An avid fan of Counting Crows, I have compiled by my own top 10 list of their best songs. Starting at #10:
10) Recovering the Satellites
1996
“All anybody really wants to know is when you’re gonna come down.”
The misty, almost ethereal quality to this song keeps it refreshing after many listens. Although the first half is catchy, the second half of this song is what truly makes it into a great song.
9) Holiday in Spain
2002
“Someone stole my shoes, but there’s a couple of bananas and a bottle of booze.”
Holiday in Spain is slower than most Counting Crows songs, but still retains that light and airy beat that they do so well. A very emotional song, it captures the emotion that so many feel, the desire to leave our problems behind us and start again somewhere else.
8) Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby
1999
“If you’ve never stared off into the distance then your life is a shame.”
A catchy drum beat, meaningful lyrics. The crux of a good Counting Crows song.
7) Raining in Baltimore
1993
“You get what you paid for, but I just had no intention of living this way.
One of their earlier songs. Duritz, the lead singer and songwriter, actually hails from Baltimore, so it is easy to say that this song holds great emotional investment for him.
6) Accidentally in Love
2004
“Because everybody’s after love.”
Arguably Counting Crows’ most popular song, it was released with the movie Shrek 2. A very upbeat and romantic song (albeit, with a strange music video), you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hates this one.
5) You Can’t Count on Me
2008
“But you’re just my toy, and I can’t stop playing with you baby.”
A rockin’ break-up song, You Can’t Count on Me starts with a great intro and keeps up the pace throughout the entirety of the song.
4) A Murder of One
1995
“Casting shadows on the winter sky, as you stood there, counting crows.”
A heartfelt song about growing up and having to make decisions. As always, Duritz’s message is to do away with all the heavy and hurtful things in life, and to have fun.
3) Mr. Jones
1993
“Help me believe in anything, cause I, I wanna be someone who believes.”
Unlike popular opinion, this is not a song about Adam and his big “member.” It’s about him and his desire to be famous, as he, at this stage, believes that is all he needs to achieve happiness.
2) Round Here
1994
“Man you should try to take a shot, can’t you see my walls are crumbling?”
Although the studio recording could be construed as nothing short of amazing, the live performances of this song are positively mindblowing. Their performance on the Howard Stern Show in 2008 is widely regarded as freaking incredible.
1) Anna Begins
1993
“And she can’t stop shaking, and I can’t stop touching her.”
A squeaky clean drum beat, emotion-packed lyrics. This is the kind of song you put on repeat for hours on end.
