For this task, I will be discussing the videos I made in Task 2, and then evaluating how it went. Also I’ll be comparing it to the challenges I discussed in Task 1.
What have I learned about what I want to develop as a performer?
Physical Challenge: For this, I have decided to improve on my stamina because it is a key skill that you need when you want to be in the performance side of the music industry. If you are constantly gigging like 3/4 times a week, you will get tired and you’ll need the stamina to keep going. I struggle to get through a 40 minute set, let alone 3 gigs a week at minimum.
Technical Challenge: For the technical challenge, I wanted to develop my dynamics further, particularly with the volume of snares and bass drums. This is important because you need to be able to have a range of dynamics when performing as it’s important to emphasize the volume. The dynamics you use, express the mood that the song is trying to display. Rock for example, wouldn’t be played quietly so you need loud dynamics to show that. I am good with dynamics in rock songs, however with slower more gentle songs, you need to play softly.
Communication Challenge: For the communication challenge, I want to develop my stage confidence with ‘feeling the groove’. This is a major skill that’s needed because you need to show the audience that you want to be there and you are enjoying the gig. The reason I have this challenge, is because I’ve often been given feedback saying that I don’t look like I want to be at the gig. However I am actually enjoying the performance, I just tend to concentrate and it means I don’t look too happy.
What do I need to do to accomplish these goals?
Physical Challenge: To accomplish my physical challenge, I need to practice more. When I rehearse I will play through full setlists or a load of tracks I know I can play fully really well. It is good practice because I need to be able to play for a long amount of time due to gigs. I will create a setlist and go through it twice a week without fail so I can get used to the amount of effort I need to put in.
Technical Challenge: To accomplish my technical challenge I need to practice techniques and songs that use dynamics. These need to be practiced daily as it will benefit me in the future because it will help me become a better drummer.
Communication Challenge: To accomplish my communication challenge, I just need to practice with a mirror to check how I look. Or film myself perform so I can watch it back and see how I am doing as it’s important that I look good and happy whilst I am ‘feeling the groove’.
Evaluation of my performances, with reference to task 1:
Physical Challenge: In my performances, I demonstrated great stamina, although the videos don’t really express that because they aren’t very long. However I practiced around an hour after each video that I managed to take. Unfortunately I can’t prove that but the stamina is definitely improving and building slowly. I often became breathless and my hands or feet would ache, but I sadly don’t have video evidence to prove this fact. I am going to practice more and build my stamina up so I can take on the longer performances without burning through my energy within the first 20 or so minutes.
Technical Challenge: With my technical challenge, it is definitely shown when I play ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ as I use the low toms rim as a constant beat in the chorus as I need it to be heard but not too distinctive. I then move to the hi-hat in the pre-choruses and also the choruses because it gives the song more depth. For the solo and the last chorus in the song, I use the crash cymbal as that is when the song is at its peak, dynamic/volume wise. The use of dynamics showed the songs gradual build up, and made it seem more complex and not as dull.
Communication Challenge: For my communication challenge, I think it is clear to see that I have given the whole ‘feeling the groove’ look a pretty decent shot. Without playing in front of an audience, it’s hard to get the vibe of the song and the feeling of the groove because a lot of that is usually caused by the people in the room with you. However I have tried to look like I am enjoying it, more then I already am as I find it difficult to concentrate and smile lots at the same time. I nod along to the beat more in ‘Lithium’ and the other two songs as well. I do my best to keep the happiness going but I did often forget and slipped back into my concentration face. Because of this, I am going to practice more and more by filming myself when I play, so I can work on my look and therefore look happier and more confident when I go back to playing with a band again in the future.
Here are three performances that I have filmed from home, that will hopefully show my improvements in the techniques I pointed out in the previous task. I’d like to point out in advance that I don’t get much time to film playing at home, due to everyone being at home in the pandemic and working, so these videos aren’t to the best quality but I’ve done what I can.
Performance 1 – Supermassive Black Hole (Muse)
Performance 2 – Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman) I couldn’t find a backing track for this unfortunately so I am playing along to the track.
For Task 1, I am going to explain three challenges that I wish to develop. I will be improving a physical, technical and communication challenge.
