{"id":25692,"date":"2020-10-16T07:52:07","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T14:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=25692"},"modified":"2023-07-06T18:39:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T01:39:54","slug":"the-20-most-recognizable-drum-beats-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/the-20-most-recognizable-drum-beats-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The 20 Most Famous Drum Beats Of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ta_9kJv4ML0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scroll down for the 20 most iconic, recognizable drum beats of all time. And they&#8217;re some of the best drum songs to learn!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#20-billion-dollar-babies-alice-cooper\">20. \u201cBillion Dollar Babies\u201d \u2013 Alice Cooper<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#19-take-five-dave-brubeck-quartet\">19. \u201cTake Five\u201d \u2013 Dave Brubeck Quartet<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#18-crazy-train-ozzy-osbourne\">18. \u201cCrazy Train\u201d \u2013 Ozzy Osbourne<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#17-tom-sawyer-rush\">17. \u201cTom Sawyer\u201d \u2013 Rush<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#16-the-ballroom-blitz-sweet\">16. \u201cThe Ballroom Blitz\u201d \u2013 Sweet<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#15-were-not-gonna-take-it-twisted-sister\">15. \u201cWe\u2019re Not Gonna Take It\u201d \u2013 Twisted Sister<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#14-sing-sing-sing-benny-goodman\">14. \u201cSing, Sing, Sing\u201d \u2013 Benny Goodman<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#13-hot-for-teacher-van-halen\">13. \u201cHot For Teacher\u201d \u2013 Van Halen<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#12-cissy-strut-the-meters\">12. \u201cCissy Strut\u201d \u2013 The Meters<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#11-funky-drummer-james-brown\">11. \u201cFunky Drummer\u201d \u2013 James Brown<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#10-fool-in-the-rain-led-zeppelin\">10. \u201cFool In The Rain\u201d \u2013 Led Zeppelin<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#9-superstition-stevie-wonder\">9. \u201cSuperstition\u201d \u2013 Stevie Wonder\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#8-walk-this-way-aerosmith\">8. \u201cWalk This Way\u201d \u2013 Aerosmith\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-sunday-bloody-sunday-u-2\">7. \u201cSunday Bloody Sunday\u201d \u2013 U2<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-smells-like-teen-spirit-nirvana\">6. \u201cSmells Like Teen Spirit\u201d \u2013 Nirvana<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-50-ways-to-leave-your-lover-paul-simon\">5. \u201c50 Ways To Leave Your Lover\u201d \u2013 Paul Simon<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-wipe-out-the-surfaris\">4. \u201cWipe Out\u201d \u2013 The Surfaris<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-come-together-the-beatles\">3. \u201cCome Together\u201d \u2013 The Beatles<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-rosanna-toto\">2. \u201cRosanna\u201d \u2013 Toto<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-we-will-rock-you-queen\">1. \u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d \u2013 Queen<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are certain songs that you can recognize instantly. Think of Slash\u2019s guitar riff at the beginning of \u201cSweet Child O\u2019 Mine\u201d, the bass line in Michael Jackson\u2019s \u201cBillie Jean\u201d, or the lyric \u201cIs this the real life?\u201d sung by Freddie Mercury in Queen\u2019s \u201cBohemian Rhapsody\u201d. These are all songs that you and millions of other music fans around the world can recognize within seconds just by listening to a guitar part or lyric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the Swing Era in the 1930s when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/most-important-drummers-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the drum set started becoming an integral part of popular music<\/a>, drummers have been playing and creating drum grooves that are just as recognizable as any of the melodic examples mentioned above. Here, we\u2019re going to showcase the top 20 most recognizable drum beats in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make it on this list &#8211; which was created by surveying the Drumeo community and then narrowed down by several pro drummers &#8211; the beat would need to be so recognizable that if someone walked by a rehearsal studio and heard a drummer playing it, they\u2019d probably know the song without needing to hear