Is This the Greatest Christmas Bass Line EVER?

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#bass #basshistory #transcription #analysis #paulthompson
Digging into one of the most unique holiday songs ever recorded, "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses (1981), how it blends vast musical styles and techniques, and breaking down what might be the best bass line played on a Christmas song. I'll also introduce you to the incredible woman that played it--Tracy Wormworth--and tell you why you should be checking her out!
Many thanks to LG and the S-Mountain Podcast for allowing me to use a portion of her excellent interview with Tracy. Check it out here:
open.spotify.com/show/44t5pJybYcVUvfnDcLJzeZ
Website - www.paulthompson.us
Instagram @pdbass74
Twitter @pdbass74

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Опубликовано:

18 дек 2023

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Комментарии : 184

@AlvesterGarnett 6 месяцев назад

Tracy Wormworth! Yes! I attended her wedding and she attended ours! She's SO groovy and a beautiful person!

@134rwa 6 месяцев назад

When I first saw the title of this video, I said to myself, "it has to be the bass line from Christmas Wrapping"!

@JiNehcmi 6 месяцев назад

@1:16 sleigh bells".. Gotta love the wit.

@drummersagainstitk 6 месяцев назад

I was one of the people that suggested this song. Thank You. Merry Christmas everyone.

@kisha7lynn 5 месяцев назад

The brass band I play (flute) in (Brass Pro and the Waterfront Revivilst) covers this song every year, and my girl Kimbo on the Bari sax has a lot of fun with this bassline!

@Armakk 6 месяцев назад

Fuck yes! The only xmas tune I enjoy year round. Love those bars of 7 in the stanzas 🙂

@nylesfrench3568 5 месяцев назад

Great bassline. Tina is an icon and hanging out with Marcus don't hurt😊. One can hear the influence of Good times. It's perfect, Soulful , Funky, Grooving , and imaginative. Her Resume is Amazing!!!❤❤

@daydayh7671 6 месяцев назад

My FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG Growing up in Harlem, entering Jr High School with a feeling of everything changing. Disco was waning and I saw The Waitresses' video on MTV. When I saw this Black Girl on the Bass. I was like... WHO IS THAT! At 11 years old, she blew my mind! And I knew, I was not just made up of Soul Music❤❤❤. There was so much more. MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄

@ericnolen-weathington7919 6 месяцев назад

Saw her live on that tour with Sting you showed footage from, and she was great. She did a duet with Kenny Kirkland-who she was dating at the time and who introduced her to Sting and led to her getting that gig-that was simply gorgeous.

@javvieh 6 месяцев назад

Tracy Wormworth was AWESOME and everyone should listen to the album "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?"

@Emily_Cate_ 2 месяца назад

I just saw her play with the B52s in Vegas, and I couldn't take my eyes off her! What an incredible musician!

@haroldbrooks4235 6 месяцев назад

Tracey kills it just like she does in I Know What Boys Want

@BuddhaBites 6 месяцев назад

Tracy is phenomenal. I saw her live with the B-52s. Killer player!

@ianlearningcom 6 месяцев назад

Agree!

@Below-Average_Joe 6 месяцев назад

Great! That is such a tricky bass line; Tracy Wormworth created a classic.

@aquamarine99911 6 месяцев назад

Yeah, I've always loved this one, pumping out of my car radio speakers every holiday season as I go shopping. Lots of different attempts at the bass line by youtubers, but none have the same feel. Someone on reddit (IIRC) posted a pdf'ed tab version that Bass Player magazine had done, and I've downloaded that. But the hard part is injecting that swing into it. You can tell Tracey's a pro with a real musical pedigree, as you say here. It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.

@fuzzytimes187 6 месяцев назад

I was just listening to I Know What Guys Like. Tracy was killing that bassline

@eliotmccann2589 6 месяцев назад

Tracy Wormworth is such an underrated bassist! Love her playing.

@bustabass9025 6 месяцев назад

That's the thing about being a musician and a music lover. You learn something new everyday...never heard of her!

@AJMjazz 6 месяцев назад

Yes, Tracy W. is an underrecognized genius of the bass. And she is almost always wearing that beautiful smile while performing, letting us know she is truly loving what she does. It's so infectious, you can't help but smile with her! Serious musician, serious talent, and all smiles. Thanks for bringing her to the front row, Paul. Keep up the great work. All the best to you & your family.

@hermanbril2682 6 месяцев назад

Happy Christmas and a great 2024!!!!!!!!

@tedkay3750 6 месяцев назад

It has that Genius of love flavor!! Quirky and catchy! 2 female bas players created 2 of the oddest Bass / tunes tunes ever recorded.

