PSA: ‘Fearless (Taylor’s Version)’ can save lives—like, literally

In today’s episode of Taylor Swift (Unconsciously) Doing Queen™ Things, everyone’s high school prom anthem “Fearless” has officially found a new purpose. Besides being a timeless banger that gets us bopping our heads and singing at the top of our lungs, it seems that the song also has the perfect rhythm to guide us through the emergency life-saving technique of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently revealed that the tempo of “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” (104 beats per minute) falls right within the recommended range (100 to 120 beats per minute) for administering chest compressions during hands-only CPR. But does this really make any difference?

Well, picture this scenario: You’re casually walking down the street when someone collapses in front of you. You promptly check their wrist, hoping to (at least) feel faint beats, only to be met with a terrifying stillness. While you’re well aware that immediate intervention is needed to increase their chances of survival, no medical professional is around to take charge of the situation. It’s just you, your phone, and a few bystanders who are too freaked out to help.

In crucial moments like this, the standard course of action is to call an emergency hotline and perform hands-only CPR to keep their blood flow active (yup, trained or not because it’s heaps better than doing nothing at all) until emergency responders arrive. Maintaining a consistent pace for chest compressions can be a bit tricky, though—especially if you’re under a lot of pressure with no metronome to guide you. Fortunately, AHA has come up with a hack that involves your swift-thinking (pun intended) skills.

The association suggests you whip out your TS playlist and let “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” steer you through the process of saving a life. The idea isn’t entirely new—there’s a whole list of CPR-friendly songs out there, after all—but it’s the familiarity we have with the track that makes it a particularly appealing option.

With straight arms, position your shoulders directly above your hands. Interlace your fingers with one hand on top of the other before placing them in the center of the person’s chest. Once you find the proper hand placement, continuously pump hard—about two inches deep—to the beat of Taylor’s re-recorded hit song. (Not gonna lie, it’s a surreal and slightly absurd scene. But hey, if it saves a life, then why the hell not?)

Not only does this help you keep the optimal rhythm required for effective CPR, but it also adds a touch of comfort and calm to an otherwise intense and stressful environment without undermining the gravity of the situation. 

Here’s an important reminder, though: While “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” is a great tool for remembering the beat of CPR, it’s still vital to receive proper training and certification. Attending an official course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to perform it correctly and effectively. The beat of a song can serve as a helpful aid, but it should never replace the comprehensive technique required in a life-or-death situation.

P.S. “Red (Taylor’s Version)” (104 BPM) and “Clean” (104 BPM) are CPR-friendly songs as well. Just putting them out here—in case you’re prepping an on-the-go CPR playlist.

Read more:

A class called ‘All Too Well (10 Week Version)’ now exists

Lessons I’m taking home from Dr. Taylor Swift’s NYU speech

Kara David, journalist and Swiftie, schools us on ‘Champagne Problems’

Photo from “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” album art