Throwing Muses is known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics. The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals. Hallucinatory, febrile songs by Hersh occasionally touched on the subject of mental illness, more often drawing portraits of characters from daily life or addressing relationships.
Donelly left the band in 1991 and was a member of The Breeders and Belly, before starting to perform solo. She also contributed vocals to the Throwing Muses self-titled album in 2003. Hersh has also worked solo, and fronts the power trio 50 Foot Wave (which also includes Muses bassist Bernard Georges). Narcizo works in graphic design and has a musical project Lakuna.
In March 2003, Throwing Muses came back with their eighth album, Throwing Muses, which also saw the return of Tanya Donelly who provided backing vocals on the album. A greatest hits compilation titled Anthology was released in 2011. The band's ninth album, Purgatory / Paradise was released on October 29, 2013 in the UK and November 11 in the US. In early 2014, the band toured a few U.S. cities, with Donelly opening for the East Coast dates.
Counting Backwards
Throwing Muses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't remember him
I don't remember
Counting backwards, I count you in
I don't remember him
I don't remember
I try and turn you back through him
I built a tower in my bones
I spill the mortar through my home
Counting backwards, I count you in
I don't remember him
I don't remember him
I don't remember
Don't let your heartbeat keep you safe
No telling what keeps me awake
One hundred fingerprints I hear
A hundred linger in my ear
Counting backwards, I count you in
I don't remember him
I don't remember
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah (measure fortune killing time)
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah (measure fortune killing time)
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah (measure fortune killing time)
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
"Counting Backwards" is a song by American alternative rock band Throwing Muses. The lyrics in the song are characterized by Kristin Hersh’s distinct vocal style that adds an air of mystery to the song. The song appears to be about trying to recall someone or something from the past, but not being able to remember the details. The opening lines of the song, "Counting backwards, I count you in, I don't remember him," suggest that the singer is struggling with a memory. They are trying to recollect something from the past but are struggling to remember the details.
The chorus repeats the lines "Counting backwards, I count you in, I don't remember him," which emphasizes the singer's confusion about their past. The lines "In time I rope you in again, I try and turn you back through him," suggest that the singer is trying to reconnect with someone they once knew. However, they have forgotten the details, and this makes it difficult for them to rekindle their relationship. The lines "Don't let your heartbeat keep you safe, no telling what keeps me awake" imply that the singer is haunted by their past and finds it hard to move on.
Overall, "Counting Backwards" is a haunting song that delves into bitter-sweet nostalgia. The lyrics are open to interpretation but evoke a sense of longing and loss. The singer is trying to reconnect with someone from their past, but their memories are hazy, making it difficult to remember the details.
Line by Line Meaning
Counting backwards, I count you in
Revisiting the past, I remember you and the memories we shared together
I don't remember him
The memory of someone else who was once important to me has faded away
In time I rope you in again
As time passes by, I find ways to bring you back into my life
I try and turn you back through him
I use another person to try and reconnect with you, but it doesn't work
I built a tower in my bones
I have built walls around myself to protect my heart and emotions
I spill the mortar through my home
Despite my attempts at protection, my emotions still spill through my daily life
Don't let your heartbeat keep you safe
Sometimes feeling too safe and comfortable can prevent us from experiencing new things
No telling what keeps me awake
I'm unsure of the reasons behind my insomnia and racing thoughts
One hundred fingerprints I hear
Memories and reminders of people I've encountered leave their mark on my mind
A hundred linger in my ear
The echoes of those memories and people stay with me, impacting my present and future
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
This vocalization represents the pain and frustration felt by the singer
Measure fortune killing time
The measure of wealth and success can be deceiving and may contribute to feelings of emptiness and discontent
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kirstin Hersh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Manly O'Beeferton
Counting backwards I count you in
I don't remember him
I don't remember(2x)
In time I rope you in again
I try and burn you back through him
I built a tower in my bones
I spill the mortar through my home
Counting backwards I count you in
I don't remember him
I don't remember(2x)
Don't let your heartbeat keep you safe
No telling what keeps me awake
One hundred fingerprints I hear
A hundred linger in my ear
Counting backwards I count you in
I don't remember him
I don't remember.
(Measure fortune killing time)
Larry David
This was a genius band yet - relatively speaking - barely anyone knows about them. So if you are watching this video you are very fortunate.
s mac
IS .... not was
Lee
there is some info but ye they rlly underrated
The official Sean O’Donnell
Saw Kristin at a tiny club in Portland Maine a few years ago! Most amazing experience of my life!
Raving Mavis
Those who know…..know …I have all their albums in CD - yep CD’s are now ‘retro’ ….they are very amazing ❤️❤️❤️
Who One Is
@Raving Mavis I have kept The Throwing Muses cassettes I bought in the ‘90s. I got into them through being a fan of The Pixies.
kraorh
Two of the loveliest, classiest and smartest ladies rock music has ever had. And together with the other ultra-talented members of their band, a criminally underrated band.
vee kay
"Ladies?" Do you refer to men in musical groups as "gentlemen?" They're women.
Ian Israel
You mad ?
BRAVO 20 VET
Good,more for us....