Christmas is coming and we want to know the best songs for drummers!

 

The Best Christmas Songs for Drummers

The Halloween masks are coming off and the Christmas lights are going up, which means one thing: festive songs on every radio station, in every shop and at every office party between now and New Year. Most people hear the bells and the choirs. We hear the drums.

So here is our countdown of the best Christmas songs for drummers. These are the tracks where the person at the back makes the magic happen. Pull them up, put the headphones on, and listen to the kit for once.

1. The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale of New York” (1987)

Where else could we start? For the first half it’s a slow, boozy piano ballad. Then the band crashes in and Andrew Ranken turns it into a full-blown Irish waltz-stomp. Knowing when to stay out is a skill, and the way that song lifts when the drums finally arrive is pure Christmas. Play this one for anyone who thinks drummers only know how to play loud.

2. Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (1984)

Bob Geldof’s idea and one of the most recognisable drum intros in pop. That big, booming tom pattern at the start belongs to Phil Collins. A nice bit of studio trivia: according to the mix engineer, Phil played so much harder on the real take than on the soundcheck that the signal distorted. That’s commitment.

3. Darlene Love – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963)

From Phil Spector’s A Christmas Gift for You, the ultimate Wall of Sound Christmas record. Every beat on the album was played by one man: the legendary Hal Blaine of the Wrecking Crew. Hold on for the final choruses, where Hal lets loose and the whole thing goes up a gear. While you’re at it, check out his drum break on the Crystals’ “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” on the same album.

4. John & Yoko – “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1971)

A masterclass in playing for the song. Session great Jim Keltner sits right back in the mix, keeps it gentle and steady, and even added the sleigh bells himself. It’s not flashy, but the song wouldn’t float without him. 

5. Slade – “Merry Xmas Everybody” (1973)

The festive glam-rock stomper. Don Powell lays down a big, simple, rock-solid beat that has kept office parties bouncing for more than fifty years. Want a Christmas song that’s easy to play along with? Start here.

6. The Waitresses – “Christmas Wrapping” (1981)

The cool kid of the Christmas playlist. On drums is Billy Ficca, best known as a founder member of New York legends Television. His tight, funky, slightly off-kilter groove is the reason the song still sounds fresh. Billy once said a drummer’s job is to get people moving, and on this track he does exactly that.

7. Wham! – “Last Christmas” (1984)

Okay, it’s a drum machine and not a drummer. But that crisp, programmed beat is one of the most famous rhythms of the 1980s, and plenty of drummers have had to learn how to recreate it live. A good one for practising your time-keeping with a click.

8. “The Little Drummer Boy” – any version you like

It would be rude not to. The only Christmas carol with a drummer as the hero, and that “pa rum pum pum pum” is basically a marching snare part. Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s 1977 duet is the classic. For a bit of fun, try playing the rhythm on a practice pad with rudiments: singles, then doubles, then paradiddles.

Your turn

What did we miss? Is there a Christmas song with a drum part you love, or a festive gig you played that you’ll never forget, for good reasons or bad? Tell us in the comments or on our socials. We’d love to build a proper Irish drummers’ Christmas playlist before the big day.

And if there’s a drummer in your house this Christmas, maybe go easy on them when the practice pad comes out on St Stephen’s Day. 

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The Perfect Christmas Present for the Drummer in Your Life

 

Every family has one. The one tapping out rhythms on the steering wheel, drumming on the kitchen table with two biros, or practising paradiddles on a pillow at midnight. Every year you wonder what to get them for Christmas — and every year it ends up being another pair of sticks.

This year, we have a better idea: Irish Drummers: Volume 1.

A book about the people behind the kit

Published by Tribes Press and written by Tom Gilligan, Irish Drummers: Volume 1 was the first book of its kind — a celebration of Irish drummers told through interviews and personal conversations with some of the most successful and influential players this country has produced. Seasoned professionals who have played stages all over the world sit alongside exciting emerging talent, and running through all of it is the thread that makes Irish drumming so special: a love of rhythm rooted deep in our traditional music.

It is not a technical manual. It is about the people — how they started, who inspired them, what kept them going, and the advice they would pass on. That makes it a great read for a working drummer, a teenager on their first kit, or anyone who simply loves Irish music.

Why now?

It has been some year for Irish drumming. Fontaines D.C. release their new album Dopamine Chamber on October 16th, and with two nights at Slane Castle confirmed for June 2027, Mayo’s own Tom Coll is about to play to 160,000 people. Irish drummers are on the biggest stages in the world — and there has never been a better time to celebrate the players who paved the way and the ones coming up behind them.

