Queen – We Are The Champions

We Are The Champions drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of Roger Taylor's drum part on Queen's “We Are The Champions”, from the album News Of The World (1977). Every groove and big fill is written out exactly as recorded, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About We Are The Champions drum sheet music

“We Are The Champions” was written by Freddie Mercury and released on News Of The World in 1977, together with “We Will Rock You”. It became one of the biggest anthems in rock and is still played at sports events and concerts all over the world.

Roger Taylor’s part is a slow, powerful groove that builds to a huge, dramatic finish. The verses are spacious, the choruses grow in weight, and the fills get bigger as the song climbs. Playing it well is about feel and dynamics: a patient backbeat at a slow tempo and fills that make each chorus feel bigger than the last.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this We Are The Champions drum transcription comes from the original recording. Instead of an approximate groove with a couple of fills, you get the whole drum part – so if you need We Are The Champions drum notes that sound like the record when you play them, this is the version to use.

The sheet music is professionally engraved and easy to read on a music stand or on a tablet. Each part of the song is clearly labelled, and repeats with first- and second-time endings keep the layout compact, so you spend less time turning pages and more time playing.

Song facts

• Artist: Queen
• Album: News Of The World (1977)
• Drummer: Roger Taylor
• Style: rock anthem / power ballad

What you get

Your We Are The Champions drum sheet music download includes:

• The full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording
• Clearly labelled song sections
• Professionally engraved, print-ready PDF
• Instant download after purchase

How to practise We Are The Champions on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for We Are The Champions:

1. Listen with the sheet music. Follow how the drums build from verse to final chorus.
2. Practise the slow groove. Subdivide to keep the time steady at the slow tempo.
3. Plan the dynamics. Keep the verses lighter so the choruses can grow.
4. Learn the big fills. Practise them slowly, then with the groove.
5. Play with the record. Follow Freddie’s piano and vocal phrasing.
6. Record yourself. Check the build-up is gradual and in time.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning We Are The Champions by ear or from a free tab usually means guessing the details – which fill goes where, what the hi-hat is doing, how a section ends. Accurate sheet music takes the guesswork out: the rhythms are exact, the song structure is clear, and you can focus on playing instead of decoding.

Who is this sheet music for?

This sheet music suits intermediate drummers who want to practise feel, dynamics and big fills, and Queen tribute and cover bands who need this anthem exactly like the record.

About Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor has played drums in Queen since 1970. Besides his powerful drumming and famous high vocals, he wrote hits such as “Radio Ga Ga” and “A Kind of Magic”. His parts always serve the song, from the heaviest rock to the biggest ballads.

More Queen drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Queen Ultimate Drum Collection includes We Are The Champions together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. You can also get other Queen songs one by one: The Show Must Go On, Death on Two Legs, The Hitman and Bohemian Rhapsody. See them all on the Queen drum sheet music page.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete We Are The Champions drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on News Of The World.

Is We Are The Champions drum sheet music a tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation on a five-line staff, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows the rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

How is the sheet music delivered?

As a PDF download. The link shows up as soon as you complete checkout and is emailed to you as well.

Is We Are The Champions hard on drums?

It is not fast, but the slow tempo, dynamics and big fills need control. It suits intermediate players best.

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