Audition-Friendly Rock Songs for Basses

Last Updated: May 6, 2025

This list includes a curated selection of non-musical theatre rock songs for basses, organized by decade. Songs are drawn from a range of pop repertoire. Additional song lists are available on the non-musical theatre repertoire page.

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1950s/1960s Rock Songs for Basses

“Crackin’ Up” – Bo Diddley

“Sunday Morning” – The Velvet Underground

“The Old Laughing Lady” – Neil Young

“Three Steps to Heaven” – Eddie Cochran

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1970s Rock Songs for Basses

“C’est La Vie” – Emerson Lake & Palmer

“I Believe in Father Christmas” – Emerson Lake & Palmer

“Tom Traubert’s Blues” – Tom Waits

“Your Song” – Elton John

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1980s Rock Songs for Basses

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division

“Mercy Seat” – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

“Nikita” – Elton John

“The Carny” – Nick Cave

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1990s Rock Songs for Basses

“A Long December” – Counting Crows

“Butt Town” – Iggy Pop

“Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” – Crash Test Dummies

“The Ship Song” – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

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Contemporary Rock Songs for Basses

“Ever the Same” – Rob Thomas

“Future Days” – Pearl Jam

“Let the Bells Ring” – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

“The Fable of the Brown Ape” – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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