Physical Challenge: Stamina –
I find keeping my stamina up, really challenging and I would like to be able to improve it as it will benefit me for future performances in my music career. Especially if I want to go into a functions band, as that can involve doing multiple gigs a week, most months of the year. Stamina can be hard to work on as it can take time and isn’t something you just get. You have to develop it over time and work on it, small gigs are a great way to practice and full rehearsals with your band or even just on your own playing through the whole setlist, will definitely help to improve it. I found a Tiny Desk video that entails this physical challenge. The drummer is only doing a 20 minute gig, however the songs that are performed, show so many uses of stamina as they play fast and complex songs.
From roughly 2:23 in the video to 2:51, the drummer plays a very complex groove as he slowly builds it up to play into the chorus with the other members. It is at a high pace and he is playing at a fast rhythm too so he needs the stamina and arm strength to keep going. Shortly after, he plays a single note on the snare and then goes straight back into a fast and groovy beat which means he gets barely any rest! He shows stamina as he is full of energy throughout the performance even though he is constantly playing what seems quite a complex groove and also a fast one, whereas I would definitely struggle due to not having played for that long before. Hopefully I will get the chance to in the future. To be able to play this fast throughout all the songs he plays on the Tiny Desk is pure talent in my opinion, and I’d love to be able to achieve it.
Technical Challenge: Dynamics –
I would like to improve on my dynamics as it is a major part to playing drums. If you were playing choruses and verses at the same volume as each other, it would ruin the build up to the chorus and their wouldn’t be a distinctive different between the two. However if you use dynamics and learn to control the sound and volume of each section, you can easily show how well you control your instrument and it also helps with expressing what mood you want to get across on the it. If you constantly play loudly, it will convey the songs as angry or upbeat, but the song might actually only be upbeat in the chorus. So, if you learn to play the verses more quietly or slightly different, it can be useful with helping to express what the songs true meaning is. Obviously it isn’t like that for all songs, but typically. there is a volume dynamic between sections of a song. I found this Tiny Desk video below that indicates this technical challenge that I struggle with.
At 4:12, during the song ‘Retold’, the drummer Nate Smith play a quiet groove, entailing a softly played cymbal and a snare with a brush because he wants to play as quietly as possible. However when he gets to 4:24 he plays the cymbal much louder to show dynamics and it also shows them moving into the next section of the song. Almost being used as a fill like at the end of a bar to move into a different groove. He uses a volume dynamic with the cymbal because a loud heavy fill would lose the gentle/calm feel to the song. All it takes is a simple choke of the cymbal and I find that can even be enough of a dynamic to display the feeling of the song. This is a great skill to learn as it gives me more freedom with the music I want to play and how I can express certain feelings through the kit.
Communication Challenge: Feeling the groove –
Feeling the groove is a key part to performing as a drummer. It’s crucial factor as you need to show the audience and the other members of the band that you are enjoying the performance as much as they are too. The reason I need to work on this is because one of the main pieces of feedback I receive, is that I don’t look like I am enjoying the performance. However I am enjoying it, I just tend to forget to show my happiness when playing as I am usually to busy concentrating on the actual playing when I don’t really need tp. I think it’s down to being nervous that I am going to make a mistake by distracting myself when getting to into the groove. But feeling the groove is important as you not only need to enjoy it yourself, but you cannot look miserable during a performance as it can ruin the whole bands look if you aren’t enjoying it. The audience will soon pick up on it and they will feel like they haven’t paid for a gig that’s worth it if the drummer doesn’t even want to be there. I want to work on my look when playing a lot and I found the perfect Tiny Desk video that displays ‘feeling the groove’ well. Here it is:
Lous and The Yakuza have a drummer who is in the video above called Jamiel Blake. He is a prime example of feeling the groove in this, especially in the song ‘Bon Acteur’. The simple nodding of the head to the beat, is enough to show he is into the music and enjoying it so much. He gives a smile every now and again even when he isn’t playing and it expresses to the audience that he likes the music, and it gives the viewers a good impression of the band as a whole because the enjoyment shown is an important skill that needs to be expressed. Also, in the song ‘Dilemme’ he shuts his eyes as he’s playing, as if to say he is feeling the groove so much that he is juts taking it in and appreciating it a lot. I want to be able to express this much enjoyment during my performances as it’ll give a good outlook on the band and also make me enjoy the gig even more. If I am able to play the songs without having to concentrate too much and making a miserable face, it’d be a great communication skill to develop as it will benefit me and the band as a whole. Also as a player, I want to be seen as a happy person and that I enjoy playing, which I do, but sometimes it just doesn’t look like it,
For this task I will be choose an artist from each decade between 2020 and 1920, to show how music has been influenced over the years and also how it has made me the musician I am today. The main people that inspired me were often involved in the ‘funk’ genre and most were women, so the artists I have chosen tend to all have been influenced by that in some way or another. The artists I am going to show you have not only influenced music, but have also influenced me and how I play today. The artists all have links to each other so I will do my best to explain that below. I am going to name the artist, explain how they are linked to others, and then how it affects me.
