This article previously appeared at Strong Mind, Brave Heart
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana (Dave Grohl)
It’s often forgotten that Dave Grohl wasn’t Nirvana’s original drummer, but he really announced himself with the thundering intro to their 1991 breakthrough hit Smells Like Teen Spirit. Thirty years after the song was released, Grohl blew the mind of Pharrell Williams by admitting he lifted the drum intro from 1980’s Burn Rubber on Me by disco funk act The Gap Band.
My Generation – The Who (Keith Moon)
Long acknowledged as the key inspiration behind Animal of The Muppets, The Who’s Keith Moon helped usher in the era of wild rock’n’roll drumming. While his eccentricity often overshadowed his musicianship, Moon’s proficiency behind the drum kit was undeniable, and he was notable for popularizing double bass drumming. His extravagant, energetic fills helped make The Who’s My Generation an all-time rock classic.
Wipe Out – The Surfaris (Ron Wilson)
The Surfaris might not have enjoyed the same long-standing popularity as other Californian surf bands like The Beach Boys, but their massive 1963 hit Wipe Out became one of the defining surf rock songs – thanks in no small part to the widely-imitated drum work of Ron Wilson. Sadly, The Surfaris split by 1965, and Wilson passed away in 1989 aged just 44.
In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins
By the early 80s, Phil Collins was well-known as a singer-songwriter, but he never moved away from the instrument on which he made his name: the drums. His 1981 hit In the Air Tonight (famously utilized on an episode of TV’s Miami Vice) starts out without percussion, but when the drums kick in midway, it’s an iconic moment in rock history.
Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin (John Bonham)
Another of rock’s most influential wild man drummers is John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. Though most noted for his tremendous power (and, like Keith Moon, his use of double bass drums), Bonham drew heavily on jazz and blues influences to create often deceptively intricate drum beats, such as on the British hard rock supergroup’s unforgettable 1970 track Whole Lotta Love.
Hot for Teacher – Van Halen (Alex Van Halen)
80s rockers Van Halen might be synonymous with the virtuoso guitar playing of Eddie Van Halen, but the contributions of Alex Van Halen on drums shouldn’t be overlooked. Famously, a young Eddie had originally intended to pursue drums until he realized his big brother was much better at them, and Alex really shows off his chops in the boogie-woogie intro of 1984’s Hot for Teacher.
Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles (Ringo Starr)
For decades, Ringo Starr’s simplistic approach to the drums saw him widely mocked, but contemporary reappraisals recognize that his work with The Beatles was, in its own understated way, truly excellent and groundbreaking. Starr’s distinctive style is instantly recognizable, and his energetic, insistent beat on 1966’s innovative psychedelic rock track Tomorrow Never Knows is among the most memorable, infectious drum beats ever recorded.
Tom Sawyer – Rush (Neil Peart)
Hailed by many as perhaps the most technically brilliant rock drummer of them all, Neil Peart’s drumming (as well as his notoriously verbose lyrics) helped make Canadian power trio Rush one of the best-loved prog rock bands ever. 1981’s Tom Sawyer is almost certainly Rush’s most popular song, thanks in no small part to Peart’s powerful playing and bombastic solo midway through.
Funky Drummer – James Brown (Clyde Stubblefield)
Clyde Stubblefield might never have become a household name, nor is Funky Drummer the most well-remembered song that funk-soul pioneer James Brown ever recorded. However, the infectious groove in the 1970 track proved massively influential when hip-hop broke through in the 80s. It’s one of the most heavily sampled beats ever, popping up in the recordings of Run-DMC, Public Enemy, NWA, Eric B and more.
Basket Case – Green Day (Tré Cool)
What punk rock may lack in technical sophistication, it more than makes up for in volume and energy. Green Day deliver this in spades on their renowned 1994 breakthrough song Basket Case, and a lot of that is down to Tré Cool’s wild, fast, thrashing style. Cool hits the drums hard, but his fills are more skillful and intricate than he’s sometimes given credit for.
Brianstorm – Arctic Monkeys (Matt Helders)
It’s usually Alex Turner’s lyrics that steal the limelight in Arctic Monkeys songs, but Matt Helders’ drumming cannot go unnoticed, especially in the early days. Helders mixes speed and physicality together to create the musical equivalent of an out-of-control treadmill. Brianstorm is the pick of the bunch from the first two Monkeys albums, but in truth, we could have picked a handful of others.
Song 2 – Blur (Dave Rowntree)
Blur’s Song 2 is known primarily for its woo-hoos and catchy guitar riff, but we shouldn’t forget about Dave Rowntree’s drumming, which is equally spectacular. The song was released in 1997 when Blur were at their absolute peak, as a group, and as individuals. Rowntree’s consistency was the glue that held it all together, however far Albarn and Coxon wanted to stray as musicians.
