By Way of the Drum is the thirteenth studio album by the American funk rock band Funkadelic.

It was recorded between 1983 and 1985 (with the title track being released as a single [MCA 23953] for MCA Records in 1989), but shelved until its release in 2007 on Hip-O Select.

The original sessions were produced by George Clinton, while Harry Weinger and Alan Leeds serve as compilation producers.