Five on Friday: Sharon Labor (Thee Oblidiots, Labor Party, MonkeyCat + more)

By Sharon Labor

Some kids gravitated toward the singer or the guitar hero. Me? I was always listening to the bass. Even before I understood what made a great bass line, I knew when one grabbed me. It was the heartbeat, the groove, the part that made me move and made every song feel alive. My earliest memories of being locked into a bassline were probably the theme from Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse. A jazzy, punchy line, addictively simple and ridiculously cool. My mom’s love of funk played a huge role in that early obsession too. Those deep, infectious grooves were constantly in the background, and before I knew it, the bass had become the instrument I listened for first. That fascination never left. Decades later, after countless hours playing bass and a lifetime spent making music, I’m still chasing those lines that make me stop and think, ‘how did they come up with that?’

Narrowing this list down to just five songs was nearly impossible. These are simply the tippiest-top of the iceberg, five bass lines that helped shape my love for the instrument from an endless soundtrack that stretches from Americana and jazz to punk, soul, power pop, funk, rock ‘n’ roll, and just about everything in between. So, in no particular order, here are five songs that continue to inspire me every time I pick up a bass.

‘Reflections of My Life’ by The Marmalade

Graham Knight’s bass playing on this song is nothing short of brilliant. His line is so melodic that it almost feels like a song of its own, maneuvering dexterously around the vocals and guitars while somehow never competing with the main melody. It moves in unexpected directions, yet every note feels exactly where it belongs. That’s a rare gift. Every time I hear it, I want to grab my bass and play along. I could easily have this song on repeat for hours.

‘Rain’ by The Beatles

Picking a favorite Paul McCartney bass line is straight-up sacrilege. Ask me tomorrow, and I might say “Something,” “Dear Prudence,” “Hey Bulldog,” or a dozen others. But today, it’s “Rain,” and McCartney’s bass doesn’t just support the song; it dances with it, melodic, inventive, and completely fearless in perfect Macca style. I’m mesmerized by that bass line every time I hear it. It’s a perfect example of Paul treating the bass as a lead instrument without ever losing sight of the song.

‘Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)’ by Paul Young

If there were ever a bass performance that proved less can be more, it’s Pino Palladino’s work on this track. His fretless bass is lyrical, expressive, and full of personality, almost like a second voice carrying on a conversation with Paul Young’s vocal. Every note is deliberate, every slide perfectly placed, creating a deeply nuanced line that’s unmistakably Pino. While this track is the standout for me on the bass, the truth is that every bass line on No Parlez is exceptional. Also, the backing vocals (The Fabulous Wealthy Tarts) are AMAZING! If you’ve somehow missed this ‘80s treasure, do yourself a favor and give it a spin.

‘Christmas Wrapping’ by The Waitresses

Forget that it’s a holiday song; this bass line is an absolute showpiece. Tracy Wormworth’s playing is smooth and languid with effortless precision, weaving through the song with a confidence that feels both subtle and essential. She doesn’t just hold down the low end; she gives the song its swagger. I can listen to it any time of year. Exceptional bass playing!

‘Theme from Barney Miller’ by Jack Elliott and Allyn Ferguson

If I had to trace my love of the bass guitar back to one song, this would probably be it. As a kid, that unmistakable groove stopped me in my tracks every time it came on just to groove along. I didn’t know who was playing it or why it sounded so cool. I just knew that’s what I wanted to do. Looking back, it’s probably the first bass line that truly made me want to pick up the instrument.