky. Subtle. Calculated. And it’s what makes the song feel as cynical as the lyrics. When the time signature eventually shifts into a standard 4/4 during the guitar solo, the groove evolves—but it never loses that bass as its backbone. Nova Beat: And finally, we’re closing with a groove so infectious it basically launched a genre: “Good Times” by Chic. Yes, the same track that inspired Queen’s bassline for “Another One Bites the Dust.” Bernard Edwards’ bassline here isn’t just funky—it’s foundational. The entire modern landscape of hip-hop and dance owes something to it. It’s been sampled hundreds of times, most famously by The Sugarhill Gang in “Rapper’s Delight.” But nothing beats the original. It’s warm, fluid, and locked into the drums with laser precision. It makes you move, even if you don’t want to. What makes it genius is that it’s technically simple—but rhythmically perfect. That’s the power of a bassline that understands feel over flash. Nova Beat: Let’s recap. Queen gave us a rock anthem built around a funk bassline. Gorillaz turned low-end into atmosphere. Pink Floyd used rhythm and groove to mess with your head. And Chic proved that one perfectly played riff could change music history. These songs don’t just include bass—they depend on it. Without those grooves, the tracks fall apart. Nova Beat: We often talk about vocals, hooks, or guitar solos, but today’s playlist is your reminder to give the bassline some love. Bass is what you feel in your chest, what makes your head nod without realizing, what separates a good track from a timeless groove. And the best part? A great bassline doesn’t always need to show off. Sometimes, it just needs to show up—exactly where you least expect it. Nova Beat: This week’s challenge? Build a playlist of songs where the bassline carries the vibe. It can be funk, indie, hip-hop, or jazz. Just make sure that low-end is doing the heavy lifting. Then tag me @NovaBeat with your favorites. I want to see what grooves make your list. Nova Beat: And as always, if you’re digging Tune In, don’t forget to follow, drop a quick review, and share this episode with someone who always turns the volume up when the bass drops. We’re here every week, turning up the volume on songs that matter—one theme at a time. Nova Beat: That’s it for today’s drop. Until next time, stay grounded—and keep your basslines bold.