Heavy Metal Drummer

Not to be confused with Heavy metal drumming.

"Heavy Metal Drummer" is a song by American alternative rock band Wilco, released on April 23, 2002, as the lead single from their critically acclaimed 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.^[1]

"Heavy Metal Drummer"
Single by Wilco
from the album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Released	April 23, 2002
Studio	The Loft, Chicago
Genre	Indie rock
Length	3:08
Label	Nonesuch
Songwriter	Jeff Tweedy
Lyricist	Jeff Tweedy
Producer	Wilco
Wilco singles chronology
"Secret of the Sea" (2000) "Heavy Metal Drummer" (2002) "War on War" (2002)

Written by Jeff Tweedy, the lyrics describe a nostalgic reminiscence of "those heavy metal bands" Tweedy used to go see "on the landing in the summer", and the loss of "the innocence [he'd] known".^[2]

Reception

A favorite of fans and critics alike, the song is considered one of Wilco's best, and one of the greatest alt rock songs of the 2000s. Rolling Stone named "Heavy Metal Drummer" as the 411th greatest song of all time on its 2021 updated list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".^[3]

Personnel

• Jeff Tweedy – vocals, guitar
• Jay Bennett – keyboards, backing vocals
• John Stirratt – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Glenn Kotche – drums, percussion
• Leroy Bach – keyboards, guitar

In popular culture

Indie rock band Slaughter Beach, Dog's 2017 song "104 Degrees" concludes with the line "She says: 'I love this song', then turns away and tracks the clouds; the driver curses with conviction, while "Heavy Metal Drummer" plays us out".