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See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
'Sunday Bloody Sunday' - U2
- Larry Mullen Jr. sets the scene for 1983's 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' with an urgent military-style drumbeat, a rattle that underscores the song's deliberate political overtones. The song's lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, specifically the 1972 Bloody Sunday shooting by British soldiers of 26 unarmed civilians.
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
'In the Air Tonight' - Phil Collins
- 'In the Air Tonight', released in 1981, is, of course, known for its thunderous drum solo midway through the track. But the song opens with far more subtle drum work from Collins, a line that sounds almost like a heartbeat.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
'My Hero' - Foo Fighters
- Recorded in 1997 and widely regarded as one of the Foo Fighters' best songs, 'My Hero' is also considered one of the highlights of Dave Grohl's drumming career. The song opens with heavy toms and a thumping backbeat.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
'We Will Rock You' - Queen
- The "drum" line in 'We Will Rock You' is actually the result of foot stamping and hand clamping by all four members of Queen. The result is a "stomp, stomp, clap" rhythm set in a cappella form. It's one of the most recognizable percussive intros in rock music.
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
'Hot for Teacher' - Van Halen
- A band often cited for Eddie Van Halen's mesmerizing guitar work, Van Halen released 'Hot for Teacher' in 1984, only this time it's Alex Van Halen who steps out of his brother's shadow to create one of the most iconic drum intros in rock.
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
'Dani California' - Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Chad Smith works his magic on 'Dani California,' taken from the band's 2006 album 'Stadium Arcadium.' It's a loose groove introduction that locks in perfectly with Flea's funky bass line.
© Getty Images
6 / 32 Fotos
'Superstition' - Stevie Wonder
- 'Superstition' features one of the most memorable drum openings in pop music history. And guess what? It's Stevie Wonder himself playing, inspired no less by another unlikely drummer, guitar supremo Jeff Beck, who often jammed behind a drum kit. The song was released in 1972 and is known for its funky clavinet riff.
© Getty Images
7 / 32 Fotos
'Walk This Way' - Aerosmith
- Joey Kramer provides the introduction to 'Walk This Way,' his two measure drum beat quickly followed by Joe Perry's equally memorable guitar riff. Released in 1975, 'Walk This Way' enjoyed a makeover in 1986 when Aerosmith collaborated with hip-hop outfit Run-DMC for a cover version that became an international hit.
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
'Billie Jean' - Michael Jackson
- Released 1983, 'Billie Jean' was the second single taken from 'Thriller,' and another mega hit for the "King of Pop." The track opens with drummer Leon "Ndugu" Chancler's deceptively simple but instantly recognizable groove.
© Getty Images
9 / 32 Fotos
'She Loves You' - The Beatles
- The only song recorded by the Beatles featuring a notable drum intro, 'She Loves You' gets straight to the point with Ringo's quick two-count roll followed by the famous "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah" hook. Released in 1963, the song remains the Fab Four's best-selling single in the UK.
© Getty Images
10 / 32 Fotos
'My Sharona' - The Knack
- Drummer Bruce Gary is responsible for providing 'My Sharona' with its instantly recognized stuttering pulse, which helped make the song the biggest US single hit of 1979.
© Getty Images
11 / 32 Fotos
'Umbrella' - Rihanna
- A catchy hi-hat followed by the main beat embellished by a small snare pattern introduces Rihanna's 2007 mega R&B hit 'Umbrella.' Interestingly, Blink-182's Travis Barker taught Rihanna to drum, and it was Barker who remixed 'Umbrella' to turn it into more of a hard rock song.
© Getty Images
12 / 32 Fotos
'Rock With You' - Michael Jackson
- The drum lick opening Michael Jackson's 1979 hit 'Rock With You' is provided by John Robinson. The intro is one of the most recognized of any Jackson song, but is far more pop than rock. It's also regarded as one of the last hits of the disco era.
