The Power of Love: Drums Sheet Music Preview

The Power of Love: Drums: Choral SoundPax

Words and music by Johnny Colla, Chris Hayes, and Huey Lewis / arr. Kirby Shaw

Item: 00-PC-0014974_D

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Description
Huey Lewis and The News wrote and sang this hit single in the 1985 blockbuster film Back to the Future. Their first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Power of Love: Drums: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 32
SKU: 00-PC-0014974_D
Instrumentation: SoundPax

More about this title

About the Composer: Johnny Colla

Johnny Colla is a saxophonist, keyboardist, and songwriter best known for his work with Huey Lewis and The News, the rock band that defined the sound of 1980s pop-rock. As a core member and composer, Colla helped craft the band's signature blend of new wave energy and pop accessibility that earned them four Grammy Awards and multiple platinum albums. His contributions to "The Power of Love" showcase his gift for writing hooks that stick with audiences across generations.

Why we love this

This arrangement taps into genuine nostalgia without relying on novelty. Kirby Shaw's voicing captures the infectious energy of the original while keeping the writing clean enough for high school choirs to nail the groove. Programming a song this iconic gives your singers a win they can feel in a room full of people who grew up with it.

What to expect

Energy, conviction, and earnest emotion delivered with a wink. The arrangement maintains the original's bright pop-rock sheen while grounding everything in four-part harmony that feels both accessible and satisfying. Singing this should feel like standing in the spotlight of a movie moment, not just running through a cover.

Who it's for

Choirs with solid rhythm section skills and singers comfortable with contemporary rock style. This works equally well for high school show choirs, community choral groups, and select middle school ensembles with mature musicianship. Any singers who grew up in the 1980s or discovered the song through Back to the Future will connect instantly with the material.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal. This song lives in its groove, so isolate sections that drive the backbeat and drill them until the precision feels automatic rather than effortful.
  • Balance the lead line against the harmonic texture. The melody needs to land clearly without drowning out the supporting voices that carry the song's pop sheen.
  • Lean into the recorded accompaniment to hear how the arrangement breathes. Use it as a reference for tempo and articulation choices, then gradually reduce reliance on it as confidence builds.
  • Shape the big moments with dynamics that mirror the film's emotional arc. This isn't about volume alone; it's about clarity and commitment in the phrases that matter most.

How to use it

Slot this into a concert celebrating pop classics, film themes, or 1980s music without irony. It pairs naturally with other contemporary rock arrangements and works beautifully as a concert closer that audiences recognize and enjoy immediately. Consider programming it where you need a song that builds ensemble confidence through familiarity and fun.

Skills your students will build

  • maintaining rhythmic integrity in pop-rock style
  • blending contemporary vocal production with choral technique
  • tracking harmony against a driving rock groove
  • responding to recorded accompaniment with precision and flexibility

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