After moving to Atlanta, Mattiel developed a palette for more diverse musical interests. She developed her vocal style over the course of several years, often alone in her car on long drives to work. She ventured into songwriting after meeting Randy Michael and Jonah Swilley in 2014.
As the group began producing more material, a full length album was written and recorded in a span of nine months (not unlike the gestation period of a human baby). Their process was simple: Michael and Swilley supplied instrumental compositions and handed them over to Mattiel for lyrical content and melodies. The Mattiel LP was released in September 2017 on Burger Records.
Count Your Blessings
Mattiel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The colors of the other fools before you
And skin keep turning different shades of red
The colors of the other voice that′s swimmin' in your head
Make yourself at home again
Count your blessings, one to ten
Your body will be whole again
Make yourself at home again
Count your blessings, one to ten
Your hands keep turning lighter shades of white
The color of the temperature that′s dropping every night
Your pair of shoes are turning back to black
The color of the inner voice that's slowly coming back
Make yourself at home again
Count your blessings, one to ten
Your body will be whole again
Your body will be whole again
Make yourself at home again
Count your blessings, one to ten
The lyrics of Mattiel's song "Count Your Blessings" are about the process of introspection and finding solace in one's own self. The first stanza talks about how the singer is being influenced by the choices of others, resulting in their own shoes and skin changing colors. However, the song encourages the listener to look within themselves, to "count their blessings" and appreciate what they have. The repetition of "make yourself at home again" is a call to the listener to find comfort in their own skin and return to a state of inner peace.
The second stanza is about the singer finding themselves again. The hands turning white could be a metaphor for feeling numb or losing sensation, but with time they will regain their warmth and color. The shoes are also turning back to black, which could represent a return to one's roots or a state of clarity after a period of confusion. The song reminds the listener that their body will be whole again, indicating a restoration of both physical and emotional well-being. The repetition of "count your blessings, one to ten" reinforces the importance of gratitude and finding positivity in even the smallest things.
Overall, "Count Your Blessings" is a song about self-care and self-reflection. It encourages the listener to take a step back, detach from external influences, and focus on finding happiness within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Your shoes keep turning different shades of blue
Your shoes are changing color, likely from wear and tear, taking on the hues of those who wore them before you.
The colors of the other fools before you
The changing colors of your shoes come from the other people who made the same mistakes as you, the 'other fools' who came before you.
And skin keep turning different shades of red
Your skin reacts to the stresses in your life and is showing redness from the pressures you're under.
The colors of the other voice that′s swimmin' in your head
The other voice in your head, likely your conscience or sense of right and wrong, is influencing your emotions and reactions and is reflecting in your changing skin.
Make yourself at home again
Find a place where you are comfortable and can be yourself.
Count your blessings, one to ten
Take stock of the good things in your life, from little things to big, and be grateful for them.
Your body will be whole again
Your body will recover from the stresses and pressures you're under.
Your body will be whole again
Your body will recover from the stresses and pressures you're under.
Make yourself at home again
Find a place where you are comfortable and can be yourself.
Count your blessings, one to ten
Take stock of the good things in your life, from little things to big, and be grateful for them.
Your hands keep turning lighter shades of white
Your hands are turning white from the lack of circulation or anxiety you're experiencing.
The color of the temperature that′s dropping every night
The dropping temperature, which has an effect on your body, is causing your hands to turn increasingly white.
Your pair of shoes are turning back to black
Your shoes are returning to their original color, reflecting a return to a more normal state of being.
The color of the inner voice that's slowly coming back
The voice within you, possibly one of reason, is becoming more prominent and leading to a more positive state of mind.
Writer(s): Jonah Elijah Swilley, Atina Mattiel Brown, Randy Michael
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.