They could be two seconds long or 30; straightforward 4/4 rhythms or flights of percussive wizardry; inducers of head nodding or air drumming. They are the drum intros to classic songs, and legends from Twisted Sister to Paul Simon, Toto to the Clash, Grand Funk Railroad to U2 have at least one great drum intro in their discography.
Here, we rank the best of them. Grab those invisible drumsticks and get ready to play along to the 40 best drum intros of all time.
READ MORE: Top 30 Rock Riffs
40. ZZ Top, “Gimme All Your Lovin'”
The intro to the first single from 1983’s Eliminator is the result of drum machine programming (as Billy Gibbons sort of admits) and not Frank Beard hitting things with sticks. Because it’s ZZ Top, though, it still sounds filthy, and it gives you time to turn up the volume before the guitars kick in.
39. Spin Doctors, “Two Princes”
To quote a wise man (we believe it was Chris Barron), “Dee-dee-dee-dip. Di-di-di-didip, buh-deedly-dip buh-duh-buh-duh buh-duh-buh-dubbah-dubbah-dubbah-dubbah.” Before Barron uttered that bit of wisdom, drummer Aaron Comess let loose with a rolling intro that everyone recognized in 1992, if only because you heard it everywhere.
38. Twisted Sister, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
The title of the song is nicked from the Who, and its drum track from A.J. Pero pretending he was the Hulk smashing through walls in perfect time. For a brief moment in 1984, the freakiest bar band in the New York area proved one could be a star, given the right song, the right image and the right level of rhythmic violence.
37. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Here Comes My Girl”
Tom Petty talks through most of “Here Comes My Girl,” and if you talk along with Petty when the song plays on the car stereo, you wind up talking just like Tom Petty, which makes you sound as cool as you’re ever going to sound for about four and a half minutes. But the thing can’t get off the ground without the opening bar of drumming, which is all Stan Lynch, O.G. drummer for the Heartbreakers and Petty’s chief antagonist. That probably grated on Petty a little (so much of what Lynch said and did grated on his boss), but there’s no denying that sometimes a song needs momentum to get going, regardless of whether the drummer and singer are on speaking terms.
36. Steppenwolf, “Skullduggery”
Yes, they still liked smoke and lightnin’, but by 1976, Steppenwolf were way past their time as hard-rock vanguards. That didn’t stop them from plowing on, and that year’s Skullduggery album contained a few face-melters worth listening to, particularly this title track, with an unholy intro from drummer Jerry Edmonton, on what would be his final record with the band. He exited this life in 1993, so we can’t thank him for his performance, except by turning it up and playing it loud.
35. Steve Miller Band, "Take the Money and Run"
Bless that drummer Gary Mallaber for all his many contributions to the discographies of Van Morrison, Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen, the Beach Boys and, in particular, the Steve Miller Band — particularly during Miller’s imperial period when everything the ol’ Pompatus of Love touched went at least double platinum. Take this tale of teenaged armed robbery which sounds like Miller made it up on the spot but which also features Mallaber playing a remarkably cool introduction before the “hoo-hoo” and “ooh-Lawd” interjections come forward.
34. The Sword, “Arrows in the Dark”
How were these guys not at least as popular as Mastodon? Or even Gojira? Baroness? We don’t get it. They’re all great but those other bands have a much higher profile. You should listen to Warp Riders – it is a great record and drummer Trivett Wingo is an underappreciated master of the instrument. Shame he left the band shortly after the album was released.
33. Pixies, “Bone Machine”
Thank you, Steve Albini, for your many gifts — particularly the way you mic’d and engineered a drum kit. And thank you Pixie David Lovering for your heavy right foot and left arm and for the opening 10 seconds of this most awesome song which introduced many people to your band.
32. Kiss, “I Love It Loud”
Eric Carr’s drums are the sound of a heavy object falling ever downward in an echo-drenched stairwell leading to a new rallying cry for the Kiss Army in their early-’80s return as a viable incursion force.
