The song has been one of the band's most successful singles. It has currently peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first top five hit since their highest charting debut single Apologize, and their third US top-ten hit. It has also topped the charts in the United Kingdom for two non-consecutive weeks and charted within the top ten in 20 countries, including attaining top five placements in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand.
The song's accompanying music video, directed by James Lees, features the band performing in a basement beneath an ongoing church congregation. "Counting Stars" was promoted on The Voice with contestant Michelle Chamuel in June 2013.
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 song "Counting Stars" by One Republic has a variety of interpretations, but it mostly talks about not being satisfied with the mundane life of maximizing profit and being brave enough to take risks in order to achieve one's dreams. It starts with the singer's inability to sleep due to his obsession with the things they could accomplish. He prays that his life would be more than just working hard to make ends meet and not having the ability to appreciate life's pleasures. Instead, he wants to live life to the fullest, counting stars instead of dollars.
The chorus reiterates this sentiment as the singer talks about his love of life and experiencing it in all its extremes. He compares himself to a "swinging vine," taking risks, and crossing boundaries. The lines "I could lie, could lie, could lie, everything that kills me makes me feel alive" is contradictory, suggesting that while some risky practices are considered life-threatening, it makes them gain a sense of being alive.
In the second half of the song, the singer acknowledges that the world revolves around money, but he also maintains that hope is a four-letter word. He insists that he is doing what he was told and not being too rebellious, and that he's not either too young, nor too old to pursue his dreams. The line "Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly" can be interpreted to mean that difficulties and struggles only serve as motivation and opportunities to learn and move forward. Overall, the song encourages listeners to take risks in order to pursue their dreams, regardless of what society dictates.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Recently, I have been having trouble sleeping
Dreaming about the things that we could be
I keep having thoughts about what we could achieve
But baby I been, I been prayin' hard
I have been praying fervently
Said no more counting dollars
I have decided to stop focusing on money
We'll be counting stars
Instead, we will be focusing on our dreams and aspirations
Yeah, we'll be counting stars
We will be keeping our sights on our goals
I see this life
The way I view life is
Like a swinging vine
Like a vine that swings back and forth
Swing my heart across the line
I will put my heart into everything I do
In my faces flashing signs
There are signs all around us
Seek it out and ye shall find
If you look for them, you will find the signs and opportunities you need
The old, but I'm not that old
I may not be young, but I am not old either
Young, but I'm not that bold
I may be young, but I am not very brave
And I don't think the world is sold
I don't believe that the world is completely corrupt
I'm just doing what we're told
I am just following what we are taught
I, feel something so right
I feel like what I am doing is the right thing to do
Doing the wrong thing
Even though it might seem wrong
I, feel something so wrong
I still feel like what I am doing is wrong
But doing the right thing
But I know deep down it is the right thing to do
I could lie, could lie, could lie
I have the option of concealing the truth
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
All the things that are difficult and challenging make me feel alive and fulfilled
I feel the love
I feel loved and cared for
And I feel it burn
I feel it intensely
Down this river every turn
This journey is a river with twists and turns
Hope is a four letter word
Hope is a simple and powerful word
Make that money
Focus on making money
Watch it burn
But don't get too attached to it
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly
All the things that weigh me down give me the motivation to soar higher
Take that money and watch it burn
Make money but don't let it become everything
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
I will learn from my mistakes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RYAN TEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thedeadman2384
Let's be honest, this song is still legendary.
@rocketgaming1014
Exactly dude
@carmenaroca5506
Yes sir
@martinmartinpu
Duh
@tjon60fps73
still bangs ill agree
@jacobo1733
Yes
@niwic4189
I still remember listening to this song in the radio when spotify wasn't a thing
@totmatw
that's the most true thing i've ever read
@rickrolled3528
facts.
@yourenotmycat
BillzZ when we didn’t know that Spotify was a thing