The best songs are comprised of excellence from all components of the band. Often the leads (vocals, guitarists, keyboards) get more attention from fans and the media, so I’d like to put the spotlight on those sections that perhaps spend less time in the spotlight. I’ll focus on bass, drums and horn sections. This one is for all the drummers out there!
Great drumming is often accompanied by great bass work; the bottom section is so intertwined. So, in trying to assess the best of bass and drums , it becomes difficult to uniquely categorize them. My method has been very scientific (ha ha) – what instrument percolated to the front as I listened to the song? That’s how I separated them, and in some instances where both are outstanding, the categorization could change in the future depending on my mood as I listen.
There are many songs out there with a great drum backbone. This is certainly not intended to be an exhaustive nor definitive list. These songs come from my collection and I culled it to be a playlist of an hour or so. I’ve created a little poll so you can vote on the Best Drumming, and you have the opportunity to add your favourite to the list. I love to find new (to me) music, so I look forward to your feedback.