Counting Crows were formed in 1991 and come from San Francisco, California. They are still making music and recording to this day, and in the last 30 years, they have come up with some great songs.
They are best described as Alternative Rock, Pop Rock, or Roots Rock. However, I find them a little hard to categorize because they are liable to change their style and arrangement.
That is one of the things I love about the band…
They are not afraid to experiment and try out different things. This means that you never know quite what to expect from one song or album to the other. Admittedly, the consequence for a lot of their audience, me included, is that they are not going to like some of their songs… at all!
However, I think it’s a worthwhile trade-off because the songs that I like, I really like. I believe that this eclectic style is what has helped to keep them together as a successful band, and long may it continue. So, let’s get to it and take a look at the best Counting Crows songs of all time.
Top 50 Best Counting Crows Songs of All Time
1 Mr. Jones
It only seems right that we should start with the very first single they released. “Mr. Jones” came out in 1993 and is very probably the biggest Counting Crows song. That is because it was the song to bring them worldwide attention. Although it didn’t chart in the US, it made it to #28 in the UK and went Gold in the process. It also made it into the Top 50 in several other countries around the world.
The single was the first to be taken off their debut album, “August and Everything.” This did chart in the US and got to #4 on the US Billboard chart. In Canada, it made it to #1.
The song is a commentary on the desire to be famous and their drive to achieve it. It also echoes a lot of dissatisfaction and angst that was present in America at the time. Ironically, this was fueled by artists like Kurt Kurbain of Nirvana, who died as “Mr. Jones” hit the charts and changed Counting Crow’s trajectory.
2 Come Around
“Come Around” was released in 2008 as the final track of the album Saturday Night & Sunday Mornings. It was never released as a single, but it still got plenty of airplay. So much so that it made it to #1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay Charts in the US. As a result, it’s one of the most successful Counting Crows songs.
The track expressed their emotions and attitude toward being a hard-working, touring Rock band. It nicely illustrated how comfortable they had become in their own skins and the place they occupied in the music world.
They embraced the chaos of life, which included the uncertainty of where they would play and how many many people they would play for. They concluded that such was their love for music and their fans. Regardless of how many came to see them, they would still ‘come around’ and play. More importantly, they would also be happy to do so.
3 Hanginaround
This was released in 1999 as the lead single off their third studio album, The Desert Life. It’s fair to say that this was one of their more commercially successful tracks.
The song charted at #37 on the US Billboard charts. It also made it to #1 on the Billboard Alternative Adult Songs chart. Globally, it also broke into the Top 50 on most charts. Its highest position was in Canada, always a strong supporter of the band, where it reached #3.
“Hanginaround” is one of their more upbeat numbers, and I think easily earns its place on this best Counting Crows song of all time list. It is a great piece of Pop/Rock. And, I bet you it’s a song you’ve heard plenty of times before on the radio but maybe never realized who was playing it.
The main theme covers working mindlessly through the week…
Just to get to the weekend when the real fun starts. It’s also an introspective view of the band’s past when they were playing in the same old town to the same old crowds and wondering if they would ever make it to the big time. Finally, if you haven’t seen the music video, that’s well worth a watch.
4 Big Yellow Taxi
This is one of the band’s very few covers. It was originally recorded in 1970 by Joni Mitchell and is a much-loved song. Thankfully, Counting Crows more than do the original justice. This was in no small part due to the collaboration with featured American singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton.
“Big Yellow Taxi” was released in 2003 from the album Hard Candy. Both album and single proved to be two of their most successful releases. The album charted at #5 and the single at #42 on the US charts.
In many ways, the song was well ahead of its time as it examined the theme of mindless consumerism and the consequential destruction of the earth. It is an environmental song that is frankly even more powerful and relevant today than when it was released. I bet it is on Great Thunberg’s playlist. No, scrap that, she probably doesn’t like music.
5 Round Here
This was the second single taken from August and Everything After. Although it was not as successful as their debut single, “Mr. Jones,” it was still important for the band. That’s because it set the tone for them from a musical perspective. As well as becoming one of the most well-known Counting Crows songs.
The single feels sparse and stripped back. The quality of the writing and the vocals tell much of the story without unnecessary overproduction ruining the message. It is Alternative Rock at its best. Although they do throw a bit of Funk in there at one point, which is surprising but fits the song beautifully.
So, what is it about?
It is a pretty melancholy tale of living in a world of working uninspiring and horrible jobs. It’s a message to everyone trapped in a seemingly endless pit of money worries and boredom with no end in sight.
Additionally, the song concerns the singer’s exhausting relationship with someone that is behaving more and more erratically. This all adds to the frustrations and sense of despair, and loss of hope. In many ways, it is a brutal song with some brutal lyrics to match. But that’s another reason it’s one of the best Counting Crows songs of all time.
