All musicians and songwriters can benefit greatly from listening to the bass line of songs, just when listening to music for fun. The bass line is second in importance only to the melody. It defines the chords, the ear tracks it as a contrasting part, and it rhythmically links you to the drums. It will connect you to music better and adding exciting bass lines to your playing adds tremendously to your playing.
In performing if you're going to make a mistake, make a big one. We'll never know if you if you got it unless you go for it.