Counting Stars
Junior comes from a strong and rich background in music. With brothers, cou… Read Full Bio ↴Junior comes from a strong and rich background in music. With brothers, cousins, and uncles involved in music, both professionally & recreationally, it provides several avenues of inspiration for Maile to draw from. Junior’s maternal roots stem from American Samoa, while his patriarchal side originates from the friendly islands of Tonga. These tropical islands are world renowned for the strength of their paradisiacal voices. Junior’s unique vocal style is a product of that power and beauty from his polynesian heritage, enhanced by a soulful R&B feel that was definitely influenced by his upbringing ‘down south’. Junior started singing at church back in St. Petersburg, FL at age 5. He spent the first 13 yrs of his life in the sunshine state singing at various family, school, and church functions. In 1995, Maile moved to Utah and really started to develop his musical gift. Being uprooted and thrown into a whole new environment, his only siblings away at college, Junior turned to music to be his outlet. And oh, what an outlet it was… This is when the riffs were perfected, the notes were fine tuned, and the singer/songwriter we all know and love was born. Junior acquired his ability to take any life experience, sit down, and write a song! On top of that, toss in the fact that he learned to deliver his lyrics with a velvety smooth style…Amazing! He wrote several, original, unreleased songs during that period. The timeless hits, “On This Day,” & “The Voice,” were two of those composed back before he was even 17 yrs old! By 19 yrs of age, Junior had released a top selling cd in Hawaii and continued to make phenomenal advances in music. He recorded with the likes of Fiji, Kapena, & (bass guitarist)Freddie Washington to name a few. He performed with popular artists like Justin, Norm, Pati, and more! With all that success at such a young age, what more can we expect from Junior Maile? How about an ‘uprising’ from the brief absence of ‘the voice’ we’ve grown to love and respect? That same voice that has rocked parties all over the western United States and serenaded couples from Orlando to Laie. That’s right, Junior returns as a 23 yr old young man armed with that much more experience and that much more flavor!

Counting Stars
Junior Maile Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars
Yeah, we'll be counting stars

I see this life like a swinging vine,
Swing my heart across the line
In my face is flashing signs,
Seek it out and ye shall find.

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

And I I I I feel something so right by doing the wrong thing
And I I I I feel something so wrong by doing the right thing

I could lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie?
Every thing that kills me makes me feel alive.

Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be-we'll be counting stars

Ye-e-yeah

I feel her love
And I feel it burn down this river every time
Hope is our 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

And I I I I feel something so wrong by doing the right thing
I could lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie?
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly

Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be-we'll be counting stars

Oh, take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned

Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars, we'll be-we'll be counting stars

Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned




Take that money watch it burn,
Sing in the river the lessons I learned

Overall Meaning

The song "Counting Stars" by Junior Maile is about the desire for a better life and the struggle to achieve it. The opening lyrics reveal a persistent case of insomnia as the singer is thinking about what he could be achieving in life. He has been praying hard to help him and his partner reach their dreams. The line "said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars" implies that they are no longer focusing on how much money they have but on the possibilities that lie ahead. The message is that they want to be worth more than just the money they can accumulate.


The chorus repeats the sentiment of the opening, stressing the desire to achieve more and the importance of dreaming. The second verse is about the struggle to find meaning in life. The singer acknowledges that he is both old and young, not bold enough to stand up against the world, but not old enough to feel like he has achieved something worthwhile. He feels that he is just doing what society has told him to do, yet he still feels like he's doing something wrong. He wants to feel alive even if that means taking risks.


Line by Line Meaning

Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
I have been restless at night, unable to rest properly


Dreaming about the things that we could be
Thinking about what the future holds, and what could be possible


But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
I have been strongly and earnestly praying for the things I desire


Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars
We are shifting our focus from counting money to counting the infinite possibilities and opportunities life has to offer


I see this life like a swinging vine,
I view life as a lively, unpredictable journey


Swing my heart across the line
Taking risks and crossing boundaries with courage and passion


In my face is flashing signs,
The signs of life are clear and constantly visible


Seek it out and ye shall find.
If one looks for opportunities, they will eventually discover them


Old but I'm not that old
Though I am not young, I am still not too old to dream and pursue my passions


Young but I'm not that bold
Though I am young, I am still not too bold to take risks and make things happen


And I don't think the world is sold
I do not believe that the world can be bought or controlled by money or power


I'm just doing what we're told
I am only following the general rules and guidelines society has laid out


And I I I I feel something so right by doing the wrong thing
Sometimes, doing what seems wrong to others can feel so right and fulfilling


And I I I I feel something so wrong by doing the right thing
Sometimes, doing what seems right to others can feel so wrong and unfulfilling


I could lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie?
I could deceive others, but I choose not to because it goes against my principles


Everything that kills me makes me feel alive.
The things that are risky or seem dangerous can also give me a sense of adventure and make me feel alive


Ye-e-yeah
An exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm


I feel her love
I feel the love and support from someone important to me


And I feel it burn down this river every time
This love fuels my passion and drive for life


Hope is our four-letter word, make that money watch it burn
Our hope and perseverance are what will bring us success, even if it means letting go of the obsession with money


Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly
The things that seem overwhelming and heavy can also give me the drive to soar and take risks


Oh, take that money watch it burn,
Letting go of the obsession with money and valuing experiences over currency


Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Reflecting on my experiences and learning from my mistakes


Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
I have been consumed by thoughts of the future and what could be


Dreaming about the things that we could be
Visualizing the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead


But, baby I've been, I've been praying hard
I have been fervently praying for my wishes to come true


Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars
Life is about more than just money; it's about counting the infinite possibilities for success and love


Take that money watch it burn,
Letting go of the obsession with money and valuing experiences over currency


Sing in the river the lessons I learned
Reflecting on my experiences and learning from my mistakes




Contributed by William S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jpowell2603

This song brought tears to my eyes thinking of my wife of 24 years who died from breast cancer 3 weeks ago 😢😭😭 me and the kids miss you darling❤

@lasalovincent2132

Still in 2023 ❤🎵🔥 forever love this country song ❤

@angelaventura7094

I don't usually like country and I don't know what this genre is, but I like it. I feel it! His voice and the melody! It's perfection! OMG! When he breaks out into his native tongue tho!!! It's freakin beautiful! I don't know what language it is and I don't even care. It sounds like heaven!

@ardathtaleibukiyanawasawas1881

He's of Tongan descent, if I'm right and lives in Utah

@thecongenital3035

It's country

@ThePenisimanit

Tongan

@stgeorgerealestate

we love you Junior! Finally - after 3 years - I can listen to this song and smile instead of crying the whole time. I feel your bro Kolei with me all the time. I love you & Mona for being there at Kolei's funeral, for you singing this song and being at our home the night of the funeral. You are such a gift from our Heavenly Father and I am so blessed we are a part of the sweet Maile fam xoxox

@JuniorMaile

💙💙💙 Love you Nisi!

@Gwalagwala1

that tongan piece is a perfect topping for that country tune. my two favorite genres. well done.

@leamceachern6374

The first time I've heard this song and I'm hooked 😍 RIP replay button

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