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
'Two Princes' - Spin Doctors
- 'Two Princes,' a huge hit in 1992 for American rock group Spin Doctors, opens with Aaron Comess' precision snare drum intro underscored by a thumping kick drum pattern.
© Getty Images
14 / 32 Fotos
'Honky Tonk Woman' - The Rolling Stones
- Arguably Charlie Watts' greatest drum intro is complemented by a cowbell played by producer Jimmy Miller. 'Honky Tonk Woman' was released in the UK on July 4, 1969— the day after the death of founding member Brian Jones.
© Getty Images
15 / 32 Fotos
'Dreams' - Fleetwood Mac
- The short but engaging drum intro performed by Mick Fleetwood on 'Dreams' is made up of a snare and tom pattern. It's over in a blink of an eye, but sets the pace for the band's second single from 1977's 'Rumours,' one of the most successful albums of all time.
© Getty Images
16 / 32 Fotos
'Rock and Roll' - Led Zeppelin
- In John Bonham, rock music had one of its finest drummers ever. Likewise, 'Rock and Roll,' released in 1971, showcases one of the most celebrated drum intros ever devised. "Bonzo" was apparently inspired by the drum intro to the 1957 song 'Keep A-Knockin' by Little Richard.
© Getty Images
17 / 32 Fotos
'Dr. Feelgood' - Mötley Crüe
- A headbanger favorite, 'Dr. Feelgood' was the lead single from Mötley Crüe's fifth studio album of the same name, released in 1989. Tommy Lee Jones opens the number with a phenomenal groove, soon complemented by Nikki Sixx's reverberating bass line.
© Getty Images
18 / 32 Fotos
'Lust for Life' - Iggy Pop
- 'Lust for Life' was released in 1977 as the second solo studio album by punk godfather Iggy Pop. The single of the same name was co-written by David Bowie, who plays on the track. But it is drummer Hunt Sales who steals the show, his stomping intro based on The Supremes' 'You Can’t Hurry Love.' 'Lust for Life' gained renewed popularity 20 years later after being featured in the 1996 British film 'Trainspotting.'
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
'50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' - Paul Simon
- Drum intros needn't be loud, thumping, and urgent. Just listen to Steve Gadd's subtle introduction to Paul Simon's '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.' Released in 1975, the song features Gadd's soft, repeated, and technically flawless drum riff throughout.
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
'Fireball' - Deep Purple
- Drummer Ian Paice kicks off 'Fireball,' released as a single in 1971 from the album of the same name. When he played the song live, Paice employed the use of a double bass drum to emphasize an especially low pitch.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
'You Could Be Mine' - Guns N' Roses
- One of drummer Matt Sorum's finest moments, 'You Could Be Mine' features in James Cameron's 1991 film 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day.'
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
'Painkiller' - Judas Priest
- 'Painkiller' features drummer Scott Travis, who replaced long-time Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland in 1989. His heavy use of double kicks gave the band a new sound and heavier edge, clearly apparent in the opening few seconds of this 1990 release, taken from the album of the same name.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
'Reggatta de Blanc' - The Police
- An instrumental and the title track from the band's second album, 'Reggatta de Blanc' features some truly exceptional drum work from Stewart Copeland, the complex interplay between the hi-hat and cross-sticking apparent from the start. Released in 1979, 'Reggatta de Blanc' includes two of the Police's biggest hits, 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Walking on the Moon.'
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
'Get Off My Cloud' - The Rolling Stones
- The Rolling Stones were in the ascent when 'Get Off My Cloud' was released in 1965. The song opens with a drum intro by Charlie Watts, who plays the same beat-fill pattern throughout, never once veering off course.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
'Run to the Hills' - Iron Maiden
- Clive Burr was the drummer on the 1982 studio release of 'Run to the Hills,' his distinct opening drum groove evolving into booming toms to place the drums at the forefront of the track.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
'Rosanna' - Toto
- 'Rosanna' is noted for the half-time shuffle, which drummer Jeff Porcaro developed for the song, released in 1982. 'Rosanna' remains one of Toto's biggest hits.