2020s:Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa, in my opinion, is a very talented artist that has been really successful already in 2020 and we are only a year in. She released an album in this year called ‘Future Nostalgia’ and it featured some amazing songs. It has an upbeat vibe to it and is full of dance pop anthems. There is an 80s funk sound to the whole album due to the bass sound and the straight yet complex drum beats, however many of her past songs feature this kind of music in too. You can tell she was influenced by 80s disco as her music sounds like a more modern version of a Cheryl Lynn or a Donna Summer track. The bass playing always stands out as it ‘pops’ and that’s what I love about her songs. The drums featured in it are always rather simple but effective and keeps the songs flowing throughout. The drumming on her tracks are fun to play and I enjoy listening to it, plus they give me inspiration as to why I still like to perform. She has proved that the music I like to play and hear, is still released in the world today, and not just something that ended a few decades ago. One of the best tracks from this 2020 album is ‘Levitating’, and I think it conveys the point I am making rather well:
2010s:Adele
Adele ruled the 2010s! She released two astonishing albums in 2011 and 2015 known as ’21’ and ’25’ marking her age at the time of release. She often expresses a great sadness through her songs but the outlook on her tracks is often very positive as she reveals her love life through song. She mentions in many interviews that her biggest inspiration is Etta James as she has often been compared to her. This is because of her powerful voice that she shows in both these albums. The influence from Etta James is quite obvious as the tone of Adele’s voice is similar and also there is a wide range of notes that she is also able to hit, from really low, to quite a high pitch. Adele covers many genres but the main ones are ‘soul’ and ‘R&B’ which again is influenced by many of the past people I mention below. Her music is just a modern version of this yet the same energy is expressed and she has become just as successful, if not more. The music itself doesn’t involve much drumming, but the drums that are used are simple yet effective. However the power and tone of her voice is what I love about her. It’s so refreshing to hear, especially because of the music that comes out now and it inspires me to try and create music similar. A song I find truly incredible of hers and probably her most popular, is ‘Rolling In The Deep’ from her 2011 album. Her voice is amazing and the ‘Etta James vibe’ is definitely shown and it also was the song that made me love Adele even more, again making me enjoy music so much more. Here it is:
2000s:Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse. She was such a wonderful woman, and she had the most rich and beautiful voice that inspired so many people, including me. Her bluesy/soul feel to her music influenced the likes of many and brought the R&B into the 2000s. She released the famous ‘Back to Black’ album in 2006 that managed to win her multiple awards, including a Grammy for her song ‘Rehab’. When it comes to drumming, one of my favourite songs to play is the one I’ve featured below because it’s not too complex, yet it’s so distinctive and enjoyable to play. Winehouse had a big impact on me as a child as I was lucky enough to remember listening to her songs on CD whilst she was still alive. Her look wasn’t the “typical” look and money didn’t change how she saw the world. That is a main reason to why I also liked her because she made me realise that money wasn’t that important and the music was all that mattered to her as she found enough pleasure in it to be satisfied. Her music often featured more then just the typical drum, bass, piano and guitar, but also contained trumpets and saxophones. That is what gave her tracks a 60s feel. The tone to her voice was deep and expressive and show her influences also took a toll on her vocals. She often said she was inspired by Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, who are both Classic Soul singers. The riffs that Amy is capable of singing in her songs, are similar to Franklins and they sound incredible. The song below, I think represents my point well and hopefully shows the influence I was speaking about with her voice and also the music:
1990s: Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was a very underrated, yet big part of the 1990s in my opinion. She helped shift R&B from a male dominating genre, to a female domination. She inspired many black female artists and gave them a platform to feel comfortable releasing their music. Hills debut album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ was a masterpiece as she combined, hip-hop with R&B and added a touch of funk and soul. She influenced many black artists such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Kanye West. She also has a huge influence on Adele through the feminist side to her work and gave Adele much inspiration when it came to writing her music. She showed the world what women are capable of accomplishing anything and opened many doors to up and coming female artists. Hill then went on to winning 5 Grammys and her one and only album won best of the year, and that was a first for the Hip-Hop genre. In all Lauryn’s