"What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes was released in 1992 on their debut album Bigger, Better, Faster, More and became one of the defining alternative rock anthems of the early 1990s, reaching massive commercial success across multiple countries. The song's emotional intensity and memorable chorus helped cement it as a staple of 90s rock radio, and it continues to appear in films, television, and pop culture references decades after its release.
The drum performance by Dawn Richardson is understated and groove-focused, serving the song's acoustic-tinged rock feel at a relaxed 67 BPM rather than drawing attention to itself. The drumming prioritizes a steady, supportive backbeat that locks in with the bass and lets the vocals and guitar take center stage, making it an excellent study in restrained, song-first drumming.
Unique Drumming Characteristics
- Consistent, straightforward backbeat with snare hits on beats 2 and 4 throughout the song
- Steady quarter-note or eighth-note hi-hat pattern maintaining a relaxed groove at 67 BPM
- Minimal use of fills, keeping transitions between sections clean and uncluttered
- Subtle dynamic variation between verses and choruses to support song structure
Skills You'll Develop
- Maintaining a steady, consistent backbeat at a slow to mid tempo
- Developing restraint and dynamic awareness to serve a song's arrangement
- Practicing smooth transitions between song sections with minimal fills
- Building foundational 4/4 timekeeping and internal pulse stability
Drumscore
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