Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Chappell Roan join a growing list of artists whose music aligns with the perfect beat for performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Following the 2025 Grammy Awards, the American Heart Association (AHA) highlighted specific songs from each artist that boast the recommended 100-120 beats per minute for effective chest compressions.
The Rhythm of Life: Chart-Topping Beats for CPR
Chappell Roan, the Grammy winner for Best New Artist, secured a spot on the AHA’s lifesaving playlist with her vibrant track “Pink Pony Club.” The song’s energetic tempo of 107 beats per minute makes it an ideal guide for administering hands-only CPR. The AHA celebrated Roan’s win and emphasized the song’s potential to save lives in an Instagram post, reminding followers to call 911 and perform chest compressions if they witness a teen or adult collapse.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” also earned recognition for its life-saving rhythm. Clocking in at 101 beats per minute, the song provides the perfect cadence for effective chest compressions. The AHA leveraged the popular phrase “Mustard on the beat,” a reference to the song’s producer, to draw attention to its CPR-friendly tempo in their Instagram announcement.
Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” with its slightly faster pace of 110 beats per minute, joined the ranks of songs suitable for hands-only CPR. The AHA celebrated Beyoncé’s Album of the Year Grammy win by highlighting the song’s potential to aid in life-saving efforts. Their Instagram post encouraged fans to “crank up ‘Texas Hold ‘Em'” while remembering the crucial steps for performing CPR in emergencies.
Beyond the Grammys: More Artists Join the CPR Soundtrack
Even before the 2025 Grammys, the AHA had identified songs with life-saving beats. Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department,” released in April 2024, features a tempo of 110 beats per minute, perfectly aligned with CPR guidelines. The AHA humorously noted the double album’s “double the chances for songs with lifesaving beats” in their Instagram post.
The AHA’s recognition of these songs underscores the importance of knowing how to perform CPR. While classic tracks like the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” have long served as a reference for CPR rhythm, the inclusion of contemporary artists expands the range of musical options for learning and remembering this crucial life-saving technique.
Expanding the Lifesaving Playlist: More Artists and Songs
Other artists have also contributed to the growing library of CPR-friendly music. The British Heart Association (BHA) previously identified The 1975’s “Somebody Else” as having the ideal 110 beats per minute tempo for CPR. Additionally, several tracks from Charli XCX’s album Brat have been recognized for their life-saving potential.
The Power of Music in Life-Saving Efforts
The use of music to teach and reinforce CPR techniques highlights the power of popular culture in disseminating vital information. By associating CPR with well-known songs, organizations like the AHA and BHA make learning this essential skill more accessible and engaging. This innovative approach can potentially empower more individuals to respond effectively in emergencies and ultimately save lives.
