but how about walk on the wild side,
seven nation army, like you say you can't go wrong with anything by hooky in my book just make sure you never play it higher than your waist!

but good luck with the bass playing! And particularly good luck with regards trying to master 'Good Times'! Bernard Edwards was one of the most astonishing musicians I've ever heard... and to think that there were two more in the same group! Disco sucks? It doesn't if the band's name is Chic...

The Pimp.

...Groove is in the Heart. It'll put a smile on your chops.

Spiral Scratch

Ba dum ba dum

For advanced users only:

Down In the Tube station at Midnight
anyone up for rendering that in text, it's beyond me

Warhead by The UK Subs. http://open.spotify.com/track/3T8bGOUez3aj3H48n5kI7f

spotify:track:16e1DJIznzArBOCSomdvSn

...

Or at least, the bass solo in the middle.
At the next level, School days-Stanley Clarke, just the intro mind you, and give the rest a listen to see what's possible with a bass.

How about 'Live With Me' by The Rolling Stones.

Sorry to hear about your job.
As for bass, it depend what standard you are. For beginning, your choices of Peaches is ideal. Voted the bass line of all time by Bass Guitar magazine. And it just happens to be by my bass hero, JJ Burnel. Try the Stranglers Nice 'n' Sleazy , which is also an easy start.

To practice precise playing try "Touch Too Much" by ACDC, simple but you need to nail it exactly to sound right. Or "Tie Your Mother Down" by Queen

Another one difficult to nail exactly, but sounds great, is "Roundabout" by Yes. Simple notes, difficult rhythm to keep going.

If you want probably the ultimate melodic bass line, perfectly fitting the song, try "The Mayor Of Simpleton" by XTC. Played by Colin Moulding, a fantastic bass player, but the bassline was actually painstakingly composed by Andy Partridge.

And to convince yourself that you'll never be good enough on bass, try "YYZ" by Rush.
Geddy Lee - weedy voice but amazing bass player.

://

just got his best of compilation and I had forgotten about the rather lovely bass guitar bits on 'I love the sound of breaking glass"

Heard it through the grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
Bombtrack - Rage against the Machine
Killing in the Name - Rage against the Machine
Daytripper - The Beatles

by the Hey Jude Hitmakers

...though I suppose it should be played on a stand up bass.

My favourite at the moment is "Johnny Got A Boom Boom" by Imelda May.

It's on Spotify.

Try "Taxman" by The Beatles
Then try to compose your own song with the same bassline.

Sorry, i forgot Paul Weller's done that one already.

sorry to hear about the job. Once you have perfected your bass playing you'll have to post it on you tube, like many others do

Were you thinking this:

or this:

?

I love his work with Free. Lots of upfront bass there. How about Ride On Pony? There is of course the great bass solo on Mr Big.

...the bass player does this fantastic series of swoops up and runs back down the neck in the chorus.

Not one you'd immediately think of, but the bass in Knowing Me Knowing You is great as well. In the pocket then all over the place at times

...were:
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Man On The Moon - R.E.M.

A lot of their other songs as well. Entwistle was very good

... I get a big kick out of this guy:

I think he's pretty good. This next guy was a pro, I do believe. He was quite good too

and finally this - apparently there are lots of 16ths in this...don't know if that's a good thing, but it sounds like a groove!

Good luck in the job search - I lost mine just before Christmas, but started a new 'un about a month ago. Keep the chin up!

Was the one used by my bass teacher as a warm up...

Obvious ones that pick the tune...

Guns of Brixton
White Man in Hammersmith Palais
Town Called Malice
I Am The Resurrection (excluding the twiddly bit and the freak out at the end.)
You're The One That I Want
With or Without You (a doddle but impressive)
Peaches

Thanks all - for your suggestions and your kind words.

And I have to admit Cadabra - the first thing I thought of when 'Hey Mr Bassman' popped into my head was the Muppet Show.

Right then, here goes.....

Bum bum bum...badum badum dum *repeats awkwardly to fade...*

(The fun proper starts at about a minute into the clip)

When I first got a bass, I found The Stone Roses were one of the best for instantly recognisable bass-lines to learn. Try Fools Gold, She Bangs The Drums, I Wanna Be Adored and I Am The Ressurection for starters.