Counting Stars
Shawn Mendes Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
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
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

I feel something so right
By doing the wrong thing
And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
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
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about 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 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 feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly

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

Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned

Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned

Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned

Take that money
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 about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been praying hard
Said no more counting dollars




We'll be counting stars
We'll be counting stars

Overall Meaning

Shawn Mendes's song Counting Stars is about dreaming of a better future while acknowledging the hardships of the present. The lyric "Lately I been, I been losing sleep / Dreaming about the things that we could be" represents the idea that Mendes can't stop thinking about the possibilities of what he and his partner could achieve if they worked hard enough. The next line, "But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard / Said no more counting dollars / We'll be counting stars," captures the idea that Mendes is working towards a brighter future with his partner instead of just counting the money they currently have.


The lyric "And I feel something so right / By doing the wrong thing / And I feel something so wrong / By doing the right thing" represents an internal struggle between following societal norms and doing what feels right in Mendes's heart. This dilemma is further represented in the line "I'm just doing what we're told."


The message behind Counting Stars is about the importance of working towards your dreams, regardless of any obstacles or pressures to conform to society's expectations. Mendes recognizes that chasing a dream may not always feel "right," but the reward that comes from achieving it can make all the hardship worthwhile.


Line by Line Meaning

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
I cannot fall asleep because I am always thinking about the things that we could achieve


Dreaming about the things that we could be
I am spending my nights imagining the endless possibilities of what we could become


But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard
Despite the obstacles, I am praying fervently for our success


Said no more counting dollars
I am no longer counting my wealth in terms of money


We'll be counting stars
Instead, we'll count something far more meaningful


Yeah, we'll be counting stars
Stars are a symbol of hope and endless possibilities, and we will use them to guide us towards our dreams


I see this life
I view life as a journey


Like a swinging vine
It's like a vine that we swing on, going through all the ups and downs that we encounter in life


Swing my heart across the line
I'm putting my heart and soul into everything that I do, even if it means crossing boundaries


In my face is flashing signs
I see signs and signals that indicate my path in life


Seek it out and ye shall find
If I search diligently, I will discover my true purpose in life


Old, but I'm not that old
I'm not that old, but I've experienced enough to have gained some wisdom


Young, but I'm not that bold
I'm young, but I'm not reckless


And I don't think the world is sold
I don't believe that everything in this world can be bought or sold


I'm just doing what we're told
I'm complying with society's norms, but I still have my own aspirations and dreams


I feel something so right
I have an overwhelming feeling that I am doing the right thing


By doing the wrong thing
But sometimes, doing what's considered wrong can also feel right


And I feel something so wrong
In contrast, sometimes doing what's considered right, feels wrong


I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
I am unable to deceive myself or others about what I truly feel


Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
I am exhilarated by the things in life that offer the greatest risk


I feel the love
I'm feeling overwhelmed by love


And I feel it burn
It's like a flame inside me, scorching my heart and soul


Down this river every turn
Like floating down a river, every bend leads you into new opportunities or challenges


Hope is our four letter word
We cling to hope as if it is the only thing we have left


Make that money
Making money is an important goal


Watch it burn
But sometimes, we have to watch our wealth burn to signify the sacrifices we've made for our dreams


Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly
Even though hardships and difficulties threaten to drown me, they give me the impetus to soar higher


Take that money
Again, emphasizing the importance of wealth


Sink in the river
But sometimes even our wealth can't save us from life's unpredictability


The lessons I learned
We remember the experiences that remind us what's really important in life




Contributed by Jordan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

kant7896

[Intro]
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F F
We'll be counting stars, yeah we'll be counting stars

[Interlude]
Am C G F x2

[Verse 1]
Am
I see this life like a swinging vine
C
Swing my heart across the line
G
In my face is flashing signs
F
Seek it out and ye shall find
Am
Old, but I'm not that old
C
Young, but I'm not that bold
G
I don't think the world is sold
F
On just doing what we're told

[Pre-Chorus]
Am C G
I feel something so right
F
Doing the wrong thing
Am C G
I feel something so wrong
F
Doing the right thing
F
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
F
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

[Chorus]
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be counting stars
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

[Interlude]
Am C G F

[Verse 2]
Am
I feel the love and I feel it burn
C
Down this river, every turn
G
Hope is a four-letter word
F
Make that money, watch it burn
Am
Old, but I'm not that old
C
Young, but I'm not that bold
G
I don't think the world is sold
F
On just doing what we're told

[Pre-Chorus]
Am C G
I feel something so wrong
F
Doing the right thing
F
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
F
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly

[Chorus]
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be counting stars
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

[Bridge]
N.C.
Oh, take that money, watch it burn
N.C.
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
N.C.
Take that money, watch it burn
N.C.
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
N.C.
Take that money, watch it burn
N.C.
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
N.C.
Take that money, watch it burn
N.C.
Sink in the river the lessons I learned
F Dm
Everything that kills me makes feel alive

[Chorus]
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be counting stars
Am C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

[Outro]
Am
Take that money, watch it burn
C
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned
G
Take that money, watch it burn
F
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned
Am
Take that money, watch it burn
C
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned
G
Take that money, watch it burn
F
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned



Emilie Goelen

GUYS I FOUND SOME COMMENTS FROM 2014 !!!!
"How has this got 220 dislikes like come on he's amazing"
"In my opinion this is way better then the original...sorry one republic!!X"
"Way better than the original, ypu're amazing"
"I just want to hug you and never let go because damn"
"He sings like an angel sent from the heavens above"
"OMG when you hit the high note asdfghjkl"
"He's so beautiful it hurts"
"Dont close your eyes and smile"





You're welcome :)



Mising Edu

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
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
Like a swinging vine
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



Sorasaki Hina

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
And 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
On just doing what we're told
I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
And I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
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 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"
Yeah, yeah
I feel your love, and I feel it burn
Down this river, every turn
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
On just doing what we're told
And I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I couldn't 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
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
Take that money, watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
Take that money, watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
Take that money, watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I've 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
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
Take that money, watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
Take that money, watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned
Take that money, watch it burn
Sink in the river the lessons I've learned



All comments from YouTube:

Shawn Mendes

almost at a mill ! <33333

Alexus Harden

OMG Shawn Mendes we are cheering you on :D !!!!!!!!!

Hey_its .Cierra

Shawn Mendes you are an amazing singer and can't wait to meet you:)

Fabiola Ortiz

shawn u are literally amazing, you have such a great voice <3 

marisela sutton

I LOVE YOU SHAWN MENDES!!!!!!!!! <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

500+ More Replies...

Mo Playz

This kid should do a cover of the song “Treat you better” I feel like it would fit him

cora.mcdade

Wait is this a joke 😭

Mo Playz

@cora.mcdade wdym? I really feel like if this kid made a cover to the song “treat you better” by Shawn mendes it’ll sound amazing

Shawn rose

@cora.mcdade yeah lmao

Tamara Simic

@Oli Schneider You really didn't got the joke?🤷‍♀️😂

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