A new study has revealed the best basslines of all time, and it’s a resounding victory for Queen, who dominate the rankings with four tracks in the top 10. Their enduring hit ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ took the number one spot, while ‘Under Pressure’ — John Deacon’s iconic collaboration with David Bowie — landed at number three.
Two more Queen classics, ‘Radio Gaga’ and ‘Killer Queen’, also made the top 10, confirming Deacon’s influence as one of the most distinctive bass players in rock history. Elsewhere on the list, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’, Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’, and Chic’s ‘Good Times’ were among the standout entries chosen by 2,000 music fans surveyed for the poll.
The study also declared John Deacon the greatest bass player of all time, placing him ahead of Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones, Roger Waters, and Flea, who rounded out the top five. According to the research, nearly half of respondents (47%) believe bassists are the “coolest” members of a band, while 63% feel the instrument remains underrated in mainstream music — despite being central to some of the biggest hits ever recorded.
Below is the full ranking of the Top 20 Bass Lines of All Time, as voted:
THE TOP 20 BASS LINES OF ALL TIME:
Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Under Pressure – Queen
The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
Radio Gaga – Queen
Come Together – The Beatles
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Killer Queen – Queen
Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) – Pink Floyd
Walking on the Moon – The Police
I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
Money – Pink Floyd
With or Without You – U2
Good Times – Chic
My Generation – The Who
Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
Walk on the Wild Side – Lou Reed
Give It Away – Red Hot Chili Peppers
