Both personal reasons and drastic changes in music led to a split-up of the group in 1966.
Count Every Star
The Rivieras Lyrics
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Count every star in the midnight sky
Count every rose every firefly
For that's how many times I miss you
Heaven knows
I miss you
Count every wave on a stormy sea
Count every star and darling when you do
You'll know the times
I cried for you
Count every star in the starry sky
Count every rose every firefly
For that's how many times I miss you
Heaven knows
I miss you
Count every leaf on a willow tree
Run every wave (doobie doo) -y sea
Count every star and darling when you do
You'll know the times
I cried
For you
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
The Rivieras' song "Count Every Star" is a heart-wrenching ballad about missing someone dearly. The lyrics are simple, yet poignant, as they encourage the listener to count every star in the midnight sky, every rose, every firefly, as a way of measuring just how much the singer misses their beloved. The line "Heaven knows I miss you" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that not even the heavens are unaware of the singer's intense longing.
The lyrics go on to ask the listener to count every leaf on a willow tree, every wave on a stormy sea, and every star in the starry sky. The last line of the song is a repetition of the previous ones, made even more emotional by the singer's effortless vocal delivery.
Overall, "Count Every Star" is a beautiful song that captures the pain of missing someone so much that even the natural world seems to be keeping count. It's a testament to the power of love and the lengths that people will go to in order to express their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Well count (doo wop doobie doo) every star
The singer urges to count every star in the sky.
Count every rose every firefly
Also, count every rose and firefly to gauge how much the singer misses their loved one.
For that's how many times I miss you
The number of stars, roses, and fireflies represents the number of times the singer misses their beloved.
Heaven knows
The singer believes that their love is known in the heavens above.
I miss you
The singer explicitly expresses their yearning for their lover.
Count every leaf on a willow tree
The singer asks to count even the leaves on a willow tree.
Count every wave on a stormy sea
The singer goes on to urge counting the waves on a rough sea.
You'll know the times I cried for you
By counting all these objects, the listener will know how many times the singer has cried because of their love's absence.
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
The song ends with the repetition of this line, likely to create a musical conclusion.
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
73MarkIV
An amazing song. This song flooded my soul as I buried my first partner. He died of AIDS at a time when there was no hope of survival. I had lost so many friends up to that point, and had no words to say what I felt everyday. This song gave me the words, and eventually the strength, to grieve my losses and move forward. Truly an underrated song, and great group. Thank you for posting this song- it is a gift for all of us.
pilsudski36
I understand. This song reminds of two women I loved, who are no longer with us. I find it comforting.
Steve52344
Truth is...the Rivieras were GREAT. They had a great lead and a great first tenor, and their harmony was of the finest quality. As someone who lived (and sang) through those times, I'd rate the Rivieras among the very best vocal groups EVER.
pilsudski36
Yes. I was in grammar school in the Fifties. No drugs, low rents, job for blue collar people, no drugs, wars or terrorism.
Joe red lama
I agree 100% with you. Iv' been following rythem & Blues since 1948. At a time when 90% of black music was not broadcast over the radio only a few stations did,like Dr Jive, Cookies caravan, ( For Lovers only ) I would have to ear very close the raadio to hear the songs due to the weak signal (station) I will always love this music..
bill chew
@Joe red lama Dont forget Jerry Blavat in Philly
countrypaul
This got real airplay on major stations and was a real hit in New York. As I've noted elsewhere, it's the first 45 I ever bought and is still a proud part of my collection today (and yes, I still play it from the vinyl!) While the group was steered to a more middle-road sound, this and the rockin' flip, "True Love Is Hard to Find," are standouts from a great era in popular music.
Carmen Frisicaro
This is the absolute best version of this song. No contest
Peter Deamicis
Incredible vocals. This and Moonlight cocktails. Isolate each singer and it is just incredible, the perfection. Salute.
Darryl Evans
One of the best doowoop records ever made from The Rivieras out of Englewood New Jersey.