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
'Wipe Out' - The Surfaris
- This classic instrumental released in 1963 catches an early wave with Ron Wilson's energetic riff—a sound so striking it became the yardstick for every aspiring young drummer in the early '60s.
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
'Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)' - Benny Goodman Orchestra
- Benny Goodman's 1937 instrumental version of Louis Prima's 'Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)' benefits from a thunderous drum pattern played by Gene Krupa, whose opening bars redefined this big band swing era classic. Goodman and the legendary drummer are seen performing the track in the movie 'Hollywood Hotel,' released the same year.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
'Making Plans for Nigel' - XTC
- British rock band XTC released 'Making Plans for Nigel' in 1979. The opening drum pattern was apparently discovered by accident, with drummer Terry Chambers experimenting with drum tones and accents to devise an industrial beat in keeping with the song's subject matter.
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
'Stargazer' - Rainbow
- A short but blistering drum solo by skins maestro Cozy Powel kicks off Rainbow's 'Stargazer,' the fifth track from the band's second studio album, 'Rising' (1976). Sources: (New York Post) (Showbiz Cheat Sheet) (The Guardian)
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 32 Fotos
'Sunday Bloody Sunday' - U2
- Larry Mullen Jr. sets the scene for 1983's 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' with an urgent military-style drumbeat, a rattle that underscores the song's deliberate political overtones. The song's lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, specifically the 1972 Bloody Sunday shooting by British soldiers of 26 unarmed civilians.
© Getty Images
1 / 32 Fotos
'In the Air Tonight' - Phil Collins
- 'In the Air Tonight', released in 1981, is, of course, known for its thunderous drum solo midway through the track. But the song opens with far more subtle drum work from Collins, a line that sounds almost like a heartbeat.
© Getty Images
2 / 32 Fotos
'My Hero' - Foo Fighters
- Recorded in 1997 and widely regarded as one of the Foo Fighters' best songs, 'My Hero' is also considered one of the highlights of Dave Grohl's drumming career. The song opens with heavy toms and a thumping backbeat.
© Getty Images
3 / 32 Fotos
'We Will Rock You' - Queen
- The "drum" line in 'We Will Rock You' is actually the result of foot stamping and hand clamping by all four members of Queen. The result is a "stomp, stomp, clap" rhythm set in a cappella form. It's one of the most recognizable percussive intros in rock music.
© Getty Images
4 / 32 Fotos
'Hot for Teacher' - Van Halen
- A band often cited for Eddie Van Halen's mesmerizing guitar work, Van Halen released 'Hot for Teacher' in 1984, only this time it's Alex Van Halen who steps out of his brother's shadow to create one of the most iconic drum intros in rock.
© Getty Images
5 / 32 Fotos
'Dani California' - Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Chad Smith works his magic on 'Dani California,' taken from the band's 2006 album 'Stadium Arcadium.' It's a loose groove introduction that locks in perfectly with Flea's funky bass line.
© Getty Images
6 / 32 Fotos
'Superstition' - Stevie Wonder
- 'Superstition' features one of the most memorable drum openings in pop music history. And guess what? It's Stevie Wonder himself playing, inspired no less by another unlikely drummer, guitar supremo Jeff Beck, who often jammed behind a drum kit. The song was released in 1972 and is known for its funky clavinet riff.
© Getty Images
7 / 32 Fotos
'Walk This Way' - Aerosmith
- Joey Kramer provides the introduction to 'Walk This Way,' his two measure drum beat quickly followed by Joe Perry's equally memorable guitar riff. Released in 1975, 'Walk This Way' enjoyed a makeover in 1986 when Aerosmith collaborated with hip-hop outfit Run-DMC for a cover version that became an international hit.