@ChicaLocaGB 6 месяцев назад

Brilliant, didn't know it was a female bassist on it - classic Christmas song. Merry Christmas!

@robgutkowski7141 6 месяцев назад

Definitely one of the best bass lines in a Christmas pop song, Tracy Wormworth definitely delivers the grooves.

@edennard1 6 месяцев назад

Tracy's groove was off the charts.. I got to see her with Wayne Shorter's group and she had guys eye's wide open ..her note placement was incredible

@raylo1017 6 месяцев назад

Grand Slam Home Run Bass line!!!! This chic is a beast on bass!! Thanks for the mention of this classic Xmas song.

@BARTFUNKBASS 6 месяцев назад

Never heard about her until now. Thanks!

@bradpiovesan8550 6 месяцев назад

I was just thinking to myself the other day I pdbass does a segment on this. Thank you so much and enjoy the Holidays.

@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney 6 месяцев назад

The only Christmas song I genuinely like, and one of VERY few I don't actively hate. Just absolutely brilliant.

@phurniture 6 месяцев назад

This is my favorite Christmas song hands down!

@christophervaca7116 6 месяцев назад

" you know how some people's enthusiasm can be infectious..." perfectly describes this channel. Happy holidays everyone.

@SeanMcMillan-mu3ln 6 месяцев назад

This along with Wham ; Last Christmas are my favorite Christmas songs

@TheKablue 6 месяцев назад

Tracy Wormworth is awesome! I was lucky enough to see her perform with the B52s a few years ago. Love this bass line!

@lucybarney1 6 месяцев назад

First time I heard it I loved the bass line , so imaginative and as a bass player I had to go home and learn it ,,,,so clever

@merrill-el-richmond8649 6 месяцев назад

this is my favorite christmas song. "you forgot cranberries too". Classic!

@JosePerez-vz1qq 6 месяцев назад

Seasons' greetings maestro Thank you for these accessiblely informative and instructive video modules. 🎄🎅🏿🌴🏏📻

@vesean4141 6 месяцев назад

Tracy is one of my favorite bassist of all time,I saw her with Sting and Wayne Shorter with Terri Lynn Carrington on drums and of course with the B-52s,as we like to say back in the day “baby Girl is bad”, and though she didn’t play it on the record,If you saw the Waitresses live, she killed ‘I know what boys like’,just a phenomenal bassist and a sweet person when you meet her.

@butchcarter9227 6 месяцев назад

I was just talking about Tracy yesterday!

@Lysdexia 6 месяцев назад

My favourite Christmas song - the bass is sublime!

@haroldbrooks4235 5 месяцев назад

Fell in love with this when I first heard in the Fred Claus movie with Vince Vaughan had to look it up

@eduardoduarte9706 6 месяцев назад

This bassline is incredible! I sent this recommendation to Ian Allison, from SBL, some weeks ago.

@ffbasspop 6 месяцев назад

Tracy out here hanging out with Marcus, playing with Paula, Lena Horne, and having a hot single that was (what would at that point be considered) Pop-punk, a-la' Blondie or the Go-Go's.....proving once again that "genre" is a concept that only exists for NON music makers. If you're a player, either you're playing, or you're not!

@Mark-er7zd 5 месяцев назад

Tracey, what's your thoughts on this "throwaway" Xmas song you guys did? You do realize it's part of the official Xmas playlist for every retail department store up and down the East Coast, right?

@snakeeyes3733 5 месяцев назад

One of the best Christmas songs ever and one of the best bass lines ever. This just pumps throughout the entire song. What an incredible bass player. And I honestly think it sounds far better than Bernard Edwards bass line. Not taking anything from Bernards tone or abilities though.Tracy bumps it up a couple of notches :D

@ThomBoecker 6 месяцев назад

That was fun, thank you! 🙂

@AntonyStrus 6 месяцев назад

Finally!! I've loved this bassline since I actually understood musc, I've never found anyone else so far paying it the attention that it deserves!

@KindredBrujah 6 месяцев назад

It has gradually, over time, climbed up the ranks to become my favourite Christmas song. The bass is incredible, the false chorus, the dedication to avoiding Christmas cliché. Just all-around great.

@lawrencetaylor4101 6 месяцев назад

Merci

@donnieb.8515 6 месяцев назад

This is a great channel. Bass lessons, history, and shout-outs to legends all in one. Keep up the great work!

@BillyRamirez 5 месяцев назад

Hemiola! Neat, I can now describe that awesome horn line.

