Top 10 Most Iconic Drum Beats of All Time

#10: Message in a Bottle (1979)The Police

The reggae genre generally doesnt cross-pollinates too often with commercial rock music. Message in a Bottle by The Police followed in the footsteps of reggae legend Jimmy Cliffs own mainstream breakthrough with his soundtrack to the film The Harder They Come. This exposed the bands influences to a whole new generation. Stewart Copelands drumming on Message in a Bottle drives with the urgency of rock, while also incorporating that often-imitated reggae groove. Also, Copelands insistent clicking on the rim of his drums creates an iconic sound that helped turn The Police into superstars.

#9: Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983)

U2

The somber lyrical subject matter of U2s Sunday Bloody Sunday perhaps influenced drummer Larry Mullen Jr.s decision to incorporate a martial approach and feeling. This militaristic cadence reflects the songs discussion of the 1972 Bloody Sunday tragedy, when unarmed Northern Irish protestors were shot and killed by British troops. Mullens drumming works in tandem with Adam Claytons melodic bass playing, as the musicians lockstep to energetically move the song forward. The end results proved to be massively successful for U2, as well, with Sunday Bloody Sunday enduring today as one of the bands most beloved hit singles.

#8: Superstition (1979)Stevie Wonder

The soul and jazz legend Stevie Wonder was a veritable octopus on this classic track, recording vocals, clavinet, moog bass and drums? Yup, it was Wonder who dropped that classic opening breakbeat on Superstition, an all-time drum intro that leads into four-and-a-half-minutes of pure, unadulterated funk. Granted, the horn and moog assistance Wonder received also make Superstition slap and crackle with life. But were still astonished at the musical virtuosity Stevie laid down for us on this track. Those drums never quit either, hammering home a relentless groove behind the layers of jazz fusion brilliance for which he will always be known.

#7: Fool in the Rain (1979)Led Zeppelin

We could be here all day detailing the laundry list of outstanding drum performances laid down by Led Zeppelins John Bonham. Immigrant Song and When the Levee Breaks are two great examples to this end. But theres one particular detail in Fool in the Rain that we absolutely cant deny. Yes, that main rhythm is irrepressibly bouncy and catchy, while that samba-led midsection is a nice stylistic deviation from Zeppelins usual hard rock fare. However, its those drum fills that Bonham hits coming out of that samba break that make us raise our fists and yell every time.

#6: Tom Sawyer (1981)Rush

Shows like Family Guy have delighted in poking gentle fun at the cult of fan personality thats followed Canadian rock legends Rush over the years. That said, who can deny the greatness of drummer Neil Peart, or his performance on this all-time classic hit? Tom Sawyer focuses on a lot of moving parts, from Geddy Lees soaring vocals, melodic bass playing and synth, to Alex Lifesons shredding guitar. Its Pearts dynamic drumming that steals the show, of course, from that smooth opening lead-in to the dizzying fills that close out the solo section. Peart also does amazing work during the verses. Hes simply outstanding from note one, never letting up blowing minds until the songs conclusion.

#5: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)Nirvana

Its the drum fill that sounded the clarion call of grunge rock back in the 1990s. Dave Grohls metallic and punk pedigree likely influenced the drummers decision to go as hard as he did with this groundbreaking single by Nirvana. Kurt Cobains undistorted guitar intro kicks things off briefly before Grohls pounds that snare and kick drum for all theyre worth. Meanwhile, the verse and chorus sections of Smells Like Teen Spirit also feature a driving drum performance that has become embedded within the memories of grunge fans around the world. Were probably willing to bet that even young music fans who werent there back in the day can still appreciate the legacy of this one.

#4: Come Together (1969)The Beatles

Heres a question: was Ringo Starr The Beatles secret weapon? There are many that might agree with that statement, particularly when analyzing Starrs drum performance on Come Together. Theres a lot of earthy sensuality at play within this songs slow, lurching groove. Starr, in the meantime, creates a lot of space by resisting the urge to overplay. Instead, those slow tom rolls and simple kick and snare interplay feel languid and natural. Ringo essentially plays for the song, choosing his spots and deciding when to branch out from the band. Meanwhile, each of those movements helps to make Come Together better via their natural cohesion.

#3: Hot for Teacher (1984)Van Halen

The sound you hear is of 1980s Sunset Strip glam metal being distilled into its purest, most ill-behaved essence. Van Halens Hot for Teacher isnt only one of the bands most beloved hits. Its also a song that features Alex Van Halens drum skills running side-by-side with his brother Eddies generational guitar talents. Alexs unaccompanied double-bass and tom work during the songs intro sets the stage for whats going to be a blazing tour-de-force of energy and excess. The chorus and solo sections also showcase Alex Van Halens hard-hitting style, as his drums propel Hot for Teacher into the hard rock history books.

#2: We Will Rock You (1977)Queen

Does anybody really stop We Will Rock You before it leads into We Are the Champions? Were not sure, but the combination of those two songs, released together as a single back in 1977, is basically peanut butter and jelly at this point. We Will Rock You is basically a piece for percussion and vocals, with Roger Taylors stomp-stomp-clap cadence backing up Freddie Mercurys verses and Brian Mays closing solo. Its rallying call vibe has made it a favorite for sports arenas around the world, making it one of Queens most immediately identifiable tunes.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Wipe Out (1963), The Surfaris

Pounding Beats Made for the Beach

Walk This Way (1975), Aerosmith

Classic Stadium Rock Bombast

Rosanna (1982), Toto

A Slinking, Shuffling Groove

Uprising (2009), Muse

Prog Meets Hard Rock & Glam

Call Me (1980), Blondie

Upbeat & Energetic New Wave

#1: Funky Drummer (1970)

James Brown

Hip-hop sample culture has long gravitated towards a certain, elite number of songs time and time again for their percussion. James Browns Funky Drummer remains one of the most borrowed tunes of all time, thanks to the drum performance of Clyde Stubblefield. The latters improvisation in the studio led to an all-time classic breakbeat, a foundation for generations of DJs, MCs and producers. The song itself, meanwhile, is a classic slice of Browns inimitable brand of funk, a tune cooler than cool and timeless with a capital T. Stubblefields drumming is impossibly smooth, while remaining in charge, standing rank and file under The Godfather of Souls funky leadership.

Are there any drummers you feel are underrated? Let us know in the comments!