Chipmunks Dance Song
The chipmunks dance uses a sped-up version of “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”, released by Dead or Alive in 1984.
The original song
“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” is a 1984 hi-NRG single by the British band Dead or Alive. The original runs at about 128 beats per minute.
The sped-up version
The trend uses the same recording played faster. Speeding up the audio raises both the tempo and the pitch, so the vocals sound higher and the beat drives harder.
Original vs. sped-up
| Original | Sped-up | |
|---|---|---|
| Tempo | About 128 BPM | Faster; a 1.25× edit runs at about 160 BPM |
| Vocals | Natural pitch | Higher, chipmunk-like pitch |
| Feel | Steady dance-floor beat | Quicker, bouncier beat for a short routine |
Where to find the sped-up version
On TikTok, tap the spinning record icon on any chipmunks dance video to open the sound, then tap Use sound to film your own. Outside TikTok, search for “You Spin Me Round sped up” on YouTube or in your music app.
Where to listen
The original song is available through the official Dead or Alive video on YouTube.
Listen to the original on YouTube ↗Why the sped-up version works
Speeding up a recording is how the Chipmunks got their voices: their creator, Ross Bagdasarian Sr., sang slowly into a tape recorder running at half speed and played it back at normal speed. A sped-up “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” gets the same high, squeaky sound, so the song matches the name of the dance. The faster beat also packs the bounces and arm swings closer together, which keeps a three-person routine short and lively.