@lcheadle 6 месяцев назад

I was one of those people that requested this. Thank you, Paul. So great to get your take on it. Invaluable analysis like you always do, showing the undeniable threads of musical ideas through players. One trivial item to add about Wormsworth: Her brother played drums in the Jimmy Vivino Band on Conan.

@richardarmida8151 6 месяцев назад

Nother great reference, Tracy Wormworth. Thanks Paul and Happy Holidays!

@boba2783 6 месяцев назад

Great stuff thanks - I bow in homage to brilliance

@michaelpowell3980 6 месяцев назад

YES!!! This is a great bassline - I once managed to empty an entire dance floor by requesting this at a club in about 1983.... the DJ killed it after a few bars. Bastards, I bet they all pretend to love it now!

@pmberry 6 месяцев назад

So many early rap/hip-hop tracks, or when bands such as Blondie, Queen and even Pink Floyd were trying to emulate the sound, used Rapper's Delight as their template. So their basslines are essentially Chic's Good Times in feel and groove:

@nightshiftgarage8824 6 месяцев назад

Great story. Getting inspiration from another brilliant bassist of the day. Even the album cover artwork looked like Chic's 1981 "Take It Off" cover. I was unfamiliar with Tracy until you just introduced her to me. Thank you. How could I miss her?! Now that I know her sound...she is everywhere. Happy Holidays. But you know....Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rapping" is still pretty funky too.

@geddyleesdaman 6 месяцев назад

I know what boys like... is the only song I've ever known so far by The Waitresses..... didn't bother to check their other stuff.... UNTIL NOW!!! As a bass player, I'm still checking out so called hidden gems. Heading to the shed now!! Cheers bro... and a Merry Christmas to you and fam!!

@haroldbrooks4235 6 месяцев назад

She kills the Bass in that too

@eazlacfam 6 месяцев назад

pdbass knocks it out of the park again.

@mattfoley6082 6 месяцев назад

i of course noticed this bass line immediately back in 1981 but I had no idea who it was or who she's played with. Wow. I had no idea she's been hiding from me in plain sight.

@markr.denison9768 6 месяцев назад

I'm a total Grinch with most holiday tunes, but this is one of my all-time favorite seasonal charts! And it really is because of that bass line. Thanks for making this video!

@Mr.Taylor56 6 месяцев назад

WOW! Now I know why I love that song so much!

@jeff8ball 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for mentioning this song and killer bass part. I always thought the bass was the best part of this song!🌲❄🥂

@kevgamble 6 месяцев назад

Oh yeah! This one is pure magic. One of the most inspired pop bass parts ever. Wormworth did stellar work with such marvelous feel and command, and is indeed a wonderful bassist all around. Cheers!

@Howeverwhatabout 6 месяцев назад

Top job Paul. You’re looking well, which is great to see too. Have a great Christmas and thanks for continuing to make great videos.

@gongonick 6 месяцев назад

Great video! I went on a Waitresses jag a while back and really dug their second album Bruisiology. The bass playing on that is phenomenal. There's some tricky stuff on that album. Never made the connection that Tracy went on to the B-52s. Fantastic bassist.

@starfox5467 6 месяцев назад

Rest in Peace Mars Williams🙏🏾

@stylesb959 6 месяцев назад

Cool I’m gonna try to learn that bass

@joemartucci4786 6 месяцев назад

As a bassist myself sorry I'm not overly familiar with her but I do know that song & always love the bass playing on it. Love your videos Merry Christmas!!

@jroc2201 6 месяцев назад

It's that Electric Lady Land magic

@atquinn1975 6 месяцев назад

This video itself was a gift! I only knew the Waitresses for I Know What Boys Like. This song has the same feel, but is better. And now that I pay attention, the baseline is great! Thanks for bringing awareness to her

@JohnD-qd1go 6 месяцев назад

Love this song! Stunning bassline!

@peterg5383 6 месяцев назад

I've always loved "Christmas Wrapping" for its playful optimism and avoidance of "holiday song" cliche. I've introduced the song to many people around the world over the years and literally never had a bad reaction - everybody loves it. In spite of my familiarity with the tune, I must sheepishly confess that I never paid such close attention to the bass line! In my defense, you do have to admit that there's so much going on in the song that it's easy to be distracted! Great playing, great player, great video. Happy holidays, Paul! 😊🎄🎸🎶

@MacTeee 6 месяцев назад

I agree 100%...Tracy is moving it underneath. Merry Christmas Paul!!!

@hallamhal 6 месяцев назад

So glad to see this get covered! I love the part right at the fade when she plays Jingle Bells!

@tomasjung4460 6 месяцев назад

Finally!

