Count | 5ive Songs

In the 55^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the word COUNT in some form or fashion.

Welcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  In the 55^th edition of 5ive Songs (2022), we select five songs that are associated with the word COUNT in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

1. Kendrick Lamar, “Count Me Out”

💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers • 🏷 Aftermath / Interscope • 📅 2022

“I love when you count me out / Fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up, fuckin’ it up…” Yeah, that’s a heaping dose of f-bombs, 🎙 Kendrick Lamar! The song at hand, 🎵 “Count Me Out,” commences the second disc of 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, an ambitious and complex album with plenty to unpack (understatement).  Here, within the context of the album, the 🏆 Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper appears to be reaching a better, healthier mindset, though obviously, not a cleaner mouth!

“When you was at your lowest, tell me where the hoes was at?

When you was at your lowest, tell me where the bros was at?”

One of the best ‘food for thought’ lyrics from “Count Me Out” appears at the end of the second verse: “Some put it on the devil when they fall short / I put it on my ego, lord of all lords.” Woo – that’s deep and incredibly prudent.  Lamar is also able to cope with the adversity of the past with greater confidence, again, “Fuckin’ it up” positively as opposed to negatively: “Miss Regrets, I believe that you done me wrong / Miss Regrets, can you please exit my home.” So, folks, don’t count this man out.  If you do, he’s going to come back with a vengeance – bigger, better, and stronger!

2. Ansel Elgort, “You Can Count on Me”

🎵 “You Can Count on Me” • 🏷 Island • 📅 2017 

“Baby, you can count on me / I’ll be right there for you / I’ll always adore you / My love will restore you…” In his 2017 single, 🎵 “You Can Count on Me”, the handsome (😍) 🎙 Ansel Elgort proves he’s no slouch.  Then 23 years old, he exhibits his vocal chops.  Among the pros of “You Can Count on Me” is the robustness of his instrument – his vocal huskiness, if you will. Beyond the voice, the palette of sounds used is superb. While it takes a while for things to lock in, once “You Can Count on Me” gets cooking, all things are working, baby. A gimmicky record, it’s meant to sound glitchy with the combo of glitches and more sustained synths creating a musical oxymoron of sorts.

It’s worth noting that Elgort gets an assist from 🎙 Logic, who provides a change of pace. Even so, arguably, the listener takes more away from the vibe of his performance as opposed to the lyrics.  The sole reason why the single gets a parental advisory sticker is thanks to an f-bomb from the MC.  Give Logic more credit for a lyric like, “And even though we got more issues than GQ / No matter what happens, it’s always gon’ be you” compared to that solitary bomb he drops.  Though it’s a bit odd and not game-changing, “You Can Count on Me” is intriguing, nonetheless.  Don’t count it out, I guess!

3. Beyoncé, “Countdown”

💿 4 • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2011

“Oh, killing me softly and I’m still falling / Still the one I need, I will always be with you /… If you leave me, you out of your mind.” Well, ladies and gentlemen, you heard what 🎙 Beyoncé said on 🎵 “Countdown,” a highlight from her 2011, 💿 4.  If he EVER leaves the 🏆 Grammy winner, he’s out of his mind! In the gimmicky pop cut, beyond the chorus, Bey uses the post-chorus as her countdown, and it is one for the ages!

“My baby is a ten

We dressing to the nine

He pick me up, we eight

Make me feel so lucky, seven

He kiss me in his six

We be making love in five

Still the one I do this four

I’m trying to make us three

From that two

He still the one.”

Woo – hard to top that! Interestingly, we are introduced to the chorus and post-chorus prior to the verses.  “Countdown” was written by Beyoncé and an assortment of writers.  Ultimately, Bey produced the joint with 🎛 Shea Taylor, who gives her a kick-ass backdrop – NO CAP! Among the biggest draws of the instrumental are the live instruments – real horns (saxes, trumpets, trombone, etc.).  Revisiting the songwriting, during the verses, Yoncé speaks about the love she feels for him.  Notably, in the first verse, she makes it crystal clear, “Still love the way he rock them black diamonds in that chain / Still all up on each other, ain’t a damn thing change.” Ooh-wee child! That’s far less explicit than her advice for keeping him pleased (“Ladies, if you love your man, show him you the fly-est / Grind up on it, girl, show him how you ride it”).

4. Bruno Mars, “Count on Me”

💿 Doo-Wops & Hooligans • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2010 

“You can count on me like 1, 2, 3 / I’ll be there…” One of the sweetest songs in the 🎙 Bruno Mars collection is 🎵 “Count on Me.” “Count on Me” appears as the ninth and penultimate track on the 🏆 Grammy-winner’s 2010, debut album, 💿 Doo-Wops & Hooligans. A chill and relaxed number, Mars sings with incredible ease, never breaking a sweat, delivering dedicated lyrics. Likewise, Mars understands the dedication that he serves up – the friendship – is reciprocated: “And I know when I need it / I can count on you like 4, 3, 2 / And you’ll be there / ‘Cause that’s what friends are s’posed to do, oh yeah.”

\The record is simple yet quite fulfilling.  The production (🎛 The Smeezingtons) is minimal but features its share of thoughtful touches via guitar, strings, and, surprisingly, the omission of drums.  Beyond the chorus, Mars and his fellow songwriting team – 🎼 ✍ Phillip Lawrence and 🎼 ✍ Ari Levine – deliver thoughtful, potent lyrics perfectly suited for any number of occasions. Personally, as a music educator, I used the record for a fifth-grade promotion (graduation) ceremony, and it connected exceptionally well with the students.  This is one of those rare pop songs that feels authentic without being dirty or profane: “And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me / Every day, I will remind you.”

5. Timothy Wright & The Concert Choir, “Count Your Blessings”

💿 Testify • 🏷 Atlanta International • 📅 1983

“Oh, oh, the blessing / Oh, oh, the blessing / Can’t you see? / Oh, what God has done.” Amen, amen, AMEN! 🎵 “Count Your Blessings” is a gospel classic courtesy of 🎙 Timothy Wright & The Concert Choir.  “Count Your Blessings” appears on the Rev’s 1983 album, 💿 Testify. On this spirited, soulful record, Wright and Choir tout the goodness of God, plain and simple.  Essentially, that’s what fuels those uplifting vibes. At one point, the collective sings, “Look and see / Take a look and see what God has done.”  Self-explanatory – at least to its intended base of believers – right? Right.  It is worth noting that Rev. Wright performs a marvelous verse, which speaks to God’s goodness summarized during the chorus.

Beyond the authenticity and excitement of Wright and choir, the music is exceptional.  The drums punctuate the lyrics with hits.  The keys – both piano and organ – provide ample color.  Furthermore, they help fuel the spirit with incredible musical lines.  Also, the bass can’t be left out, providing quite the foundation.  Vocals, instruments, and songwriting all work together to deliver an epic gospel cut that thrives in its simplicity.  It lifts my spirit, how about yours?

Appears in 🔻:

• Timothy Wright, “Count Your Blessings”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 21 (2022)

Count: 5ive Songs No. 55 (2022) [📷: Aftermath, Atlantic, Atlanta International, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Interscope, Island, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pexels, Pixabay, Sony, Yan Krukov]