For hands-only CPR, the recommended compression is supposed to be at 120 beats per minute. It turns out, many songs that have hit high on the Billboard charts have the same recommended beats per minute. 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year, according to the American Heart Association. In the interest of saving lives, we have taken the liberty of compiling a list of the Lanthorn editorial staff’s favorite tracks that maintain 120 bpm.
A survey conducted by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center stated that, out of 1,005 people in the surveyed group, merely 49% indicated they would be able to accurately perform CPR in an emergency situation. This statistic is shocking to us, especially since the American Heart Association has noted that 60-80% of people who go into cardiac arrest outside of the hospital die before getting there. When it comes down to it, CPR is able to double or triple survival rates, noted the American Heart Association.
Using a song to help maintain a consistent beat is a helpful trick that can actually save lives. Most people consider the go-to CPR training song to be “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. This is probably the most well-known song associated with CPR, and was the first song we all collectively thought of when brainstorming our list. Other honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut include “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan and “One Dance” by Drake.
Without further ado, here are our recommendations, favorite and least favorite life-saving songs.
Our Recommendations
Hailey Hentz’s (Lanthorn Editor In Chief) favorite: “Girls & Boys” by Blur.
The 1994 English rock song can be best categorized as alternative rock and British pop. It serves a mix of dance and pop styles, making it a more experimental beat, but catchy nonetheless. I found it in high school, and it’s one of my favorite songs by Blur because it’s so catchy and it’s one of my favorite songs to dance to.
Megan Matthews (Associate Editor) favorite: “Rumour Has It” by Adele
Released in 2011, this song was recorded as a single for Adele’s second studio album, which became her fourth consecutive top twenty in the U.S., peaking at No. 16. The song features shadowy and rhythmic beats and is perfectly paired with Adele’s soulful and raspy voice. The catchy lyrics make the song feel almost infectious, and while all of her songs are good, this one is easily one of my favorites. Knowing it can also be a literal life saver just makes it even better.
Emma Armijo’s (News Editor) favorite: “You’re On Your Own Kid” by Taylor Swift
This song is a quintessential track for Swift’s “Midnights” album, not to mention, it’s the song that sparked the incredible friendship bracelet trend that swept Swift’s wildly successful Eras Tour. There is no way I couldn’t choose this as my CPR song pick. As an avid Swiftie, the bridge of this song is always stuck in my head.
Ayron Rutan’s (Multimedia Editor) favorite: “Around the World” by Daft Punk.
Released in 1997 on their debut album “Homework,” French EDM duo Daft Punk caught fire with the indulgently repetitious “Around the World.” With the album version spanning over seven minutes and repeating the sole lyric 144 times, this track’s consistency could definitely come in handy for remembering in a live-saving scenario. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take the full seven minutes to save a person’s life.
Macayla Cramer’s (Photo Editor) favorite: “Blame It On Me” by George Ezra.
The upbeat and peppy vibe to this song keeps it on repeat for me. This song by Ezra makes me want to get up and dance every time I hear it, so when it comes down to choosing a song with 120 bpm, this is the first one I thought of.
Ethan Outman’s (Sport’s Editor) favorite: “Say So” by Doja Cat.
This 2019 pop hit was one of Doja Cat’s biggest songs. The song is so catchy and widely recognizable, which makes it the perfect CPR song. It also happened to be the song my health teacher taught me when I was learning how to perform CPR in high school. Since then, it’s lived in my head rent-free, and would definitely be the song I’d be humming while pumping on the chest of someone in cardiac arrest.
Sara Bagley’s (Laker Life Editor) favorite: “More Than a Feeling” by Boston
Coming out in 1976, “More Than A Feeling” was released by Boston, a rock band that formed just a year before in 1975. The band, based out of Boston, Massachusetts, falls into the hard rock and progressive rock category– especially for its time. It’s one of my favorites because of nostalgia, as I grew up listening to classic rock. I would still count classic rock as one of my top genres of music.
Rachael Gage’s (Arts & Entertainment Editor) favorite: “Boy With Luv” by BTS, featuring Halsey
This 2019 hit featuring both Korean and English lyrics reached No. 8 on Billboard and, at the time, was the most-viewed YouTube video in 24 hours. The catchy K-pop and pop-funk song is sure to get you bopping along and singing “Oh my my my,” and maybe help to save a life someday. Its danceability and positive energy make it my go-to track for whenever I’m craving an upbeat song to keep me movin’ and groovin’.
Our favorite and least favorite CPR songs
Our least favorite as a staff would have to be “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” by Will Smith. Released in 1997, the funky song is from a time when Smith was boasting about his career as a “clean rapper,” although his success in that arena is arguable.
The title of our collective favorite CPR track has got to be “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts. The country rock song is most famous for its appearance in Pixar’s “Cars” (2006) and can be widely considered a fan favorite. While this song isn’t known for its usability while performing CPR, it does consider the trials of life and sends a positive message about perseverance and gratitude. We picked the track as our favorite 120 bpm song because of its’ easy listening and nostalgic vibe, and because of its well-rounded appeal.
Overall, CPR is a life-saving skill we feel everyone should have experience with in the event of an emergency. If having a tune to sing will keep you on beat while helping someone else’s heart do the same, then we hope this list has been helpful (but that you’ll never need to use it).
