What starts as a quiet idea in someone else’s studio can end up on every radio station on the planet. That is exactly what happened with “Counting Stars.” OneRepublic did not set out to write a generation-defining track.
They just wrote something true. This blog takes you through the origins of the song, what gave it such a lasting grip on listeners, and how it helped shape an entire album’s legacy.
Read on and see why it keeps pulling people back years after its release.
About Counting Stars Lyrics by OneRepublic
Some songs arrive quietly and take over the world. “Counting Stars” did exactly that. Written by Ryan Tedder while waiting for Beyoncé at a studio session in the Hamptons, the track was never planned to be a record-breaker.
But the Counting Stars were honest, restless, and deeply relatable. They connected with millions. Tedder himself called it one of his two favourite songs on the album.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Album | Native (2013), OneRepublic’s third studio album and their first to break the Billboard 200 top 10 |
| Release Date | June 14, 2013, as the album’s second single |
| Chart Performance | No. 1 in the UK, Canada, and 6 other countries. No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Spent 68 weeks on the chart |
| Streaming Milestone | Over 3 billion streams on Spotify. Diamond certified by the RIAA |
On an album built for mainstream pop, “Counting Stars” stood apart. Its folk-pop sound, gospel undertones, and raw emotion about chasing dreams over chasing money gave it a depth that most pop songs never reach.
Quick Fact: Ryan Tedder almost gave “Counting Stars” to Beyoncé. He held it back at the last minute, deciding it did not fit her style, and went home to finish the Native album instead.
Counting Stars Lyrics (Full Song)
[Intro]
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be countin’ stars”
Yeah, we’ll be countin’ stars
[Verse 1]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
I-I-I-I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I-I-I-I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
[Chorus]
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be countin’ stars”
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be, we’ll be countin’ stars”
[Verse 2]
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
On just doing what we’re told
[Pre-Chorus]
And I-I-I-I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I-I-I-I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
[Chorus]
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be countin’ stars”
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be, we’ll be countin’ stars”
[Bridge]
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
[Chorus]
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be countin’ stars”
Lately, I been, I been losin’ sleep
Dreamin’ about the things that we could be
But, baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said, “No more countin’ dollars, we’ll be, we’ll be countin’ stars”
[Outro]
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
Songs Similar to Counting Stars by OneRepublic
If the Counting Stars got you hooked, these tracks carry the same uplifting, anthemic feeling. Start here.
Other OneRepublic Tracks With a Similar Tone
- “Apologize” (2007) : The track that put OneRepublic on the map. Big vocals, emotional weight, and a chorus that stays with you.
- “I Lived” (2014) : Shares Counting Stars’ theme of chasing a life worth living. Equally powerful and personal.
- “If I Lose Myself” (2013) : From the same album. Anthemic build, hopeful lyrics, and the same folk-pop drive.
- “Stop and Stare” (2007) : Quieter but just as honest. Tedder at his most introspective and raw.
- “Run” (2021) : Grammy.com directly described it as reminiscent of Counting Stars for its propelling, forward-moving energy.
Similar Artists Like OneRepublic
If the Counting Stars resonated with you, you love music that is big, honest, and built to sing along to. These artists bring that same spirit.
- Imagine Dragons
- Genre: Pop Rock / Alternative Rock
- Top Album:Night Visions (2012)
- Anthemic, emotionally driven, and built for stadiums. One of the most frequently compared bands to OneRepublic.
- Maroon 5
- Genre: Pop Rock / Funk Pop
- Top Album:Songs About Jane (2002)
- Shares OneRepublic’s knack for massive hooks and radio-ready pop rock with real emotional pull.
- The Script
- Genre: Pop Rock
- Top Album:No Sound Without Silence (2014)
- Irish band with heartfelt lyrics and a bold, uplifting sound. Directly listed as a top OneRepublic sound-alike.
- Coldplay
- Genre: Alternative Rock / Pop Rock
- Top Album:A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
- OneRepublic is frequently named one of the top bands for Coldplay fans. Both share soaring melodies and personal themes.
- The Fray
- Genre: Piano Rock / Pop Rock
- Top Album:How to Save a Life (2005)
- Emotional, piano-led pop rock with meaningful lyrics. Formed the same year as OneRepublic and shares a very similar fan base.
- Train
- Genre: Pop Rock / Soft Rock
- Top Album:Drops of Jupiter (2001)
- Warm, accessible, and melodically rich. One of the closest sound matches to OneRepublic’s style.
- Bastille
- Genre: Indie Pop / Alternative Rock
- Top Album:Bad Blood (2013)
- Broke through in the same era as Native. Shares OneRepublic’s blend of catchy hooks and thoughtful, personal lyrics
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does “Counting Stars” Symbolize?
“Counting Stars” symbolizes dreaming big instead of chasing money. Tedder wrote it about lying awake at night, broke but hopeful, counting possibilities instead of dollars.
Why Is the Song so Popular?
“Counting Stars” resonates through its relatable message of prioritizing dreams over money, combined with a catchy folk-pop melody,
What message does the song convey?
The song “Counting Stars” conveys a powerful message of prioritizing spiritual and emotional fulfillment over material wealth, encouraging listeners to “count stars” (dreams and experiences) instead of “counting dollars.”
