Geddy Lee’s 7 Greatest Bass Riffs Ever Created

When it comes to handling insane riffs definitely suited for a rock scene, Geddy Lee from the band Rush sure knows how to grip things from perspective. Although known as a lead vocalist, his contributions as a bass performer cannot be ignored as well. His style and technique when performing the bass guitar did inspire a large number of people inside and outside the industry. And with this, we present to you, the seven greatest bass riffs ever created by this legend.

7. “Bastille Day”

This is a song from their 1975 album Caress of Steel, which many fans recall to have hated this album. Nevertheless, it contained a gem amidst the turmoil, showing Lee’s powerful yelp paired with a bass that could pass like Paul McCartney’s.

6. “Malignant Narcissism”

A track that belonged to their Snakes & Arrows album, it didn’t sit on the best spot for Rush’s greatest songs, but it sure did gave the fans an instrumental to remember as Lee shoot his shot with a peculiar vibe for this.

5. “The Spirit of Radio”

As the band progressed its way to prominence, several albums including Permanent Waves gave them the ticket to ride. A track from their album called “The Spirit of Radio” was a hit and we can observe Lee’s growth in both vocals and instrumental. The song was more into Lifeson’s guitar projection, but the bass had a lot of impacts too, especially at the first part.

4. “Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres”

From their 1978 album Hemispheres, this was the remarkable moment of Rush to extend their hands unto the progressive rock scene. With its noteworthy riffs and an even outstanding performance by Peart, Lee did not hesitate on giving the bassline its twist that everyone deserves.

3. “Show Don’t Tell”

Probably an achievement for both fans and Rush, this song from their album Presto paved their way to complexity, embracing the hasty funk emanating from the song itself, infused with the dreamy melody splurged by Lee’s vocals. Oh, and no one could top the jazzy feeling of the bass towards the end.

2. “Fly By Night”

This list wouldn’t be completed without their first track to have earned a spot at the Billboard Hot 100. Originally released from their second album of the same name, this Peart-penned song has all the elements you need for a notable rock song, especially for the bass lines provided by Lee that were catchy and inventive in a sense, aiming to break barriers and pushing through their own innovative ways.

1. “YYZ”

Do we really need to explain more? The Moving Pictures album was a definite example of a rock fused with all the good things you expect from Rush. The territory of some of the greats like “Tom Sawyer”, “Limelight” and many more. “YYZ” deserves the top spot for their on-point backing instrumentals, with highlights from Lee’s bassline strutting along the lines of jazz and funk influences dominating the whole song. It’s everything you never thought you’d needed.