any guitar or vocals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s get into the most famous drum beats of all time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-billion-dollar-babies-alice-cooper\">20. \u201cBillion Dollar Babies\u201d \u2013 Alice Cooper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies (from Alice Cooper: Trashes The World)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sMkT-0i6e9I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/dsofLAC8tnmuLNNMq9ipAqOmumjCSdEmLArx5YM_6GDEHVoLEI4-TCqeEWpGmKMFPvc3R84v4sG2HjWvWKQv54P7qB5MzbdXXH2nDwnQ6AA9VN4HrPc1Sw6mmH6QXVWb7zmgw34r\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This groove was played by Neal Smith on the song \u201cBillion Dollar Babies\u201d, which was released on the record of the same name in 1973. In an interview with Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited in 2016, Smith describes how he came up with this iconic intro: \u201cThe original idea for \u2018Billion Dollar Babies\u2019 was a more straight-ahead drum part. Because I\u2019m a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/11-ways-to-make-rudiments-fun\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rudimentary drummer<\/a>, I love flams. I wanted to do a big flam intro. It was my own edition of Charlie Watts on \u2018Get Off Of My Cloud.\u2019 I wanted to do something that was Neal Smith. Bob Ezrin said I could try it, but I had to play it perfectly all the way throughout, and I did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-take-five-dave-brubeck-quartet\">19. \u201cTake Five\u201d \u2013 Dave Brubeck Quartet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dave Brubeck - Take Five\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tT9Eh8wNMkw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/goY4pPOjjXn7MJPkBa1WCBgpdukXSiQKqiwRnRAka3gC2IbWLY3pUdduyJyo9b74U1EGKWANs4Ud1_5xe_5rwlD7nqFuHmaANhVPWUvlib9AfyzGf95JVGCga8Xj9VDyBi6GKfrI\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1959, Dave Brubeck released <em>Time Out<\/em> with his quartet which featured <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/top-25-jazz-drummers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jazz drumming legend<\/a> Joe Morello on drums. <em>Time Out<\/em> was one of the very first jazz records to explore time signatures like 5\/4 and 9\/8. His composition \u201cTake Five\u201d became one of the best-selling jazz singles of all time. The opening 5\/4 pattern that Morello plays features the standard jazz ride cymbal pattern (with one extra quarter note added), a bass drum stroke played on the downbeat of beat one, and some snare drum comping.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-crazy-train-ozzy-osbourne\">18. \u201cCrazy Train\u201d \u2013 Ozzy Osbourne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"OZZY OSBOURNE - &quot;Crazy Train&quot; (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FVovq9TGBw0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/hs5HoajX_yY0Olj99ebeFiYB8GlYQ3tbJn3aVrTJ0iW7boDNemZM7nuj76UZgQLS2OgWH1x6LR7olKw_3ZlqHi-k1B6jDwlIWgU8YFB975-tM4wmRJ2j7UVqBtkAmby41ZV19ULV\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lee Kerslake plays this pattern on Ozzy Osbourne\u2019s heavy metal classic \u201cCrazy Train\u201d which was released on the record <em>Blizzard Of Ozz <\/em>in 1980. This pattern is played in unison with Bob Daisley\u2019s bass part once Randy Rhoads\u2019 guitar riff comes in. That\u2019s the main reason why this pattern is so recognizable &#8211; it accentuates the main riff of the song!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-tom-sawyer-rush\">17. \u201cTom Sawyer\u201d \u2013 Rush<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rush - Tom Sawyer (Live HD)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4lgYw5DOZx8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/ZS2zhjq37RGR96ay49Yqa9nvozEskphQdjffrRvMRS0r20r2-0CtsXIiN1pvBsJW3cCvMgBNIr-mYvCUSFpBjAM5YjugnZ2ux_lcHF8VtreKUCxWcg84Qy0r93zCX4iic_nn2-Bl\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The opening groove to the progressive rock anthem \u201cTom Sawyer\u201d by Rush is one that few drummers master. \u201cTom Sawyer\u201d is the opening track on Rush\u2019s <em>Moving Pictures <\/em>which was released in 1981. When I listen to this groove, two words that come to mind are precision and clarity. This groove is quick and will require a certain level of hand technique in order to play.