His second studio album Illuminate (2016) also debuted at number one in the US, with its singles "Treat You Better" and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" reaching the top 10 in several countries. His self-titled third studio album (2018) was supported by the lead single "In My Blood". The album's number one debut in the US made Mendes the third-youngest artist to achieve three number one albums. In 2019, he released the hit singles "If I Can't Have You" and "Señorita", with the latter peaking atop the US Billboard Hot 100. His fourth studio album, Wonder (2020), made Mendes the youngest male artist ever to top the Billboard 200 with four studio albums.
Among his accolades, Mendes has won 13 SOCAN awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards, eight Juno Awards, eight iHeartRadio MMVAs, two American Music Awards, and received three nominations for a Grammy Award and one nomination for a Brit Award. In 2018, Time named Mendes as one of the 100 most influential people in the world on their annual list.
Counting Stars
Shawn Mendes 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
Like a swinging vine
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
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.
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
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
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?🤷♀️😂