The band has released five studio albums - Sound Of The Underground (2003), What Will The Neighbours Say? (2004), Chemistry (2005), Tangled Up (2007) and Out of Control (2008), plus a Greatest Hits compilation, The Sound of Girls Aloud (2006). Major singles include Sound of the Underground, Love Machine, Biology, Something Kinda Ooooh, Call The Shots and The Promise. The girls have a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles under their collective belt now, including 4 number ones. Their lowest charting top ten single, The Loving Kind, reached number 10. However, the girls 21st single Untouchable ended their top ten streak, peaking at 11 in May. Despite this, up to week ending 21st June, it has outsold top ten singles (in order of release and highest peak in the UK chart) Wake Me Up (no.4), Long Hot Summer (no.7), See The Day (no.9), Whole Lotta History (no.6) and I Think We're Alone Now, (no.4).
The girls have embarked on five major UK tours to date, traditionally starting in April or May of each year, since 2005. The 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 shows have all been sold-out arena tours, earning the girls a reputation as putting on an explosive live show. The most recent tour, Out Of Control tour 2009, is the largest tour for the girls to date, selling out venues across the UK. They are also set to be the support for Coldplay at a number of their tour dates in September 2009, including Wembley Stadium, where the girls are expected to perform a 75 minute set.
Girls Aloud are unusual in that their management has never made a major push for them to be successful other than within the UK market, and despite their huge success in London, United Kingdom, they are relatively unknown elsewhere in the world. A shame, perhaps, as Pitchfork Media called them one of the two best girl groups of the 21st Century along with Sugababes. Girls Aloud performed a cover of Aerosmith and Run DMC's 'Walk This Way' for Children In Need, with Sugababes.
Girls Aloud released their fifth studio album, Out of Control, on November 3rd 2008. The album debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart, selling over 85,000 copies. The lead single, the 60s flavoured The Promise, entered the UK Singles Chart at #1, selling more than 70,000 copies on its first week of release. The album coincides with band member Cheryl's appearance as a judge on UK TV show The X Factor, where she will manage the three final girls in an attempt to secure one of them a million pound recording contract over the other finalists. Cheryl is a judge alongside Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue. The girls also released their autobiography, Dreams That Glitter, in October 2008.
After a three year hiatus, Girls Aloud returned in October 2012 for their 10th anniversary. A countdown on their website and social media accounts kicked off on 9th October with an announcement expected on Friday 19th October. Their 22nd single, 'Something New,' leaked online on 15th October following the release a teaser video and received high praise from fans. The track premiered on Capital FM the following day.
In March 20th 2013, after the last show of the tour of the album Ten, the group announced via Twitter that they disbanded.
Count the Days
Girls Aloud Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would write a thousand letters
Just to talk to you
I would climb a hundred mountains
Just to be with you
I would make it snow in summer
If it meant you'd stay
Turn back time when we're together
Nicola:
Look at the stars
Twinkling bright in the dark
Kimberley:
Like the snow in the cold winter sun
Nicola:
Here by the fire
The sound of your voice warms my heart
Cheryl:
But it don't feel like Christmas
Without you in my arms
Nadine:
All over town
People running around
They've got stars in their eyes
Hurrying home
To be close to the one that they love
Cheryl:
Light on the tree,
Shining shadows on me
As I wait by the fire
Presents and dreams but for me
You'd be enough
All:
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
Til my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting)
Till my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
Nadine:
Count the days, count the days
I feel so lonely,
Kimberley:
Come home baby
It ain't Christmas til you're here with me
Count the days, count the days
'Til this wait is through,
Nadine:
Come home baby
Christmas just ain't the same without you
Sarah:
When I think my world could fall apart
And I'm damn near broken in my heart
And my world is falling down
In my mind I will keep you safe from harm
'Til you're lying in my arms
Until then I'll wait somehow
All:
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
Til my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting)
Till my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
Til my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting)
Till my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
The song "Count the Days" by Girls Aloud talks about the pain and heartache of missing someone special during Christmas time. The lyrics express the lengths the singers are willing to go to be with their loved ones, including writing thousands of letters and climbing any mountain. They long for the presence of their partners who are far away during the holiday season. The song describes the familiar scenes of excitement and joy around Christmas, but the singers can't feel the holiday spirit without their loved ones by their side. They express their loneliness and emptiness without their partners and assure them that they'll be waiting by the phone and praying every night until they're reunited.