songs, she shows off her deep and smooth vocals that are full of dexterity and control, making her voice pure bliss to listen to. Two of her biggest inspirations were Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, who also appear on this list in two of the decades below. The control Franklin has with her voice, is similar to Hills, however Franklins is of course more powerful but you can definitely see the similarities. Hills music is featured in this list as more of a historical influence for me, due to the female empowerment it gave many women, including me. She is a big part of how music is today and I am grateful for this album that she released. The music is inspiring and has so many meanings beneath the lyrics in all her songs. I chose ‘Ex-Factor’ as a great example in proving the points I have just made. This song is motivating:
1980s:Diana Ross
One of the most iconic women in the 80s was Diana Ross, known for her funk and soul tracks! She rose to fame as the lead vocalist in The Supremes however she released 3 albums in the 1980s. She released her most popular album ‘Diana’ in 1980 and many classics featured on it like ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Tenderness’. Her music was considered the ‘pop’ of then but is now placed in a disco/funk/soul genre as that is what it’s considered. She influenced the likes of Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan and also Dua Lipa through her lyrics and the music itself. Ross used basslines in her songs that stood out and were often very memorable, similar to Dua Lipa’s music now, conveying that the inspiration from her music is still strong even 35/40 years later. Diana’s influences however were Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, The Temptations and Billie Holiday. These influences are under the genre of jazz and blues, and it is expressed through Ross’ music, just more modern. She takes the structure of a blues song and just adds a more upbet drum groove and some strings. Her vocals are amazing and the skills she showed off were phenomenal, and they still are to this day. The song below ‘Upside Down’ is her best song in my opinion, and the quality of the sound is incredible. The beat is complex, the bassline is funky and the vocals are immaculate:
1970s:Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is the first male to feature on this list, however he is definitely not the last. He is known for being genius and releasing some very incredible soul, R&B, and funk tracks. His tracks often featured a complex drum groove with a great snare sound featured in all songs and a very funky bassline. The best bassline is entailed in the song I have out below and it will be stuck in your head all day. Wonder had around 6 albums released in the 1970s, but the most influential one was ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’ that include ‘Sir Duke’, ‘Pastime Paradise’ and ‘Isn’t She Lovely’. The artists he inspired were Michael Jackson, Coolio, Janelle Monet and Prince. Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ is surprisingly similar (structure wise) to ‘I Wish’ by Stevie Wonder. They both feature s string bluesy bassline, horn riffs, a jumpy backbeat and distinctive vocals. Not only did he impact artists, but his lyrics also had political and societal reverence as he often preached about love and peace. Stevie Wonder has sold more then 100 million albums, won 25 Grammys and is the first male solo artist to ever accomplish this. He also went on to win a Golden Globe and many more awards which he definitely deserved. The song I have added below is the best in my opinion out of this particular album, and the energy expressed is great:
1960s: Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is one of the best female vocalists of all time in my opinion, and I’m sure many others would agree. She is the definition of soul music. She had incredible range, being able to sing from G2 to E6 which is mind-blowing and her voice was so powerful. Her music shaped female empowerment, impacted the civil rights movement and addresses women’s rights. In the song ‘Respect’, she sung about how men needed to respect the woman more instead of it being the other way around. This inspired so many artists and gave them the courage to write about similar subjects. For example, Lauryn Hills ‘Doo Wop’, was about men not exploiting women, therefore having respect for them. Franklin also influenced Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and many more. The power she gave to females in not only the industry but also in the world, was unbelievable and helped many women step up to the platform and express themselves without the judgement. She blended gospel with jazz, blues and R&B and added a gravitas to it with the message she always tried to give off. Aretha won 18 Grammys and has 5 of her tracks featured in the Grammys Hall Of Fame. One man quoted ‘So much of her music is an anthem for civil rights, for women’s liberation. She told those stories in her own music in a way that people could take those as their own’. This conveys that she had so much impact on the culture and where we are with music today. Two of Aretha’s biggest influences were Dinah Washington and Sam Cooke but Aretha has a bigger impact on others from her music. The song I have featured below is my favourite of hers. It shows off her astonishing vocals, a bluesy bass line and has an upbeat dancing energy to it. It brings me lots of joy, and is just one of the many songs that express her talents to the world:
