With so many music styles and genres, it can be hard to make a list of the absolute best drum songs. Plus, everyone has their own opinions on which songs are the best. Since it’s impossible to make a definitive list of the best drum songs, drum instructor Maegan W. put together this list of 10 must-know songs. Check out the list and let us know what you think…
For this article, when I talk about the best drum songs, I’m referring to the signature songs that every drummer should know how to play – the best drum parts in songs are those that are memorable, fun to play, and most importantly, fun to practice.
These are the songs you can always go to when you need to play a song at a gig, party, or event.
These best drums in a song also have important grooves or fills that you will use over and over in thousands of other songs. Knowing these types of grooves and fills will make learning and practicing any other song that much easier.
So here it goes…. the 75+ best drum songs, or songs with the best drums.
What Song Has the Best Drumming?
A good drum solo can elevate a song from good to great. It puts the spotlight on the drummer, showcasing their technical skill and rhythm, and when it’s done well, it can get the whole audience moving. But what rock song has the best drums? Here are a few contenders:
- “Wipe Out” by The Surfaris
- “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly
- “Green Onions” by Booker T. & the MGs
- “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull
- “Crosstown Traffic” by Jimi Hendrix
- “Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin
- “Tom Sawyer” by Rush
- “Mission Impossible Theme” by Lalo Schifrin
- “Theme From Shaft” by Isaac Hayes
Ready to start rocking out on the drums – either with these best songs with drums or others? If so, you should consider signing up for drumming lessons. It’s the best way to learn the ropes – and in addition to figuring out your favorite songs, you’ll also learn the basics you need for lifelong success, like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwKF7LiXW3I
Which Song Has the Best Drumming?
As a drummer, you know that the drums are the heartbeat of the band. Though every instrument is important, the drums provide the rhythm that keeps everyone else on track. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right songs to show off your skills.
Looking for some of the best drum songs for the modern era? These are our top picks:
- “Lost Without You” – Robin Thicke
- “Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding
- “Clarity” – Our Last Night Band
- “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon
- “Guns for Hands” – Twenty One Pilots
- “Up All Night” – Blink 182
- “Save Me” – Gotye
- “Fool in the Rain” – Led Zeppelin
- “War Pigs” – Black Sabbath
- “Grey Street” – Dave Matthews Band
Of course, before you learn any of these songs, you’ve got to master the basics of drumming. Watching videos like these can help!
What Are the Best Drumming Songs of All Time?
In my first list of the best songs for drumming, I decided to use newer songs for this list. There are so many must-know classics, but those lists of drum songs are everywhere. So here’s a new-age update for the next generation of drummers.
And don’t worry! I’ve included more of the best drum songs of all time below – including some of the oldies!
1. “Lost Without You” – Robin Thicke
This song is pure soul. The groove is tricky and it’s challenging to get the feel just right. If you can master this song, you’re ready to play an R&B gig. Even if you’re a rocker, this song will help you gain dynamic control and tap into some fun, unusual rhythms.
2. “Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding
This is a great song to learn to add to the music, meaning you don’t have to overplay. Just play to make the song better, not to be heard or standout. This song has several breaks where you can practice your coloring (as I call it) on the different cymbals and practice your timing by coming back in right on time.
Lastly, it has a section with a half-time feel so you can work on that, too.
3. “Clarity” – Our Last Night Band (Cover)
The original is great too, but this cover is epic! This drummer is amazing and super clean on his fills and grooves. The band takes it to a whole new level, and you will want to be able to play this way, too.
This song will take you through different levels of intensity and different emotions. Playing with emotion is important to get the audience to vibe with you.
4. “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon
This song makes you want to dance, and it’s always good to have a couple of dance songs in your back pocket. It has a disco groove in the chorus, with a nice open hi-hat splash. It also has some nice tom builds. The fills are simple and perfect for this type of music and it also has some hits in unusual places.
5. “Guns for Hands” – Twenty One Pilots
All of 21 Pilots’ songs have a lot of cool drum parts. In “Guns for Hands”, you will find a simple bass drum “four-on-the-floor“, with perfectly placed hi-hat accents. You will find big half-time grooves, tom grooves, and if you watch the video, you can see a high-energy performance and great visual cues that help the audience hear you.
This song also has an awesome reggae-type breakdown in the bridge.