The use of winter imagery, such as climbing snow-capped mountains and making it snow in summer, is a metaphor for the challenging and impossible nature of their distance. The twinkling stars and snow are symbolic of the hope and anticipation of their loved ones' return. The warmth of the fire and the sound of a partner's voice are the only things that can bring comfort to their broken hearts during the holiday season.
In summary, "Count the Days" is a song about the pain of separation during the holidays and the deep longing for the presence of a loved one. The emotions are expressed in a beautiful way, and the lyrics are relatable for anyone who has experienced the difficulties of long-distance relationships during festive seasons.
Line by Line Meaning
I would write a thousand letters
Just to talk to you
I would climb a hundred mountains
Just to be with you
I would make it snow in summer
If it meant you'd stay
Turn back time when we're together
Make it Christmas Day
I am so deeply in love with you that I would go to great lengths to have you by my side, including writing endless letters and going on a treacherous climb just to see you. Even if it meant breaking the laws of nature, I'd do anything to keep us together and relive the moments when we are at our happiest.
Look at the stars
Twinkling bright in the dark
Despite being surrounded by darkness and challenges, the beauty and hope of the stars shining bright provide a glimmer of optimism and light in an otherwise difficult situation.
Like the snow in the cold winter sun
Just as the snow sparkles and stands out in a bleak winter landscape, our love shines and stands out in a world that can be harsh and challenging.
Here by the fire
The sound of your voice warms my heart
The comforting warmth of the fire and the soothing sound of your voice bring me peace and contentment, and it is in these moments that I feel close to you, even if we are physically apart.
But it don't feel like Christmas
Without you in my arms
The holiday season, which is typically associated with family and togetherness, feels empty and incomplete without the one I love close by my side. I long to hold you in my arms again and feel complete.
All over town
People running around
They've got stars in their eyes
Hurrying home
To be close to the one that they love
As the world around us moves at a frantic pace and everyone is rushing around, there is a shared goal of being with the ones we love. No matter where we are, our common desire is to be home and close to the ones who matter most.
Light on the tree,
Shining shadows on me
As I wait by the fire
Presents and dreams but for me
You'd be enough
Although there are materialistic traditions like Christmas tree lights and presents, none of them truly matter without the one I love. To be with you would make every moment feel special, and nothing else would be needed to make me happy.
Count the days, count the days
I feel so lonely,
Come home baby
It ain't Christmas til you're here with me
The days left until we are reunited are dragging on, and in your absence, I feel a great sense of loneliness. All I want is for you to come home so we can finally feel complete and celebrate the season together.
Count the days, count the days
'Til this wait is through,
Come home baby
Christmas just ain't the same without you
Each day without you feels longer and more painful. I just want this period of waiting to be over so we can be together again. Without you here, the holiday season feels empty and unfulfilled.
When I think my world could fall apart
And I'm damn near broken in my heart
And my world is falling down
In my mind I will keep you safe from harm
'Til you're lying in my arms
Until then I'll wait somehow
Even when it seems like everything is falling apart and I'm at my lowest, I find comfort in the thought of you being safe and happy. As long as I have that image in my mind, I can hold on and wait for the moment when we are reunited.
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
Til my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
No matter what, I'll be waiting by the phone every day until you return home. I'll pray for your safe journey and hope that you'll be back in my arms soon, where you belong.
I'll be waiting by the phone (Kimberley: I'll be waiting)
Till my baby's coming home (Kimberley: I'll be waiting for you)
I'll be praying every night (Kimberley: I'll be praying)
You'll be back soon by my side
As time ticks by, I'll continue to wait patiently for your return. Every single night, I'll pray for your safety and well-being, and I know deep down that you'll be back home with me soon enough.
Contributed by Sadie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.