# Paul Simon's 5 Basslines That Made Him a Superstar

> Paul Simon's bass players created iconic sounds for 5 hits, including a fretless bass on Graceland.
- Title: Paul Simon's 5 Basslines That Made Him a Superstar | Shortify
- Summary: Paul Simon's bass players created iconic sounds for 5 hits, including a fretless bass on Graceland. Paul Simon's bassists, including Bakithi Kumalo, crafted…
- Keywords: paul simon, bassists, graceland, kodachrome, 50 ways to leave your lover, slip slidin away, basslines, fretless bass, Paul, Simon's, Made, Him
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/paul-simon-best-basslines
- Published: 2026-10-10T16:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paul simon, bassists, graceland, kodachrome, 50 ways to leave your lover, slip slidin away, basslines, fretless bass
## Paul Simon's Bass Players
Paul Simon hired skilled bassists to create iconic sounds for his music.
## Bakithi Kumalo's Fretless Bass
Kumalo played fretless bass on Graceland, using it to create a melodic groove.

> Paul said, 'Do you need another bass?' He sent somebody to the music store and got me a Fender.
## David Hood's Muscle Shoals Bass
Hood played a deep bassline on Kodachrome, inspired by the Staple Singers.

> Paul had heard us on I'll Take You There by the Staple Singers.
## Tony Levin's Simple Bassline
Levin's bassline on 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover uses a single note for effect.

> The verses are all about Simon's witty chord changes.
## Anthony Jackson's Pre-Chorus
Jackson's guitar sequence adds levity to Slip Slidin' Away's melancholic theme.

> Listen at 00:39 and imagine getting thrown these simple chord changes on a studio session.
## Graceland's Fretless Bass
Kumalo's fretless bass on Graceland created a unique sound that defined the album.

> The first step is to get the right sound. It shouldn't be bottom-heavy; it needs to have a presence in the midrange, like a trombone.
## Key takeaway

Paul Simon's bassists, including Bakithi Kumalo, crafted 5 legendary basslines that defined his music career.