6. “Up All Night” – Blink 182
All of Blink 182’s songs have awesome drum parts, thanks to the one-and-only Travis Barker. This song is one of my favorites to play. In the beginning, you have some 32nd-note hi-hat action, with some bell accents in unique places to add to the feel. It gets super heavy and has hits that you can use in many songs to come.
It features 16th-note triplet fills around the kit and nice builds. Learn all the parts to this song and you will expand your drumming vocabulary.
7. “Save Me” – Gotye
This song has some really cool tom grooves, with a displaced back beat. Hitting the backbeat on the “+ of 4” can be tricky, but otherwise, this song is pretty simple. You can focus on really nailing it, and gaining limb independence and control, while getting into the groove and hypnotic rhythm.
OK, I can’t resist…..the last three are classic, must-know drum songs!
8. “Fool in the Rain” – Led Zeppelin
Get your half-time shuffle on; this will teach you how to shuffle with the best and can be applied in any half-time shuffle situation. Also, look out for the Latin breakdown. If you can nail it, you’ve earned your throne!
9. “War Pigs” – Black Sabbath
Talk about epic drum fills! Also, there are many parts to learn so it will help learn about song structure. This song is popular at any event, well maybe not at a wedding, but at almost any party. You will learn a lot by playing this song, and you can apply these skills to many other songs as you advance as a drummer.
10. “Grey Street” – Dave Matthews Band
This groove is tough to get just right. It’s a little awkward, but when it’s played right, it’s amazing! Pay close attention: there’s more to this song than just a complicated groove. The feel here is essential, so add this song to your setlist.
What Rock Song Has the Best Drums? 50 Classic Best Songs on Drums
Looking for some of the best songs to drum to– and don’t want to monkey around with any of the newer hits? Here are some classic songs that you can practice if you want to rock with the greats and learn some of the best rock drum songs:
- “Achilles Last Stand” – Led Zeppelin
- “Africa” – Toto
- “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” – The Temptations
- “Aja” – Steely Dan
- “All Right Now” – Free
- “Always” – Bon Jovi
- “Angel of Death” – Slayer
- “Black Night” – Deep Purple
- “Blinded in Chains” – Avenged Sevenfold
- “Brick House” – The Commodores
- “Chameleon” – Herbie Hancock
- “China Girl” – David Bowie
- “Come Together” – The Beatles
- “D’yer Mak’er” – Led Zeppelin
- “A Day in the Life” – The Beatles
- “Digital Man” – Rush
- “Driven to Tears” – The Police
- “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
- “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” – The Police
- “For Whom the Bell Tolls” – Metallica
- “Fool in the Rain” – Led Zeppelin
- “Get Off My Cloud” – Rolling Stones
- “Hold the Line” – Toto
- “Hound Dog” – Elvis Presley
- “Honky Tonk Woman” Rolling Stones
What Are the Best Drum Solo Songs?
As you’re learning to play the drums, you might want to take things into your own hands from time to time. The best way to take your talents center stage? By playing a drum solo, of course! Here are some of the best drum songs to add to your repertoire:
- “Aja” – Steely Dan
- “In the Air Tonight” – Phil Collins
- “Black Betty” – Ram Jam
- “Tom Sawyer” – Rush
- “Moby Dick” – Led Zepplin
- “YYZ” – Rush
- “Hot for Teacher” – Van Halen
- “6:00” – Dream Theater
What is the Most Famous Drum Riff?
The most famous drum riff of all time is the opening to Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks.” The song, which was written about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, features a slow, driving beat that sets the perfect tone for the lyrics about loss and despair.
The drum riff, which was performed by John Bonham, is so iconic that it has been used in countless movies and television shows.
In addition, the drumming on “When the Levee Breaks” is often cited as one of the greatest performances in rock history. Bonham’s use of dynamics and his mastery of the groove make the drumming on “When the Levee Breaks” truly unforgettable.
What is the Fastest Drum Song?
The record for the fastest drum song is currently held by “The Cat and Mouse Game” by American band Ayria, which was released in 2009. The song has a tempo of 1,015 beats per minute (bpm) and is just over two minutes long.
While it is the fastest drum song on record, it is not the only fast-paced song out there. Many metal and hardcore punk songs have tempos that exceed 200 bpm, and some have been known to reach speeds of up to 400 bpm.
However, these songs are usually much shorter than “The Cat and Mouse Game,” as it is difficult to sustain such a high tempo for an extended period of time. Nevertheless, Ayria’s achievement is impressive and is unlikely to be beaten any time soon.