31. John Mellencamp, “Hurts So Good”
Kenny Aronoff counts it in for the Artist Then Known as John Cougar in service of a meat-and-potatoes rock song that starts with some philosophizin’ and graduates to an invitation for a young lass to “sink your teeth right through my bones.” Whether she accepted the invitation is unclear.
30. Guns N' Roses, "You Could Be Mine"
Perhaps best known for its tie-in with Terminator 2: Judgment Day, “You Could Be Mine” should be regarded as one of GN’R’s greatest singles for Axl Rose’s aggression Slash’s solos and new guy Matt Sorum’s machine-gun drumming in the song’s first moments.
29. Iron Maiden, “Run to the Hills”
Clive Burr’s thud-footed performance in the intro provides the slow feint that shortly segues into the breakneck tempo that marks “Run to the Hills” making it a jewel in Maiden’s catalog. It was also a marker of beginnings and endings – it was Bruce Dickinson’s first single with the band and one of Burr’s last recordings in the Maiden fold as conflicts in the group led to his ouster.
28. Rainbow, “Stargazer”
Cozy Powell absolutely unleashed for 10 seconds turns in a jaw-dropping avalanche of rolls kick-drum shots and open high-hat stomps. The man accomplished a lot in his short time on this plane of existence and this short burst is among his finest moments.
27. Nirvana, “Scentless Apprentice”
Steve Albini once again showed he was a drum kit’s best friend. This time it was Dave Grohl who was the beneficiary –the drum pattern was a variation of the main guitar riff which Grohl had written and Albini’s mix sharpened every serrated edge enabling the sound to cut through any speaker fortunate enough to play it.
26. Surfaris, “Wipe Out”
Somewhere in some suburban basement or garage someone who serves as lead singer for a collective of amateur musicians who call themselves a band is approaching a microphone to intone in their best spooky falsetto a silly laugh and a single word – “Wipeout.” The drummer of this group will then begin playing a rolling pattern on one of their tom-toms really fast hoping to not snap any wrist joints while doing it. And so it will go through rehearsals parties wedding receptions and dances on and on rolling and rocking until they break it out during soundcheck on their stadium tour.
25. Iggy Pop, “Lust for Life”
So Hunt Sales (Soupy’s kid – look it up) supercharges a Motown backbeat and the guy from The Stooges talk-sings about drugs sex and “hypnotizin’ chickens.” And David Bowie – 1977 David Bowie; Berlin-era dour David Bowie – produces it somehow keeping the whole thing from coming apart. He needn’t worry though – that rhythm is so rock solid it practically does the work for him.
24. Judas Priest, “Living After Midnight”
The intro is just a four-on-the-floor drum beat – nothing particularly fancy – but it neatly encapsulates what’s to come. “Living After Midnight” is one of a million hedonistic declarations that metal bands have made over the years yet it’s one of longest lived in no small part due to its simplicity. “We’re going to do something wild and have a great time tonight,” Rob Halford and other guys are saying only it takes them nearly three and half minutes to say it. Dave Holland’s drum intro says it in eight seconds.
23. The Clash, "Train in Vain"
It’s three seconds on unlisted final track on one of greatest albums ever released –the “Train in Vain” intro (thank you Topper Headon) sets tone for song that follows one of poppiest things these erstwhile punks committed to wax. It was so cool in fact that Garbage sampled looped it for “Stupid Girl” 15 or so years later.
22. Grand Funk Railroad, “We’re an American Band”
A cock-rock anthem about life of rock band on road “We’re an American Band” may well be drummer Don Brewer’s masterpiece – he wrote sang played insane amount cowbell on it (insert Christopher Walken joke here) came up with percussive master class that is song’s opening eight seconds.
