Top 10 Songs with the Best Drum Solos

The Top Ten
1 Beast and the Harlot - Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold was my life through high school, and I found Beast and the Harlot and instantly fell in love with that solo. Being a novice drummer myself, I loved listening to that solo and trying to work on figuring out the coordination it took to move so effortlessly around a kit like that. Truly awe inspiring.

I'd give this long speech about all the things that make this song #1, but I don't have to. If you listen to every song on this list, Beast and the Harlot will be at or near the top of your list. Listen for yourself. FoREVer.

2 Moby Dick - Led Zeppelin

If someone asks me how to define this song, I would only say "just, John Bonham". The complexity, power and outstanding technique used in this song reveals the magic John Bonham could do with his body and his drum kit. It's not a coincidence this is voted as the best drum solo ever by Rolling Stone magazine (and Bonham being voted as the best drummer of all time by the same magazine). This drum solo is so magical, surreal and amazingly fantastic that we could only say Bonzo left us a legacy to enjoy for ages to come.

3 Tom Sawyer - Rush

I like Avenged Sevenfold, but the drum solo for Beast and the Harlot is not that good. I don't judge solos by who played them. I don't even think Beast and the Harlot qualifies as a drum solo. It's just a double bass accompanied by a couple of toms and a snare. Tom Sawyer on the other hand, is a complex, creative masterpiece that blows any other drum solo except Moby Dick out of the water (no pun intended).

Neil peart is a genius! I've heard beast and the harlot and it's not as epic as this. It seems like Avenged Sevenfold just decided at the last minute to just shove a drum solo randomly in the middle of the song. Its got some crazy drumming in it but Tom Sawyer is better. I actually had "Ted, Just Admit It. " by Janes Addiction in mind when I looked at this page.

4 Painkiller - Judas Priest

Greatest album opening ever. No contest.

Crazy fast drum solo at the end there!

5 Hot for Teacher - Van Halen

It might not sound as cool as the other drum solos but if you think about Alex's feet when he plays it it's way more skilled than the other solos and I think it does sound as cool!

Have you heard another song that sounds like a car is running?! I don't think so! Well Van Halen did it! This solo sounds the best!

Have you ever heard a song that sounds like a car is running but it is just a drummer! This one is the best!

6 The End - The Beatles

Well unlike Moby Dick, it sounds brilliant. Moby Dick might be technical and heavy, which heavy metal fans will like because you know, it is heavy. But this drum solo sounds really good. Ringo is as talented as his band members who is highly underrated, and this drum solo should be at top 5 because it sounds good, which Moby Dick obviously doesn't. And what is Rock and Roll doing there?

In addition to being the most recognized drum solo of all time, I also think this is the greatest drum solo of all time. And it is fitting that it is Ringo Starr, the world's most famous drummer in the world's greatest band, and one of the most influential drummers of all time. All those who don't think Ringo was a good drummer, should listen to this solo, because it is a beautiful piece of art.

7 If 6 Was 9 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
8 In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins

Number one for me because the song has great transition which ends with explosion of the emotional drum solo/bass duet. Awesome effect and style!

Pounds right through my heart and soul every time I hear it. Turn up the radio, stereo, on whatever or wherever I hear it!

His drum solo after "...stranger to you and me" is one of the most oft-copied "air drum" maneuvers you'll see rock fans imitate! It's a classic

9 Toad - Cream

Nobody- that is, no body- has ever been able to replicate the complexity, nor the progression of change of Ginger Baker's solo. Ever. Anywhere. There are a lot of good and great drum solos on the planet. And I have no bias toward cream. And I fancy solo's especially by jazz drummer. But Ginger's stands out far and above... Great to be alive.

There's just something else about cream that no one else has ever seemed to replicate and the 3 and a half minute long solo in toad is no different at all. Ginger was an insane drummer with a really unique and genuinely interesting sound and toad is just proof of that

10 In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly

This is what a drum solo should be,a form of musical expression. It is unique, says something and goes somewhere. Instead of being just a way of glorifying the drummer, it fits perfectly with the energy and essence of the sobg itis part of. Also, it was created on the spot instead of being planned/written. I have been playing drums for 20 years, and still cannot duplicate it.

Who heard of drum solos before Iron Butterfly? First, best, and broke ground with guitar solo, drum solo and organ solo. All in a 17-minute package when only 2.5 minute songs were allowed. Ground breaking. And I'm old enough to remember it (67).

The Contenders
11 YYZ - Rush

No one comes close to this solo, especially that Neil hits all 43 pieces of his drum set!

YYZ from Exit Stage Left is the best what I have ever heard.

Jesus you can't get any better than this.

12 Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin

This should be a wee bit higher.

13 As I Am - Dream Theater
14 Scavenger of Human Sorrow - Death
15 St. Anger - Metallica

Ok I like this song and love Metallica... This song should be more high... Guys Lars is a legend and he has inspired other drummers in this list... Metallica is best band of world, universe, heaven and everywhere...
There every work and they deserve number 1 position... There all albums are great, all guys Lars, James, Kirk, rob all are best and will live forever in our this world... Guitar heroes Metallica...

November Rain is more of the best guitar solo than drum solo. This is the most energetic solo I have ever heard

16 Finally Free - Dream Theater
17 Rat Salad - Black Sabbath

Had a kid play this for me - and I grew up Classic Rock, and had somehow missed this one. I was so into it, I share it with everyone I know likes rock or drums.

The complexity of the patterns and sheer tasty texture of Ward's drums blow me away on this one. I personally put it even above Moby Dick...and Bonham is a legend in my eyes

Why isn't sweet leaf on this list? That song has some pretty decent drums if you ask me.

18 Soul Sacrifice - Santana

Michael Shrieve. Barely 20 years old when he played at Woodstock and 21 at Tanglewood the following year. No competition. When Avenged Sevenfold is number 1 and this is 19, there's a problem!

This kid is beating the hell out of these drums the entire song but when he gets to his solo, he takes it to another level!

Best ever. This should be number one. Some of those ranked above this are actually boring compare to Cul on the Woodstock version

19 Ruin - Lamb of God
20 Dragon Attack - Queen
21 Paradise Lost - Hollywood Undead

The solo is only in the live version but it is amazing none the less

22 Demons Gate - Candlemass
23 C**tcrusher - Infant Annihilator
24 Killing in the Name - Rage Against the Machine
25 Tank - Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Oh, sorry didn't see this one! Number 1 for me

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