Best Drum and Bass Songs
Have a friend you like to play the bass with? If so, you should try to learn these top bass and drum songs. You’ll love the music you make!
- “Money” – Pink Floyd
- “Dazed and Confused” – Led Zeppelin
- “Come Together” – The Beatles
- “Girls Got Rhythm” – AC/DC
- “Dance Floor” – Arctic Monkeys
- “Mystery Achievement” -The Pretenders
- “I Saw Her Standing There” – The Beatles
- “Get Ready” – The Temptations
- “It’s My Life” – No Doubt
Of course, you could always play some songs by the famous band “Drum and Bass,” too! How’s that for irony?
Best Beginner Drum Songs
Last but not least, if you’re new to playing drums, you may want to consider these best drum songs that are great for drummers who are still learning the ropes (or should we say…the sticks?).
- “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
- “Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Green Day
- “Honky Tonk Woman” – The Rolling Stones (yes, we have it twice on this list – it’s that good!)
- “Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes
- “Livin on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
- “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
- “Come As You Are” – Nirvana
- “Starlight” – Muse
- “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
- “Last Nite” – The Strokes
Country Songs With Best Drums
While there are many great country songs out there, some of the best ones feature drumming that really stands out. For example, “The Weight” by The Band features a drumbeat that is both catchy and unique.
Similarly, “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston features a powerful drum solo that helps to carry the emotion of the song. Finally, “Rocky Top” by The Osborne Brothers features a fast-paced and energetic drumming style that is perfect for toe-tapping and dancing along.
These are just a few examples of country songs with great drums – so next time you’re looking for something new to listen to, be sure to give them a try!
Best Drum Songs for Jazz Players
Drumming is an important part of jazz music, and there are a wide variety of songs that feature drums prominently. Here are just a few of the best drumming songs for jazz players.
“Sing, Sing, Sing” by Louis Prima is a classic tune that features a driving drumbeat throughout. “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington is another well-known song that has a great drum part. “Caravan” by Juan Tizol is a fun tune that has a memorable drum solo in the middle.
“Manteca” by Dizzy Gillespie is another great choice for jazz drummers, with its Latin-inspired rhythms. These are just a few of the many great songs that feature drums prominently, and any jazz drummer would be proud to add them to their repertoire.
Pop Songs With the Best Drum Solos
While there are many great pop songs out there, only a handful can boast truly amazing drum solos. Here are three of the best:
- “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. This classic song from 1981 features one of the most iconic drum solos of all time. The solo builds slowly at first, before eventually reaching a fever pitch that is sure to get your heart racing.
- “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce. This chart-topping song from 2003 features an incredible drum solo from Questlove of The Roots. The solo is catchy and will stay stuck in your head for days.
- “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac. This classic rock song from 1977 features a drum solo from Mick Fleetwood that is simply impossible to resist. The solo is complex and propels the song to new heights.
These are just three of the many great pop songs with amazing drum solos. So next time you’re looking for a dose of musical inspiration, be sure to give them a listen. You won’t be disappointed.
What Are the Best Songs for Drumming for Beginners?
If you’re new to drumming, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which songs are the best to play.
However, there are definitely some classics that every drummer should know. For example, “Wipe Out” by The Surfaris is a great song for practicing basic beats, and “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins is perfect for working on your transitions.
Another great way to improve your skills is to learn some of the more complex songs out there.
Once you have a firm grasp on the basics, try learning something like “Raining Blood” by Slayer or “Battery” by Metallica. These songs may be challenging at first, but they’ll help you take your drumming to the next level.
Learn How to Play These Best Drum Songs Today!
These songs are just a starting point – there are countless other great tracks out there for drummers of all skill levels to enjoy. So get practicing and see how many of these classics you can master!
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best drum songs. Some of these songs are challenging, but they will make you a better drummer!
So what’s next? Taking drum lessons, of course! Sign up for live drumming lessons here – and start rocking today. Of course, having a look at these top party-rocking drum songs should give you more inspiration to learn, too.
Which drum songs are on your must-know list? Let us know in the comments below!
Post Author: Maegan W.
Maegan W. teaches drums, songwriting, and more in San Diego, CA. She earned a degree in Percussion from the Musician’s Institute, and has been teaching private lessons since 2004. Learn more about Maegan here!
Maile Proctor