6 A Long December
Three years after their debut single came “A Long December,” released in 1996. It was taken as the second single from the album, Recovering the Satellites. The single didn’t chart in the US, although it made it to #1 in Canada.
In contrast, they enjoyed strong success with the album, which became their only #1 in the US. It also became their second best-selling album after their debut, August and Everything After.
The song is a reflection of what might have been with a previous romantic interest before the lead singer, Duritz, became famous. There is a feeling of regret and sorrow about his present life which clashes with the sentiment of looking optimistically toward the future.
7 Rain King
“Rain King” was released in 1994 as the fourth single from their debut album. It contrasts with many of the other songs on the album. That’s because it is more upbeat and feels much more Pop than Rock. It is a welcome fun inclusion and, undoubtedly, helps to add some balance to the heavier themes explored elsewhere on the album.
The song is an interesting take on the creative process. Additionally, it is a lighthearted look at spirituality and our purpose here on earth. However, it is not too serious or overly saturated with negativity.
Despite its happier feel, it didn’t do as well as many of the band’s other releases and failed to place on the Billboard US charts. However, the fun-loving guys and girls in Canada took it to #18 on their charts. The slightly less happy UK fans helped it to #49 on the UK official album charts.
8 Colorblind
This was released in 1999 and was their penultimate single of the new millennium. It was taken from the Cruel Intentions Soundtrack from the movie of the same name, which was released in the same year.
Although the single did not do so well, the soundtrack made it to #48 on the US Billboard charts and sold close to a million copies. The movie, which was a small-budget teenage romantic drama, did reasonably well at the box office. Despite having spent just over $10 million, they managed to take $76 million at the box office globally. That’s a hit in my book.
As far as “Colorblind” is concerned, it was quickly forgotten. A bit of a shame because it had some beautiful combinations of guitar, violin, and piano in it. Plus, lyrically speaking, it dealt with the tough subject of depression very sensitively.
9 Omaha
“Omaha” is one of Counting Crow’s early songs. It was released as the third and final single of August and Everything. It came out in 1994, and other than reaching #85 in Australia, it failed to chart elsewhere.
There is no good reason for it not doing better other than possibly that it just didn’t find its audience. It has more of a Country feel than most of their other songs. Consequently, many of their fans might not have been expecting or wanted something so different.
I think it’s one of the greatest Counting Crow songs. The double-picked mandolin, and hints of R.E.M. in the vocals and the mix, are music to my ears. Sadly, not the case for everyone.
10 A Murder of One
This was the final track on their debut album, August and Everything After. Additionally, it was the last single released off the album and subsequently didn’t hit the stores until 1995, a full two years after the album’s release. Unfortunately, it didn’t receive much interest and failed to chart in either the US or the UK.
The lack of sales belays the quality of the song. It was a heavy but very catchy track that deserved more sales. However, by the time the single came out, many Counting Crows fans would have already bought the album. That would go a long way to explaining its poor commercial performance.
“A Murder of One” is about losing your childhood naivety and dealing with having to grow up. It is a commentary that in this life, the only way to make something of yourself, for the majority of us, is to work and make it happen. Typical Counting Crows style, they crush your dreams before you even have the chance to get started.
11 Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman)
This unusually titled song was released in 1994 from the album DGC Rarities Volume 1. Essentially, the album was a collection of B-sides from the record label’s stable of artists. The single got to #1 on the Alternative Rock Billboard Airplay Charts. And the album made it to #139 on the main Billboard chart, which considering the eclectic group of artists and songs, was a decent achievement.
So, what about the song? Was it any good?
I think so. It is an uptempo Pop/Rock song that was a refreshing change from most of the Grunge Rock coming out of America at the time. Not that I don’t like Grunge, but it’s good to mix things up at times. That is pretty much what the Counting Crows have done throughout their career.
“Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman)” keeps things fun. And for that reason, I had to include it among the best Counting Crows songs of all time.
12 Angels of Silences
Released in 1995, this, more than any of their previous singles, I believe, showed their true credentials as a Rock band. It is a hard and fast track that shows they are more than capable, willing, and able to turn up the heat, the volume, and the pace when the song requires it.
“Angels of Silences” was taken from their second album, Recovering the Satellites, as the lead single. Its best position was at #4 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Testament, if ever it was needed, that this is a thoroughbred Rock song.
The song is about having faith in something and not just in the spiritual sense. It explores the complexities of finding something to believe in. Then, and possibly more importantly, it is about following up on your beliefs and seeing them through even when you are repeatedly tested.
13 Potter’s Lullaby
This was released in 2000 and was the band’s first single of the new millennium. It was also the lead track on their album, This Desert Life, which came out in the same year. The single did not chart outside of the US Radio Playlist charts. However, the album went to #7 on the US Billboard charts and #48 in the UK.
