Countdown
Black Keys Lyrics
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Count down the times I tried make you mine
Cryin' out - count down the times I tried to - tried to make you mine
Well my heart goes out to you in your time of need
But you cause me pain most every time you breathe.
Cryin' out- cause me pain every, every time you breathe.
Well you said you'd love me 'til death took you home
But you stayed out late always doin' me wrong
So I'm leavin' in the morning if I have to ride them lines
You done stole my heart but you can't take my mind
Cryin' out - stole my heart but you - you can't take my-
Well you stole my heart and damn near drove me mad - I gotta get back home to my mama and dad
Cryin' out - stole my heart and baby - get back home to my - get back home to my-
The Black Keys' song "Countdown" is a heartfelt reflection on a troubled romantic relationship. The song structure consists of a repetitive counting down from one to nine, which reinforces the idea that the singer has tried multiple times to make the relationship work. The lyrics indicate that the singer's attempts to make the relationship work have been met with frustration and pain.
The lyrics convey that the singer feels torn between his love for the other person and the difficulties they've faced together. The line "my heart goes out to you in your time of need" suggests that the singer still cares for the other person, yet the line "you cause me pain most every time you breathe" conveys the difficulty of being in the relationship. The lyrics also suggest that the other person has been unfaithful, as indicated by the line "you stayed out late always doin' me wrong."
The final lines "stole my heart and damn near drove me mad" and "gotta get back home to my mama and dad" convey a sense of finality and a desire to move on. The singer recognizes that despite his love for the other person, the relationship has caused more harm than good, and it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
Counting down the number of times the singer tried to pursue the person they're singing about.
Count down the times I tried make you mine
Continuing to express the number of attempts the singer made to win over the person they desired.
Cryin' out - count down the times I tried to - tried to make you mine
Vocalizing the frustration of repeatedly failing to win someone's heart.
Well my heart goes out to you in your time of need
Sympathizing with the person the artist desired during a difficult time.
But you cause me pain most every time you breathe.
Highlighting the negative impact the person has had on the artist's life.
Cryin' out- cause me pain every, every time you breathe.
Expressing the intensity of the pain the singer feels in response to the person's actions.
Well you said you'd love me 'til death took you home
Recalling a promise made by the person to the singer regarding the longevity of their love.
But you stayed out late always doin' me wrong
Revealing that the person broke their promise and repeatedly committed hurtful actions.
Cryin' out - stayed out late always - always doin' me wrong
Crying out in emotional pain over the person's consistent wrongdoing.
So I'm leavin' in the morning if I have to ride them lines
Asserting the artist's decision to leave the situation even if it requires traveling far away.
You done stole my heart but you can't take my mind
Acknowledging that the person has a hold on the singer's heart but not their thoughts or feelings.
Cryin' out - stole my heart but you - you can't take my-
Crying out in response to the pain of having one's heart stolen but refusing to let the person have full control over the artist's life.
Well you stole my heart and damn near drove me mad - I gotta get back home to my mama and dad
Reflecting on the emotional chaos caused by the person and stating the singer's desire to return to the comfort of their family.
Cryin' out - stole my heart and baby - get back home to my - get back home to my-
Expressing the depth of the hurt caused by the person stealing the singer's heart and emphasizing the singer's need to escape from the situation and return to their loved ones.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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