The Dream Theater musician had to create his own line for “Shake It Off” without ever having heard the song before – and the result is impressive
One of the most interesting music channels on the Internet is Drum. Connected to a learning tool, the project posts drum-focused videos, including challenges involving famous musicians, such as Mike Portnoy.
In participation, the member of Theater of dreams he played a game where he had to play a song he had never heard of before. Portnoy was able to hear the song without the drum line, so he could create his own version on the instrument.
The track in question was “Shake it off”great success Taylor Swiftone of the most popular singers today. The composition made available in 2014 served as the first single of 1989, the American artist’s fifth studio album.
Famous for his great skill with the sticks in his hand, Mike Portnoy has offered a curious reinterpretation of it. Having gotten into the spirit of the game, he preferred to perform a very complex drum line, in the style that fans are already accustomed to hearing. A show apart.
The musician’s reaction when he found out who was responsible for the song was also funny. When told it was Taylor Swift, he said (via Igor Miranda’s website):
“Oh my God, that’s Taylor Swift?! I mean, just the greatest artist in the world. The greatest artist in the world and I don’t know any of her songs. My daughter is going to love it. Taylor, I’m so sorry.” I would play with you again in a heartbeat. I promise I wouldn’t. [que foi feito no vídeo].”
The full video is available on YouTube. Below, you can see a preview posted on Instagram.
More Drumeo challenges — with Mike Portnoy and others
Discover also the other challenges promoted by Drumeo. They all follow the same model: a drummer hears a song for the first time, has no access to the drum line, and is challenged to create their own version. The full recordings can be accessed on YouTube.
Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) performs Thirty Seconds to Mars
🥁 Chad Smith had never heard 30 Seconds to Mars. The Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer asked him to play “The Kill (Bury Me)” while salting it the first time and he ended up doing this:
📹 Drum pic.twitter.com/bZNVkzqNHE
— Pogopedia (@Pogopedia) September 22, 2023
Stewart Copeland (The Police) plays Limp Bizkit
The Police’s Stewart Copeland listens to Limp Bizkit for the first time https://t.co/szU2xu6q1Cpic.twitter.com/PfIJwdXqEc
— Limpbizkitjapan (@limpbizkitjapan) January 3, 2025
Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth) plays the Killers
🥁Dirk Verbeuren, metal drummer of the band Megadeth, heard the song Mr. Brightside by The Killers for the first time, without drums.
After listening, he quickly learned the structure of the song. Then he created a version, with a progressive flavor.pic.twitter.com/R9j9p4YDvW
— Moodgate ⚡️ (@Moodgate_) October 23, 2023
Mike Portnoy plays Tool
Beliau dengerin lagoonya be,
sembari bikin partitur nya.
Sekalinya maen langsung bener gak ada salahnya. #Pro
Sementara para fans ribut kek bocah; debate siapa yg lebih baik, Tool atau Dream Theater.
Mike Portnoy – Pneuma (instrument drum cover)pic.twitter.com/UcuYXNmqxw
— WastedRockers (@wastedrockers1) May 28, 2024
+++ READ MORE: Mike Portnoy’s enthusiastic defense of Ringo Starr as a drummer
+++ READ MORE: Unusual Rio fans chant for Mike Portnoy at Dream Theater show
+++ Follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Terra

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.