F.A.S.T. Song Q&A
What is a demo?
In the commercial music world, a demo is just that: a demonstration, usually done with the purpose of
getting buy-in before a final piece of music is done for airing on TV, radio, video, etc.
For the F.A.S.T. song, we have licensed the demos (composition and performance) for limited public use.
Where are the F.A.S.T. song demos and how can I use them?
Demos in R&B, Latin and Pop are available now, with Gospel and Hip-Hop in the works. Available
versions can be found on SharePoint. You may use them to help recruit artists or groups to create
original versions or you can use the demos or the soundtracks without lyrics (available 9/23) for local
live or recorded performances. You may also use the demo as a soundtrack for video projects and for
live performances. These demos will also be available at StrokeAssociation.org/WorldStrokeDay starting
on September 28th.
Is the music sheet available?
Yes, you can access sheet music here for the tune used in the demos.
Are there rules for creating my own version of the F.A.S.T. song?
Yes. The F.A.S.T. song lyrics can be sung to any musical tune, but the lyrics cannot be changed. Vocal
styling can be added (“ooh”, “yeah”, “that’s right”, etc.) and lines or words can be repeated.
Some artists or groups may ask to compose verses and use the F.A.S.T. song as the chorus. Approval for
this will be up to the staff representative, and, if granted, additional lyrics should be approved prior to
recording with the AHA staff representative, and should align with AHA/ASA science and messaging. The
original F.A.S.T. lyrics should appear unchanged in the song.
Is the song available in Spanish?
Because F.A.S.T. does not directly translate into Spanish, our F.A.S.T. song is not being offered in
Spanish. We have provided a Latin demo of the English version to make it culturally relevant.
While not our song, there will be a song in Spanish for World Stroke Day! A sister organization in Latin
America is developing a song in Spanish for their campaign that addresses prevention as well as warning
signs of stroke. We are licensing that from them and creating a U.S. version which will be available for
local use by Oct. 5th.
Page 1 of 3
Who owns the rights to the F.A.S.T. song?
AHA/ASA is the creator and owner of the F.A.S.T. song lyrics. For the National Center versions, we have
specific rights to the music and performances, as well.
Is there a F.A.S.T. song contest?
Inspired by WSA’s campaign activation of creating an affiliate-wide contest, National Center is
supporting each affiliate that follows suit in their own, unique way. To find out if your affiliate is doing a
contest (or to volunteer to lead one!), contact your affiliate stroke lead Affiliate Stroke Lead Roster 2015.docx or Heather.Gavras@heart.org.
How and when can I share my market’s F.A.S.T. song with National Center?
Upload the video to YouTube and use the campaign hashtag #singFAST when you share on social media.
Be sure to tag American Stroke Association so we have a chance to retweet or share! You can share your
song(s)/video(s) anytime, but please also be sure to also share it during the #StrokeChat on
#WorldStrokeDay Oct. 29 and make a big push on that day.
Affiliate stroke leads are asked to share top songs/videos in the affiliate with Heather Gavras for an
opportunity to be featured in national channels such as heart.org. National Center will elevate
songs/videos that emerge as social media and/or affiliate contest standouts.
Save your best pictures, videos, success stories and media clips – we’ll be calling for Together to End
Stroke sizzle reel content in November/December!
Can I make a music video?
Absolutely! Local offices, volunteers, sponsors and hospitals to make music videos to an original local
version of the F.A.S.T. song, one of the songs provided by National Center, or several strung together.
Remember to add close captioning so those with hearing impairments can have equal access.
Worried that you don’t have the talent or the resources to do something great with the F.A.S.T. song?
Here’s some inspiration. “Pink Glove Dance” is a low production dance video by a hospital and it has
more than 14 million views. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw
Page 2 of 3
I don’t know any musicians. How am I supposed to recruit singers/dancers?
 Many youth market schools/districts may have outstanding and talents band and choral
programs.
 Church and music often go hand-in-hand. Work with Power Sunday churches and/or engage
Power To End Stroke ambassadors or Most Powerful Voices participants to sing the F.A.S.T.
song and perform it in church.
 If you’ve hired a band for a fundraising event invite them to “give back” by singing the F.A.S.T.
song.
 Recruit a local Fraternity or Sorority
 Drop off a demo for your local musicians – dueling piano bar players, coffee shop regulars,
Subway entertainers—the F.A.S.T. song is for everyone! (Record your recruitment efforts and
you could turn that into a music video if all else fails!)
 A F.A.S.T. song music or dance video is a fun engagement opportunity for leadership or
volunteer committees and staff offices. Will the CEO of your local Fortune 500 sing a line? Will a
stroke advocate lip-sync on the capitol steps? Will your board of directors act the stroke signs?
Will your GRFW Passion Committee do a line dance? Will a group of red hat survivors each sing a
line?
We want to set up a Karaoke station at an event/mall/sponsor/GWTG hospital. What tools are
available?
You can use the demos from National Center to create a Karaoke station. Tools available include songs
(with and without lyrics) in different musical styles and sing-along videos where singers can read the
lyrics to sing at the right pace. You can use YouTube for your Karaoke station if you have internet access,
or you can download the videos onto a device like a computer or iPad for your event. Create signage
from the World Stroke Day marketing materials, being sure to include the TTES logo including Medtronic
and any local stroke sponsors.
My singer/group has an amazing story that Ellen (or another national media) would love. Who do I tell
at National Center?
Please send any stories with national media potential to Jayme.Sandberg@heart.org.
Where can I find World Stroke Day resources and when will they be ready?
The resource guide is back starting 9/25! On it you’ll find a list of resources with links to help you plan
and implement a successful World Stroke Day. We’re doing our best to get resources approved and out
ASAP. If a resources isn’t quite ready, you can see the date we’re expecting it in this guide.
Page 3 of 3