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/the-top-100-drummers-of-all-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Neil Peart forever<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-the-ballroom-blitz-sweet\">16. \u201cThe Ballroom Blitz\u201d \u2013 Sweet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sweet - The Ballroom Blitz - Top Of The Pops 20.09.1973 (OFFICIAL)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/z_jdiU47bFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/zG9tn3HxPQbAB1Tz5FmVJzBLg0bNP2VRuqEjeR2U23hzFDzOpyn8iAIwfK8KZv2hwXjBSdv0DKRFofGNzWPCNsWeEx72cqEM9AmiuV9uxY5Qrp2E_qL7sMloz20TBf_mQtzd9iSZ\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Ballroom Blitz\u201d is a glam rock classic from Sweet\u2019s 1974 release <em>Desolation Boulevard<\/em>. Mick Tucker\u2019s opening 16th note snare groove is full of energy and sets the tone for the rest of the track. Be sure to play it with a slight swing feel to match the way Mick played it on the record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-were-not-gonna-take-it-twisted-sister\">15. \u201cWe\u2019re Not Gonna Take It\u201d \u2013 Twisted Sister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Twisted Sister - We&#039;re Not Gonna Take It (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4xmckWVPRaI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/5WdS1l8NkpVwign6xNHi6zhEOGuCsudjq2vnSOhbZ0OTEW1lFln4ADSPvm8kun5jaBzGbXeoXZSyVacbtwntErpmzDGJCnHSr026JRHAZDXb7_HM1AzVbM1fBEQ-WQelIbKE_r9p\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Cowbell and double bass. What else could you ask for in a drum intro? A.J. Pero\u2019s intro to Twisted Sister\u2019s 1984 hit \u201cWe\u2019re Not Gonna Take It\u201d is undoubtedly iconic. You can practice this groove with double bass pedals or with a single one if you really want to work on your single pedal doubles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-sing-sing-sing-benny-goodman\">14. \u201cSing, Sing, Sing\u201d \u2013 Benny Goodman<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Benny Goodman Orchestra &quot;Sing, Sing, Sing&quot; Gene Krupa - Drums, from &quot;Hollywood Hotel&quot; film (1937)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3mJ4dpNal_k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/ahAxyAGKWuhPS1WANUo7nQtV81Boa5SYbrmTm0gkwkLAko3XnaO3lKvz0Rcmyt-3aponKxbhCFdiZH4nbEsN5DahOK-sKIsNX-oWnRdyPdpl3FQEU5HOStlew5fbyu9E45NK8Q04\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the oldest drum beat on our list! This legendary floor tom groove was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/most-important-drummers-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first played by Gene Krupa in 1937<\/a> with bandleader Benny Goodman. On the recording, you can hear him vary the accent patterns throughout, but the version shown here is what he plays at the very beginning of the original track. Be sure to play this one with a swing feel as well!<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-hot-for-teacher-van-halen\">13. \u201cHot For Teacher\u201d \u2013 Van Halen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Van Halen - Hot For Teacher (live 2015)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PzEWdI7PWfk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/144qElsWgl9dvQUjqkpYW14DUTCEz0T_5blV3OXY5UbbTJssdtpS5CsELiou4mnVF3DR8p9k7KiXDixcYE9PFE2KFQDj2xBpFsfivw0j_c-wPQkEMcgHWuvXzS5KbTOsa83FIyeK\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Who\u2019s the first drummer you think of when you hear \u201cdouble bass shuffle\u201d? It\u2019s probably Alex Van Halen! \u201cHot For Teacher\u201d off of Van Halen\u2019s <em>1984 <\/em>was a game-changer for drummers. It was played at a blazing fast tempo and the drum patterns were extremely challenging to play (if you\u2019ve heard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/hot-for-teacher-drum-lesson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the intro<\/a>, you know what I\u2019m talking about). The main ride groove that Alex plays features a left foot lead double bass shuffle pattern and a triplet-based ride cymbal bell pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-cissy-strut-the-meters\">12. \u201cCissy Strut\u201d \u2013 The Meters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Meters - Cissy Strut\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4_iC0MyIykM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/zJbo3aG5X6ytjjUdLeJgHPaddPZB0CO79OrHpZJ6y-oFOpAnGSUpshXbV9ygTD97kcfU4_Cu7b1UZ4qZdyf4adHgjbG9VW50rO4O3gYrfbOAZ9CSv6rggTBvhuQQmX9_nLQho6ja\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1969, the New Orleans funk group The Meters released their instrumental classic \u201cCissy Strut\u201d on their self-titled debut record. The mastermind behind the drum groove is Joseph \u201cZigaboo\u201d Modeliste, also known as \u201cZiggy\u201d. This funk groove is syncopated with hi-hat accents and bass drum strokes that fill in the gaps left by the snare and hi-hats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-funky-drummer-james-brown\"><strong>11. \u201cFunky Drummer\u201d \u2013 James Brown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"James Brown - Funky Drummer (Full Version, 1970) - HQ\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AoQ4AtsFWVM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/L-uuV-aM2mXmWwbPd3ebMySQ7tbN6QPHVWppQ6_HVtPl8nmcIPLgtcAntBJyaoq7ylr4FmMa545Da1VxnzYiUJhvTLcOOx1xvLX4mnOjOfusQ6QxbeED5Aie_thIerFsJ0NayKn_\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGive the drummer some!