Songs with 70 BPM often feel slow and spacious, but the tempo supports different styles. Lana Del Rey’s “Happiness is a butterfly,” Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.’s “Best Part,” and Jet’s “Look What You’ve Done” are commonly analyzed at 70 beats per minute.
BPM means beats per minute: at 70 BPM, one beat arrives approximately every 0.857 seconds. If you need a broader explanation of the measurement, start with what BPM means in music.
What Are Some Popular Songs With 70 BPM?
Popular songs reported at 70 BPM include “Happiness is a butterfly” by Lana Del Rey, “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R., “Lucky” by Charli XCX, and “Look What You’ve Done” by Jet. A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s “Say Something” is also analyzed at 70 BPM, although its 6/8 meter creates a different rhythmic feel from a typical 4/4 track.
The table separates songs with a direct 70 BPM analysis from recordings that are primarily reported at 140 BPM but may be counted at 70 in half-time.
| Song | Artist | Reported tempo | Meter | Verification note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Happiness is a butterfly” | Lana Del Rey | 70 BPM | 4/4 | SongBPM reports 70 BPM and a possible 140 BPM double-time count |
| “Best Part” | Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R. | 70 BPM | 4/4 | SongBPM reports 70 BPM and a possible 140 BPM double-time count |
| “Say Something” | A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera | 70 BPM | 6/8 | Hooktheory analyzes the song at 70 BPM in 6/8 |
| “Lucky” | Charli XCX | 70 BPM | 4/4 | Hooktheory analyzes sections at 70 BPM |
| “Look What You’ve Done” | Jet | 70 BPM | 4/4 | Hooktheory analyzes the song at 70 BPM |
| “Love Song” | Fish Leong | 70 BPM | 4/4 | Hooktheory analyzes the song at 70 BPM |
| “The Writer” | Ellie Goulding | 70 BPM | 4/4 | Hooktheory analyzes the song at 70 BPM |
| “Heaven” | Bryan Adams | 140 BPM, or 70 half-time | 4/4 | SongBPM’s main reading is 140 BPM, so this is not an unqualified exact-70 track |
BPM databases can disagree, and a live version, remix, edit, or remaster may not match the original. For a wider reference, see this famous-song BPM overview.
What Does 70 BPM Feel Like?
Seventy BPM is generally a slow tempo: every quarter-note beat is separated by about 0.857 seconds. In 4/4 time, one four-beat measure lasts approximately 3.43 seconds, producing 17.5 measures per minute.
The math provides a useful timing reference:
| Measurement | Value at 70 BPM |
| Beats per minute | 70 |
| Seconds per beat | About 0.857 |
| Four-beat measures per minute | 17.5 |
| Seconds per 4/4 measure | About 3.43 |
| Related double-time count | 140 BPM |
A sparse ballad exposes each beat, while syncopation or active percussion makes 70 BPM seem busier. That is why rhythm and tempo are different musical elements: tempo sets the pulse rate, while rhythm arranges sounds around it.
Why Can Two 70 BPM Songs Feel Completely Different?
Two songs at 70 BPM can feel different because BPM alone does not describe meter, accents, subdivisions, groove, or instrumentation. A straight 4/4 R&B track and a flowing 6/8 ballad may share the number 70 while organizing their beats in noticeably different ways.
How 70 BPM Feels in 4/4
In 4/4, a measure contains four quarter-note beats, commonly counted “one, two, three, four.” “Best Part” uses this framework, so its 70 BPM pulse feels grounded even when smaller rhythmic details move between beats.
If meter terminology is unfamiliar, this guide to common time signatures explains how beat groupings shape musical motion.
How 70 BPM Feels in 6/8
In 6/8, each measure contains six eighth notes, usually grouped as two sets of three: “ONE-two-three, FOUR-five-six.” “Say Something” is analyzed at 70 BPM in 6/8, giving it a swaying two-part motion rather than the four evenly counted quarter-note beats associated with 4/4.
