Want to get the crowd moving at the next party you play? Besides your drum skills, it also helps to have a killer set list. Get everyone on the dance floor with this list of awesome party songs from San Diego, CA drum instructor Maegan W…
You gotta fight…..for your right….to PARTY!
Drummers definitely hold the rep for being the biggest partiers in any band. We’re wild and crazy, and we like to make a lot of noise, so I guess the shoe fits. Speaking of parties, no event is complete without amazing music, and no song is complete without driving, rocking, grooving, thrashing drums!
In this ultimate list of party drum songs, we’ll take a look at some classics, and then move into some of the new party rocking anthems. This list could have 100 songs, but for the sake of time, let’s stick to the top drum songs from my party playing experience.
These songs are great to add to your set list when you play a party or gig, or just to play along to when you need a pick me up.
What Songs Have the Best Drums?
For a rocking good time at your next get together, you’ve got to master these best drum songs for parties:
- “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” – Beastie Boys
- “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC
- “Raise Your Glass” – Pink
- “Sugar” – Maroon 5
- “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
- “Kiss” – Prince
- “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
Of course, there are plenty of other good drum songs out there, too. We’ll tell you more in this post. If you’re looking to become the best drummer possible at parties, you may want to consider taking formal drum lessons – and watching helpful video tutorials like what you’ll see in the video below:
What is the Easiest Song to Play on Drums at Parties?
These easy drum songs are great to add to your set list when you play a party or gig, or just to play along to when you need a pick me up. They’re easy to master and have catch drum lines that you’ll get the hang of quickly!
1. “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)”- Beastie Boys
You guessed it…well, maybe I already gave it away.
This song is solid, in your face, and gives you, the drummer, a chance to play your drums like you mean it. This song has a rebellious tone and means business!
The hits in the chorus give you a chance to stand up, spin your sticks, or throw something, then it’s back to thunderous fours on the floor groove.
2. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC
This song is great because everyone knows it, so the crowd can sing along. When people can join in and get loud, they party even harder!
This AC/DC classic is an essential addition to the party drum songs list. In true AC/DC fashion, the drums are solid, driving, and straight forward.
3. “Raise Your Glass” – Pink
This song is upbeat, fun to sing and dance to, and full of party rocking spirit. It’s all about being yourself and celebrating who you are.
Play this song at your next big event, and watch the crowd go crazy.
4. “Sugar” – Maroon 5
This is my guilty pleasure song of the year. It’s simple, but not easy. To get the right feel and lock in the groove, you have to keep the music moving forward, even though it has a displaced feeling with the accented bass hits.
A crowd favorite when played well, this song will get the party going!
5. “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
When this song came out, cover bands across the world felt like they won the golden ticket. It’s a sure-fire way to get the crowd moving. It’s also very fun to play, and a great song to add drum solos.
You can try to leave this one out of your set, but chances are, someone will request it, so you might as well learn it now.
6. “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
Yes, we’re taking it back again. This song grooves so hard, when people hear it, they find it physically impossible not to dance.
This song is one of the most underrated, as far as challenging songs go, in my opinion. Is it a hard beat to play? No. But with this song, it’s not what you play, it’s how you play it.
That’s what makes it one of the hardest songs to play on drums.
Give this simple beat the respect it deserves, and you’ll be amazed how much people get into it.
7. “Kiss” – Prince
The bass line in this song is ridiculously infectious. Even though it’s an older song, it’s a party favorite for all ages.
This song is great to try out your hi-hat variations. If you keep a solid bass and snare groove, you can throw in some tasty hi-hat tricks.
For ideas, check out what cover bands do with this song on YouTube.
8. “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
Everyone loves to get up and dance to this song. It really does make people happy, especially at a party. It’s a fun, funky song to play, and it has a hypnotic rhythm.
More Easy Songs to Learn on Drums
If you want to impress your friends at the next party, there’s no reason why you have to master the hardest drum song. Instead, these good drumming songs will help you get groovin’ in no time.
- “All Right Now” – Free
Best Rock Drum Songs for Parties
There’s nothing wrong with pop, country, or jazz, but these drum cover songs are great if you want to have a rockin’ good time! These beginner drum songs are great for when the mood calls for rock and roll – and rock and roll alone.
- “Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Green Day
- “Honky Tonk Woman” – The Rolling Stones
- “Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes
- “Livin On a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
- “Come As You Are” – Nirvana
- “Starlight” – Muse
- “Last Nite” – The Strokes
- “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
- “Come Together” – The Beatles
- “Cissy Strut” – The Meters
- “My Generation” – The Who
Top Drum Solo Songs
Here are some good drum songs if you just want to play by yourself.
- “Moby Dick” – Led Zeppelin
- “Tom Sawyer” – Rush
- “Black Betty” – Ram Jam
- “In The Air Tonight” – Phil Collins
- “Hot For Teacher” – Van Halen
- “Aja” – Steely Dan
- “Wipe Out” – The Surfaris
- “Tribute to Johnny” – The Smashing Pumpkins
- “Fred” – Tony Williams
Best Drum and Bass Party Songs
Sometimes, the situation just calls for great drum songs played with a solid bass line. Here are some songs to play with your best bass player friend:
- “Shadow Boxing” – Nasty Habits
- “Screwface” – Brainkillers
- “Helicopter” – Deep Blue
- “It Ain’t Too Loud” – Dillinja
- “Quest” – Shimon & Andy C
- “Machete” – Hazard
- “X Ray” – Sub Focus
- “Used To This” – Wilkinson
- “The Nine” – Bad Company
- “Compound” – Ed Rush & Optical
What is a Good Song to Play Along With Drums To?
Any of the drum songs listed above are great for parties. They’re easy to master with memorable beats – you shouldn’t have a hard time getting the hang of them!
Thanks for checking out my top party drum songs. These are songs that I have personally played at many parties and events, and they win the crowd over every time.
Enjoy and party on – and don’t be afraid to sign up for drum lessons if you want to become a true pro that impresses the audience at any occasion!
Looking for more songs to play? You will never run out of options with this ultimate list of drum songs!
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