Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influenti… Read Full Bio ↴Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was a famous and influential American jazz and big band drummer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.

Many consider Krupa to be one of the most influential drummers of the 20th century, particularly regarding the development of the drum kit. Many jazz historians believe he made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal. His drum method was published in 1938 and immediately became the standard text. He is also credited with inventing the rim shot on the snare drum. Rhythm, the UK's best selling drum magazine voted Gene Krupa the third most influential drummer ever, in a poll conducted for its February 2009 issue. Voters included over 50 top-name drummers

Krupa was born Eugene Bertram Krupa to Polish parents in Chicago, Illinois. He began playing professionally in the mid 1920s with bands in Wisconsin. He broke into the Chicago scene in 1927, when he was picked by MCA to become a member of "Thelma Terry and Her Playboys", the first notable American Jazz band (outside of all-girl bands) to be led by a female musician. The Playboys were the house band at The Golden Pumpkin nightclub in Chicago and also toured extensively throughout the eastern and central United States.

Krupa made his first recordings in 1927, with a band under the leadership of banjoist Eddie Condon and "fixer" (and sometime singer, who did not appear on the records), Red McKenzie: along with other recordings beginning in 1924 by musicians known in the "Chicago" scene such as Bix Beiderbecke, these sides are examples of white "Chicago Style" jazz. The numbers recorded at that session were: 'China Boy', 'Sugar', 'Nobody's Sweetheart' and 'Liza'. The McKenzie - Condon sides are also notable for being the first records to feature a full drum kit.

In 1929 he moved to New York City and worked with the band of Red Nichols. In 1934 he joined Benny Goodman's band, where his featured drum work — especially on the hit "Sing, Sing, Sing" — made him a national celebrity. In 1938, after a public fight with Goodman at the Earl Theater in Philadelphia, he left Goodman to launch his own band and had several hits with singer Anita O'Day and trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Krupa made a memorable cameo appearance in the 1941 film Ball of Fire, in which he and his band performed an extended version of the hit Drum Boogie.

Drummin' Man
Gene Krupa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Drummin' man, he's a drummin' man
No one kicks a set of drums just like he can
All about biology, he knows not a thing
The way he swings out on those drumes
You know he's really keen

Drummin' man, he's a drummin' man
He's a wow, if you know what I mean

See that man sittin' on that stool

He's a cowhide kickin' fool
Swing it Mister Gene

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gene Krupa's song Drummin' Man are an ode to the drummer himself. The song highlights the virtuosity and uniqueness of his drumming style, which is unparalleled by anyone else. The phrase "no one kicks a set of drums just like he can" emphasizes his one-of-a-kind drumming abilities, and how it sets him apart from all other drummers. The fact that he knows not a thing about biology only goes to show that drumming is his true calling, and that his passion for drumming is what drives him to excel at it.

The song is also an invitation to watch and listen to the Drummin' Man do his thing. The lyrics suggest that once you see him in action, you will be mesmerized by his drumming skills. The way he swings out on those drums is so impressive that you cannot help but be a fan of his. The phrase "swing it Mister Gene" urges Gene Krupa to continue doing what he does best and to keep the swing alive.

Line by Line Meaning

Drummin' man, he's a drummin' man
He is an expert drummer

No one kicks a set of drums just like he can
He plays the drums with an unmatched skill

All about biology, he knows not a thing
He lacks knowledge in biology

The way he swings out on those drums
He plays the drums with great enthusiasm

You know he's really keen
He is passionate about playing drums

He's a wow, if you know what I mean
He is impressive and amazing

See that man sittin' on that stool
He is referring to himself and his performance

He's a cowhide kickin' fool
He is a skilled drummer who plays the cowhide drum with expertise

Swing it Mister Gene
Keep playing the drums in your unique and amazing style, Gene

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GENE KRUPA, TINY PARHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Allan Carvalho

A maneira, a sensibilidade que o Gene conduz o som mantendo o espaço dos outros elementos é genial... Porque faz a gente esperar ansiosamente pelo seu solo, e quando chega pqp 🖤

tony castillo

4y↑2

I use to be a DJ for a Big Band radio station for my senior year in high school and every time I was on the air I would start out every broadcast with this tune. Didn’t care if it wasn’t on my log. I always started with Drummin Man.