1950s: Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald has the most wonderful voice in all of music, and classed as ‘the first lady of song’. She won 13 Grammys for her amazing, pure and impeccable vocals. She was known for being the Queen of Jazz because of scat singing in her songs, which was heavily influenced by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker because of his be-bop styled music. She used the be-bop rhythms in her music and gave the world a blessing when she released music. She came out with many albums and tracks that became so popular in the United States and also across Europe. I have attached two songs for this decade as I wanted to highlight two different points. The first being, her talent for scat singing. This song ‘Airmail Special’ is mesmerising and so incredible to listen to:
The song below is one of my favourites as not only does it feature Louis Armstrong too, but it made me fall in love with music. Ella’s voice is perfect and it blends so well with Armstrong’s unique voice. Fitzgerald influenced so many artists with her music, some of them being Adele, KT Tunstall, Diana Ross and Lana Del Rey. Here is ‘Dream A Little Dream Of Me’:
1940s:Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker was known for his bebop styled Jazz in the 1940s, and also playing the Alto Saxophone whilst releasing many albums in this decade. He influenced many musicians around the world, not just jazz, and he made swing into a danceable genre, instead of just involving a matter of listening. This changed everyone’s views on Jazz as when he added the bebop style to it, the songs were more upbeat and people didn’t enjoy it at first. But it was soon seen as the cool new way of jazz, and therefore changed music. One of his most popular songs (which is the one featured below) is ‘Ornithology’ and it has a very fast drum groove in it, playing the hi-hat and ride cymbal quickly. It inspired me as a drummer and many others, and I’d love to be able to play jazz/swing like this at some point in my career. although it will definitely take a while. A glockenspiel can also be heard in it, giving it a unique sound but enjoyable too. The horn section is always loud in Parkers songs and can be heard easily over any other instrument, however it isn’t too overpowering and is enjoyable to hear. In his song ‘Ko Ko’ the speed of the drumming is mind-blowing and it sounds near impossible to play, but is so impressive. He influenced music of the famous John Coltrane and also Ornette Coleman. The song below is the best example there is of Charlie Parker and his bands talents:
1930s:Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller was a jazz musician, a trombone player in a big band and a composer/arranger. His first song was ‘Moonlight Serenade’ which I think is a beautiful song, consisting of the most graceful and charming instrumental pieces of all time, in my opinion. It became the signature song for The Glenn Miller Orchestra as it was their first number one hit. The music his band wrote and performed has stood the test of time and will forever define the era of Swing as they played well into the 30s, but unfortunately Miller died in 1944 due to the war. Glenn Miller was influenced by Duke Ellington but Miller had many a follower. He inspired some of the biggest artists including, Dean Martin, Buddy Rich, The Andrew Sisters and Stan Kenton. I added the ‘Moonlight Serenade’ below as this song has a lot of meaning to me as it reminds me of my grandad. It also sums up the 1930s for me and in my opinion, was the biggest change in Jazz during that decade. This song is beautiful and I could listen to it on repeat for hours.
1920s:Louis Armstrong
Although I don’t know much about music before the 1950s, I know that Louis Armstrong is one of the most influential musicians in Jazz history, turning Jazz into a fine art. Although he wasn’t as popular in the 20s, he did become known and that is how his career in the industry really started. He features in a song called ‘Cake Walking Babies’ by Clarence Williams Blue Five (1925), and he is just playing in the background until he seizes the spotlight at the 2:12 mark and takes everyone’s breath away. This is where he was really noticed. Jump forward to 1927 and we hear Armstrong’s distinctive voice for the first time in ‘Hotter Than That’ where he scat sings from about 1:20 into the song. He made the term ‘scat’ known to the world and it went from “some odd noise” to a form of art, which is exactly what it was. Using scat, he influenced Ella Fitzgerald, who we know as an amazing Jazz singer, and who then went on to duetting with Armstrong quite frequently. He also influenced Billie Holiday and she quoted “I think I copied my style from Louis Armstrong”. He had a very distinctive and recognisable voice that everyone enjoys. It’s enchanting and moving, which is why I attached this video below:
For this task, I have been asked to upload three different songs between three different time frames. I’d like to point out in advance that I don’t get much time to film playing at home, due to everyone being at home in the pandemic and working, so these videos aren’t to the best quality but I’ve done what I can.
