Songs with 170 BPM include K/DA’s “POP/STARS,” Vampire Weekend’s “This Life,” Linkin Park’s “Waiting for the End,” Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time,” and Joji’s “Glimpse of Us.” Some of these tracks can also be counted at 85 BPM in half-time, so the reported number does not always match how fast the music feels.
A tempo of 170 beats per minute places one beat every 0.353 seconds. That pulse works naturally for fast rock, energetic pop, drum and bass, and running playlists, but tempo alone does not determine mood. Before building a playlist, it helps to understand what BPM measures in music and why different databases may analyze the same recording differently.
What Are Some Popular Songs With 170 BPM?
Popular songs reported at 170 BPM range from energetic pop and rock to a slow-feeling piano ballad. The table separates consistently reported examples from tracks whose tempo changes by section, because an isolated 170 BPM chorus is not the same as a recording that maintains that tempo throughout.
| Song | Artist | Reported tempo | Meter | Verification note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “POP/STARS” | K/DA | 170 BPM | 4/4 | Hooktheory analyzes the documented song at 170 BPM |
| “This Life” | Vampire Weekend | 170 BPM | 4/4 | Documented sections are analyzed at 170 BPM |
| “Waiting for the End” | Linkin Park | 170 BPM | 4/4 | SongBPM lists 170 BPM, with 85 BPM as half-time |
| “The Longest Time” | Billy Joel | 170 BPM | 4/4 | SongBPM lists 170 BPM, with an 85 BPM half-time option |
| “Glimpse of Us” | Joji | 170 BPM | 3/4 | Reported at 170 BPM, although its prominent pulse may feel like 85 BPM |
| “Basket Case” | Green Day | 170 BPM in the chorus | 4/4 | Section-dependent: Hooktheory analyzes the bridge at 175 BPM |
“Basket Case” belongs in a section-dependent category rather than an unqualified exact-170 list. For broader context, compare these tracks with a general list of famous song tempos.
Nearby songs between 168 and 172 BPM may fit the same playlist, but they should retain their measured values. Radio edits, remixes, and live performances can also differ from the album recording.
What Does 170 BPM Feel Like?
At 170 BPM, each beat lasts about 0.353 seconds. In 4/4 time, one four-beat measure lasts approximately 1.412 seconds, producing 42.5 measures per minute.
| Timing reference | Value at 170 BPM |
| Beats per second | About 2.83 |
| Seconds per beat | About 0.353 |
| Four-beat measures per minute | 42.5 |
| Half-time pulse | 85 BPM |
| Eight beats | About 2.824 seconds |
Tempo describes pulse rate; rhythm describes how sounds are arranged around it. That is why rhythm and tempo affect feel differently. Sparse phrases and half-time drums can make 170 BPM sound spacious, while rapid subdivisions make it urgent.
Why Can Two Songs at 170 BPM Feel Completely Different?
Two songs measured at 170 BPM can feel completely different because BPM does not describe meter, drum placement, note density, dynamics, or mood. “POP/STARS” presents an energetic pop pulse, while “Glimpse of Us” uses a much slower-feeling emotional delivery despite its reported 170 BPM value.
Meter changes the grouping
Most entries in the table use 4/4, where beats are grouped in fours. “Glimpse of Us” is commonly analyzed in 3/4, grouping beats in threes. Even when both use 170 beats per minute, the repeating accent pattern and phrase length are different. A listener may therefore feel the ballad’s broader 85 BPM pulse more strongly than every individual beat.
Production changes perceived energy
Fast punk may reinforce every beat, while drum and bass can place rapid percussion over a half-time-feeling backbeat. The typical drum-and-bass tempo range includes this neighborhood, but BPM alone does not define genre.
Can a 170 BPM Song Also Be Counted at 85 BPM?
Yes. A 170 BPM song can often be counted at 85 BPM by treating every two original beats as one broader half-time beat. Both readings describe related pulse levels in the same unchanged recording.
This creates an important labeling distinction:
- An exact or commonly reported 170 BPM recording has a measured pulse at 170 and may also support an 85 BPM half-time count.
