Lifesaving Beats: Songs That Keep You on Pace for CPR

Knowing how to perform hands-only CPR could help save a life.

Every year, more than 350,000 people in the U.S. experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), survival rates double or even triple when a bystander steps in and performs CPR. A 2015 study also found that the sooner CPR is administered, the greater the chances of survival and reduced brain damage.

How to Perform Hands-Only CPR

When every second counts, taking quick action is crucial. If you see someone collapse and discover they are unresponsive and not breathing:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Place the heel of your hand on the center of their chest with your other hand on top.
• Push hard and fast at a rate of 100–120 beats per minute.

Music That Moves—and Saves Lives

The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” (103 BPM) has been the go-to CPR anthem for years. But now, newer hits have joined the lifesaving playlist. The AHA has identified several songs with the right tempo, making it easier to stay on pace during chest compressions.

Here are some of today’s chart-toppers that match the CPR rhythm:

• ✅ “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar (101 BPM)
• ✅ “Texas Hold ’Em” – Beyoncé (110 BPM)
• ✅ “Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter (107 BPM)
• ✅ “The Man” – Taylor Swift (111 BPM)
• ✅ “Dance the Night” – Dua Lipa (112 BPM)
• ✅ “Pink Pony Club” – Chappell Roan (108 BPM)

These songs serve as a built-in metronome, helping you maintain the correct pace during an emergency.

Why Music Helps in a Crisis

Recalling a song with the correct BPM can instinctively guide your timing in a high-pressure situation. That’s why first responders and CPR trainers often use music in their courses—it reinforces muscle memory. A steady beat helps ensure compressions are performed at the proper depth (at least 2 inches) and speed, increasing the chances of survival until professional help arrives.

Be a Lifesaver

Emergencies happen when you least expect them, but knowing CPR can make all the difference. The AHA’s “Be the Beat” initiative offers quick, easy resources to help you learn hands-only CPR, and their official CPR playlist on Spotify can keep you on pace.

Stay connected with North Oaks Health System for more health and safety tips. Together, we can build a healthier, safer community, one beat at a time.