Before 1950:
I have chosen to analyse ‘Blue Moon’ by Frank Sinatra as I have never played something from before the 1950s so I found it very challenging to start learning swing/jazz, because I am more of a R&B/Punk drummer.
The song is in the key of C# and played at 113bpm.
C# key: C#, D#m, E#, F#, G#, A#, B# diminished
Time Signature: 4/4
There are two verses, four choruses and one solo, making the song last for two minutes and fifty one seconds. The instruments involved were with a big band of 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Saxophone, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums and of course Vocals.
For the drum section of the song, I found this cover on YouTube and it was interesting to watch:
This seems like a complex song to be able to play and I’d love to be able to achieve it in the future. It features a usage of brushes and a constant hi-hat rhythm with the left foot throughout the song. The hi-hat bet throughout is very distinctive and is used as the other instruments metronome. The use of brushes is delicate and the bass drum is feathered when its hit as it shouldn’t be heard, but felt so you can hear the rhythm of the song. The righthand plays a constant rhythm that moves from the snare, to the ride, the crash and then the hi-hat, conveying a build up of volume and is a good use of dynamics. He goes from using brushes, to sticks and then gets subtly louder each time.
Between 1960 – 1989:
I have chosen to perform ‘What Difference Does It Make’ by The Smiths (1984) as I wanted to try new. I couldn’t find a backing track so I played along with the real song.
Between 1993-1998:
I have chosen to perform ‘Creep’ by Radiohead as it seemed interesting and I am a big fan of them.
For Task 3 of Unit 4, I will be discussing my Top 10 songs and why I have chosen them. I found this task very hard as the songs are so mixed and don’t correlate with each other, however this is my Top 10 and I really struggled to put it together. All of this is to do with the music I listen to, and there is no influence from the general publics thoughts and opinions as there are no ‘typical’ top 10 options in here. Here it is:
10. Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Smiths
Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths, definitely had to feature in my Top 10. The first reason I chose it was because of my love for the band and this is my favourite song of theirs. The snare drum solo is astounding to me! As a drummer I thought that Mike Joyce’s playing was impeccable. The snare sound is great and it really blends well with the guitar and vocals. The guitar rhythm throughout the song is quite hard to play perfectly in time so I find it very impressive. Morrisey’s vocals gives it a creepier vibe then it should have in my opinion but I quite like that. The lyrics are somewhat disturbing, however I look past them due to how much I enjoy the music itself. Another reason as to why I like this song is because it brings back specific memories. For example, the first time I heard this song was when I was in Switzerland skiing. Now every time I am on the slopes, I’ll always listen to this song as it has become a tradition almost. And if I hear it any other time of year, I instantly think back to those moments away from home. The reason this song is only at number 10, is simply because although I love it, the other songs have more meaning to me, but I knew this had to feature as the song brings me so much joy when I listen to it.
9. Rocket Man – Elton John
Rocket Man is a beautiful song. Elton John isn’t my favourite artist, however this track is astonishingly good. His singing is top-notch and and the wide range of vocals used makes me envious. There is a drum groove at about 2:20 into the song which is one reason why I listen to it so much, because it blends so well with the trumpet that comes in and also the vocals. The use of the hi-hat opens in that section fit so well with the build up to the chorus. The hi-hat opens made me love drums and playing even more and I now use them frequently in certain improvisations as I have worked out how it effects the song. I think the drums are suited well to each part of the song as the mood of it changes so much. The sound of the snare is so perfect and the groove throughout the song is phenomenal. I associate it with Sunday mornings spent with the family, having a relaxing day. I would definitely say this song has influenced me when playing.
8. Ugotme – Omar Apollo
Omar Apollos ‘Ugotme’ is highly underrated in my opinion. The vocals on this song are immaculate and he sings so softly yet it is so strong. I think this is his best song, and it is in my Top 10 because all the features to the song are great. The harmonies in the chorus blend so well, and the guitar playing is very impressive. There is a rhythm guitar throughout, but an amazing lead guitar that comes in every now and again. It blends so well with the rhythm and adds so much emotion to it. Without it, the song would still be good, but the passion wouldn’t be there. I think the lead, mixed with the quality vocals is what makes me love the song so much, the passion and feeling to this song is amazing. The drum/trap beat that backs the song is great too, as is suits the mood and the snares are snappy. The high-hat sound throughout is on point and keeps the track flowing nicely. This song reminds me of walking my dog through the fields near my house on a spring morning.
