Getty Image / Kevin Winter/TAS24
I would just like to take a moment that in the year of our lord, 2025, there is still a living and breathing human being on planet earth who had not heard Taylor Swift‘s ‘Shake It Off’ prior to this video. That alone has to be a statistical anomaly but factor in that Mike Portnoy is also a professional drummer the fact that he hasn’t somehow come across this song at some point in his life is insane.
For the latest Drumeo challenge, Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoty plays Taylor Swift‘s ‘Shake It Off’ having never heard the song until this moment. He first listens to a version of the track without the drums and then plays along how he believes the drums would go in the song.
Drummer Mike Portnoy Plays Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’
Without further adieu, here is Mike Portnoy doing what he does best… killing it on the drums.
For what it’s worth, I went to the Eras Tour with my wife and have always enjoyed Taylor’s music… But never until now have I considered the drums on her songs. It’s amazing how he breathes life into this track.
These Drumeo challenges always blow up on YouTube. The most popular one I can remember was Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers aka Will Ferrell’s twin brother, playing ‘The Kill’ by 30 Seconds To Mars. That video never ceases to amaze people:
If you want to see how deep this rabbit hole goes might I suggest this article/video where the world’s fastest drummer plays one of the fastest songs in the industry ‘Through The Fire And Flames.’