21. Fleetwood Mac, “Tusk”
A song allegedly titled after drummer’s term for male sexual organ should not begin as hypnotically as “Tusk” does. Yes sound fans out into several different directions (marching band chanted vocals whatever that insane drum crowd noise breakdown is middle) but opening is calming almost quietly tribal. It gives very little indication what is come which is counter what usually represented by drum intro but that’s one sign its greatness Go figure.
20. Queens of Stone Age, “A Song for Dead”
While Josh Homme plays single note on his gee-tar Dave Grohl (him again; he’s in this list bunch) cracks off some most vicious smacks any drum head has ever received –and that’s before song really gets moving.
19. Rush, “Animate”
There are many who would list intro to “YYZ” as late great Neil Peart’s finest introductory statement with its precision degree difficulty (in purely Olympic terms) interplay with other guys band. As occasional contrarians though we selected this gem from 1993’s Counterparts, we did so for its muscularity forward motion way Geddy Lee Alex Lifeson clear lane for their colleague letting Peart establish what must be established before closing around him proceed We would give anything hear Peart play this again.
18. Paul Simon, “The Obvious Child”
This piece features a 10-piece drumming collective from Brazil (Grupo Cultural Olodum) creating percussive dream sequence moving playing as one organism initiating rhythm carries song establishes sense wonderment listener sense marvel There’s magic this dream Simon conjures will all you need do experience turn up open ears.
17. Electric Light Orchestra, “Don’t Bring Me Down”
A final rocking statement dance-forward album (1979’s Discovery) should have been packaged with its own disco ball Bev Bevan’s count-in tells you something different is afoot something not Bee Gee-ish previous eight songs maybe something couple loud guitars poking out mix And voila-from this auspicious beginning comes what might be ELO’s finest hour or their finest four minutes.
16. The Black Crowes, “Hard to Handle”
The opening drumbeat here proof how smart Black Crowes are at least where covering material concerned Otis Redding’s original had Al Jackson Jr.(of Booker T.& M.G.’s) drumming laying down smooth understated rhythm Steve Gorman –Crowe sticks knew better than try copy that so he did 180 pounding out beat like he trying knock over somebody other side arena That way go from late 1990 well into next summer couldn’t escape this song part because that drumming.
15.
Motley Crue,
“Too Young
to Fall
in Love”
No that’s not Panzer division rolling down Sunset Strip It’s Tommy Lee establishing tempo filtered through whatever mixing desk mojo producer Tom Werman conjured up make Lee’s drums sound like weapons war In fact blast boom first 10 seconds make rest instruments sound little thin by comparison (Vince Neil included though always sounds thin).
14.
Led Zeppelin,
“When
the Levee
Breaks”
The musical equivalent landslide slow-motion downhill movement great mass earth come completely unglued deadly consequences Yes John Bonham capable kind destruction gets more intense louder crank it.
13.
Van Halen,
“Hot
for Teacher”
Alex Van Halen’s imagination writes checks most drummers’ appendages can’t cash Case point this arm leg-wrecker from
1984
, ungodly floor tom double kick gymnastics accompanied snare drum ride cymbal accents given support brother Eddie’s finger-tappin’ guitar goodness It sounds like complete chaos but Alex Van Halen complete control.
12.
U2,
“Sunday
Bloody
Sunday”
Larry Mullen Jr.’s first 10 seconds here aggressive warlike strikes teeming force precision They’re wonder behold live but you have hand Steve Lillywhite who produced studio version song on 1983’s
War
-you hear ticking hi-hat crack stick hitting drum clearly if Mullen were playing room where you’re sitting.
11.
Creedence Clearwater Revival,
“Fortunate Son”
Doug Clifford leads CCR into angriest song bassist Stu Cook tow feel storm brewing even though just few seconds before guitar hook follows suit.
10.
The Rolling Stones,
“Honky Tonk Women”
Producer Jimmy Miller played opening cowbell but Charlie Watts brought country swing Mick Jagger Keith Richards’ bluesy tale “gin-soaked barroom queen” distinctive opening they’d ever come up with they’d come up with some doozies.