Why it makes a great gift

• Something different: a thoughtful, home-grown present that is not another gadget.
• For all ages: inspiring for young drummers just starting out, and full of stories that seasoned players will recognise.
• Supports Irish publishing: it comes from Tribes Press, an independent Irish publisher.
• Great value: just €20.
• Stocking-friendly: it fits under the tree a lot better than a floor tom.

Don’t leave it too late

Christmas has a habit of sneaking up on all of us, and the post gets busier with every week of December. Get your order in early and that’s one name ticked off the list before the Late Late Toy Show has even aired.

Order Irish Drummers: Volume 1 from Tribes Press →

Know a drummer who deserves a mention in a future volume? Let us know in the comments — Ireland’s pool of drumming talent just keeps growing.

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For the guts of a decade this site has been about other people's drumming. Thirty-two of them ended up in Irish Drummers Volume 1 — the players, the gigs, the kits, the near-misses and the long roads. I asked the questions. This autumn, for a change, I'm on the other side of it.

I've been playing percussion with Giuliano & Friends, and we have a new CD released.

Who's in it

Giuliano Gnagnatti is on vocals, guitar and songwriting. He founded his first rock band, The Spirituals, at fifteen back in Italy — and remarkably, that band is still going with its original line-up. Since 2015 he's been a familiar face on the Mayo folk club circuit: Westport, Ballina, Killala.

Ray McHale plays guitar. Ray is from Ballina and spent the Britpop years working the Irish and UK rock and folk scenes, and it shows — there isn't a song you can put in front of him that he doesn't find the right shape for.

Donncha Butler is on double bass, an instrument he came to in retirement after concluding that an acoustic bass guitar without an amplifier is mostly a rumour. Hard to argue with the logic.

And I'm on percussion.

The music

We released our first single on 14 August: an acoustic reworking of "The Way We Were". Taking on a Streisand standard is either brave or foolish, depending on the day.

The EP of original songs follows in late autumn, recorded at Clew Bay Studio in Westport. I'll put the details up here the moment we have a date. Don't forget if want to order the book or CD then drop me a line. irishdrummers@gmail.com 

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Slane 2027: Mayo’s Tom Coll Takes On the Biggest Stage of Them All

 

There are gigs, and then there is Slane. So it was a special morning for Irish drumming when Fontaines D.C. confirmed they will headline Slane Castle on Saturday, June 26th 2027 — with a second night, Sunday, June 27th, added within days after phenomenal demand. That is 80,000 people a night on the banks of the Boyne, and it makes Fontaines D.C. only the third Irish act ever to top the bill at Slane, after Thin Lizzy in 1981 and U2 in 2001. Serious company.

And behind the kit for all of it: Tom Coll, from Parke, Co. Mayo.

A Mayo man at the back of the biggest stage in Ireland

We first featured Tom on Irish Drummers back in 2018, when Fontaines D.C. were a hungry Dublin band with a handful of singles and a debut album still in the works. He talked then about growing up around trad music and pipe bands in Mayo, getting his first kit at 12, and studying at BIMM in Dublin. Eight years, three Grammy nominations, a Mercury nomination and a run of chart-topping albums later, he is heading for Slane. Fair play does not begin to cover it.

Tom is not the only Mayo connection either — bassist Conor Deegan hails from Castlebar. Two-fifths of one of the biggest bands on the planet, straight out of the West.

The playing

What makes Tom such a joy to watch is how much space he leaves. He drives the band without crowding it — the drums serve the tune. His influences say plenty about that approach: Levon Helm, James Gadson, Mark Guiliana, Brian Downey and Jojo Mayer. 

His advice to players, from our chat with him, still stands up: surround yourself with good people who fulfil you creatively and personally. That is how original work gets made.

The details

• Dates: Saturday, June 26th & Sunday, June 27th 2027, Slane Castle, Co. Meath
• Support: Hayley Williams, Damien Dempsey and Madra Salach
• Tickets: on general sale now
• New album: Dopamine Chamber, out October 16th 2026

Two nights, 160,000 people, and a Mayo drummer counting it in. We could not be prouder. Roll on June 2027.

Read our 2018 interview with Tom https://www.irishdrummers.com/2018/05/tom-coll-drummer-with-fontaines-dc-be.html

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Remembering Glen Hansard: A Voice That Defined a Generation

 

The Irish music community has lost one of its most distinctive voices.

