A collection of Geddy Lee’s favourite bass tracks: “Seriously? A pop song with bass solos?”
Prog rock isn’t quite the competitive field that traditional rock and roll is. Naturally, it has its moments when one artist proclaims themselves to prefer their music to another, or a group of fans decide to switch up on an esteemed icon of the genre. But, in general, there is something uniquely sacred about prog rock, something Rush’s bassists and vocalist Geddy Lee can attest to.
Lee’s position as one of the figureheads of the prog rock movement is about as clear a testament to the nature of the genre as you are likely to see. A sincere and gentle man, Lee lacks the searing bravado to front a rock and roll band. He rarely raises his voice, barely even bats away flies, and embodies prog rock’s meditative, introspective, and, ultimately, welcoming demeanour. It means that when asked to pick a selection of his favourite bass songs, he approached the question and delivered his answer with a beautiful sense of poise.
Compiling a list for Amazon Music, the singer brought together 22 of his favourite “bass-centric” songs of all time, including one from Rush, which he held particular affection for. Arguably one of the most renowned bassists of his generation, Lee’s songs are worthy of your consideration.
In the mix are some of the heaviest hitters in rock music, as Lee makes room for The Who, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones in his list while also picking out some cult classics from Primus, Yes and Lou Reed.
It was only natural that Lee would include tracks from Led Zeppelin, having routinely called them his favourite rock band. But he gave special credit to John Paul Jones’ bass with his picks, selecting ‘What Is And What Never Should Be’ and ‘The Lemon Song’ as a doff of the cap to one of the unsung heroes of that particular quartet. Lee appreciated the bassist, particularly during a conversation with Rolling Stone: “The way John Paul Jones changes gear, holds down the heavy bottom, and adds terrific melody throughout the song. He is such a fluid player and all-around musical talent.”
Elsehwere on the list, alongside The Who’s ‘The Real Me’ was their anthemic ‘My Generation’, about which Lee noted in the same interview: “Seriously? A Pop song with bass solos? John ‘The Ox’ Entwistle was arguably the greatest rock bassist of them all, daring to take the role and sound of the bass guitar and push it out of the murky depths while strutting those amazing chops with his own kind of ‘Twang!’”
The list of tracks also includes hits from Radiohead, Jethro Tull, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. But Lee saved a spot for fellow prog rockers Yes, including ‘Heart of Sunrise’ and ‘No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed’, before also giving up a place for Jack Bruce in Cream. Lee admitted to Rolling Stone that the legendary Jack Bruce was a big influence on him: “Having seen Jack Bruce roam wildly up and down the neck of his Gibson EB3 in concert, I can testify that it not only made me want to play bass but play bass in a rock trio.”
It’s easy to get lost in the competitive edge of music-making. The need to succeed is so great for so many players that it is refreshing to see one master sit down and offer a sincere and vast opinion on the greatest songs by other artists in his field.
Geddy Lee’s favourite bass songs:
- ‘2120 South Michigan Avenue’ – The Rolling Stones
- ‘My Generation’ – The Who
- ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ – The Temptations
- ‘Taxman’ – The Beatles
- ‘Crossroads’ – Cream
- ‘What Is And What Never Should Be’ – Led Zeppelin
- ‘The Other Side of This Life’ – Jefferson Airplane
- ‘No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed’ – Yes
- ‘Joe Frazier’ – Bill Bruford
- ‘Teen Town’ – Weather Report
- ‘Jerry Was A Race Car Driver’ – Primus
- ‘Gimme Some Lovin” – The Spencer Davis Group
- ‘Paranoid Android’ – Radiohead
- ‘The Real Me’ – The Who
- ‘Heart of Sunrise’ – Yes
- ‘Bouree’ – Jethro Tull
- ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ – Lou Reed
- ‘Give It Away’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- ‘Come Together’ – The Beatles
- ‘The Lemon Song’ – Led Zeppelin
- ‘Money’ – Pink Floyd
- ‘Headlong Flight’ – Rush
