Any recommendations for songs that are easier to sing while playing the bass? I have to learn to do both at some point. Right now i can do some backup singing but having trouble singing and playing most songs.

Classic rock, rock, etc

ZZ Top has songs that are easier to play bass and sing. Try these:
Tush
Gimme All Yer Lovin
Sharp Dressed Man

Good Lovin' (either the original by the Rascals or the Grateful Dead version). The bass line is simple--a classic I, IV, V structure.

I am boycotting the young rascals song because they did not use a bass player in the song.

Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand funk, Should I Stay or Should I go by the Clash, White Wedding by Billy Idol, To name a few.
Very simple bass lines that don't go counter to the melody so they are easy to sing along to.

Songs I've sung while playing bass,

La Grange - ZZ top
T.V. Dinners - ZZ Top
Takin' Care Of Business - BTO
Born Under A Bad Sign - Pat Travers' version
Time - Pink Floyd
Bridge Of Sighs - Robin Trower
Little Bit Of Sympathy - Robin Trower

Pick a song that you sing well and can sing easily. Then simplify the bass line a little and practice the bass part so you can play it without thinking about it. Then try to put the two together.

The Police had two very different kinds of songs which of course Sting sang and played. Every Breath You Take has a straight eighth bass line. That kind of line shouldn't be hard to sing over. On Walking on the Moon, the bass part has big holes in it and the vocals go in the holes, so you don't have to sing and play at the same time.

How about Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk? The bass just shuffles along.

I'm no singer, although sometimes I help out with the odd verse and BVs.

The ones that work for me is where the rythym of the vocals follow a similar pattern to that of the bass line.

If they are very different my head explodes...

My head doesn't explode in that situation, but only because when smoke starts pouring out of my ears I stop singing. I've learned, you see...

Jeremy nailed it.

What's easy for me may not be easy for you (and vice versa).

What I've been singing lately (old to new):
Can't Buy Me Love - Beatles
Crocodile Rock - Elton John (modified bass line)
The One I Love - REM
Love Shack - B-52's
She - Green Day
The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
Follow Me - Uncle Kracker

A song that is a lot of fun to sing and play, is "Just what I needed" by the Cars. Its a pretty simple song, but I know I used to struggle singing and playing, and this tune helped me build my confidence up.

Cheers !

You could do "I've been everywhere" by Hank Snow.
It's basically talking while playing a three chord country song.

If you can remember all the lyrics, everyone will be so dumbfounded when they hear you do the song that no one will notice if you leave out a bass note or three.

Hahaha! That's "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by REM. (Yes, I used to sing that one.) I think I need to go learn "We Didn't Start the Fire" (Billy Joel) and "One Week" (BNL) and do those 3 back to back.

We have a new 'poster'. Welcome MuerTone Fred.
Tell us something about yourself.

Jar546, you'll have a reallllly hard time to sing - period. Why? because English/French words are everywhere. BTW, you never answered my question back in 2008, remember now? Don't worry, I'm very patient.

P.S. In bold: Oops! Sorry, two french words...

Qu'est-ce que vous racontez?

I can "sing" and play Just kissed my baby by the meters but thats more classic funk than classic rock.

sing is in quotes because if you heard me you would know. needless to say I don't sing in public

Wow, I never answered a question going back to 2008. Still have no clue so I wonder if I ever read the question. How about a little help.

Thanks for the advice folks. I appreciate it.

...in this thread:
http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1900531/1

Hmmm......I don't remember that thread either. Any of those french words?

Now I remember the thread. Not a subject for a bass player forum.

Ok, PM me then...

Hitsville UK by the Clash is pretty easy.


Ca Plane Por Moi by Plastique Bertrand (based on Jet Boy, Jet Girl by Elton Motello (later semi-famously covered by The Damned).