Easy Drum Set Songs by Decade (1950s–Today)

Choosing the right songs can make or break a young drummer’s motivation. I always start by teaching basic drum set beats and then having the student play-along without any sheet music.

One on the most important elements of becoming a musician is learning to listen.

Parents often ask me:

  • “What songs should my child start with?”
  • “How hard is this song, really?”
  • “Is this the appropriate level for a middle school student?”

This guide answers those questions by ranking well‑known, age‑appropriate drum songs from the 1950s through today, organized by decade and difficulty. These lists are built specifically with middle school drummers (ages 10–18) in mind.

The goal isn’t flash. The goal is:

  • steady time
  • confidence
  • learning to play real music

How Difficulty Is Ranked

Songs are ranked easiest → hardest within each decade based on:

  • tempo consistency
  • limb coordination
  • endurance
  • fills and transitions

“Harder” does not mean advanced chops — it usually means more control, longer forms, or busier grooves.

2020s – Current Hits Kids Know

Tempo control and modern feel (relatable first, classics still sprinkled in)

  1. Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
  2. Levitating – Dua Lipa
  3. Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift
  4. Flowers – Miley Cyrus
  5. As It Was – Harry Styles
  6. Enemy – Imagine Dragons
  7. Die For You – The Weeknd
  8. Bad Habits – Ed Sheeran
  9. – Olivia Dean
  10. Good 4 U – Olivia Rodrigo

2010s – Modern Pop & Rock

Loop-based grooves and consistency

  1. Stressed Out – Twenty One Pilots
  2. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
  3. Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
  4. Get Lucky – Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
  5. Like a Stone – Audioslave
  6. Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON
  7. Happy – Pharrell Williams
  8. Believer – Imagine Dragons

2000s – Pop Punk, Indie & Radio Rock

Straight grooves with form awareness

  1. Island In The Sun – Weezer
  2. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
  3. Need You Now – Lady A
  4. Yellow – Coldplay
  5. Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
  6. Springsteen – Eric Church
  7. Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.
  8. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day

1990s – Alternative & Pop Rock

Dynamic control and stylistic variety

  1. Wonderwall – Oasis
  2. No Diggity – Blackstreet
  3. Zombie – The Cranberries
  4. 1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins
  5. Creep – Radiohead
  6. Like a Stone – Audioslave
  7. Undone (The Sweater Song) – Weezer
  8. Mony Mony – Billy Idol
  9. You Don’t Know How It Feels – Tom Petty
  10. Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
  11. Enter Sandman – Metallica

1980s – Arena Rock & Pop

Big sounds, steady time, stamina

  1. Purple Rain – Prince
  2. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
  3. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
  4. Every Breath You Take – The Police
  5. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
  6. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  7. Raspberry Beret – Prince
  8. Hurts So Good – John Mellencamp
  9. Rebel Yell – Billy Idol
  10. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
  11. The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News
  12. Crossfire – Stevie Ray Vaughan
  13. Learning To Fly – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  14. Runnin’ Down A Dream – Tom Petty

1970s – Classic Rock & Disco

Foundational grooves every drummer should know

  1. We Will Rock You – Queen
  2. Old Time Rock & Roll – Bob Seger
  3. Don’t Bring Me Down – Electric Light Orchestra
  4. Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2) – Pink Floyd
  5. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  6. Gimme All Your Lovin’ – ZZ Top
  7. Take It Easy – Eagles
  8. You Might Think – The Cars
  9. Funkytown – Lipps Inc.
  10. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
  11. Takin’ Care of Business – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  12. Heroes – David Bowie
  13. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

1960s – British Invasion & Roots Rock

Groove, feel, and early rock language

  1. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da – The Beatles
  2. Have You Ever Seen the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  3. Honky Tonk Women – The Rolling Stones
  4. Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  5. Imagine – John Lennon

1950s–Early Rock Foundations

Simple backbeats and song form awareness

  1. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
  2. Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley
  3. Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
  4. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
  5. Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley & His Comets
  6. That’ll Be the Day – Buddy Holly
  7. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
  8. Wake Up Little Susie – The Everly Brothers
  9. Peggy Sue – Buddy Holly
  10. Tutti Frutti – Little Richard

How I Use This With Students

I generally think of these lists in three tiers:

  • First 3 songs → beginner confidence builders
  • Middle section → coordination and consistency
  • Last 3 songs → endurance, fills, and transitions

Students don’t need to master every song. The point is to play music they recognize and enjoy, while quietly building solid fundamentals.

I generally think of these lists in three tiers:

  • First 3 songs → beginner confidence builders
  • Middle section → coordination and consistency
  • Last 3 songs → endurance, fills, and transitions

Students don’t need to master every song. The point is to play music they recognize and enjoy, while quietly building solid fundamentals.

A Note for Parents

If your child can:

  • keep steady time
  • play along with a song
  • finish the song without stopping

They are learning far more than they realize.

Progress on drums is cumulative. The right song at the right time keeps kids motivated — and motivation keeps them practicing.

Want Help Choosing the Right Songs?

If you’re unsure where your child fits on this list, I help students and parents choose music that matches:

  • age
  • experience level
  • attention span
  • musical interests

Learn more about drum lessons or schedule your first lesson to get started.

Playing real songs is one of the fastest ways to fall in love with the drums.