Basslines & Inversions

Stepwise Descending Basslines

Lament (i–♭VII–♭VI–V)

Stepwise Descent Using Chord Inversions

Line Clichés

Chromatic Descending Lines Using Chord Inversions

Ascending Stepwise Bass

Root-Position Chords

Using Inversions

Other Chord Inversions

Cadential Six-Four

Pedals in the Bass

More Examples

Stepwise Descending Basslines

Includes the "lament bass" and other progressions that include stepwise descending basslines, typically with chord inversion.

Lament (i–♭VII–♭VI–V)

Backing Track in Am

1) Dire Straits, “Sultans of Swing,” verse 1

From Dire Straits (1978), written by Mark Knopfler

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:25)

Dm

You get a shiver in the dark, it's

C B♭ A

raining in the park but meantime

Dm C

South of the river you stop and you

B♭ A

hold everything

2) Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations,” verse

From Similey Smile (1967), written by Mike Love & Brian Wilson

Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:24)

E♭m D♭

I, I love the colorful clothes she wears,

C♭ B♭

And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair

E♭m D♭

I hear the sound of a gentle word

C♭ B♭

On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air

3) The Stone Roses, “Made of Stone,” verse

From The Stone Roses (1989), written by John Squire & Ian Brown

Audio: YouTube (0:17–0:47)

Em D

Your knuckles whiten on the wheel

C

The last thing that your hands will feel

B7

Your final flight can't be delayed

Em D

No land, just sky, it's so serene

C

Your pink fat lips let go a scream

B7

You fry and melt, I love the scene

4) Imagine Dragons, “Warriors,” verse

From Smoke + Mirrors (2015), written by Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman, Josh Mosser & Alex da Kid

Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:30)

Em D

As a child, you would wait

C B7

and watch from far away.

Em D

But you always knew that you'd be the one

C B7

to work while they all play.

Em D

In youth, you'd lay,

C B7

awake at night and scheme

Em D

of all the things that you would change,

C B7

but it was just a dream.

5) Muse, “Citizen Erased,” verse

From Origin of Symmetry (2001), written by Matt Bellamy

Audio: YouTube (0:45–0:30)

Am G F E

Break me in, teach us to cheat

Am G F E

And to lie, and cover up what shouldn't be shared

Am G F E

And the truth's unwinding, scraping away

Am G F E

At my mind Please stop asking me to describe

6) Enrique Iglesias, “Bailamos,” chorus

From Enrique (1999), written by Mark Taylor & Paul Barry

Audio: YouTube (0:45–0:30)

Am G F Am

Bailamos! Let the rhythm take you over, Bailamos

G F Am

Te quiero amor mio, Bailamos

G F Am

Wanna live this night forever, bailamos

G F E

Te quiero amor mio, Te quiero

7) The Turtles, “Happy Together,” verse

From Happy Together (1967), written by Alan Gordon & Garry Bonner

Audio: YouTube (0:06–0:39)

F#m

Imagine me and you, I do

E

I think about you day and night, it’s only right

D

To think about the girl you love, and hold her tight

C#

So happy together

F#m

If I should call you up, invest a dime

E

And you say you belong to me, and ease my mind

D

Imagine how the world would be, so very fine

C#

So happy together

8) Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Surface Pressure,” mm. 15–18

From the film Encanto (2021)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:44–0:54)

9) Yasunori Mitsuda, “Frog's Theme,” mm. 13–16

From the video game Chrono Trigger (1995)

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:55–1:04)

10) Billie Eilish, “Lunch,” chorus

From Hit Me Hard and Soft (2024), written by Billie Eilish & FINNEAS

Instructor Note: See the second phrase, mm. 5–8

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:08–1:24)

11) Carmen Goett , “La Llorona,” verse 1

From Postales (2022). Based on a traditional Latin American folk song

Audio: YouTube (0:56–1:44)
Harmoncic Rhythm:
| F#m | Bm | F#m | C# | (x2)
| F#m | E| E | C# | (x2)

