All-Time Top 10 Dueling Pianos Drum Fills

Disclaimers ---

Ok, this list is entirely subjective.

It was not based just on musicianship. Other considerations included cultural resonance, uniqueness, popularity and face-melting awesomeness.

And by the way, this list was collated with the help of our resident drum deity - Andrew Potenza. If you've ever seen the Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos show in NYC, then it's likely you've witnessed Andrew's work on the skins. And your life has never been the same.

So, without further ado, our top 10:

#10 - I MELT WITH YOU - Modern English

Discussed in a previous blog, this entry is entirely subjective. Innovative? Sloppy? Tomato, to-mah-to.

#9 - TOM SAWYER - Rush

Like there was a chance a drumming top 10 list wasn't going to have Rush and Neil Peart on it??? This song has let a generation of rockers air-drum their little hearts out.

#8 - SISTER CHRISTIAN - Night Ranger

At least for the performers involved, there's an immediate happy-face when the drums nail that fill before the last chorus takes us motorin'...

#7 - FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS - Queen

Group harmonies, crowd singalongs, odes to the posterior - this song has it all. And then comes the wall of sound that is the fill into the last choruses.

#6 - AFRICA - Toto

One of the more challenging Dueling Pianos songs, this ditty also contains a fun fill before the last chorus. Thus, while the piano player is blowing his vocal chords out for naught, the drummer only has to play three notes and the whole room goes wild.

#5 - BABA O RILEY - The Who

I dare you to find a Dueling Pianos drum fill with more p.s.i. than Keith Moon's driving thunder as the crowd screams "it's only Teen-age WASTE-LANDDDDD!"

#4 - TEQUILA - The Champs

Yes, this steady fill is ubiquitous, but ask any drummer to take a drum solo at a Dueling Pianos show, and nine times out of 10, this song is the result. And then there's two words. Pee. Wee.

#3 - BLISTER IN THE SUN - Violent Femmes

The fill that proves quality beats quantity. Four timeless hits that practically overshadow the guitar line preceding them. And bonus points for the cryptic sexual references.

#2 - JACK & DIANE - John (Cougar) Mellencamp

Not only is this an iconic 80s tune, but when the drum break hits, every table drummer and beatboxer has a semi-orgasmic fit, culminating in the final bar before Mr. Mellencamp takes it to the bridge and lets the Bible Belt save our souls.

and at #1 - (drum roll please...hehe...)

IN THE AIR TONIGHT - Phil Collins

For those who doubt this one, look around the room the next time this song comes in. Try to keep your hands in your pockets when the beat drops. If you need an example of the all-consuming power of this fill, check out our homepage Dueling Pianos video.

Honorable Mentions:DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME - Simple Minds, ROCK N ROLL - Led Zeppelin, SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT - Nirvana

Ok, now the phone lines are open...which awesome fills did we forget??

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