OneRepublic has just released a new VEVO Footnotes video that dives into the making of their 2013 hit, “Counting Stars.” The song, written by lead singer Ryan Tedder, is featured on their third album, *Native*. It’s Diamond certified by the RIAA and ranks among the 100 most-streamed songs on Spotify, with over three billion streams.
In the video, Tedder shares that the idea for “Counting Stars” came to him while he was working on a Beyoncé album. He was inspired by the rise of “stomp-clap” folk music and wanted to create a similar melody. He describes the song as a “kindred spirit” to Avicii’s hits from that year, like “Hey Brother” and “Wake Me Up.” Tedder reflects on his struggles in his 20s, saying, “I was literally wishing I was counting stars instead of dollars because I was so broke.”
The music video for “Counting Stars” was filmed in New Orleans, in the basement of the second-oldest African American church in the U.S. It features various metaphorical images, which Tedder explains in the video. He wanted to include elements that feel alive but can also be dangerous.
Alongside the Footnotes release, OneRepublic announced their first greatest-hits album, *OneRepublic: The Collection*. This album includes “Counting Stars” and other fan favorites like “Apologize,” “Secrets,” and “I Lived.” It’s available digitally and on vinyl in several editions, including a limited-edition “Fruit Punch” colorway.
Tedder reflects, “We never knew that ‘Counting Stars’ would go on to be the one that saved the album and changed the course of our career. Thank god it did.”