\u201d This is what James Brown shouts near the end of the timeless funk classic, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/stanley-randolph-drum-lessons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Funky Drummer<\/a>\u201d. Clyde Stubblefield\u2019s drum break in this song, which was released as a single in 1970, is one of the most sampled drum breaks in history. As of 2017, it had appeared in more than 1400 different recordings, particularly in hip-hop and rap songs. This 16th note groove is loaded with ghost notes, hi-hat openings, and syncopated bass drum strokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-fool-in-the-rain-led-zeppelin\">10. \u201cFool In The Rain\u201d \u2013 Led Zeppelin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Led Zeppelin - Fool in the Rain\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RFBHYRpA1LY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/idcnBrH2snalC_4X_KuAAGTu-pvI4Aoz0ImqjOEhWI9r1u84WahkMeJKsEO1Ng7c1mLKdlR0GYkrIH_-aF0P5mS8zmX3uf5mb0vnCcGHu2lKN5kGDNtbdg0Hm4n86WuATZivr6JR\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/22-free-led-zeppelin-drum-transcriptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Bonham\u2019s half-time shuffle<\/a> on \u201cFool In The Rain\u201d is iconic. Think of this groove like the Purdie shuffle but with a hi-hat opening thrown in on the last triplet partial of beat one. \u201cFool In The Rain\u201d was released on Led Zeppelin\u2019s 1979 record <em>In Through The Out Door<\/em> but surprisingly was never performed live by the band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-superstition-stevie-wonder\">9. \u201cSuperstition\u201d \u2013 Stevie Wonder&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Stevie Wonder Superstition\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0CFuCYNx-1g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/KlgUMSxRURlH5gSb_hPfMybE0M4JKQagB-AOtdDXrLgKxzaezod7w9YynzD8TcNf9pE98TUMUeu26nglCoxaE6Y7Ieh81aVsoB1S7VV0qS0mJbInkeL7AUIfNSwZqWlBpkBB-Mt2\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>1972 brought us one of Stevie Wonder\u2019s greatest hits, \u201cSuperstition\u201d from the album <em>Talking Book<\/em>. Believe it or not, it\u2019s actually <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/superstition-drum-groove\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stevie Wonder himself playing drums on this track<\/a>! The unmistakable swung 16th note groove was first played by Jeff Beck while he and Stevie were working together in the studio. This sparked the idea for Stevie to write the song \u201cSuperstition\u201d on which he recorded his own drum track based on the original idea that Jeff had played for him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-walk-this-way-aerosmith\">8. \u201cWalk This Way\u201d \u2013 Aerosmith&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aerosmith - Walk This Way (Live From The Office Depot Center, Sunrise, FL, April 3, 2004)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pL4uESRCnv8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/DchvYSgPJ-KOdshrhdQollhZW-JW0U82v5Fc_havpFch07Keddf_4Up69wsftM1dGeweuVYdnftuqAGmOyfdTgFIx6cNYbXG_WuOwP2iu-uiJdf0v-K6-0nCIfO31beciSLesPJr\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you first heard it on Aerosmith\u2019s 1975 release <em>Toys In The Attic <\/em>or on Run-DMC\u2019s 1986 release <em>Raising Hell<\/em>, you know the sound of Joey Kramer\u2019s groove on \u201cWalk This Way\u201d. All in all, the groove is very simple, but that crisp open hi-hat on beat one is what turned this groove into something that drummers and music fans all around the world can recognize in an instant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-sunday-bloody-sunday-u-2\">7. \u201cSunday Bloody Sunday\u201d \u2013 U2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live From Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, USA \/ 1983 \/ Remaste...