Why Do I Keep Counting?

Album: Sam's Town (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the fear of death and dying without accomplishing your hopes and dreams. Lead singer Brandon Flowers' fear of flying is also referenced in the lyrics ("Help me get down"...) as is his obsession with the day he'll die (apparently as a kid a Ouija board once told him that he would die on June 21, the day of his birthday). It sounds, in the chorus, as if he's praying to God (referred to as "Father"), and saying that if he knew the day he was going to die, and was sure that it would be in the right time he wouldn't be bothering Him and keep on counting the days.
  • In an interview with the New Musical Express (NME), Brandon Flowers talked about his fear of flying: "It's something that's become a real problem for me since we got successful. But I feel as though if I talk about it in interviews, it lessens the chances of my fears actually happening. Like, I've talked about it, so it would have to be a huge coincidence for it to actually happen to me. Does that make sense? It seems way more improbable than if I didn't talk about my fears of what might happen. That's why I've been seeing a psychiatrist, once a week for the last few months. To talk about my fear." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Simone - Sam's Town, Brazil, for above 2

Comments: 3

  • Paris from Cardiff, United Kingdomthis is an amazing song! The Killers are the best band in musical history- i love them too much
  • Kylie from Ventura, CaThis is possibly my favorite too, but it's very hard to choose since they are all so amazing.
  • Trey from Kalamazoo, MtThis is my favorite Killers' song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.