The displayed BPM also depends on which note value receives the beat. Check the meter and beat unit instead of comparing the number alone; this 6/8 time explanation shows how grouped pulses work.
Can a 70 BPM Song Also Be Counted at 140 BPM?
Yes. A 70 BPM song can often be counted at 140 BPM in double-time, where each original beat is divided into two faster pulses. Conversely, a recording primarily analyzed at 140 BPM may feel comfortable when counted at 70 BPM in half-time. The audio does not change speed; only the level of the pulse being counted changes.
The distinction matters when labeling songs. “Heaven” by Bryan Adams is reported by SongBPM at 140 BPM with 70 BPM available as a half-time interpretation. It can work alongside slow-feeling material, but calling the recording simply “an exact 70 BPM song” would conceal the source’s primary reading.
For DJs, the 70/140 relationship can connect tracks with compatible phrasing. A mathematical match does not guarantee a smooth transition; key, phrase length, drums, and energy still matter. This guide to using BPM for DJ preparation covers those decisions.
How Can You Use a 70 BPM Playlist?
A 70 BPM playlist works well for relaxed listening, slow timing practice, gentle movement, and music arranged around a half-time feel. The right use depends on whether you follow the main 70 BPM beat or subdivide it as 140 pulses per minute.
Practice with a metronome
Slow tempos reveal timing problems because clicks are farther apart. Play one note or chord per click, then add two evenly spaced eighth notes per click. For a harder exercise, let clicks represent beats two and four. More drills appear in this guide to practicing accurately with a metronome.
Build walking or movement playlists
Seventy steps per minute is a relaxed cadence for many people, although comfortable speed varies. You can instead treat each beat as every second step, creating a 140-step relationship. BPM is a pacing cue, not a measure of exercise intensity.
Sequence songs by feel
Tracks within 68–72 BPM may fit one playlist. Differences in meter and rhythmic density may be more noticeable than the numerical gap; a 70 BPM 6/8 ballad can feel less compatible with a 70 BPM 4/4 groove than a 72 BPM song with similar phrasing.
How Can You Check Whether a Song Is Really 70 BPM?
To check a song’s tempo, tap the main pulse with a BPM counter, count beats manually, and confirm that you are analyzing the intended recording. If your result is near 140 BPM, test whether you counted double-time.
Use this repeatable method:
- Play a steady section without a tempo-changing intro or breakdown.
- Tap the beat for at least 20–30 seconds so small timing errors average out.
- Count beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two; 35 beats indicates approximately 70 BPM.
- Repeat the test on another section.
- Confirm the artist, release, remix, and recording version before comparing databases.
A reading of 69, 70, or 71 may reflect tapping error, rounding, or genuine drift. Software may instead return 35 or 140 BPM. The process for finding a song’s BPM manually or digitally explains how to compare results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 70 BPM a slow song tempo?
Yes. Seventy BPM is generally considered slow, especially when the quarter note carries the main beat. Rhythm, meter, and subdivisions can still make one 70 BPM song feel more active than another.
What well-known songs are measured at exactly 70 BPM?
Commonly reported examples include Lana Del Rey’s “Happiness is a butterfly,” Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.’s “Best Part,” Charli XCX’s “Lucky,” and Jet’s “Look What You’ve Done.” Always check the specific recording because live, remixed, and edited versions may differ.
Can songs from 68 to 72 BPM fit the same playlist?
Yes. Songs from 68 to 72 BPM are usually close enough for a coherent slow-tempo playlist. Similar meter, groove, mood, and instrumentation may matter more than a one- or two-BPM difference.
Why can one track be reported as both 70 and 140 BPM?
Seventy and 140 BPM describe related pulse levels: 140 is double 70. One analysis may follow the slower main beat while another counts twice as many subdivisions, even though both analyze the same playback speed.
Does 70 BPM feel different in 4/4 and 6/8?
Yes. In 4/4, the pulse is commonly organized into four quarter-note beats; in 6/8, six eighth notes are usually grouped into two larger beats. The beat unit and accent pattern therefore need to be checked alongside the BPM value.
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.