- An 85 BPM recording may be useful for a 170-step running cadence if each beat is matched with two steps.
- An 85 BPM song should not automatically be called an exact 170 BPM recording merely because someone counts its subdivisions in double-time.
- A remix designed specifically for workouts may differ from the original recording and should be identified by version.
If one database reports 85 and another 170, listen for which pulse matches the drums and phrasing. A BPM-versus-tempo explanation helps separate numeric measurement from descriptions such as fast or lively.
Why Do BPM Sources Disagree About the Same Song?
BPM sources disagree because they may choose different pulse levels, analyze different sections or releases, round decimal results differently, or rely on automated detection. A two-to-one disagreement such as 85 versus 170 usually indicates half-time and double-time interpretation rather than a genuinely different playback speed.
Small differences such as 169, 170, or 171 may come from rounding. Performances can drift naturally, and songs can change tempo deliberately, as the documented 170 BPM chorus and 175 BPM bridge of “Basket Case” illustrate.
To check a track yourself, use the exact recording you plan to play:
- Tap the strongest repeating pulse for at least 20 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat the measurement while tapping twice as fast or half as fast.
- Count beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
- Check whether the tempo changes between the verse, chorus, and bridge.
- Compare the result with more than one source and note the release version.
A longer counting window reduces tapping errors. The full process for finding a song’s BPM accurately helps identify section changes or drift.
How Can You Use a 170 BPM Playlist?
A 170 BPM playlist can support running, high-intensity workouts, DJ preparation, and fast metronome practice. The useful pulse depends on the activity: runners may match steps to 170, DJs may work with the full tempo, and musicians may begin at 85 before practicing every subdivision.
Running and workouts
Some runners match one footfall to every beat. Cadence varies with speed, terrain, experience, and comfort, so 170 is an option rather than a universal target. Compare it with broader workout music BPM ranges and avoid forcing an unnatural stride.
DJ sets and music practice
DJs can transition among nearby 168–172 BPM tracks when phrasing and rhythmic grids are compatible. Tracks at 85 BPM may connect through a half-time relationship, but phrase alignment still matters. These BPM techniques for DJs explain why matching numbers is only the first step.
For practice, set a metronome to 85 BPM and treat eighth notes as the 170 pulse. Once stable, switch the click to 170 to test precision against every beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 170 BPM a fast song tempo?
Yes, 170 BPM is generally considered fast when counted as a quarter-note pulse. A half-time drum pattern or sparse arrangement can make it feel closer to 85 BPM even though the measured tempo remains 170.
What well-known songs are measured at exactly 170 BPM?
Commonly reported examples include K/DA’s “POP/STARS,” Vampire Weekend’s “This Life,” Linkin Park’s “Waiting for the End,” Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time,” and Joji’s “Glimpse of Us.” Always check the exact recording because databases, song sections, and releases can produce different readings.
Can songs from 168 to 172 BPM fit the same playlist?
Yes. Songs from 168 to 172 BPM are close enough for many listening, workout, and DJ playlists, although they are not all exactly 170 BPM. DJs can make small tempo adjustments, while listeners may barely notice the difference if the energy and groove are compatible.
Is a 170 BPM playlist suitable for running or cardio?
A 170 BPM playlist can work for runners who comfortably move near 170 steps per minute and for energetic cardio sessions. There is no single ideal cadence for everyone, so choose music that supports your natural movement and training goal.
Why can one track be reported as both 85 and 170 BPM?
The two values usually reflect half-time and double-time counting. An 85 BPM beat lasts twice as long as a 170 BPM beat, but both can map onto the same rhythmic structure without changing the audio’s playback speed.
Ethan Walker is a music technology writer and audio tools specialist at Tempo Calculator. He focuses on BPM tools, rhythm analysis, tempo calculation, vocal utilities, and music production workflows for musicians, producers, DJs, and beginners. Ethan writes practical, research-driven guides that simplify complex music theory and audio concepts into easy-to-use tools and educational resources. His work covers tempo matching, delay timing, metronome workflows, vocal analysis, harmonic mixing, and studio productivity for modern music creators.