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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well i can see how brandon would write this song based on his fear of flying....but i think it much more than that
to me its about someone at the end of there ropes....like they have nothing else to live for." the days just slip and slide" and its not so much religious than it it spiritual....becasue i know when he says "father." its like god....but father help me get down....i translate that as help me go on with life....help me reach nirvana....or something like....so i think the main message is that more positive.
"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? "
this quote i think pretty much sums it up. cuz you want all the answers of how to live you rlife right, so even if you live a good life....that mountain...(death) is still at the end of the road....so why count the days...just live.
Thats what it means to me