The passing of Glen Hansard marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Irish music, but his songs, passion and legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers around the world.

From his early days busking on the streets of Dublin to fronting The Frames, starring in Once, and winning an Academy Award for "Falling Slowly", Glen's career was built on authenticity. He never chased fame—he chased honesty in his music, and that honesty resonated with millions.

For drummers, musicians and performers alike, Glen reminded us that great music is never about technical perfection alone. It is about connection. Every performance carried raw emotion, every lyric told a story, and every concert felt like a shared experience between artist and audience.

He also embodied the spirit of collaboration. Whether performing with The Frames, Markéta Irglová as part of The Swell Season, or countless fellow musicians on stages large and small, Glen understood that the best music is created together. His generosity towards emerging artists and his willingness to share the stage earned him enormous respect throughout the industry.

Away from the spotlight, Glen was equally admired for his compassion. His long-standing support for homelessness charities and his annual Christmas Eve busking events raised significant funds while bringing communities together through music. He demonstrated that musicians can use their platform not only to entertain but also to make a genuine difference.

At IrishDrummers.com, we celebrate every aspect of Irish music—from the rhythm section that drives a band to the songwriters whose words and melodies become part of our lives. Glen Hansard represented the very best of Irish musical tradition: honest songwriting, fearless performance and an unwavering commitment to his craft.

His influence extends far beyond awards or record sales. It lives on in every young musician who picks up an instrument inspired by his work, every songwriter who chooses authenticity over convention, and every audience moved by the power of live music.

Our thoughts are with Glen's family, friends, bandmates and the countless fans whose lives were touched by his music.

Thank you, Glen, for the songs, the stories and the inspiration.

May he rest in peace.

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Remembering Andrew Ranken – A Drummer Who Helped Shape a Generation

The music world was saddened to learn of the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer with The Pogues, who has died at the age of 72.

For fans of Irish-influenced music and for drummers in particular, Andrew Ranken leaves behind a powerful legacy. His playing helped define the distinctive sound of The Pogues, a band that blended traditional Irish music with punk energy to create something entirely new.

A Rhythm That Drove a Movement

When The Pogues emerged in the 1980s, their music carried a raw authenticity that resonated with audiences around the world. At the heart of that sound was Ranken’s drumming — energetic, instinctive and perfectly suited to the band’s unique fusion of styles.

His rhythms helped drive many of the band’s most memorable songs and performances. The Pogues were never just about melody or lyrics; their music had a pulse and urgency that came from the engine room of the band, and Andrew Ranken was central to that.

Supporting the Sound of a Cultural Phenomenon

The Pogues became one of the most influential bands to emerge from the Irish diaspora music scene. Their songs celebrated Irish culture, storytelling and rebellion, while also bringing traditional influences to new audiences across the world.

Behind the charismatic front figures and iconic songs was a tight rhythm section, and Ranken’s drumming played a key role in holding it all together.

For many musicians, especially drummers drawn to Irish folk-rock and punk-folk styles, his playing remains an important reference point.

A Legacy That Lives On

Great drummers often shape a band’s identity in ways that can be easy to overlook. Andrew Ranken did exactly that. His work helped create the driving force behind songs that have become part of the soundtrack of generations.

His legacy lives on not only in recordings but also in the countless musicians influenced by the sound and spirit of The Pogues.

At IrishDrummers.com, we recognise the importance of those who have shaped the craft and inspired others to pick up the sticks.

Andrew Ranken was one of those musicians.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and bandmates at this time.

His rhythm, energy and contribution to music will not be forgotten.

Ranken was a founding member of The Pogueson-based music group

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Lynda Clifford, a professional drummer singer from 1984 to 2020

Lynda Clifford, a professional drummer/singer from 1984/2020, played with many bands both in Ireland and abroad in shows, concerts, bars etc. 

From 2009, she was the drummer in the band Charm with her husband, Ray Clifford, and worked with Sonny Knowles on his tour, until Sonny's sad passing, starting that year in the National Concert hall, with Earl Gill, Jim Farley, Cork Opera House, Opera House Belfast, The Helix, Dublin and venues in probably most counties in Ireland.
 

Picture - This is a pic of Lynda and Ray. He was with Jo Mac and Stage Two(Cork band) and The Miami Showband (post Fran O’toole) Keyboards and vocals. 

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