Counting Stars
#One Republic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Yeah, we'll be counting stars
I see this life
Swing my heart across the line
In my faces flashing signs
Seek it out and ye shall find
The old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I, feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I, feel something so wrong
But doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
I feel the love
And I feel it burn
Down this river every turn
Hope is a four letter word
Make that money
Watch it burn
Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I, feel something so wrong
But doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money and watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming 'bout the things that we could be
Baby I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
(Take that money and watch it burn)
(Sink in the river the lessons I learned)
(Take that money and watch it burn)
(Sink in the river the lessons I learned)
(Take that money and watch it burn)
(Sink in the river the lessons I learned)
(Take that money and watch it burn)
(Sink in the river the lessons I learned)
The lyrics to One Republic's "Counting Stars" speak to the desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life and the limitations of material possessions. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been losing sleep over the possibilities of what their life could be. They have been dreaming about breaking out of their current situation and reaching for something more. The line "But baby I been, I been prayin' hard, said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars" suggests that the singer has been praying for a change in their circumstances, and that they are ready to focus less on their financial situation and more on achieving their dreams.
The middle of the song contains the lines "Hope is a four-letter word, make that money, watch it burn." These words hint at the idea that hope and ambition are more important than wealth or possessions. The singer is saying that it's better to take a chance on your dreams, even if it means risking everything you have. The lyrics "Everything that kills me makes me feel alive" suggest that the singer is willing to take risks and embrace uncertainty in order to chase their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
I have been restless and losing sleep recently
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Thinking about the possibilities of what we could achieve
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
I have been devoutly praying for our success
Said no more counting dollars
I have decided to stop focusing solely on money
We'll be counting stars
Instead, we will focus on our ambitions and dreams
Yeah, we'll be counting stars
That is our new plan
I see this life
I perceive life
Like a swinging vine
Like a vine that swings and moves erratically
Swing my heart across the line
I put my feelings and emotions on the line
In my faces flashing signs
I see indications all around me
Seek it out and ye shall find
If you look for something, you will find it
The old, but I'm not that old
I am not very old, but I am not very young either
Young, but I'm not that bold
I am still young, but I am not very daring or brave
And I don't think the world is sold
I don't believe that everything in the world is for sale
I'm just doing what we're told
I am simply following what I have been instructed to do
I, feel something so right
I sense something that feels correct and true
Doing the wrong thing
Even if that something is considered wrong
I, feel something so wrong
At times, I sense something that feels incorrect
But doing the right thing
Even though doing the opposite seems more appealing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
I have the ability to be dishonest
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
In challenging myself, I feel more alive and energized
I feel the love
I sense love and affection
And I feel it burn
I experience it intensely
Down this river every turn
As I navigate through life's journey
Hope is a four letter word
Hope is a word with four characters
Make that money
Earn as much money as possible
Watch it burn
Then watch it disappear or be spent
But I'm not that old
I am still young
Young, but I'm not that bold
I am still young, but not as daring or brave as some
And I don't think the world is sold
I don't believe everything in the world is for sale
I'm just doing what we're told
I am simply following what I have been instructed to do
I, feel something so wrong
At times, I sense something that feels incorrect
But doing the right thing
Even though doing the opposite seems more appealing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
I have the potential to be dishonest
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly
Even if something feels overwhelming, it inspires me to reach higher
(Take that money and watch it burn)
This could be interpreted as a symbolic comment on wealth and consumerism
(Sink in the river the lessons I learned)
This could be interpreted as a comment on learning from one's mistakes and experiences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RYAN TEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind