This is definitely *my* favorite Beatles bass line, but what’s yours? And more importantly *_WHY_* is it your favorite?

@b.clayshannon7009

Жыл бұрын

Come Together. Nothing is cooler than that bass and drum intro. When I heard it at the age of 10 or 11 when it was released, I was mesmerized, although I'm sure I didn't know what instrument it was that was making that magic.

@jdmarino

Жыл бұрын

I really like Oh, Darling.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

@B. Clay Shannon - I love that one as well. It was quite literally the very first bass line I ever learned. It basically got me hooked on bass.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

I'm *super* into that song as well @John Marino - there's definitely something about it, and it's great fun to play.

@joelschaubert6208

Жыл бұрын

I've always thought the bass line on Rain tells a story all by itself. I could listen to it over and over and the use of variations keeps it fresh the whole way through.

“Something” is simply not of this world. The bass and drums are iconic.

@slavaukraini404

Жыл бұрын

Perfect drumming from Ringo that allows space for the perfect bass line.

@gogbpackers12

Жыл бұрын

I feel like Paul stole George’s song.

@dylanely8309

Жыл бұрын

@@gogbpackers12 no way, george’s songwriting and guitar solo are still the best part of the song, paul simply added his magic to it

my biggest takeaways from Paul's bass playing: 1) sing-able parts! 2) his parts always develop... he's rarely playing the same thing in later parts of the song as the beginning. He's constantly developing the part.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

100% @weedywet - having singable bass lines means the bass line can go beyond being solely a supporting thing and being a hook in its own right. And you're 100% right about his parts developing too. Every time he plays that countermelodic idea in the 'chorus', it's slightly different. Same for every part of the song though with the exception of the bridge, but even then, he's still changing the range he plays the line in. There's just so many layers to this bass line - it's so cool!

@vayabroder729

Жыл бұрын

Yes!! MELODIC!!! Paul is always melodic.

@jaelge

Жыл бұрын

As nice of a song as this is, without Paul´s bassline there is no ¨Something¨.

@newfarmerfilms

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. He does this brilliantly in "A Day In the Life." The bassline doesn't repeat, which is amazing.

@Miguel...160

Жыл бұрын

My favorite is Silly Love Songs

"Hey Bulldog" has a very rhytmically interesting and melodic bassline. It is also a counterpoint.

@dontatmebitches

Жыл бұрын

4 real i think its the best. Its so swampy and melodic

@garyberg8072

Жыл бұрын

I never get tired of that bass line. Fixing a Hole is simple but phenomenal.

@nofrets5

Жыл бұрын

I feel that the slower tempo of the song makes some of the devices a little bit easier to use, lots of space with the other instruments often as pointed out, the old adage about everybody can’t be driving 70 miles an hour

@Dreamweaver_Skunkbag

Жыл бұрын

Yesss that’s my favorite Beatles song

McCartney has too many brilliant baselines to count, both with Beatles, and solo. My favorite bassist.

@jayburdification

Жыл бұрын

Paul is #1, Jack Bruce is #2.

@ling2553

Жыл бұрын

Bassline*

@carlbaumeister3439

Жыл бұрын

@@ling2553 Thx

@jayburdification

Жыл бұрын

@@ling2553 Tell my dictation that

@carlbaumeister3439

Жыл бұрын

@@jayburdification Right?

He really did Something special with that bass line.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

I was going to reply with a pun of my own @YouAreBaconMeCrazy, but I decided to just Let It Be.

@Bella-nt7ec

Жыл бұрын

and the backing vocals!

@daletwin1

Жыл бұрын

@@Bella-nt7ec I love Paul's backing vocals in this song as well. Best part of the song for me. And one of my very favorite basslines of any song.

@Bella-nt7ec

Жыл бұрын

@@daletwin1 right, it wouldn't sound that great without Paul's contribution. The Beatles' magic

@lifeisnice23

Жыл бұрын

Like he did on "while my guitar gently weeps" with his piano work.. Absolutely genius musician on different levels.

The strange thing about “Something” and ever since I first heard it as a very young kid, is that I’ve always hummed the bass line rather than the vocal melody. It flows in and around the tune and even counts as a sub-“song” to the overall tune. To me, it’s actually the best part of the song.

@salvatoredipietro7174

Жыл бұрын

Ditto - no wonder george felt threatened, again

@Andytheashton

Жыл бұрын

It’s also like a pedal/modal thing as the descending chord movement happens. Almost like a jazz piano player

@erivers71

Жыл бұрын

Man that is a great insight! 1000% agreed!

@Spaced92

10 ай бұрын

@@salvatoredipietro7174 I've honestly never understood why he had more of a grudge against Paul than John. I feel like Paul put a lot more effort into George's songs. As good as he was, he mostly brought in snippets of songs. When we saw Paul do the same he'd literally just sit there and keep hammering it out until it was workable, I don't think George got much less help than John did.

@chaffsalvo

9 ай бұрын

I do the same with Here Comes the Sun bass line

Paul’s a complete musical genius. There are no equals.

"I want you" has also great, melodic bass line. Additionaly it makes passionate, almost insane mood.

Paul's thumping bass on Silly Love Songs is just one other of his which springs to mind .

@Adam-hs1ft

Жыл бұрын

That's what I thought this video was going to cover. 😂

@NigelT57

Жыл бұрын

@@Adam-hs1ft I saw him play Silly Love songs live back in the 70's and it was note perfect [whilst singing at the same time, and jigging around the stage like a loon too in the non vocal bits :)].

@robertcook2572

Жыл бұрын

'Goodnight, tonight' is another cracking funky bassline.

@krollpeter

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. It's almost a song by itself.

that bass line is almost as beautiful as the song itself.

@sosexymagazinerobinwatkins8467

Жыл бұрын

Yessss

I've been saying for years that this was Paul's best bass work. Finally someone who gets it. Thanks.

Paul is my favorite Beatle and it's interesting that ppl just remember him as a great vocalist/composer but his bass skills are very neat

@geoffpoole483

Жыл бұрын

I don't think he's a virtuoso in the Stanley Clarke or Jaco Pastorious sense, but when it comes to creating a memorable and melodic bass line he has few equals.

Being shot down for his "silly love songs", he titled the song as such and challenged bass players to play his "silly" bass lines. Gotta love Sir Paul!

I remember reading _Revolution In The Head_ about the track Don't Let Me Down, in it, the author describes the bass line McCartney was playing as a "bubbling bass" or words to that effect, that traditional bass players hated at the time. I've always subscribed to the point of view that bass should be as creative as guitar. In that track it perfectly complemented the guitars.

"Something" itself is a [or the] perfect song -- so perfect that any part of it is in perfect harmony within and without.

The melody-countermelody in the chorus is a classic question-answer, that kind of stuff is absolutely everywhere in the Beatles catalogue.

This is absolutely my favorite bassline of all time and the reason 15-year-old me started learning the bass. I can play the notes after 35 years, but that tone, especially live, has eluded me. It's perfect.

@beatlesrgear

Жыл бұрын

I'm not positive, but I think Paul was playing a Fender Jazz Bass on this song.

The rain bassline is a favorite of mine

All four of them mastered the art of serving the song and not being afraid to try - in a time where everything was not easy to redo/comp/edit. Thousands of hours went into their playing and carefully understanding each other's interests and parts is what allowed each member to choose and alter their own additions to those songs. How remarkable, you could do a master class on just their ability to serve the song.

Paul’s playing on this track is a masterclass on playing what the track needs and with the drummer just a fantastic bass line… for a fantastic song…

Very interesting. It seems that those three points are actually one. The song feels like a conversation between the instruments. When one is active, the others are letting it speak.

Paul might not have the fireworks of other high level bass players, but he is without a doubt the greatest bassist in rock music.

"Strategic busy-ness" can also be heard in Geezer Butler's (Black Sabbath) basslines, especially on songs like War Pigs and Lord of This World

Silly Love Songs has one if my favorite bass lines. It's actually my favorite part of the song 🎵

Paul knew the bass must sing and be arranged the same as a guitar or a vocal. Paul, composer, arranger. The best beatles to me.

Hi Luke, for me, Paul’s top bass line is: “Being for the benefit of Mr Kite”. So intricate, with the same elements he used for Something, that’s my 2nd favorite one.

@lyrebird9749

Жыл бұрын

I'd vote for 'I want you' - that bass line absolutely rocks! Similar techniques as the above. Paul rightly gets a lot of credit for his songwriting and being able to play a lot of instruments, but his bass playing is really under-rated IMO.

@robertcook2572

Жыл бұрын

I heard McCartney saying that it was his favourite, recently.

@staypress

10 ай бұрын

he said himself that that was one of the most complicated bassline he ever did

This is a great lesson. I am always glad (as an old timer) when the innovation and beauty is highlighted in 60's and 70's music.

This is why McCartney is my favorite bassist. I love his melodic style!

Mine would have to be his work on "While my Guitar Gently Weeps". Simple start, then chords, the chorus with the 9th fret Fb dropping to it's lower octave on the E string, his counter with Clapton on the lead. And the final "weeping"? line at the end. Never gets tired for me.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

For a while, this was my favorite song @Kevin Egan. Not just favorite Beatles song - it was my favorite overall. I love all the later George Harrison songs - they're amazing.

@Herminator66

Жыл бұрын

Mine, as well ... Luke knows my history with this awesome tune - LOL. I also never tire of hearing it! Something joins WMGGW in my Top 5.

@beatlesrgear

Жыл бұрын

Only thing is, Paul is not playing the bass. George Harrison is on bass and Paul is on piano.

@Herminator66

Жыл бұрын

@@beatlesrgear pretty sure McCartney played bass AND piano, as well as background vocal to Harrison’s masterpiece. Of course, possible with mult-tracking … Luke?

@brubeck1

Жыл бұрын

@@beatlesrgear cept it was John.

So glad to see someone cover this bass line. Paul is my favorite bassist because my own playing has always tended toward busy and melodic. And he shows you a great road map for how to do that. And this bass line is his masterpiece. I play it almost every time I pick up a bass.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

That's so cool to hear @rome8180. If there were ever a bass line worthy of being played every time you pick up your bass, this is a great candidate!

As a singer I really appreciate the way you have broken this down. I have always loved loved loved this bassline by Paul. The song itself is a gem there are so many parts of it that make it iconic but Paul's part! It did not upstage the song but to me it has always had its own character. I just love the way you broke this entire piece down. Thank you.

The bass line that Paul plays on the song "Nowhere Man" is one of the most interesting patterns I never heard. I saw a video of him playing this song. He was not pulling it off. Very hard to play live and sing simultaneously.

I’ve always though You Never Give Me Your Money is a masterclass in bass. So many different parts and shifts in style and Paul delivers the whole time. Rhythm, spacing, it’s like a compilation off all his favorite tricks in one song.

@jaman878

2 ай бұрын

Anyone ever notice that Band on the Run is a remake of You Never Give Me Your Money? Listen to it.

Thank you for this! Pauls' bass is the melody within the melody. As a lifelong bassist, I've always admired Paul as the gold standard. His every note has its' own character.

@jamespenny9482

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I'm not very much of a musician at all, but I do recognize Paul's brilliance. He was truly the beat in the Beatles.

Love that bass Paul is a great musician it made the song.

He is a genius, that does help.

In The Beatles Anthology book, Paul talks about how George thought his bass playing on Something was too busy. Paul said in my defence, I was playing the best bass line I could for the song.

Most of the Beatles stuff has been remastered. These new remasters really boost the bass and give us insight into what and how Paul played. It might tarnish the original sound but Beatles songs are even better because of this.

As a guitarist, songwriter and arranger I have to compliment with you: the lesson on this genius bassline has many takeaways, thank you Luke!

Not only my favorite Beatles song, but my favorite song of all time. This was the first song I learned to play on bass because of how melodic it is and how perfectly it's fits the song. The lyrics are simply beautiful and the melody is, as well.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

What a monster bass line to pick for your first song @David Goldstein - that's amazing!

Gotta love that George Emerick. He was almost as good of an engineer as his brother Geoff.

@franchisequarterback7906

Жыл бұрын

Ain't nothing but a G thing

This is THE song that made me want to pick up a bass and learn to play like Sir Paul-particularly that part you point out in the Countermelody section. So brilliant.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

I'm not surprised @Scott Scaggs - it's so brilliant. Funnily enough, the first bass line I ever learned was a Sir Paul line, although not nearly as challenging as this one.

Just brilliant. Everything you say about Paul’s bass playing is everything I’ve ever thought about it. It’s so good to hear someone else - someone really tuned in - confirm that he’s just a fucking genius. Thank you so much

My band played Something and it is so beautiful in every way. I played bass, and was new to the instrument; I learned so much from this song.

This is such an underrated bassline, people don’t seem to talk about it as much as they should!

@bassmangotdbluz3547

Жыл бұрын

I have always loved it since day 1, first hearing.

@eliboybherrera7890

Жыл бұрын

Underrated? When talking about Paul's bass line, 90% of the time they think about this song. Nothing is underrated in Something, the vocals, bass, the organ or quartets, the drums, everything. That's why this song is perfect

Thanks for this one! I've done these things in my playing for years but without thinking about how it affects the song as a whole.. making the mistakes you mentioned. Now you've made me a better bassist.