F#m Bm

Ay, de mí llorona, llorona

Ah, woe is me, weeping woman, weeping woman

F#m C#

llorona de azul celeste

weeping woman of celestial blue

F#m Bm

Ay, de mí llorona, llorona

Ah, woe is me, weeping woman, weeping woman

F#m C#

llorona de azul celeste

weeping woman of celestial blue

F#m E

Aunque la vida me cueste llorona

Even if life costs me, weeping woman

D C#

no dejaré de quererte

I will not stop loving you

F#m E

Aunque la vida me cueste llorona

Even if life costs me, weeping woman

D C#

no dejaré de quererte

I will not stop loving you

Stepwise Descent Using Chord Inversions

1) Christina Perri, “A Thousand Years,” mm. 49–64

From The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 (2011), words and music by David Hodges and Christina Perri

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:01–1:22)

2) Willie Nelson, “Always on My Mind,” verse

From Always On My Mind (1982), words and music by Wayne Thompson, Mark James, and Johnny Christopher

Scores :PDF, Image, MuseScore
- - Longer Excerpt, mm. 1–16: PDF, Image
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:23)

3) Billy Joel, “Piano Man,” mm. 15–22

From Piano Man (1973), written by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:30–0:40)

4) Air Supply, “All Out of Love,” mm. 25–34

From Lost In Love (1979), words and music by Graham Russell and Clive Davis

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:59–1:21)

5) Josephine Lang, “Im Frühling,” mm. 21–24

From Sechs Lieder No. 4, Op. 10 (1841), lyrics by Wilhelm Wackernagelt

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:33–0:45)

6) Pink (ft. Nate Ruess), “Just Give Me a Reason,” chorus

From The Truth About Love (2013), words and music by Pink, Jeff Phasker, Nate Ruess

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:49–1:11)

7) A-ha, “Take On Me,” mm. 37–52

From Hunting High and Low (1985), music by Pal Waaktaar and Magne Furuholmne

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:53–1:17)

8) Aerosmith, “I Don't Want to Miss a Thing,” verse

From Armageddon soundtrack (1998), words and music by Diane Warren

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:47–1:12)

9) Adele, “Someone Like You,” verse

From 21 (2011), words and music by Adele Adkins and Dan Wilson

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:14–0:42)

10) Elton John, “Tiny Dancer,” verse 2

From Madman Across the Water (1971), words and music by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:52–1:14)

11) Billy Joel, “She's Got a Way,” verse

From Cold Spring Harbor (1971), written by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:07–0:36)
Note: Advanced example

12) Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman, “Why Don't You Do Right,” verse 1

From the film Stage Door Canteen (1943), written by Kansas Joe McCoy

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:11–0:25)

13) One Republic, “Secrets,” chorus

From Waking Up (2009), written by Ryan Tedder

Audio: YouTube (0:47–1:15)

C

Tell me what you want to hear

Em/B

Something that will light those ears

Am

Sick of all the insincere

F

So I'm gonna give all my secrets away

C Em/B

This time, don't need another perfect lie

Am

Don't care if critics ever jump in line

F

I'm gonna give all my secrets away

14) David Bowie, “Changes,” chorus

From Hunky Dory (1971), words and music by David Bowie (Harmony simplified)

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:54–1:04)

15) Kansas, “Dust in the Wind,” verse

From Little Queen (1977), written by Ann Wilson, RogerFisher, Nancy Wilson, Michael Derosier

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:19–1:24)
Note: Just see mm. 1–9

16) The Beatles, “All You Need is Love,” opening

From Magical Mystery Tour (1967), written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:22)

17) James Taylor, “Your Smiling Face,” verse 1

From JT (1977), written by James Taylor

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:23)

18) The Beatles, “Hey Jude,” bridge

Released 1968, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:52–1:08)

19) The Beatles, “Something,” bridge

From Abbey Road (1969), written by George Harrison

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:13–1:28)

20) Percy Sledge, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” verse

From When A Man Loves A Woman (1966), written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:14–0:28)

21) Procol Harum, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”

Released 1967, written by Keith Reid, Gary Booker, and Matthew Fisher

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:26–1:06)

22) Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things,” verse 1b

From Fireworks & Rollerblades (2024), written by Benson Boone, Jack LaFrantz & Evan Blair

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:46–1:05)

23) Regina Spektor, “New Year,” chorus

From Remember Us to Life (2016), written by Regina Spektor

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:04–1:31)

24) Green Day, “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” verse

From American Idiot (2004), written by Billie Joe Armstrong

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:52–2:27)