7. Stay With Me – Faces
This song, makes me so happy as soon as I hear it. Stay With Me by Faces has the most incredible vibe to it! It reminds me of when I go out to Spain each year with my whole family, when we drive round, my parents never fail to play this at least once. This had to go on my Top 10 as it brings me and my family so much joy when we hear it, not to mention how amazing the music sounds in it too. The drums have a brilliant groove throughout and suit the song perfectly, with the little hi-hat and crashes throughout that keep it alive. The fills are good and don’t make the song too complex. On the other hand, Ronnie Wood on lead guitar plays the coolest riffs during the song and it creates the best vibe, especially when he solos, it sounds astonishing. Ian McLagan played the keyboard and it amazed me in this song how good it sounded as it seems very complex but makes the song so complete. Rod Stewarts vocals are phenomenal and his voice is so distinctive, it suits the track completely and he is the only one who could make it this great in my opinion. I will never get enough of this song.
6. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
‘Gimme Shelter’ in my opinion, is a wonderful song and so well written. This song makes me feel so many mixed feelings. The guitar is impeccable throughout and an array of different riffs are played during the song, all creating a cool sound. The whole vibe of the song, creates a passionate yet angry energy. It makes me feel so frustrated about what is happening the world today and how negative life can be, and The Rolling Stones manage to capture that in a very specific way. The lyrics are deep and quite sad, but the upbeat drum grooves and the lead guitar make it seem better. The harmonica is played by Mick Jagger in this track, as well as him singing and it gives the song another reason for being so unique, it also blends well with the guitar. Micks vocals are on point and high quality as usual, however Merry Clayton also features in the vocals, and her voice is superior compared to others. She puts so much effort into this song and gives it more passion then if Mick just sang on his own. The harmonies are great and her voice is so powerful that her voice even breaks towards the end at 3:01, which shows how much energy she actually put into it. This song is in my Top 10 as it never fails to make me smile, I enjoy hearing their two voices together a lot and it also brings back good memories of driving long distances with family. If we drive down to Devon or Cornwall, this song never fails to play and it reminds me of the quality time I had in my childhood with family.
5. Dogs – Pink Floyd
‘Dogs’ by Pink Floyd has made it into my top 5 for many reasons. The song is 17 minutes and 5 seconds long, and I enjoy every single bit of it. David Gilmour’s vocals are featured for a few minutes of the song and I find his range very surprising as he can hit many high notes, and for a reasonable length of time. However my favourite part of the song happens at 3:40 until about 4:45, and then again at 14:06 until 15:12. I can’t explain why I love it as much as I do, but the guitar sound is beautiful and I have never heard anything like it before. It makes me emotional and was the reason I knew I loved music. It was one of the first songs I listened to and took my breath away, I was interested in every single part of the song, despite how long it was. I still am not bored of this track and I don’t think I ever could be because there are so many different parts to it. The structure of the song is very original and I’ve never seen another band as original as Pink Floyd. In my opinion, it is an underrated song and I don’t think it gets the praise it deserves. Nick Masons drumming throughout is amazing and he adds cool fills to many of the sections on this track that I really enjoy listening to, at around the 10 minute mark he just starts playing a single double stroke and as simple as that is, its really effective. The drums are played and blended so well into each section and really suit the mood throughout the song. The reason it made my Top 5 is because of how much I enjoy the song. It’s a song I listen to when I am studying or working, and a song I listen to when I am relaxing with friends.
Tadow – Masego, FKJ
Masego and FKJs track ‘Tadow’ had to be featured in the Top 5 as I find it incredible. The guitar sound is of very high quality and it seems so pure. There is a rather unique sound to it, and the picking of the strings sounds complex and so interesting to watch. The drums are electronic so they don’t have a great sound, however they are quiet and I think that makes the song better. The hi-hat noises are louder and are made to be known in the song and it adds a nice touch. What makes this song for me is the saxophone, as it’s not often featured in modern songs these days however it fits perfectly in this and Masego is an amazing sax player. It gives a cool jazzy feature to this song when its actually more of a ‘Bedroom Pop’ sounding track. It adds another level to it which I really like and love to hear. The vocals from Masego are astonishing and express how talented he is. He hits a high note when he sings ‘Tadow’ that I find impressive and his voice in general is very soft sounding, which sits the song well as it’s meant to sound relaxed and laid back. The reason I like this song is because of the instruments featured and how they are played, but also because of the memories behind the song. I remember listening to it when I was in America about 2 years ago with some friends and we were all sitting at a skatepark with people we’d just met and someone played it through their speaker. Ever since, I have always listened to it and it reminds me of the summer and having fun.
3. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
‘The Chain’ is quite an iconic song and personally, I think it should be featured on everyone’s Top 10 because it is astonishing! There are many memories behind this song but the main one is from when me and my friends would have parties back in school, this song would always come on and when the famous riff, aka the ‘Formula 1’ riff, was played, everyone went crazy and would sing it really loudly. The guitar at the start of the song that is played in the intro and verses, is great and I always feel happy when I hear it. The bass drum that comes into the intro is very distinctive and I like that you can easily point it out as there is only the guitar playing. The bass riff which is the most famous one, starts playing at 3:04 and is the ground for the next section of the song. You can hear it even when all the other instruments join in which is unusual as the bass is normally drowned out by everything else. The snare that is played during the beginning of this section slowly fades in and really builds up into the chorus, which then rolls into a cool grove. Mick Fleetwood’s skills are shown in this song and the drums are blended nicely into the chorus but aren’t too overpowering. The guitar solo at the end is incredible and the sound is kind of tinny in my opinion, but it works really well with the rest of it.
2. Wuthering Heights – Kate Bush
Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ definitely has to feature close to the No 1 spot as I can never get enough of her, particularly this track. Her voice is so distinctive and unique, so unusual to any other artist. It’s easy to identify as she conveys such a ‘witchy’ tone and creepy energy to her voice, yet it is so enchanting to listen to. The range of her vocals is phenomenal and she hits ear-piercing notes that are very impressive. I enjoy listening to her voice a lot because it’s so unlike any other and it intrigues me. The piano played throughout the song is blended nicely with her vocals and expresses the mood of the song which is peaceful and angelical, it works well with the rest of the instruments. The drums are subtle and not too loud which is good, and the fills that are played, are deep in contrast to the rest of the song which is played and sung in quite a high register. The love I have for this song is immense! Towards the end of it, there is a wonderful guitar solo that almost makes Bush’s song sound more modern and adds a twist to a very indie sounding song. I like the solo and it compliments the piano and the fading vocals well. Another reason I like the song is because it reminds me of visiting family, it would never fail to play whilst we were round someone’s. ‘Wuthering Heights’ makes me feel so happy and calm, and I forget everything negative going on. This song will always be one of my favourites, as well as Kate Bush also being one of my favourites.
1. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys ‘I Ain’t Got You’ is my number one song of all time. I chose this for many reasons, and I found it difficult to choose a top 10, but I always knew this was my top as it always has been. Alicia Keys has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard, and her talents are definitely shown the most in this song. She has a huge array of talent as not only is she singing the most incredible notes on this track, but she is also playing the piano at the same time, which sounds unbelievable. The harmonies she sings beside the main vocals, are so great and they blend so well and seem so effortless. The piano is played so carefully and is vey complex as she covers a wide range of notes throughout it. The drums suit the song perfectly as they are punchy and loud at times, especially with the bass drum. But, the rim click that is used in the verses, is loud and can be heard even over the piano which I find different and good as rim clicks are usually quiet. When she sings, her voice seems so pure and clear, however it is so high for her so it must be quite hard, but she makes it sound effortless and incredible. Keys hits some amazing riffs and shows off her vocal abilities throughout the whole song and it would amaze anyone who listens to it. A big reason I like this song is due to the memories that come with it. It reminds me of my best friend, as it is our song. I always sing it with her whenever we are together and we usually do it on karaoke at parties. It is such a beautiful song, and has a huge part as to why I want to be in the music industry. If I could drum in the background to a song even as half as good as this, it would mean the world to me. Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ is and will always be at my No 1 spot as the track is my idea of a ‘perfect song’.
Overall I found this list incredibly hard to put together as there are so many great songs I could’ve featured, however I managed to finally do it and I believe that this is my genuine choice of my 10 favourite songs.
Fran Adams Drums 