You young folks crack me up. Paul played bass as if he was playing piano or guitarist. You act as if you poops gold or he’s found the fountain of youth. He knows what the chords are and with a bit of thinking made a beautiful song even more memorable.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what you mean @Neal Van. I agree with what you say about Paul knowing the chords and making a great song even better, but it sounds like you somehow disagree with 'something' (pun absolutely intended) in the video. I'd love to know what you mean by your comment.

@itsesye

11 ай бұрын

...so? your point being?

This was a fascinating video. I am not a bass player, nor do I ever plan to become one. But I am a big Beatles music fan, and what you highlighted about Paul's bass playing in this song helped me to identify that it's these perfectly planned additions to their music which makes it so enjoyable. At a high level, many of the Beatles' songs are relatively simple, but it's touches like these that make the musical product much more than just the sum of its parts. Great explanation! I look forward to checking out your other videos.

Brilliant. This is my favourite Paul bass line ever. His playing is sublime and I think he is really feeling the song which why it is so brilliant. You use words I feel and hear from this bass line. Tender and gentle. It sounds like it comes from the heart (cheesy I know but that is how I hear and feel it) and to me, this is my favourite bass line by Paul on not necessarily, as brilliant as it is, my favourite Beatles song. Great work and made my year to see someone waxing lyrical over this beautiful bass lane. Thanks

Wow, ive always loved this bassline but now I love it even more!

This bass line really is a masterpiece. He is busy when it makes sense, restrained when needed. Great choice of a line to show how you craft an interesting bass line to fit into the context of a song. Also, insofar as the allegation may be true, thank God Paul told George to shove it and played the line the way he did.

@slavaukraini404

Жыл бұрын

And thank god Paul got frustrated and ripped out the guitar solo on taxman in one take after hours of deliberation by George.

@MJWPub

Жыл бұрын

@@slavaukraini404 What? That's not how to develop a song? That's like saying we recorded the Beatles fighting and tried to make a salvageable song out of it?

@MJWPub

Жыл бұрын

I think you need to listen to any thing but the Beatles. Just realise that with any key there is a limit to what to can play in a given genre, i.e. this is far far far far from unique...

if only music instruction around the world was like this. great job man

I don't play bass and never really thought I'd be excited about bass until watching your videos! Very thoughtful and well done and I greatly appreciate them!!

This is great advice. I'm actually working on a bass part for an original song at the moment. Sir Paul's playing is an inspiration for me. There are no vocals for this song now so I may have to rework the bass part. I'm so glad I came upon this video. You have gained a new subscriber.

A bass line written to complement the song is never too busy or too simple. Great forthwith the song and on it's own (like the bassline to "Papa was a rollin' stone).

Beautiful deconstruction of Paul's genius on this track. Thanks!

Another fantastic lesson, Luke! I am loving this series of taking a bass line and discussing it. Always something for us bassists to learn and you do a great job presenting. Thanks for sharing this one Sir Luke.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

You're too kind @Thomas Fioriglio! Thanks so much.

Learning it has been a labor of love for a huge Beatles fan and late in life player.

You put a lot of hard work in these videos and it shines through, take a bow!!! Highlighting these bass concepts should, and no doubt will, benefit many bassists out there. Thank you.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the kind words @Bryn Yowann Atkinson - I really appreciate it.

My favourite Beatles bass line to play. Love this riff

These type of baas lines appear all throughout Abbey Road. Especially in the Sun King. Very melodic bass lines.

@scottmatznick3140

Жыл бұрын

That's my fav over this one honestly

Awesome Luke love your passion for teaching n your playing. You have a great way doing your presentations playing Bass

Thank you for your analysis Sir Luke. Very insightful.

I always feel it's a priviliege to play this bass line. It is sublime. So melodic, so beautiful!

Definitely one of my three favorite songs of all time. Thanks for identifying why it is so grand.

What a great video man. Well done.

amazing content! thank you, keep these coming!!!

Great job. Very easy to listen to. Keep up the great work.

Thanks for the video! From rehearsals and early takes of "Something" it sounds like Paul was jamming busily experimenting with every second of the song with many notes and frills. I assume that George was referring to those attempts as "too busy"and simply directed Paul to where he liked space or where the bass could phrase away. I also assume that IF Paul argued against it, it was not to keep it busy but to be allowed to keep the bass line alive. But I read somewhere that he just played as instructed, probably happy to help George in what was turning out to be a special song (Paul might have been excessive sometimes but he was always supportive of his friends' songs).

Probably my #1all-time favorite bass lines by Paul. “Something” is among my top Beatles’ treasures❤️

Thanks Luke ! Great lesson and great analysis on this great song !👍👍👍👍

Perfect analisys!this bass line makes this song sounds awesome!

