In a delightful fusion of progressive metal and pop, Dream Theater’s renowned drummer, Mike Portnoy, recently took on Taylor Swift’s chart-topping hit “Shake It Off”—without ever having heard it before. This spontaneous performance was part of Drumeo’s engaging video series, where drummers interpret unfamiliar tracks in real-time.
Portnoy’s drum tech, Jose, revealed his limited exposure to mainstream pop, setting the stage for this unique challenge. Presented with a drumless version of Swift’s 2014 anthem, Portnoy immediately infused the track with his signature style, incorporating dynamic fills and double-kick rhythms on his initial listen.
After his first rendition, Portnoy inquired, “Is that something that’s popular?” Upon learning the song boasts over 3 billion Spotify streams, he remarked, “It sounds like something out of Disneyland in Japan or something.”
Despite his curiosity about the artist, the Drumeo team encouraged him to delve deeper into the song. Portnoy candidly admitted, “I don’t think I can improve on what I did spontaneously,” noting the song’s repetitive structure. He added, “I can’t make heads or tails of it so I’m just gonna jam to it, I guess,” before delivering an inspired improvisation.
When finally informed that the track was by Taylor Swift, Portnoy exclaimed, “Oh my god, that’s Taylor Swift?! Like only the biggest artist on earth.” He humorously added, “My daughter is gonna get a kick out of this.”
Portnoy expressed particular interest in the song’s rap breakdown, identifying a kick drum pattern reminiscent of Toni Basil’s ’80s hit “Mickey.” He acknowledged, “Actually that’s a pretty cool kick drum pattern, pretty syncopated.”
In a light-hearted apology, he quipped, “Taylor, I’m really sorry. I still would play with you in a heartbeat. I swear I wouldn’t do that.”
While a collaboration with Swift may not be on the horizon, fans can anticipate Dream Theater’s upcoming album, Parasomnia, set for release on February 7. This record marks Portnoy’s return to the band, promising a blend of intricate rhythms and progressive compositions that have long defined their sound.
