In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
There's a plane, and I am flying
There's a mountain waiting for me
Oh, these years have been so trying
I don't know if I can use them
Am I strong enough
To be the one?
Will I live to have some children?
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
I wouldn't be bothering you
Father
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
And if all our days are numbered
Then why do I keep counting?
My sugar sweet
Is so attainable
This behavior so unexplainable
The days just slip and slide
Like they always did
The trouble is my head
Won't let me forget
I took one last good look around
So many unusual sounds
I gotta get my feet on the ground
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
I wouldn't be bothering you
Father
Help me get down
I can make
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
And if all our days are numbered
I wouldn't be bothering you
Would you help me get down?
If I only knew the answer
If I change my way of living
And if I pave my streets with good times
Will the mountain keep on giving?
And if all of our days are numbered
Then why do I keep counting?
There's a mountain waiting for me
Oh, these years have been so trying
I don't know if I can use them
Am I strong enough
To be the one?
Will I live to have some children?
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
I wouldn't be bothering you
Father
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
And if all our days are numbered
Then why do I keep counting?
My sugar sweet
Is so attainable
This behavior so unexplainable
The days just slip and slide
Like they always did
The trouble is my head
Won't let me forget
I took one last good look around
So many unusual sounds
I gotta get my feet on the ground
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
I wouldn't be bothering you
Father
Help me get down
I can make
Help me get down
Help me get down
I can make it
Help me get down
If I only knew the answer
And if all our days are numbered
I wouldn't be bothering you
Would you help me get down?
If I only knew the answer
If I change my way of living
And if I pave my streets with good times
Will the mountain keep on giving?
And if all of our days are numbered
Then why do I keep counting?
Lyrics submitted by ultradirrty
Why Do I Keep Counting? Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Even though I know this song is about Brandon's fear of flying, but like Scianaphobia, i first interpreted the song to be about someone who is sad or struggling with something and just wants it to go away and be happy again.
I think that in the beginning of the song when he says he's on a plane and hes flying and theres a mountain waiting for him, it means that he's at the peak of his sadness and theres another sad thing waiting for him. and hence the "help me get down" is to help him get off the mountain. He doesn't know if he'll be strong enough to make it and that's why he's asking for help, even praying to God to help him. He doesn't know why he's so sad and doesn't know how to fix it. He realizes that his days are numbered, and instead of living his life to fullest, he's counting down the days. He knows that he's a good person and he doesnt know why he's not acting like himself, the days keep passing yet nothing is changing and he realizes what's happening and that he needs to get back on track. If he changes his ways of life and is happy again, living his life the way he should, would he truly be ok? or would the sadness come back because he's not satisfied.
that's just another way of looking at it.