Musically, this was softer than many of their other songs and is closer to Pop than Rock. It is undoubtedly fitting as it deals with love and dreams in an upbeat kind of way. It’s a great song by Counting Crows that showcases the band’s lighter side.
14 Have You Seen Me Lately
This was released in 1997 as the final single of their second album, Satellites. It broke the Top 50 on the main US and Canadian charts. It sold reasonably well in both countries. But, everywhere else, it didn’t sell in great numbers.
What I find particularly interesting about “Have You Seen Me Lately” is that the lead singer, Duritz, is continuing to write about struggling with fame. That’s because, at this point, the band had been together for six years and was becoming well known.
With fame came recognition…
And Duritz began to reflect on how his life had been thrown into chaos. He felt like he had lost direction and wondered if the only way he could find himself was by reconnecting with old friends.
He states that he was increasingly irritable with being recognized and with the fans seemingly having access to his life. No doubt these are common emotions for stars of any kind. However, thankfully, he managed to come to terms with all of this later in his career.
A final thought I can’t help wondering about. If Duritz struggled with fame, then how on earth did people like Prince, Elvis, and Michael Jackson cope? Answer: they probably didn’t, and plenty like them probably didn’t and still don’t.
15 All My Friends
Counting Crows are nothing if not surprising. “All My Friends,” released in 2000, is a little like “Omaha” as it demonstrates a very different side to them. Of all of Counting Crows’ best songs, I think this is my favorite.
So, why is that?
I like the musical arrangement with the piano prominent and the clever use of strings. In particular, the use of the violin in small sections sounds fantastic. However, this kind of mix is not what you would normally expect from the Counting Crows. I’d go as far as to say it is more akin to an Elton John song style-wise. That is mighty praise, for sure!
The subject matter deals with the emotions of having to tour and leaving everyone you know and love behind. The lyrics indicate that when they come back for touring, the feeling is like their lives have stood still while everyone else has moved on. However, it is far from depressing. That’s because despite each group moving in different orbits, they still find the time for them to reconnect.
16 1492
“1492” was released in 2008 as the first single of their fifth studio album, Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings. It didn’t chart anywhere in the Top 100. Again, something I just don’t get because this stands out to me as not only one of the best Counting Crows songs of all time but as one of the Top 3 Counting Crows songs.
Why is that?
Because it’s full of attitude, it’s Rock with a fast, thumping drum beat and a tasty guitar solo. The mix and arrangement are also up there as one of their best.
Interestingly, the single had been penned to appear on their previous studio album, “Hard Candy.” But Duritz vetoed it because he wasn’t happy with the production. In my opinion, a wise decision because the result is superb. Sadly, not something the buying public agreed with, though.
17 Elevator Boots
It seemed fitting to end with “Elevator Boots” since it was released in 2021 and thus makes it their last single to hit the charts. More specifically, it made it to #2 on the Adult Alternative Airplay charts. The single is the only one to be released from Butter Miracle Suite One – a short EP containing just four songs. They are best listened to as a whole, but “Elevator Boots” is easily the pick of the bunch.
It can be best described as mellow. An acoustic guitar plays the most prominent part. The rest of the mix is subtle, with infusions of piano and light drumming. It has a kind of Country feel to it as well.
If this is the direction Counting Crows are heading in the future, then you can count me in. However, since this is Counting Crows we are talking about, it’s honestly hard to predict what will happen next.
18Catapult
19Perfect Blue Buildings
20Goodnight Elisabeth
21Miami
22Mercury
23Sullivan Street
24Children in Bloom
25Amy Hit the Atmosphere
26Friend of the Devil
27Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby
28Recovering the Satellites
29Washington Square
30New Frontier
31Insignificant
32Long December (acoustic)
33On Almost Any Sunday Morning
34Why Should You Come When I Call?
35Holiday in Spain
36Palisades Park
37Earthquake Driver
38Amber Lynn
39Good Time
40Los Angeles
41Hospital
42Shallow Days
43Saturdays and Sundays.
44Anna Begins,
45Four Days,
46Mr. Jones (acoustic),
47Daylight Fading,
48Scarecrow,
49God of Ocean Tides,
50Chelsea,
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Best Counting Crows Songs of All Time – Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed my picks for the best Counting Crows songs. I enjoyed looking back and re-listening to a lot of these songs. As a consequence, a few old favorites are now back on my driving playlist.
In many ways, I believe Counting Crows is an underestimated and underappreciated band. I hope, in a small way, my list has helped to refresh people’s memories as to just how good they are. Plus, it may have brought the band to the attention of a whole new generation of listeners too.
Until next time, happy listening.
