“Let’s Groove” was the first single from Raise!, Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1981 album. Although it materialized when the disco genre was receiving heat from the public, this classic reminded listeners of the undeniable appeal of a great dance song. In fact, the tune has been one of the group’s trademark live numbers in the ensuing decades. Drummer Fred White’s drumming plays a large role in the enduring popularity of “Let’s Groove,” establishing a solid pocket throughout. Explore the song’s history and learn to capture its funky feel.
Where It Started
Since the ’70s, Fred White’s crisp, rock-solid performances shaped the sound of Earth, Wind & Fire and disco itself. Yet in the early-’80s, disco was in sharp decline, and Earth, Wind, & Fire faced an uphill battle to maintain its popularity and remain relevant. On Raise!, the group accomplished both formidable tasks.
The drummer’s half-brother, Maurice White, produced the album. Smash Hits described the results as “impeccable,” with horns that “urge you onto the dance floor and the rhythms make you stay there.”
Released as the first single from Raise!, “Let’s Groove” became a massive commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard Top 100 and claiming the top spot on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. The inviting intro creates a mood with vocoder lines and airy hi-hats before erupting into an uptempo thump that evokes the packed clubs of the prior decade. While those memories were quickly fading from view, for the five minutes and forty seconds of “Let’s Groove,” the ’70s lived on.
"The inviting intro creates a mood with vocoder lines and airy hi-hats before erupting into an uptempo thump."
A Driving Pulse
Constant quarter-note kick drum rhythms were the meat and potatoes of the disco era; stacking the kick and snare created iconic parts that pushed songs forward. However, on “Let’s Groove,” White toyed with this convention, giving his beat a unique twist. The song has a driving pulse, albeit with a highly syncopated drum pattern.
Handclaps, snaps, and overdubbed tom hits are sprinkled across the mix. These finishing touches add character to the seamless studio stitchery of the Earth, Wind & Fire groove machine. The result is a drum track that, isolated, would coax even the shyest music fan onto the floor.
"The intro of 'Let's Groove' features one of those beats music fans recognize the moment it comes from the speakers."
A Recognizable Intro
While the opening drum part sets expectations, the central groove of the song speaks with authority and power. It’s a powerful part, and White’s confident playing makes it hyper-effective.
The intro of “Let’s Groove” features one of those beats music fans recognize the moment it comes from the speakers. Start with a kick drum and a group of sixteenth notes on the hi-hat to play this groove. Use two hands to make the notes sound light and even.
Next, play two eighth notes on the hi-hat for beat two, with a bass drum on the “and” count. The same thing happens on beat three. However, now play the bass drum first, followed by a hi-hat on its own. Finally, play two eighth notes on the hi-hat while lifting your foot on the second for an open hat.
The song kicks into gear with a distinctive drum fill before the main groove. To play this fill, keep the first two counts of the bar the same as the rest of the intro. Then, place a snare drum on the “a” count of beat three, followed by two eighth notes on the snare and rack tom.
"In a typical disco groove, the bass drum is played on all the quarter notes. That's the idea here, except the bass drum shifts from beat two to the 'and' count instead."
Groove with a Twist
The main groove is a standard eighth-note drum beat with a twist. Keep eighth notes going on the hi-hat with a snare drum backbeat on counts two and four of every bar. Here, it’s the bass drum pattern, a vital component of the disco sound, that moves the band along.
In a typical disco groove, the bass drum is played on all the quarter notes. That’s the idea here, except the bass drum shifts from beat two to the “and” count instead.
A drum fill repeats consistently throughout the track. It’s a slight embellishment on the snare that carries the song into each new section. To execute it, play the standard groove, but open the hi-hat on the “and” count of beat three. Then, play two sixteenth notes on the snare on the “and” of beat four.
Bringing It Back
The song’s final major drum part of note is when White brings the chorus groove back after the bridge. He accomplishes this by playing a driving drum fill that starts busy but ends spaced out. It perfectly fits the song’s vibe and telegraphs that the central groove is about to return.
The first bar of this phrase has straight eighth notes on the snare drum and hi-hat, and quarter notes occur on the bass drum beneath—the second bar shifts to quarter notes. Beat one is a crash, snare, and bass drum, while beat two is a flam on the snare drum, along with a bass drum. Beat three is just a hi-hat played with the foot, and finally, beat four is a snare drum on its own.
"The main thing to remember when playing 'Let's Groove' is to produce volume and power from the bass drum."
Getting the Feel Down
The main thing to remember when playing “Let’s Groove” is to produce volume and power from the bass drum. When listening to the track, notice how the bass drum is the driving force behind everything. Play the kick as boldly as possible while keeping the timing solid.
There aren’t many fills; instead, the chorus groove pumps the track. Ultimately, “Let’s Groove” is about making people dance. It’s easy to imagine White and the rest of Earth, Wind & Fire envisioning grooving crowds as they tracked this legendary jam.
How to Play "Let's Groove"
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"It's Alright" Kit for TD-17 and TD-27
Earth, Wind & Fire are masters of upbeat funk grooves. This kit is tuned for jamming with the track “Let’s Groove” from the band’s 1981 album Raise!
