"Sugar" by Maroon 5 was released in 2014 as part of their fifth studio album V, becoming one of the band's biggest commercial hits and reaching the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's accompanying music video, featuring the band crashing wedding receptions, became a viral sensation and helped cement the track as a defining pop moment of the mid-2010s.
The drum performance in "Sugar" is a straightforward, polished groove-driven part that prioritizes feel and consistency over complexity, perfectly serving the song's bright, danceable pop rock production. At 120 BPM in a steady 4/4 feel, the drumming locks in tightly with the bass and rhythm guitar to create a clean, driving foundation throughout the track.
Unique Drumming Characteristics
- Consistent straight eighth-note hi-hat pattern driving the verses and choruses
- Classic backbeat with snare hits on beats 2 and 4
- Steady kick drum pattern anchoring the groove with minimal syncopation
- Simple, well-placed fills transitioning between song sections
- Controlled dynamic balance between verses and choruses without dramatic shifts
Skills You'll Develop
- Maintaining consistent tempo and groove at a moderate 120 BPM
- Internalizing a foundational pop rock backbeat pattern
- Coordinating steady hi-hat ostinato with kick and snare independence
- Executing clean, musical drum fills at section transitions
- Developing dynamic control and restraint in a pop production context
Drumscore
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