Line Clichés

1) Sabrina Carpenter, “Please, Please, Please,” chorus, phrase 1

From Short n’ Sweet (2024), written by Sabrina Carpenter, Jack Antonoff & Amy Allen

Audio: YouTube (1:52–2:11)
Harmonic Rhythm
| A | A/G# | F#m | F#m| D6 A/C#| Bm A| E | E |

A A/G#

Please, please, please

F#m

Don't prove I'm right

D6 A/C# Bm

And please, please, please

A E

Don't bring me to tears

When I just did my makeup so nice

2) Benson Boone, “Intro,” verse 1

From Fireworks & Rollerblades (2024), written by Jason Suwito, Jack LaFrantz & Benson Boone

Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:38)

E E/D#

Do you believe there is a life

D C#m

Where it's just you and me and I?

A

We don't need to wait

E/G#

We don't need a sign

F#m B B7

It's only you and me and I

3) Claude-Michel Schönberg, “I Dreamed a Dream,” A section

From the musical Les Miserables (1978), lyrics by Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:46–1:45)

4) The Beatles, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” verse

From Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:31)
Harmonic Rhythm: | A | A/G | A/F# | A/F |
| A/E | A/G | A/F# | A/F |
| A | A/G | A/F# | A/F |
| A/E | A/G | F#m | F#m|

A A/G A/F# A/F

Picture yourself in a boat on a river

A/E A/G A/F# A/F

with tangerine trees and marmalade skies

A A/G A/F# A/F

Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,

A/E A/G F#m

a girl with kaleidoscope eyes

5) Portishead, “Glory Box,” chorus

From Dummy (1994), written by Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons, Adrian Utley & Isaac Hayes

Audio: YouTube (0:39–1:11)

D#m D#m/C# B#m7♭5 Bmaj7
Just . . . give me a reason to love you,

D#m D#m/C# B#m7♭5 Bmaj7 D#m D#m/C# B#m7♭5 Bmaj7
Give me a reason to be . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a woman,
D#m D#m/C# B#m7♭5 Bmaj7
I just wanna be a woman

6) Paul McCartney, “New,” verse 1

From New (2013), written by Paul McCartney

Audio: YouTube (0:03–0:28)

C C7/B♭ Am7 A♭+ C/G
Don't look at me, it's way too soon to see

G
What's gonna be, don't look at me

G#dim Am Dm C
All my life, I never knew what I could be

G Am7
What I could do, then we were new

C/G F C/G G
Ohhhh. . . . . . . . . . . .

Chromatic Descending Lines Using Chord Inversions

1) Billy Joel, “And So It Goes,” chorus

From Storm Front (1989), words and music by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:14–2:36)

2) Florence B. Price, “Ticklin' Toes,” mm. 1–8

From Three Little Negro Dances (1933)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:07)

3) Styx, “Come Sail Away,” verse 1

From The Grand Illusion (1977), written by Dennis DeYoung

Score: Image
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:10)

4) Elton John, “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” chorus

From Blue Moves (1976), written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:18–1:51)

Ascending Stepwise Bass

Root-Position Chords

1) The Cure, “Boys Don't Cry,” verse and chorus

From Boys Don't Cry (1980), written by Michael Dempsey, Lol Tolhurst, Robert Smith

Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:34)

[Verse]

A Bm
I would say I'm sorry

C#m D
If I thought that it would change your mind

A Bm
But I know that this time

C#m D
I have said too much, been too unkind

[Chorus]

A Bm C#m D C#m Bm
'Cause boys don't cry

A Bm C#m D C#m Bm
Boys don't cry

2) The Beatles, “Here, There, and Everywhere,” verse

From Revolver (1966), written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:09–0:24)

3) Bob Dylan, “Like a Rolling Stone,” verse

From Highway 61 Revisited (1965), written by Bob Dylan

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:10–0:30)

4) Ella Mai, “Easy,” bridge into final chorus

From Ella Mai (2018), written by Stephen Walker et al

Audio: YouTube (3:02–3:34)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| D♭∆7 | E♭6/9 Fm7|
| D♭∆7 | E♭6/9 F7sus Cm7|
| D♭∆7 | E♭|

Bridge:

D♭∆7

Oh, take your time, no need for rushing things

E♭6/9 Fm7

Baby, don't you know that with me, you're safe?