@BeastIt9 6 месяцев назад

Tracy is dope!!! I loved her contributions to The Waitresses and anything she touches. I remember her SNL "We'll Be Together Tonight" performance with Sting. I was in a rehearsal at the time and there was a TV on in another room. I damn near broke my neck to get to there. Maaaan she was killin' it. Hey Paul, I find it interesting that "Christmas Wrapping/The Waitresses and "Wordy Rappinghood"/ TomTom Club (BTW hats off to another T.W. on bass Tina Weymouth), both songs while totally differnt, IMO shared similar vocal approaches and had come out around the same time...and I ain't mad at either one. Both are cool. #tracywormworth #pdbass #greatbasslines

@kentbyron7608 6 месяцев назад

Thank you for taking the request to explore this, I love this Christmas song. Christmas for me is no longer the same without it and it is a big contrast to the old Classics in my playlist like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. It has such a different mood. I wondered about the bassline and you are covering it. Awesome! many thanks! Your channel is so good it would be beautiful if you could start interviewing these bassists you feature. Much gold would come out of that, with you and your guest just chatting, like Rick Beato does, but equally, you do you! You've got your own special helpful magic mojo. Big gratitude!❤️🌹🙏🏼

@mlhbrx96 6 месяцев назад

This is my favorite Christmas song because of the bass and guitar groove!

@rrdream2400 6 месяцев назад

Certainly one of the best, I would put Donny Hathaway's bass playing on a Fender Rhodes in This Christmas right up there

@Dollrx-gu8st 6 месяцев назад

Is that Rhodes? Sounds like a bass guitar to me, however, sonically that original recording does not do the bass aspect any favors. Regardless I totally agree with you, that track has amazing bass. Check out this- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--n3Wy9Fegjw.html

@NuncNuncNuncNunc 6 месяцев назад

You made my day! Merry Christmas!

@tedhuntington7692 6 месяцев назад

was just appreciating this song again, and finally a busy bass part! Love that bass part

@PeteCarlton 6 месяцев назад

I'd completely forgotten this - thanks for the reminder of a track (and a bass line) that completely overshadoows its rap inspiration (though not, perhaps, "Good Times"!).

@tednruth453 6 месяцев назад

Totally ❤

@revmd621 6 месяцев назад

Wow! This was amazing! Thanks for sharing!!! 🎸🥰❤️

@mikematthews5890 6 месяцев назад

Great bass line man, definitely gotta check out more of her library of songs. Merry Christmas Paul and thanks for your contributions to the Bass Community!!!

@Mark-er7zd 6 месяцев назад

It doesnt hurt that she is beautiful as well. Tracy, where are you??

@robrobinson8597 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for this one! Another one I love this time of year is the double bass line on "Christmastime is Here" by Vince Guaraldi. Fred Marshall on the bass.

@stanleywilliamsbigdreams7867 6 месяцев назад

Merry Christmas Paul. Dude my gift is well wishes to you and yours. What a way to wrap up the year! See what I did there? I loooooove your channel. As a bass player and music lover since to 60’s, you take me on exhilarating adventures in bass. Thank you 1000x

@peter.peter.r 6 месяцев назад

This is an awesome video to start the day with!

@niklasbern937 6 месяцев назад

Thanks for teaching me about this one! My personal favorite xmas bassline is Up on the house top by The Jackson 5,so catchy, driving and rythmic. Happy holidays!

@sarahwelty9223 6 месяцев назад

Great Christmas song this one simply the reason because of the great bass lines!🙂

@daveymeshell6337 6 месяцев назад

Yes, it is the best Christmas bass line. I’m so so happy that you agree. I love you and I love your channel you’re doing great things keep it up.

@chrisclermont456 6 месяцев назад

How did I sleep on her? Thank you, my friend!! ❤

@dfreeman120 6 месяцев назад

That’s an incredible bass line Paul, love the melodic aspect of it. Brilliant!

@mimiDchi 6 месяцев назад

Indeed.

@JustK009 6 месяцев назад

I remember when she and Kenwood Denard played with Sting..Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you and your family Paul

@Henni63 6 месяцев назад

Happy new year to you, too!

@danielpalmersofficial 6 месяцев назад

Merry Christmas Paul!! 🎄😀👍

@Liquid_Alchemy 6 месяцев назад

Thank you for this episode brother. Brings back great memories for this Gen-X kid.

@tom51n 6 месяцев назад

I'd never even heard of this song until No Treble shared this video in an email. I didn't hear it until Saturday night when a local band played it at the Musica in Akron where the Waitresses were from. They even had one of the songwriters playing with them. Definitely an awesome experience.