Percussion Database Tempo Reference

Very often we classical musicians use classical music references to recall tempi. This is useful, but not accurate, since the same music may be performed at a variety of tempi depending on conductor preference. Pop songs are more reliable because the music is set in recording with a consistent tempo.

Below is a list of the common metronome tempi with well-known songs (classic rock, 80's tunes, etc) of the same speed. Please comment if you have useful additions or corrections.

Enjoy!

40, (80, 160)

• (Stevie Wonder, Pastime Paradise / Coolio, Gangsta's Paradise)
• (Foo Fighters, Everlong)
• (Buena Vista Social Club – Chan Chan)

44 (88, 176)

48 (96, 192)

• (Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone)
• (Bob Marley, I Shot The Sheriff)
• (Ace of Base, The Sign)

50 (100, 200)

• (Marvin Gaye, What's Goin On)
• (Bee Gees, Stayin' Alive)
• (Queen, Another One Bites the Dust)
• (Semi Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind)
• (Buffalo Springfield, For What It's Worth)
• (Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews)

52 (104, 208)

• (Beastie Boys, Intergallactic)

56 (112)

• (Michael Jackson – Bad)
• (Queen – Under Pressure)

60 (120)

• R. Kelly, I Believe I Can Fly
• (Journey, Don't Stop Believing)
• (Madonna – Like a Virgin)

64

• Alicia Keys - Falling

66 (132)

• Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart

69 (138)

• Destiny's Child, Say My Name
• Jay Z, Big Pimpin
• (Madonna, Dress You Up)
• (Cheap Trick, Dream Police)

70 (140)

• (Michael Jackson, Beat It)

72 (144)

• Beatles, Let It Be
• (Britney Spears, Toxic)

76 (152)

• Oasis, Champagne Supernova
• (Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight Tonight)
• (Blues Traveler, Run-Around)

80, (40, 160)

• Stevie Wonder, Pastime Paradise / Coolio, Gangsta's Paradise
• Foo Fighters, Everlong
• Buena Vista Social Club – Chan Chan

84 (168)

• Def Leopard, Pour Some Sugar on Me
• (Aha, Take On Me)

88 (44, 176)

90

• U2, One
• Cake – No Phone

92 (184)

• Oops I did it Again, Britney Spears
• Guns and Roses, Paradise City
• AC/DC- Back in Black
• Letting Go, Sean Kingston
• (Green Day – American Idiot)

96 (48, 192)

• Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone
• Bob Marley, I Shot the Sheriff
• Ace of Base, The Sign

98

• Stevie Wonder – Superstition

100 (50, 200)

• Marvin Gaye, What’s Goin On
• Bee Gees, Stayin' Alive
• Queen, Another One Bites the Dust
• Semi Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
• Buffalo Springfield, For What It’s Worth
• Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews

104 (52, 208)

• Beastie Boys, Intergallactic

108

112 (56)

• Michael Jackson – Bad
• Queen – Under Pressure
• Barenaked Ladies, One Week
• Dave Matthews Band, Ants Marching

116

• Michael Jackson, Billie Jean
• Michael Jackson, Thriller
• Michael Jackson, Black or White
• Huey Lewis – Power of Love
• Prince – Cream

120 (60)

• Journey, Don’t Stop Believing
• Madonna, Like a Virgin
• (R. Kelly, I Believe I Can Fly)

124

• Guns 'n Roses – Sweet Child O' Mine
• Beck, Devil's Haircut

126

• It’s my Life, No Doubt
• AC/DC- TNT
• The Chemical Brothers – Get yourself high

130

• Beatles – I Wanna Hold Your Hand
• Metallica, Enter Sandman

132 (66)

• (Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart)

138 (69)

• Cheap Trick, Dream Police
• Madonna, Dress You Up
• (Jay Z, Big Pimpin')
• (Destiny’s Child, Say My Name)

140 (70)

• Michael Jackson, Beat It

144 (72)

• Britney Spears, Toxic
• (Beatles, Let It Be)

152 (76)

• Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight Tonight
• Blues Traveler, Run-Around
• (Oasis, Champagne Supernova)

160 (40, 80)

• (Stevie Wonder, Pastime Paradise / Coolio, Gangsta's Paradise)
• (Foo Fighters, Everlong)
• (Buena Vista Social Club – Chan Chan)

168 (84)

• Aha, Take On Me
• (Def Leopard, Pour Some Sugar on Me)

176 (44, 88)

184 (92)

• Green Day – American Idiot
• (Guns and Roses, Paradise City)
• (Oops I did it Again, Britney Spears)
• (AC/DC- Back in Black)
• (Letting Go, Sean Kingston)

192 (48, 96)

• (Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone)
• (Bob Marley, I Shot Rhe Sheriff)

200 (50, 100)

• (Marvin Gaye, What's Goin On)
• (Bee Gees, Stayin' Alive)
• (Queen, Another One Bites the Dust)
• (Semi Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind)
• (Buffalo Springfield, For What It’s Worth)
• (Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews)

208 (52, 104)

• (Beastie Boys, Intergallactic)