Green Onions – Booker T. & The M.G.’s (Al Jackson)
Dubbed ‘The Human Timekeeper’ for his metronomic ability to keep time, Al Jackson was a well-sought-after drummer in the Memphis music scene of the 50s and 60s. It was while working for Stax Records that he met the rest of the members of Booker T. & The M.G.’s, who went on to record a wealth of great tunes, including Green Onions, the song which Jackson produced one of his most stellar performances for the group.
The Chain – Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood)
It’s well documented that Fleetwood Mac were in a state of disarray during the recording of Rumours, with relationships having collapsed to an all-time low. Despite having his own domestic issues, Mick Fleetwood was the calming influence over the group, keeping the other four members in check to record what they believed would be their last album together. Fleetwood’s abilities are there for all to hear on the record’s standout track, The Chain.
Town Called Malice – The Jam (Rick Buckler)
Rick Buckler was the driving force behind The Jam’s ferocious and energetic sound, performing at his best on the group’s most famous hit, Town Called Malice. Buckler’s drum grooves helped bring The Jam into the present during their time as a group, differentiating them from the Mod bands that they were so heavily inspired by.
We Will Rock You – Queen (Brian May/Roger Taylor)
This drum track, aka hand claps and stomps, is less about technical ability and more about the fact that everyone can join in with the band. We Will Rock You was an idea conceived by Brian May, and has gone on to become one of the most recognizable songs of all time. It’s also very rare that for once, the spotlight wasn’t on Freddie Mercury in a Queen song.
Roxanne – The Police (Stewart Copeland)
Stewart Copeland’s ability on the drums is perfectly showcased in The Police’s 1978 hit, Roxanne. Keeping perfect time on a technically difficult drum pattern while singing backing vocals is no simple task, but it is one that Copeland took on, and came through, perfectly.
Money – Pink Floyd (Nick Mason)
Pink Floyd were a band that constantly pushed themselves, with simple parts seemingly not interesting enough for them. Money goes from a complicated 7/4 time signature before ending up back in the traditional 4/4 timing later in the song. Nick Mason, an underrated musician copes with this perfectly, putting the icing on the cake of one of the standout tracks from Dark Side of The Moon.
Instant Karma! – John Lennon (Alan White)
At just 20 years old, Alan White (not to be confused with the Oasis drummer) joined John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Plastic Ono Band and lent his drumming talent to some iconic songs, such as Imagine and Instant Karma!. White created the dampened drum sound on Instant Karma! by taping a dish towel to his toms.
Blue Monday – New Order (Stephen Morris)
New Order’s Blue Monday is instantly recognizable as soon as you hear Stephen Morris’ drum fills at the beginning of the song. Morris’ job in New Order was made tougher as the band pushed further on with their experimentation with synthetic drums, an adjustment that, at the time, was not common for a traditional drummer to make.
Reel Around The Fountain – The Smiths (Mike Joyce)
When you have Morrissey and Johnny Marr in your band, it’s likely that, as a drummer, you’ll probably end up being underappreciated, which was exactly the case with Mike Joyce. However, it’s likely The Smiths wouldn’t have been anywhere near as cohesive without Joyce’s talents, which are clear to see in the opening song of the band’s debut record, Reel Around The Fountain.
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads (Chris Frantz)
Chris Frantz and his wife Tina Weymouth were the heart and soul of Talking Heads, allowing David Byrne to be at his performative best during live shows. In terms of recordings, you could pick out a handful of songs where Frantz shines from each Talking Heads album, but for the sake of narrowing it down to one, This Must Be The Place is one of his best.
Zero – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Brian Chase)
Brian Chase does an excellent job of blending his drums in with the heavily synthesized backing track of Zero by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. However hectic the sound gets, Chase manages to keep everything in order, driving the song forward while making it incredibly danceable.
Superstition – Stevie Wonder (Stevie Wonder)
Superstition came along during a highly prolific time for Stevie Wonder. Writing, producing, and recording the majority of instruments on a string of 1970s albums, Wonder produced an array of immaculate drum tracks, which sound almost effortless to the ear. Superstition, in particular, is full of groove and danceability, making its popularity wholly unsurprising.
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover – Paul Simon (Steve Gadd)
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover was Paul Simon’s first and only number-one single as a solo artist, but over time the song has become remembered mostly for Steve Gadd’s timeless drum intro. The intro came as an accident, with Gadd messing around during takes. He stumbled across a part that was quickly rushed into the song in an almost career-defining instant.
Khruangbin – Pelota (Donald Johnson Jr.)
Khruanghbin’s foundations are built on the rhythmic abilities of drummer Donald Johnson Jr. and bassist Laura Lee. It is their work that allows guitarist Mark Speer to weave his magic freely into the recordings. One of Johnson Jr.’s best performances comes on Pelota, a groovy, catchy track on their third album, Mordechai.
