This week’s classic bassline is a definite standard, the song must have been covered by hundreds of artists. As far as I know, it was originally performed by Little Willie John and became a hit when interpreted by Peggy Lee 1958. It was also played by Elvis Presley (that’s perhaps the most well known version), and The Cramps. Other people that covered it, to name a few, include Madonna and Ella Fitzgerald, and even Beyoncé.

Anyway, here’s the tab for the main riff - mind that the timing is pretty off:

G|------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------5----------------------------------------|
A|--3----6----3----6---------3----6----3----6-----------------|
E|--------------------------------------------6---------------|

Also check this video of the Muppet’s performing fever, with Rita Moreno and Animal on drums of course - screamingly funny!

As I’m currently working hard on improving my skills with the bass, I decided to share some of the classic basslines I’m fooling around with. So, expect to find some short tabs in no particular order here from now and them - I’m not gonna post full tabs for songs here for copyright reasons but you all know how to use god google don’t you? Most of these licks aren’t particularly clever or hard or anything, but they got groove which is what makes a good bassline. Feel free to add your favourites in the comments!

So, here’s the first one, arguably one of those you never forget once you heard it, the main bass riff of Pink Floyd’s song “Money” from the magnum opus “Dark Side of the Moon“, a milestone album for rock as well as electronic music. The song’s basically a blues in Bminor, 7/4, about 120 BPM.

G|----4---------------|
D|------4----------0--|
A|--2-----2----0-2----|
E|-----------2--------|

Pink Floyd – Money

As you can see, not really hard, but groovy as hell. Have fun.