Pop girl summer is alive and kicking.

Whether that's the brat-tastic reign launched by Charli XCX, Chappell Roan’s energetic form of bold self-expression or Sabrina Carpenter’s coffee-themed branding, catchy beats and tongue-in-cheek references have set the summer 2024 mood.

After a chaotic year that's included the Ukraine-Russia war, the Olympic “Last Supper” controversy, and the recent Disney fine print issue, it’s no wonder music goers are looking for a fun form of release by kicking back and enjoying mood-boosting music.

But there’s more to this musical vibe shift than meets the eye as pop girl anthems are out here saving lives.

Once dominated by Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, which was ushered into the cultural zeitgeist by the sitcom The Office, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan have now joined the pool of tunes to sing while performing CPR on someone.

In early 2024, ABC News reported that in Australia only 5% of young people were trained in first aid. So to upskill Gen Zers in the area of first aid, Red Cross Australia released a poll for voting the newest songs to save lives with.

The poll was conducted at the height of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, so it’s no surprise that You’re Losing Me and You’re On Your Own, Kid from her album Midnights were included in the list, along with several other songs across her discography.

Beyonce’s Break My Soul and Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam also made the shortlist.

Pop music’s new reigning ‘it girls’ have taken over. While concertgoers are pumping their chests to Sabrina Carpenter’s Please, Please, Please and Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe, so too are young healthcare professionals and paramedics on TikTok.

In June 2024, LA-based nurse and TikToker Nurse John posted a video captioned “POV: you’re a nurse and you just found out please,please,please is 107 bpm”.

With over 4.7 million likes as of August 2024, the TikTok video sees Nurse John pumping his palms to the beat while also clapping on cue. “That ‘heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another’ hits different in this situation 😅,” commented TikTok user e_m_d7.

In a Pink Pony Club version of the post, TikToker @scrublifenotes wore pink scrubs and a matching frilly cowboy hat to a live recording of the Chappell Roan hit. “Your favorite nurse’s favorite CPR beat,” commented TikTok user fruitstripegum_.

In contrast to content highlighting the dangers of some Gen Z habits – such as getting distracted by TikTok and forgetting to call an ambulance – CPR pop songs show how some trends can have a real-world impact for a good cause.

"One of the advantages of music is it can help us find that right memory; for instance, if there was a song you listen to a lot one summer, music can take you to that memory easier," University of Wollongong psychology lecturer Tim Byron told ABC News.

Marrying healthcare need-to-knows with pop culture trends reengages audiences with vital life-saving skills while tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, it's a win-win situation.

As #medtok has over 154.8 million posts and content on the platform ranges from educational content to humorous clips by the likes of Nurse John and “EMT guy” @badge502, who cautions netizens from engaging with phallic-shaped objects, healthcare-adjacent trends show no signs of going anywhere anytime soon.

And with the uptick in Gen Z interest in everything from fitness trackers to diet apps, today’s youth are prioritising their health and wellness in ways previously unseen.

The use of pop songs in CPR elevates and directs conversations towards a future where access to healthcare makes saving lives as easy to remember as a catchy beat.