Mike Portnoy, the legendary drummer of Dream Theater, recently took on an unexpected challenge: adding Metal drums to Taylor Swift's pop hit, Shake It Off. It all took place as part of a series of videos from Drumeo, which invites drummers to improvise on pieces they have never heard before.
A pop challenge for a prog drummer
Portnoy, known for his expertise in prog and metal, was confronted with a version of Shake It Off without a drum track, which allowed him to freely create his own parts. Without preparation or prior listening, he spontaneously integrated elements typical of metal, such as double pedals and galloping rhythms.
After his first attempt, Portnoy joked: “Is this a famous piece? It sounds like something you would hear at Disneyland in Japan.”
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The big reveal
The most surprising moment came when the Drumeo team revealed that the song was by Taylor Swift. Completely stunned, Portnoy reacted with humor: “Oh my God, is that Taylor Swift? The most famous artist in the world, and I don't know any of her songs! My daughter will love it.”
Despite his lack of familiarity with pop, Portnoy quickly spotted some interesting rhythmic elements, particularly in the song's rapped section, which he compared to the classic Mickey de Toni Basil.
A touch of humor and humility
Concluding the session, Portnoy jokingly apologized: “Taylor, I’m so sorry. But I would play for you without hesitation. I swear I’ll do something more appropriate.”
Portnoy's return with Dream Theater
This offbeat session comes as Portnoy prepares to release his first album with Dream Theater since his return to the group. The album, titled Parasomniawill be released on February 7, 2025.
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