Chad Smith, the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has played through Black Sabbath’s “Fairies Wear Boots” as part of his “Legends of the ’70s” program on Drumeo and Musora. The performance shows off his command of the song’s shifting shuffle rhythm.
Smith’s Performance
Smith’s program runs through iconic songs, drum parts and fills from the rock drummers of the 1970s. His performance of “Fairies Wear Boots” zeroes in on the swing that drives the track. He catches the groovy fills that punctuate the instrumental sections with ease.
“This is Black Sabbath’s shuffling at their finest,” Smith says of the song. “When they go into that verse, the sound, the feel… so simple. But you know it’s coming.” He also explained how Ozzy Osbourne would break down the song for him, describing the structure as two passes of the instrumental riff before another verse.
The Album Behind It
Paranoid, the album “Fairies Wear Boots” comes from, holds a special place in our rankings. We named it the second greatest sophomore album of all time and the greatest heavy metal album of all time.
The Drumming Legacy
Smith’s performance is part of a program that breaks down the work of drum legends from the 1970s. “Fairies Wear Boots” is one track in that catalog.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Song | “Fairies Wear Boots” |
| Album | Paranoid |
| Band | Black Sabbath |
| Performer | Chad Smith |
| Program | “Legends of the ’70s” on Drumeo and Musora |
A Familiar Face
Smith has crossed paths with Black Sabbath before. He played in a drum-off at Black Sabbath’s final show, “Back to the Beginning,” alongside Tool’s Danny Carey and blink-182’s Travis Barker.
What You Can Watch
The full video of Chad Smith’s performance of “Fairies Wear Boots” is available to watch now. Aspiring drummers and other musicians can check out a free 30-day trial for Drumeo or Musora to see more of his videos.
Our View
Smith’s comfort in the song’s shifting tempos is obvious throughout. His commentary on the swing and the structure adds context to the track. The free trial offer gives access to more of his videos.
The performance is a reminder of the control drummers need to handle tempo shifts. Smith’s reading of “Fairies Wear Boots” shows that control in action.
This is a pleasant watch for anyone who loves drumming or wants to hear a master explain his craft.
See the video the story is built around at Consequence.
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