Drum Sheet – Alesso – Heroes (We Could Be)

“Heroes (We Could Be)” by Alesso, featuring vocals by Tove Lo, isn’t just a club anthem — it’s an emotional surge wrapped in a synth-driven dream, and for drum lovers, it’s pure adrenaline. Released in 2014, the song was born during a creative wave where Alesso wanted to push beyond typical EDM drops and bring in something more anthemic, more human. The idea was to craft something that felt bigger than the dance floor — something people could sing, feel, and remember.

The lyrics, co-written by Alesso, Tove Lo, and a team including David Bowie’s original co-writers (as a nod to Bowie’s “Heroes”), tell a story of finding strength in defiance — being “heroes just for one day.” But it’s not just the words or melodies that carry that message. The drums are essential to the emotion.

From the very first build-up, you can feel the percussion driving the story forward — soft, syncopated kicks at first, then an explosive rise as the track builds to its signature drop. The snare hits are crisp and emotional, punching through the reverb-heavy synths like a heartbeat breaking through static. Then come those massive, arena-style toms layered in the chorus — thunderous, reverberating, as if they were recorded in a stadium. They give the track its cinematic feel — that moment where everything lifts off.

Alesso premiered the song live during Ultra Music Festival 2014 in Miami, where it immediately became a fan favorite. As the beat dropped under the Florida night sky, the drums echoed across the massive crowd — not just supporting the energy, but shaping it. It later became a staple in his sets at Tomorrowland, Coachella, and EDC, where the percussive elements would often be extended in live remixes, creating space for even more dramatic, pulsing drum breaks.

Tove Lo’s voice floats above it all — vulnerable yet strong — but it’s those rhythmic surges underneath that give “Heroes” its heroic weight. If you’re a fan of drums that don’t just drive the beat but tell a story, this song is a must-listen. Every fill, every crash, every perfectly timed drop — it’s a percussive journey that captures the emotional essence of becoming something greater than yourself, even for just one night.