D♭∆7

The easy option is to run away

E♭ F7sus

To hide from love, oh, baby,

Cm7 D♭∆7

what would it change?

I been thinking 'bout some better days

E♭

love's a pressure, all I'm tryna say is...

Chorus:

F Gm F/A B♭

Love is easy, easy (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) . . .

Using Inversions

1) Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel, “Defying Gravity,” verse 2

From the musical Wicked (2003), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Scores: Image, MuseScore (full score with piano)
Audio: YouTube (2:09–2:35)
Exercise suggestion: Compare this verse to the first verse (here). How do the harmonies vary and why?

2) Willie Nelson, “Always on My Mind,” verse

From Always on My Mind (1982), written by Mark James, Johnny Christopher & Wayne Carson

Scores: PDF, Image
Audio: YouTube (0:07–1:00)

3) Ariana Grande, “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart,” verse and chorus

From My Everything (2014), written by Johan Carlsson & Harry Styles

Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:34)

A C#m F#m E/G# A

I don't ever ask you where you've been

A C#m F#m

And I don't feel the need to

E/G# A

Know who you're with

A C#m F#m E/G# A

I can't even think straight but I can tell

A C#m F#m

That you were just with her

E/G# C#m D A C#m D A

And I'll still be your foo-oo-ool, I'm a fool for you-oo-oo

4) Billy Joel, “Uptown Girl,” verse

From An Innocent Man (1983), written by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:38)

5) Koji Kondo, “Map BGM”

From the video game Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:09)

6) Savage Garden, “I Knew I Loved You,” verse

From Truly Madly Completely (2005), written by Daniel Jones & Darren Hayes

Audio: YouTube (0:20–0:43)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| A Bm7 | A/C# D | (x3)
| A Bm7 | D E |

A Bm7 A/C# D

Maybe it's intuition

A Bm7 A/C# D

But some things you just don't question

A Bm7 A/C# D

Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant

A Bm7 D E

And there it goes, I think I've found my best friend

7) Morgan Wallen, “Smile,” verse

From I'm the Problem (2025), written by ERNEST, John Byron, Morgan Wallen, Rocky Block & Charlie Handsome

Audio: YouTube (0:48–1:18)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Am G/B | C Dm | F∆7 | F∆7| (x4)

Am G/B C Dm F∆7

But it was good to see you smile

Am G/B C Dm F∆7

Girl you know it's been a while

Am G/B C Dm F∆7

It was good to see you smile

Am G/B

Even if it was

C Dm F∆7

Just for the picture

8) Ella Mai, “Easy,” verse

From Ella Mai (2018), written by Stephen Walker et al

Audio: YouTube (0:48–1:18)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| F . Gm7 F/A | B♭ | (x4)

F Gm7 F/A B♭

I'll fix the strings and play my part

F Gm7 F/A B♭

I know the pain that's in your heart

F Gm7 F/A B♭

I've tread the distance, near or far

F Gm7 F/A B♭

Just wanna be right where you are

9) The Beatles, “Blackbird,” mm. 3–10

From The Beatles (1968), written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:03–0:24)

10) Sara Bareilles, “Love Song,” verse

From Little Voice (2007), written by Sara Bareilles

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:47)

Other Chord Inversions

Examples that include other chord inversions not part of a stepwise ascending or descending line.

1) Adele, “When We Were Young,” mm. 25–28

From 25 (2015), words and music by Adele Adkins and Tobias Jesso Jr

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:22–1:35)

2) The Contours, “Do You Love Me?,” mm. 8–13

Single (1962), words and music by Berry Gordy Jr

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:14–0:25)

3) Heart, “How Do I Get You Alone?,” mm. 25–29

From Bad Animals (1987), words and music by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:05–1:17)

4) Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud,” mm. 25–32

From X (2014), words and music by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (1:11–1:36)

5) Shania Twain, “You're Still The One,” verse

From Come On Over (1997), words and music by Shania Twain and R. J. Lange

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:31–0:44)

Cadential Six-Four

1) Ben Folds, “Still Fighting It,” mm. 10–15

From Rockin' the Suburbs (2002), words and music by Ben Folds

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:30–0:57)

