A song with a cool drum intro
When you hear “songs with cool intros,” many people probably think of striking guitar riffs.
After all, the standout part in a rock band is the guitar—naturally.
That said, drums can be incredibly cool too! In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of rock classics—both Western and Japanese—featuring songs with awesome drum intros.
We’ve got everything from tracks that kick off with flashy drum solos to more connoisseur-friendly picks where a simple beat overflows with groove and sounds unbelievably cool.
The playlist centers on timeless rock classics, but if you love drums, this is a must-see for everyone, young and old!
Songs with cool drum intros (1–10)
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
Their secret to popularity lies in song quality so high you’d never believe they’re a three-piece—powerful vocals and top-tier musicianship across every part.
Of course, drummer Takao Suzuki’s exceptional playing is a huge part of the appeal! In particular, in this especially well-known song of theirs, the interplay with the guitar in the intro, followed by the hand-and-foot coordination once the bass comes in, is truly superb.
Despite the intricacy of the phrases, everything locks in perfectly, making it incredibly satisfying to listen to.
I’d love to be able to play this phrase as tightly as Suzuki does!
Sing, Sing, SingBenny Goodman
One of the classic tunes that has long been beloved as a representative piece of swing jazz.
It was performed in the film “Swing Girls,” and it’s probably so famous that even people who don’t usually listen to jazz have heard it.
This time, I’m introducing the drum phrase from the intro of this song.
It’s a simple beat made up of just the floor tom and a hi-hat keeping time on the offbeats, but it’s incredibly cool! I think this phrase alone is a masterful line that oozes groove.
Honor Thy FatherDream Theater
Dream Theater, the super band that impresses hardcore fans with their technical performances.
No matter which song you listen to, their high-level phrases, backed by outstanding musicianship, leave a strong impression.
Among them, the intro of this track features a bewilderingly complex phrase that someone like me—who usually only listens to so-called regular rock—can’t even imagine how it’s being played.
Of course, the snare, kick, and tom combinations in the first half are incredible, but the groove that follows has a uniquely distinctive feel and is a must-hear.
Be sure to listen closely and repeatedly to analyze it.
Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK
When you think of songs with a cool drum intro, isn’t this the first one that comes to mind among Japanese music? In recent J-rock, it’s definitely one of the most memorable drum intros! You can divide it into two parts: first, the section where the cymbal, snare, and kick are struck alternately, and then the snare-and-tom combination that follows.
Among these, the standout is the latter—the snare and tom combination.
Even though it’s based on sixteenth notes, the shifted accents make the phrase incredibly striking.
It looks cool if you can play it, and it’s a technique you can apply to other phrases too!
Walk This WayAerosmith
The intro of this song is also extremely famous—so much so that even people who don’t usually listen to Western rock probably know it well.
It’s well known as the theme song for “Odoru! Sanma Goten!!,” right? The intro’s brisk guitar phrase is supported by an incredibly simple beat made up of just hi-hat, snare, and kick drum, yet this beat is so iconic that it practically defines the song.
The tight, funky groove of this phrase is beyond words.
In any case, give it a careful listen.