\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EM4vblG6BVQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/C4oXGXm06rg-88yIarD5P2Z4sURNs_XOr5-HCmcYfw88tu-zpds3iEyXSHiqWb8LkeU6pB74lihGzetyeYiuH21Sh_q_HKL6b6J0hnKvXEn-dIvankqCiF6beSdl3_uE2YJ6K7-r\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The military-style drum groove played by Larry Mullen Jr. at the beginning of U2\u2019s \u201cSunday Bloody Sunday\u201d is a melody or musical hook unto itself. After being convinced by Andy Newmark of Sly &amp; The Family Stone, this song and others from the 1983 <em>War <\/em>record were the first songs that Mullen recorded with a click track. The drums for \u201cSunday Bloody Sunday\u201d (and some others on the <em>War<\/em> record) were recorded at the base of a staircase in Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-smells-like-teen-spirit-nirvana\">6. \u201cSmells Like Teen Spirit\u201d \u2013 Nirvana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hTWKbfoikeg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/zN_N19SaQRTBCE4wy2Sj5SvGsaWcPFXDwWRc-xm1J3lJG3gFYYbemlq3BW_nuNKm5iTm2Mculcn9IN6AWKZUdFacsiHMWnMc7zit8q8ySPjEq24Z9MaMaXvs3Z7IaNwxN91cFyhN\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/how-to-play-smells-like-teen-spirit-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cSmells Like Teen Spirit\u201d<\/a> is an anthem of the 1990s along with many other tracks from Nirvana\u2019s 1991 international success <em>Nevermind<\/em>. This song kicks off the record and features <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/dave-grohl-drums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dave Grohl<\/a>\u2019s raw power and energy behind the drums. When Kurt Cobain brought in the original demo tape of the song, drummer Dave Grohl and bassist Krist Novoselic weren\u2019t into it. But Cobain made the band play along to the main riff for an hour and a half. It was during that session where Dave Grohl came up with one of the most recognizable drum grooves in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-50-ways-to-leave-your-lover-paul-simon\">5. \u201c50 Ways To Leave Your Lover\u201d \u2013 Paul Simon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Official Audio)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ABXtWqmArUU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/ZutFxFCCpSx5A3wupaAVCa88nB5-nof8OWE_3L7JbmHU4iJAFCpI0e0-ChlkoxfWUnRUj1eY_fFnYBud59XAmS1f7G-X0oH71CpxQ839000mT3UBlynoPpt3d0SWGJF9Iqvkyc2J\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Steve Gadd\u2019s groove on the 1975 song \u201c50 Ways To Leave Your Lover\u201d by Paul Simon is a groove unlike any other. It\u2019s played with the left hand on the hi-hat, it incorporates the hi-hat foot and the toms, and it even pulls in some rudimental ideas. Gadd describes this groove in <em>Up Close<\/em>, his 1994 instructional DVD, as being directly inspired by bebop jazz drumming. He explains how in bebop, the hi-hat foot is free to play on different beats and partials, as opposed to just on beats two and four.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-wipe-out-the-surfaris\">4. \u201cWipe Out\u201d \u2013 The Surfaris<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"1962 - The Surfaris - Wipe Out\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-YusHyd-duQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/x2IrwlJYV8wR5vupzKPg-SVoclVWs8LE04nokCFV-8TEdLf9L85bOnBhLpgjynAscLwRrzPo5lue32SF_ns-ZDPPx0_KNCqCD-_EDWfa6tgghhUQHrJcaYr5I9edawOWJgoEHbZa\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Back in the 1960s, \u201cWipe Out\u201d was the standard for drummers. Every young drummer wanted to learn how to play what 18 year old Ron Wilson played on this surf rock classic by The Surfaris. Remember, rock music was still a relatively new style of music back in 1963 when \u201cWipe Out\u201d was released, so a song like this with such a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/the-worlds-longest-drum-fill-on-ice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> massive drum part<\/a> was a big deal!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-come-together-the-beatles\">3. \u201cCome Together\u201d \u2013 The Beatles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Beatles - Come Together\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/45cYwDMibGo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/w8L3d3nFbKlHWAZ7Y0ZjWBmq8BmOqDpzr9bgKU-6K5fiRj1RyWEqRo9iqvOtCG6ELWLGZuDwvzKSVWbC69JKIOBlhvIuSLrz3ZksGXe4gBQZhpu2l2_W_tHbs791xxhNBZQjBBr9\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/beatles-drum-beat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ringo Starr<\/a>\u2019s opening groove in \u201cCome Together\u201d from The Beatles\u2019 1969 release <em>Abbey Road<\/em> is another groove that all drummers and non-drummers alike can recognize instantly. Ringo orchestrates this groove in a way that follows exactly what\u2019s happening harmonically and melodically amongst the other band members. He plays the ride in unison with the rest of the band on