2) Elvis Presley, “Can't Help Falling In Love,” verse

From Blue Hawaii (1961), written by George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, and Luigi Creatore

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:35)

Pedals in the Bass

1) The Who, “Substitute,” chorus

From Meaty Beaty and Bouncy (1971), written by Pete Townshend

Audio: YouTube (0:42–0:57)

D A/D G/D D
Substitute your lies for fact

A/D G/D D
I can see right through your plastic mac

A/D G/D D
I look all white, but my dad was black

A/D G/D D
My fine-looking suit is really made out of sack

2) Neil Diamond (ft. Barbra Streisand), “You Don't Bring Me Flowers,” verse

From I'm Glad You're Here with Me Tonight (1977), written by Neil Diamond, Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman

Audio: YouTube (0:09–0:33)

C G/C F/C
You don't bring me flowers

C
You don't sing me love songs

F C/E
You hardly talk to me anymore

Dm7
When you come thru the door

F G
At the end of the day

I remember when . . .

3) Petula Clark, “Downtown,” verse

From Downtown (1965), written by Tony Hatch

Audio: YouTube (0:08–0:24)

E A/E B/E
When you're alone and life is making you lonely

E A B
You can always go downtown.

E A/E B/E
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry

E A B
Seems to help, I know, downtown.

3) So, “Downtown,” verse

From Downtown (1965), written by Tony Hatch

Audio: YouTube (0:12–0:29)

C F/C G/C C
You ask me if I love you and I choke on my reply

Em Am D G
I'd rather hurt you honestly than mislead you with a lie

4) Dan Hill, “Sometimes When We Touch,” verse

From Longer Fuse (1977), written by Dan Hill

Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:30)

C F/C G/C C
You ask me if I love you and I choke on my reply

Em Am D G
I'd rather hurt you honestly than mislead you with a lie

5) Cyndi Lauper, “Time After Time,” verse

From She’s So Unusual (1983), written by Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman

Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:30)

Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you.

Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C Dm/C C

Caught up in circ les, confusion is nothing new.

6) The Righteous Brothers, “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’,” verse

From You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' (1965), written by Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann & Phil Spector

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:33)

7) Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” chorus

From Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going (2024), written by Shaboozey, Jerrel Jones, Capo (Trackboyz), Mark Williams, Nevin, Sean Cook & J-Kwon

Audio: YouTube (0:48–1:12)
Harmonic Progression:
| F#m | A | D/A | A E/G#| (x4)

F#m A
Someone pour me up a double shot of whiskey

D/A A
They know me and Jack Daniels' got a
E/G#
history

F#m A
Therе's a party downtown, near 5th Street

D/A A E/G#
Everybody at the bar gеttin' tipsy

F#- A D/A A E/G#
Everybody at the bar gettin' tipsy

F#- A D /A A E/G#
Everybody at the bar gettin' tipsy

8) Queen, “Under Pressure,” verse

From Greatest Hits (1981), written by David Bowie, John Deacon, Brian May, Roger Taylor & Freddie Mercury

Audio: YouTube (0:34–0:52)
Harmonic Progression:
| D | A/D | G/D| A/D|
| D | A/C# | G/B | A |

D

Pressure

A/D

Pushing down on me

G/D

Pressing down on you

A/D

No man ask for

D

Under pressure

A/C#

That burns a building down

G/B

Splits a family in two

A

Puts people on streets

8) Queen, “Under Pressure,” chorus

From Greatest Hits (1981), written by David Bowie, John Deacon, Brian May, Roger Taylor & Freddie Mercury

Audio: YouTube (0:59–1:19)
Harmonic Progression:
| G | A7/G | G | A7/G|
| G | A7/G | D/F# | G A7 | D |

G

It's the terror of knowing

A7/G

What this world is about

G

Watching some good friends

A7/G

Screaming let me out!

G A7/G

Pray tomorrow gets me higher

D/F#

Pressure on people

G A7 D

People on streets

9) ABBA, “Dancing Queen,” verse

From Arrival (1976), words and music by Benny Anderson, Stig Anderson, and Björn Ulvaeus

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:45–1:04)

More Examples

Wikipedia, Lament Bass: See the “Musical Works” section for song examples.
Yale Musical Examples Database: See the “Harmonic Progressions” and “Schemata” tab at the bottom.