9.
The Go-Go’s,
“We Got
the Beat”
By several accounts Go-Go’s drummer Gina Schock’s height approximately 5 feet 2 inches To hear her play beginning “We Got Beat” you’d think she’s 10 feet tall.
8.
Foo Fighters,
“My Hero”
Dave Grohl’s paean everyday valor begins him pounding out Grohlian racket his drum kit one keeps pummelling even as song built top Of course when band played live this handled masterful Taylor Hawkins We miss Hawkins so we dedicate entry him — which comes sadness course also joy we had him time we did “My Hero” remains testament Hawkins’ greatness well Grohl’s.
7.
Kiss,
“Do You Love Me?”
Who knows if Peter Criss actually played drums “Do You Love Me?”
Destroyer
was record which Kiss (really producer Bob Ezrin) started substituting studio players Criss Ace Frehley just band incorporated choirs orchestras sound effects make album more production less raw snapshot great live band studio rawness intro what makes so cool — just drums Paul Stanley’s voice leading us rocking put-down naughty girlfriend/hanger-on.
6.
Billy Squier,
“The Stroke”
Bobby Chouinard Billy Squier’s big gun American John Bonham drummer heavy transcended decades genres fueling not just hard rock tracks also hip-hop cuts via samples feed Squier’s bank accounts day As far drum intros go there few quite recognizable Chouinard’s “The Stroke” boom-THWAP destiny sets heads nodding gets Squier doing loosey-goosey lead singer dance.
5.
Stevie Wonder,
“Superstition”
There little Stevie Wonder did 1970s did not speak genius songwriter singer musician Clavinet riff “Superstition” one example but can’t get clavinet unless ride funk Wonder establishes drums.
4.
Pretenders,
“Middle
of Road”
This song vehicle moving downhill picking momentum barely being steered Martin Chambers’ drum intro happens when vehicle crests over hill figure out what about happen You can’t do much hold on.
3.
Aerosmith,
“Walk This Way”
This spot could just easily gone “Lord Thighs” from
Get Your Wings
, but “Walk This Way” more widely known two songs Aerosmith’s drum intros That siss-BOP-buh-boom-boom-BOP became hip-hop staple well rock rallying call welcome mat leading jive-talkin’ riff-playin’ drug-takin’ groupie-defilin’ world favorite Boston bad boys.
2.
Toto,
“Rosanna”
Jeff Porcaro’s ghost notes here soft strikes between accents give song’s shuffling intro breath swing On AM radio 1982 kind detail often went right by you if DJ played at all (previous record had faded out after all) Drop needle record home though get fuller picture understand how dead-on perfect Porcaro not just drummer also idea guy (doubtful songwriter David Paich came up intro) “Rosanna” smash has remained public consciousness decades thanks no small part Porcaro’s groove.
1.
Led Zeppelin,
“Rock Roll”
There many drummers can bash instrument time lending air violence simple pleasures rocking out John Bonham few peers regard perhaps only Keith Moon could match Bonzo sheer force behind kit But Moon tended all over place — if there rack tom within quarter mile where he sitting he’d manage hit because drum unhit wasted Bonham propulsion moving song forward tempo force Here constant cymbal strikes intro make think whole thing careen out control But this Zeppelin everything played intended every hammer drop crash place This rock ‘n’ roll while there wasn’t another band planet could play better There still might not be.
Step out behind kit head front stage our list rock’s greatest singers:
Top 40 Rock Singers
It’s not just about voice but style stage presence.
Gallery Credit: Ultimate Classic Rock Staff
Here you can find original article; photos images used our article also come from this source We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.
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It’s not just about voice but style stage presence.
Gallery Credit: Ultimate Classic Rock Staff
Here you can find original article; photos images used our article also come from this source We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.
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