beat one, outlines the guitar riff on beat two using 16th note triplets, and brilliantly descends on the toms through beats three and four anticipating the harmonic change on beat four. This is the perfect depiction of Ringo\u2019s creative and musical genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-rosanna-toto\">2. \u201cRosanna\u201d \u2013 Toto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Toto - Rosanna (Official HD Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qmOLtTGvsbM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/yZ625gmxGUN3NbmlnEu7fWs45yNgFV5UQeYPTJ1X5TsC7h9Cjg_WEtVaQ9SkRBPSJ1F9onHOovLZkAI6-mtjvkfmRapzAU7igOWdlxIUQpIPTqkpgrpWp6dzGTSRlx3GPynk0xeL\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next up is Jeff Porcaro\u2019s half-time shuffle groove from Toto\u2019s \u201cRosanna\u201d which was released on their 1982 record <em>Toto IV<\/em>. In an instructional video where Porcaro teaches this groove, he explains: \u201cI stole that beat from listening to two records. One was <em>Home At Last <\/em>and <em>Babylon Sisters<\/em>, which are Bernard Purdie, Steely Dan records. Another is John Bonham on \u201cFool In The Rain,\u201d it\u2019s a Led Zeppelin tune.\u201d He goes on to mention how he also incorporated the Bo Diddley figure on the bass drum to make it his own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many debates in the drum community surrounding this groove because there are actually three versions of it that Porcaro played. The version here is the one that he played during the intro of \u201cRosanna\u201d. It\u2019s not until verse 2 where Porcaro adds in ghost notes to all of the middle triplet partials. Lastly, in the version that Porcaro teaches in his instructional video, he adds an extra bass drum stroke to beat three of the second bar which is never actually played on the studio recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-we-will-rock-you-queen\">1. \u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d \u2013 Queen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Queen - We Will Rock You (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-tJYN-eG1zk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/h9B3fLckEIBgGkTrjAQm8vDVd5dCsPi9aRXO6U0NuNgtQxakxBLinG_YYUJrQZecycK_e2m5k_PZXrqBOPfhyH1Z1lASYFncHQrnUxxVoPtcaIU-PxR5JZQGYUS1kf39r9-XtbuU\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Stomp-stomp-clap. Stomp-stomp-clap. You know the song: \u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d from Queen\u2019s 1977 release <em>News Of The World<\/em>. Without a doubt, this is the most recognized drum pattern of all time, to drummers and non-drummers alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But wait, there isn&#8217;t even a drummer on this track! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s correct. Brian May intentionally chose to make this song as simple as possible, so that they could involve their audience during live performances. The stomping and clapping were recorded by all four band members &#8211; including drummer Roger Taylor &#8211; and then overdubbed with delay to make it sound like many people were stomping and clapping. When Queen performed this song live, Roger Taylor often played the pattern notated here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That concludes our list of the Top 20 Most Recognizable Drum Beats! Do you agree? Are there other grooves that you think should\u2019ve made the list?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Drumeo members<\/a> get full transcriptions of each of these songs (and hundreds of other songs), but if you aren&#8217;t ready to commit to a full membership, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/40-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">click here to get free note-for-note sheet music and handy playback tools for 40 of drumming&#8217;s biggest songs<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; including some of the ones you&#8217;ve seen here!<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"email-form-include-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These are the most recognizable beats of all time &#8211; which means if you heard a drummer playing, you&#8217;d probably recognize the song. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":25798,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4016,4017,4025],"tags":[4052],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25692"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25692"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47232,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25692\/revisions\/47232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25798"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}