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Lovely Western music

Fast-tempo Western songs: recommended classics and popular tracks

There’s a unit in music that quantifies beats per minute, called “BPM.” In short, it’s an indicator of a song’s speed, but a high BPM doesn’t necessarily mean the song will feel fast.

Since the listener is human, the feel can change depending on the musical style and the density of the lyrics.

So, for this feature…

We’ve selected Western songs that feel fast! We’ve picked a wide range: not only tracks with high BPM, but also curious songs that somehow feel quick despite having fewer beats.

There are some lesser-known tracks in the mix, too, so even regular listeners of Western music should take note.

Please sit back and enjoy.

Fast-tempo Western songs: recommended classics and popular tracks (21–30)

7 DaysCraig David

Craig David – 7 Days (Official Video)
7 DaysCraig David

“7 Days,” released by British singer-songwriter and rapper Craig David, is a medium-tempo ballad that portrays someone head over heels in love.

Craig David’s smooth, sweet voice is wonderful.

The track suits relaxing at home alone or with a partner, and it also fits a party vibe.

While it’s an R&B ballad, its BPM is relatively fast for the style, making it a good pick for a drive when you want to lift your mood a bit.

Love BitesHalestorm

Halestorm – Love Bites (So Do I) [Official Video]
Love BitesHalestorm

Formed in 1997 by the Hale sisters, Halestorm is one of America’s leading hard rock bands.

Their vocalist, Lzzy Hale, has truly exceptional vocal ability—undoubtedly among the top five female vocalists in hard rock worldwide.

For a high-tempo track from the band, I highly recommend Love Bites.

While the band is often associated with a heavier, mid-tempo sound, this song maintains that weight while driving forward at a faster pace.

Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi (Official Video)
Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigne

Having overcome illness, she is now working on new material.

This piece is known as a signature song from her skater-girl era, and she has performed it at the Grammy Awards.

Not only does it feature a driving, fast-paced sound, but its highly narrative lyrics—rumored to be worthy of a film adaptation—also drew significant attention.

Snitches And Talkers Get Stitches And WalkersFall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy, a band that enjoys enduring popularity in Japan.

Even among the many songs they wrote in their early days with a punkish sense of speed, this track offers an exceptional rush.

It’s included on their 2005 release From Under the Cork Tree, which could be called the record that launched them.

The way the song drops to half-time in the middle to create dynamic contrast shows off their raw yet unmistakable flair.

SirkkeliStam1na

Stam1na – Sirkkeli (Lyric Video)
SirkkeliStam1na

Stam1na is a Finnish thrash metal band.

Their songs combine a black metal–like musicality with the driving speed of hardcore.

At times they venture into progressive developments, packing in the appeal of various metal styles as they pursue a unique metal sound.

They are committed to expressing themselves in their native language, and their rapid-fire, Finnish-language brutal metal sound could be considered their trademark.

Those characteristics are evident on Sirkkeli as well.

It’s a quintessential fast-tempo thrash metal work, so be sure to check it out.