© Getty Images
8 / 32 Fotos
'Billie Jean' - Michael Jackson
- Released 1983, 'Billie Jean' was the second single taken from 'Thriller,' and another mega hit for the "King of Pop." The track opens with drummer Leon "Ndugu" Chancler's deceptively simple but instantly recognizable groove.
© Getty Images
9 / 32 Fotos
'She Loves You' - The Beatles
- The only song recorded by the Beatles featuring a notable drum intro, 'She Loves You' gets straight to the point with Ringo's quick two-count roll followed by the famous "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah" hook. Released in 1963, the song remains the Fab Four's best-selling single in the UK.
© Getty Images
10 / 32 Fotos
'My Sharona' - The Knack
- Drummer Bruce Gary is responsible for providing 'My Sharona' with its instantly recognized stuttering pulse, which helped make the song the biggest US single hit of 1979.
© Getty Images
11 / 32 Fotos
'Umbrella' - Rihanna
- A catchy hi-hat followed by the main beat embellished by a small snare pattern introduces Rihanna's 2007 mega R&B hit 'Umbrella.' Interestingly, Blink-182's Travis Barker taught Rihanna to drum, and it was Barker who remixed 'Umbrella' to turn it into more of a hard rock song.
© Getty Images
12 / 32 Fotos
'Rock With You' - Michael Jackson
- The drum lick opening Michael Jackson's 1979 hit 'Rock With You' is provided by John Robinson. The intro is one of the most recognized of any Jackson song, but is far more pop than rock. It's also regarded as one of the last hits of the disco era.
© Getty Images
13 / 32 Fotos
'Two Princes' - Spin Doctors
- 'Two Princes,' a huge hit in 1992 for American rock group Spin Doctors, opens with Aaron Comess' precision snare drum intro underscored by a thumping kick drum pattern.
© Getty Images
14 / 32 Fotos
'Honky Tonk Woman' - The Rolling Stones
- Arguably Charlie Watts' greatest drum intro is complemented by a cowbell played by producer Jimmy Miller. 'Honky Tonk Woman' was released in the UK on July 4, 1969— the day after the death of founding member Brian Jones.
© Getty Images
15 / 32 Fotos
'Dreams' - Fleetwood Mac
- The short but engaging drum intro performed by Mick Fleetwood on 'Dreams' is made up of a snare and tom pattern. It's over in a blink of an eye, but sets the pace for the band's second single from 1977's 'Rumours,' one of the most successful albums of all time.
© Getty Images
16 / 32 Fotos
'Rock and Roll' - Led Zeppelin
- In John Bonham, rock music had one of its finest drummers ever. Likewise, 'Rock and Roll,' released in 1971, showcases one of the most celebrated drum intros ever devised. "Bonzo" was apparently inspired by the drum intro to the 1957 song 'Keep A-Knockin' by Little Richard.
© Getty Images
17 / 32 Fotos
'Dr. Feelgood' - Mötley Crüe
- A headbanger favorite, 'Dr. Feelgood' was the lead single from Mötley Crüe's fifth studio album of the same name, released in 1989. Tommy Lee Jones opens the number with a phenomenal groove, soon complemented by Nikki Sixx's reverberating bass line.
© Getty Images
18 / 32 Fotos
'Lust for Life' - Iggy Pop
- 'Lust for Life' was released in 1977 as the second solo studio album by punk godfather Iggy Pop. The single of the same name was co-written by David Bowie, who plays on the track. But it is drummer Hunt Sales who steals the show, his stomping intro based on The Supremes' 'You Can’t Hurry Love.' 'Lust for Life' gained renewed popularity 20 years later after being featured in the 1996 British film 'Trainspotting.'
© Getty Images
19 / 32 Fotos
'50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' - Paul Simon
- Drum intros needn't be loud, thumping, and urgent. Just listen to Steve Gadd's subtle introduction to Paul Simon's '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.' Released in 1975, the song features Gadd's soft, repeated, and technically flawless drum riff throughout.
