"Not Like Us" and "Texas Hold 'Em" Are Perfect Tempos for CPR

CPR training dummy. First aid training, first aid training.

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If you ever needed another reason to keep Beyoncé or Kendrick Lamar in heavy rotation, here it is: their music might just help you save a life.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has officially co-signed two of the biggest songs of the last year, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” as having the perfect tempo for hands-only CPR. That’s right—Mustard’s infectious beat and Bey’s country twang are more than just chart-toppers; they’re potential life-savers.

How Does Music Help Save Lives?

The science behind it is simple: the ideal rate for chest compressions during CPR is between 100 and 120 beats per minute (BPM). “Not Like Us” clocks in at 101 BPM, making it an easy, rhythmic guide for pushing hard and fast in the center of someone’s chest if they collapse. Similarly, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” fresh off Cowboy Carter and now cemented in history as the 2025 Grammy winner for Album of the Year, comes in at 110 BPM—again, right in the sweet spot.

AHA took to Instagram with the message: “Mustard on the beat… and it could help you save a life with Hands-Only CPR. #KendrickLamar #NotLikeUs #NationofLifesavers #CPR.”

They followed up with a post celebrating Beyoncé’s historic Grammy win, encouraging fans to “crank up ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ and remember that if you see a teen or adult collapse, Hands-Only CPR is your best chance to save their life.”

More Songs That Could Help in a Crisis

Kendrick and Bey aren’t the only ones with CPR-friendly anthems. AHA also highlighted a few other songs that fall within the crucial BPM range, including:

Ciara’s “1, 2 Step” – Because Missy Elliott and a life-saving beat? Iconic.
Doechii’s “Alligator Bites Never Heal” – A sleeper hit with a surprising role in emergency response.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Squabble Up” and “TV Off” – Further proof that he’s the MVP of hip-hop and heart health.

These tracks join a legendary lineup of CPR-certified songs, like Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” (which has been the gold standard for years at 103 BPM) and Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” (a darkly ironic but effective choice at 110 BPM).

Music Meets Medicine: The Importance of Hands-Only CPR

According to AHA, nearly 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospitals each year in the U.S. Performing hands-only CPR—without mouth-to-mouth—can double or even triple the chances of survival if done immediately. The key is keeping up the right rhythm, which is why songs like these are so effective in guiding people through the process.

So, next time you’re vibing to Beyoncé’s twangy vocals or Kendrick’s hard-hitting bars, remember: that beat isn’t just fire—it’s lifesaving. And if you ever find yourself in an emergency, let the music take the lead. Call 911, push hard and fast to the beat, and keep the rhythm going until help arrives.

Who knew saving lives could sound this good?