Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is instantly recognizable, thanks in part to its prominent placement in the film “The Breakfast Club.” But for drummers, the song holds another layer of fascination: Mel Gaynor’s incredibly hip drum fill. This fill, a highlight in the track, perfectly bridges a breakdown section and the song’s powerful chorus, making it a study piece for drummers worldwide. This iconic song and its drum part continue to inspire musicians.
Mel Gaynor’s drumming on “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is a masterclass in 80s pop-rock groove. His funk-infused kick drum patterns and solid snare backbeat lay the foundation, but it’s the drum fill around the 3:42 mark in the shorter version that truly stands out. This drum fill is a fantastic example of building tension and releasing energy within a song structure. It appears after a breakdown where the hi-hat shifts to sixteenth notes and the kick drum drives a “four on the floor” beat. The fill acts as a dynamic transition back to the main chorus, adding a burst of excitement and anticipation to this popular song.
Let’s break down the fill itself. As the original transcription suggests, it begins with a continuation of the sixteenth notes on the hi-hat and the pulse maintained by the kick. The accent on beat 3 of the hi-hat is crucial, setting up a flurry of thirty-second notes on the snare, a quick five-stroke roll (RRLL). This leads into four sixteenth notes, also on the snare, landing squarely on beat four. The second measure extends the sixteenth notes on the snare, opening the hi-hat briefly. The hi-hat closes again on beat three as the snare plays two more sixteenths, followed by an accented hi-hat. The fill concludes with a run across the drums – snare, high tom, low tom, and finally a crash cymbal on the left, notably without a kick drum on this part, creating a sense of lift-off into the chorus of the song. A second crash cymbal then firmly re-establishes the downbeat.
This drum fill isn’t just technically impressive; it’s musically perfect for the song “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”. It’s memorable, impactful, and showcases Gaynor’s creative flair within a pop context. It’s no wonder drummers still analyze and learn this fill today, seeking to capture the essence of this iconic song.
Mel Gaynor’s drum fill in “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” remains an iconic moment in 80s drumming. Its combination of rhythmic complexity and musicality makes it a standout feature of a classic song. For anyone looking to understand how to create impactful drum fills, or appreciate standout drumming in popular music, this song and fill are an essential study. Don’t you forget about this fill when exploring great drum parts!