© Getty Images
20 / 32 Fotos
'Fireball' - Deep Purple
- Drummer Ian Paice kicks off 'Fireball,' released as a single in 1971 from the album of the same name. When he played the song live, Paice employed the use of a double bass drum to emphasize an especially low pitch.
© Getty Images
21 / 32 Fotos
'You Could Be Mine' - Guns N' Roses
- One of drummer Matt Sorum's finest moments, 'You Could Be Mine' features in James Cameron's 1991 film 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day.'
© Getty Images
22 / 32 Fotos
'Painkiller' - Judas Priest
- 'Painkiller' features drummer Scott Travis, who replaced long-time Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland in 1989. His heavy use of double kicks gave the band a new sound and heavier edge, clearly apparent in the opening few seconds of this 1990 release, taken from the album of the same name.
© Getty Images
23 / 32 Fotos
'Reggatta de Blanc' - The Police
- An instrumental and the title track from the band's second album, 'Reggatta de Blanc' features some truly exceptional drum work from Stewart Copeland, the complex interplay between the hi-hat and cross-sticking apparent from the start. Released in 1979, 'Reggatta de Blanc' includes two of the Police's biggest hits, 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Walking on the Moon.'
© Getty Images
24 / 32 Fotos
'Get Off My Cloud' - The Rolling Stones
- The Rolling Stones were in the ascent when 'Get Off My Cloud' was released in 1965. The song opens with a drum intro by Charlie Watts, who plays the same beat-fill pattern throughout, never once veering off course.
© Getty Images
25 / 32 Fotos
'Run to the Hills' - Iron Maiden
- Clive Burr was the drummer on the 1982 studio release of 'Run to the Hills,' his distinct opening drum groove evolving into booming toms to place the drums at the forefront of the track.
© Getty Images
26 / 32 Fotos
'Rosanna' - Toto
- 'Rosanna' is noted for the half-time shuffle, which drummer Jeff Porcaro developed for the song, released in 1982. 'Rosanna' remains one of Toto's biggest hits.
© Getty Images
27 / 32 Fotos
'Wipe Out' - The Surfaris
- This classic instrumental released in 1963 catches an early wave with Ron Wilson's energetic riff—a sound so striking it became the yardstick for every aspiring young drummer in the early '60s.
© Getty Images
28 / 32 Fotos
'Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)' - Benny Goodman Orchestra
- Benny Goodman's 1937 instrumental version of Louis Prima's 'Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)' benefits from a thunderous drum pattern played by Gene Krupa, whose opening bars redefined this big band swing era classic. Goodman and the legendary drummer are seen performing the track in the movie 'Hollywood Hotel,' released the same year.
© Getty Images
29 / 32 Fotos
'Making Plans for Nigel' - XTC
- British rock band XTC released 'Making Plans for Nigel' in 1979. The opening drum pattern was apparently discovered by accident, with drummer Terry Chambers experimenting with drum tones and accents to devise an industrial beat in keeping with the song's subject matter.
© Getty Images
30 / 32 Fotos
'Stargazer' - Rainbow
- A short but blistering drum solo by skins maestro Cozy Powel kicks off Rainbow's 'Stargazer,' the fifth track from the band's second studio album, 'Rising' (1976). Sources: (New York Post) (Showbiz Cheat Sheet) (The Guardian)
© Getty Images
31 / 32 Fotos
Popular music's greatest drum intros
The best songs opened by a drumbeat
© Getty Images
Rarely is a song introduced by a drum, yet some of popular music's most memorable tracks do, in fact, open with a drumbeat. By letting the drummer lead the way, artists and bands can elevate their music to a whole new level. And a song with a standout drum sound quite often beats a path to the top. So, what are pop and rock music's greatest drum intros?
Click through and sound out the best songs opened by a drumbeat.
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