My favorite bassline ever.

Thank you for breaking (braking?) it down for us. This is definitely my favorite Beatles bass line, and has to be one of my top 10 at least

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

No worries at all @R1D2. It's definitely my favorite for sure.

Howdy Luke,,great content,,and thanks for breaking it down,,so many great bass lines by Paul,,,;RAIN',,is always a stand out for me.

Fantastic break down of this bass line. It gave me a lot of inspiration for my own playing. Thanks!

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

Perfect @Steve Botsford - that's exactly what I was aiming for!

Great analysis, thank you for posting this and making the backing track and tabs available.

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

You're more than welcome @Rob Murray.

For me, Paul’s greatest bass line is on “with a little help from my friends”. In my mind, Paul’s bass line catapults an “ok” song to one of my absolute favorites. It dances playfully yet drives. It dominates but doesn’t overshadow. I have stolen from this song regularly for my own bass lines I play at church with our worship team.

Beautifully analysed! My favorite song :)

Another great video Luke, always one of my favourites! Another tune with a great melodic line and lyrical ballad playing is Don't Let Me Down with many of the same elements used in Something. If you ever get a chance to transcribe that it would be "fab!"

Thanks Luke, for clarifying these aspects of Paul's genius. This is one of the most interesting and well made KZreads I have come across: a Classic! So much for a bass player, or any musician, to consider. BTW the engineer was GEOFF Emerick: George MARTIN was the producer. I wonder what say Martin had in the development of that bass line.

I love your channel. Well done on your great work !

I agree. I’m no musician but sometimes I listen to the bass of Something like it’s a song in itself

Ive played this bass line many times....its beautiful!...and incredible at the same time. You can feel there was some incredible inspiration to have come up with it....and this was for Georges song!

I am glad you mention contrast. Sometimes when I've written a song with sparse guitar sections, if the drummer followed me too closely and played something sparse it made the section drag. They needed to contrast what I was doing to keep the song driving forward.

Hey Luke!! Great video man, good to see you busy as usual!! 👏

I agree! Is so melodic!

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

Unbelievably melodic @Eduardo Ferreira!

Brilliant analysis! Thank you.

The guitar solo strays from the direction of the song and relieves the intensity that was building.

Very well study of a great great song, yes the Paul lines are very melodic and beautiful. Gracias Luke.

Several years ago I recorded my own acustic versions of some Beatles songs and it was there Something. I started to study all the instruments, of course the solo guitar is amazing but then I began to study the bass lines and then I said to myself: ohh myyyyyy this is great, magnificent lines, the hardest part is just the part of the solo guitar section: many notes but placed at the exact moment, the exact melody, the exact counterpoint, the exact feeling, just what the song needed to sound great as a whole. I confirmed what I discovered when I was a teenager: McCartney is a music master, a genius, unique in its kind. Thanks for sharing your analysis!!

I love this song… I am so busy now but I want to learn to play this amazing bass line! Nice explanation thanks

I haven't a clue about what you're talking about mate, however, I do love the Beatles and I love this video! Thank you.

Have thought for years that without Paul's bass, this song would be lacking that special "Something". Pun intended, but valid. That song gives me chills every time I hear it. Also, Paul's bass work on George's "Taxman" is off the hook! Paul played guitar on that song as well.

This is one of the few Beatles songs I'm not really fond of, but I still watched the whole video. Great work 👍

Thanks for the concept of strategically busy lines. Very inspiring!

@tludden

5 ай бұрын

I think that George was simply being petty because Paul made him temper down George’s repetitive guitar during vocals on Hey Jude.

It seems to me that Harrison's were the only two truly innovative songs in Abbey Road, and McCartney showered them with the most beautiful bass lines you expose here, thanks a lot!

Great Lesson, Luke! I love the color-coded graphic between melody and counter-melody. Can't wait to see more! BTW, Geoff Emerick's book, "Here, There, and Everywhere" is an awesome read! He was there in the recording studio from the beginning. The engineering ingenuity to bring The Beatles" and George Martin's vision to reality is fascinating and amazing!

@BecomeABassist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much @Herm Stippich - I'm glad you liked my fancy bits! Haha! And yes - the Geoff Emerick book is fantastic! I feel like he is a slightly unsung hero of the Beatles' story.

I love your explanations of Paul's development and creativity as bass player. Yes, this must be my favorite together with Dear Prudence's suppose. But perhaps you'll surprise me with another Paul on the Bass in the Beatles-video🙂