Space Invader – The National (Brian Devendorf)
Despite his contributions having been tamed in the years since The National fully announced themselves with their third album Alligator in 2005, Brian Devendorf’s performance on 2023’s Space Invader shows that he’s still got it. An almost animalistic outro to the seven-minute-long song, complete with crashing cymbals is Devendorf’s most exciting work since 2010’s High Violet.
Lust For Life – Iggy Pop (Hunt Sales)
Lust For Life has everything you’d want from an Iggy Pop track. It’s energetic, at times frenetic, and backed superbly by a groove-filled drum track. Hunt Sales was the man trusted to produce the goods, and he did, allowing Iggy the freedom to be himself on what became his most famous track.
Five Years – David Bowie (Mick Woodmansey)
The best drum track to be heard on a David Bowie tune was Mick Woodmansey’s effort of the opening song of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars, Five Years. The song starts quiet, before progressively building itself up to a huge climax. Critics praised the song for its songwriting, and for Woodmansey’s drumming, which proved to be a perfect compliment to the track.
Waterfall – The Stone Roses (Reni)
Reni of The Stone Roses has often been regarded as the most talented member of the group and was even part of a poaching attempt by Paul Weller, who wanted Reni to drum for his band in the late 80s. His talent is oh so evident in Waterfall, a song that soundtracked the British youth of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Young Folks – Peter, Björn, and John (John Eriksson)
Although it’s known mostly for its whistled melody, Young Folks by Peter, Björn, and John starts with a lovely little drum intro, which it carries forward into the song. The drumming is also complimented by grooved-up percussion, which adds an extra layer to the band’s one-and-only hit.
Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones (Charlie Watts)
Charlie Watts was the sensible backbeat to the wildness of The Rolling Stones from their arrival in the early 1960s until his death in 2021. His ability was plain to see on Paint It Black, one of the Stones’ biggest hits. There are multiple Charlie Watts drum tracks that could have been chosen, from the band’s original rock ‘n’ roll era to their psychedelic phase.
Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley (D.J. Fontana)
Elvis Presley collaborated with a few drummers during his heyday, with the best beats usually found in his hip-shaking 50s era. It’s D.J. Fontana’s drumming that stands out though, most notably in Jailhouse Rock, a rocker of a tune that serves as a go-to if you want to show Elvis at his absolute best.
Baba O’Riley – The Who (Keith Moon)
Keith Moon was a generational drumming talent, which is clear to see in Baba O’Riley, one of The Who’s most impressive songs. Moon handles the tempo changes in the song with superb precision and effortlessness, making for not only a memorable song, but a memorable drum track.
You Really Got Me – The Kinks (Bobby Graham)
Bobby Graham’s drumming on The Kinks’ early classic You Really Got Me, helps to bring out the best of the great guitar riff that the song is based around. The drums help the song to maintain its infectious energy, without overpowering the rest of the instruments.
Da Doo Ron Ron – The Crystals (Hal Blaine)
Hal Blaine is a legendary drummer, often brought in by producers who wanted to add a bit of groove to a track by a drummer who knew how to play in the way that was best for the song. It’s no surprise that Phil Spector was a great admirer, bringing him in for Da Doo Ron Ron, the 60s hit by The Crystals.
What’d I Say – Ray Charles (Milt Turner)
Milt Turner knew how to add soul and groove to a song, producing one of his best drum parts on Ray Charles’ 1959 hit, What’d I Say. Turner played a rhumba-style of drums on the track, which helped to provide rhythm to the song while keeping it light enough so as not to overpower what Ray Charles was doing.
Hot Fun In The Summertime – Sly And The Family Stone (Greg Errico)
Hot Fun In The Summertime is Sly And The Family Stone’s 1969 funky-soul classic, spurred on perfectly by Greg Errico’s tight playing. He works alongside the horn section to give the vocal harmonies space to breathe and excel, staying out of the limelight for the majority of the song. It’s only when the backing instruments quieten down that you get reminded of the excellent drum work going on in the background.
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees (Dennis Bryon)
When Bee Gees were recording Stayin’ Alive, the drummer they had been working with had to leave the sessions early due to the death of his mother. The band tried recording the song with a processed drum track, but it wasn’t working, so they recycled one of Dennis Bryon’s drum lines from Night Fever, sped it up, and inserted it into the song. The drum beat has become so iconic, it is used as part of CPR training in order to actually help people stay alive.
The Tide is High – Blondie (Clem Burke)
Blondie’s cover of The Paragon’s The Tide Is High introduced Rocksteady music to a whole new audience and proved to be one of Blondie’s most memorable hits. It starts with Clem Burke’s drum intro and moves into a percussion-filled drum part, keeping up the energy of the song throughout its entirety.
