When every second counts during a cardiac emergency, maintaining the correct rhythm in CPR can be the key to saving a life. To help rescuers keep their pace, aligning compressions with songs that match this tempo — known as “CPR songs” — can be incredibly effective. While the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” is a classic example, there’s a diverse playlist of tunes that fit the ideal CPR BPM, offering both familiarity and rhythm to guide life-saving efforts.
We’ve compiled a list of SPR songs ranging from 100 to 120 bmp, the recommended range to perform chest compressions.
Do you have a go-to song you hum when you’re administering compressions that we don’t have? Send an email to editor@ems1.com and let us know your life-saving jam!
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What is the CPR compression rate?
The recommended rate for chest compressions during CPR is 100 to 120 compressions per minute. This pace ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs during cardiac arrest. Maintaining this rhythm is crucial for increasing the chances of survival until professional medical help arrives
What are some top songs for performing CPR compressions?
Performing CPR to the rhythm of songs with 100 to 120 BPM can help maintain the recommended compression rate. Beyond “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, other songs fitting this tempo include:
- “Glory Days” – Bruce Springsteen: 117 bpm
- “The Real Slim Shady” – Eminem: 105 bpm
- “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga: 119 bpm
- “Purple Rain” – Prince: 113 bpm
- “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson: 117 bpm
- “Rumor Has It” – Adele: 120 bpm
- “Rock Your Body” – Justin Timberlake: 101 bpm
- “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana: 117 bpm
- “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” – Toby Keith: 112 bpm
- “All Star” – Smash Mouth: 104 bpm
- “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” – Backstreet Boys: 108 bpm
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston: 119 bpm
- “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor: 109 bpm
- “Ring of Fire” – Johnny Cash: 105 bpm
- “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice: 116 bpm
- “Monday Morning” – Fleetwood Mac: 106 bpm
- “Baby Shark” – Pinkfong: 115 bpm
- “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” – Will Smith: 108 bpm
- “Country Girl” – Luke Bryan: 106 bpm
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake: 113 bpm
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This article, originally published in July 2022, has been updated with additional information.
