No Doubt released their third album Tragic Kingdom on October 10, 1995, for Trauma and Interscope Records. The album uses a great variety of musical genres from ska to punk rock, to pop and rock, with elements of funk, new wave, reggae, flamenco, and Tex-Mex music. The third single was “Don’t Speak” a rock ballad about the relationship lead singer Gwen Stefani had with bassist Tony Kanal for seven years. The song became the most played on American radio in 1996, with a record of 16 non-consecutive weeks in the number 1 of Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay chart, and great success in the rest of the world.
Tragic Kingdom is one of the greatest albums of the ’90s. Adrian Young of No Doubt became one of the most visible drummers of that period. Young auditioned for the band in 1989 while drumming for a group called Echostar. His talent impressed the band, so he was invited to join them, recording all the albums and playing at their reunion. Young’s drumming style was inspired by drummers like Stewart Copeland, Neil Peart, John Bonham, Ian Paice, and others. He also played and recorded for The Vandals, Unwritten Law, Maroon 5, Linkin Park, Bow Wow Wow, and Scott Weiland.
“Don’t Speak” is a rock ballad written by Gwen Stefani and her brother Eric Stefani, and produced by Matthew Wilder. The drum track recorded by Adrian Young is based on an essential 16th note groove, with some tasty and syncopated drum fills. Young plays different cymbal patterns for every section, for example, the final chorus is played on the ride cymbal (8th note pattern, with the ride bell on the upbeat). His precise drumming provides a perfect balance to the music, contributing to a timeless hit song.
Here’s the drum transcription for “Don’t Speak” entirely transcribed note-for-note.
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