Popular Songs That Match the Lifesaving Tempo for CPR

When someone goes into cardiac arrest, effective CPR can keep blood flowing to the brain and vital organs until help arrives. According to the American Red Cross, one of the most important parts of CPR is maintaining a steady compression rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.

Under pressure, that rhythm can be hard to maintain. Music, however, offers an easy mental guide. Songs within the recommended beats-per-minute (BPM) range act like an internal metronome, helping rescuers avoid compressions that are too slow or too fast—both of which reduce CPR effectiveness.

While the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” is the most famous example, many popular songs across genres fit the Red Cross–recommended tempo just as well.

Songs That Match the Recommended CPR Tempo (100–120 BPM)

• “Pink Pony Club” – Chappell Roan (107–108 BPM)
• “Dynamite” – BTS (114 BPM)
• “Havana” – Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug (105 BPM)
• “Break My Heart” – Dua Lipa (113 BPM)
• “Dance the Night” – Dua Lipa (110 BPM)
• “Levitating” – Dua Lipa (103 BPM)
• “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – Elton John & Dua Lipa (116 BPM)
• “Cupid (Twin Version)” – Fifty Fifty (120 BPM)
• “Sit Next to Me (Stereotypes Remix)” – Foster the People (105 BPM)
• “Last Night Lonely” – Jon Pardi (103 BPM)
• “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber (100 BPM)
• “Sorry” – Justin Bieber (100 BPM)
• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake (113 BPM)
• “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi (110 BPM)
• “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (115 BPM)
• “Happier” – Marshmello & Bastille (100 BPM)
• “One Thing Right (Koni Remix)” – Marshmello & Kane Brown (105 BPM)
• “Flowers” – Miley Cyrus (118 BPM)
• “Stick Season” – Noah Kahan (118 BPM)
• “Circles” – Post Malone (120 BPM)
• “Calm Down” – Rema ft. Selena Gomez (107 BPM)
• “Dancing with a Stranger” – Sam Smith & Normani (103 BPM)
• “Señorita” – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello (117 BPM)
• “Down Easy” – Showtek & MOTi ft. Starley & Wyclef Jean (103 BPM)
• “Stay” – Zedd & Alessia Cara (102 BPM)
• “The Middle” – Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey (107 BPM)

Each of these songs falls squarely within—or extremely close to—the Red Cross’s recommended compression range, making them useful mental cues during CPR. You don’t need to play the song aloud; simply recalling the rhythm can help keep compressions consistent.

Why Music Works in Emergencies

The American Red Cross emphasizes that stress and adrenaline often cause rescuers to lose proper timing. Familiar music provides structure, reduces hesitation, and helps people act with confidence instead of freezing or second-guessing themselves.

Music Helps—but Training Saves Lives

While music can reinforce correct tempo, it’s not a substitute for CPR training. Red Cross courses teach proper hand placement, compression depth, and AED use—skills that music alone can’t provide. Used together, training and musical rhythm can prepare bystanders to respond quickly and effectively in a real emergency.