One Republic - "Counting Stars"

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Shark Media, on Apple, Spotify, or many other players. Just click

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the link in the show notes for
more info Caloroga Shark Media. Welcome to

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the Hit Maker Chronicles, where we
illuminate the stories behind the songs that capture

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our hearts and dominate the airwaves.
In this episode, we explore the infectious

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melody, uplifting message, and global
success of One Republic's smash hit Counting Stars.

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One Republic's story began in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Ryan Tedda and

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Zack Filkins first crossed paths in high
school. The two young musicians bonded over

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their shared love of music and began
collaborating on songs. After graduating, Tedda

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and Filkins parted ways to pursue their
respective paths. Tedda attended Oral Roberts University

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in Oklahoma, while Filkins studied at
the University of Colorado. During his time

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at university, Tedda honed his skills
as a songwriter and producer, working with

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various artists and developing his signature sound. In two thousand and two, Tedda

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and Filkins reconnected in Los Angeles and
decided to form a band, initially called

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Republic. They later changed the name
to One Republic to avoid confusion with other

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similarly named acts. As One Republic
began to refine their sound, they caught

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the attention of hip hop producer Timberland, who signed them to his Mosely Music

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Group imprint under Interscope Records. This
partnership led to the creation of their debut

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single, Apologize, which was featured
on Timberland's album Shock Value in two thousand

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and seven. The Timberland remix of
Apologize became a global smash hit, reaching

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the top of the charts in numerous
countries and earning the band widespread recognition.

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The song's success propelled One Republic into
the spotlight and set the stage for the

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release of their debut album, Dreaming
Out Loud in November two thousand seven.

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Dreaming Out Loud showcased One Republic's unique
blend of pop, rock and electronic elements,

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with Teder's emotive vocals and introspective lyrics
serving as the album's backbone. The

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album produced additional hit singles such as
Stop and Stare and Say All I Need,

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further establishing the band as a force
to be reckoned with in the pop

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music landscape. Following the success of
their debut album, One Republic embarked on

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extensive touring, playing sold out shows
and festivals around the world. During this

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time, the band members faced personal
and professional challenges, including creative differences and

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the pressure to deliver another hit album. The road to Counting Stars was paved

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with experimentation, growth, and a
desire to push the boundaries of their sound.

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One Republic's second album, Waking Up, released in two thousand and nine,

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saw the band exploring new musical territories
and collaborating with a diverse array of

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artists. While the album produced the
hit single All the Right Moves, it

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didn't quite achieve the same level of
commercial success as their debut. Undeterred,

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One Republic continued to evolve and refine
their craft. The band's third album,

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Native, released in twenty thirteen,
marked a significant milestone in their career.

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The album's lead single, Feel Again, showcased a more upbeat and optimistic side

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of the band, setting the tone
for the record's overall sound. It was

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during the recording sessions for Native that
Ryan Tedder penned Counting Stars. The song's

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inception was a moment of pure inspiration, with Tedder crafting the melody and lyrics

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in a matter of minutes. The
band recognized the song's potential and worked tirelessly

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to refine the arrangement and production,
ultimately creating the infectious and uplifting anthem that

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would become a global phenomenon. The
song opens with a pulsating rhythm and a

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catchy whistle melody, immediately grabbing the
listener's attention. As Tedda's vocals enter,

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he paints a vivid picture of the
pursuit of dreams and the sacrifices that come

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with chasing success. The lyrics lately, I've been losing sleep dreaming about the

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things that we could be encapsulate the
song's central theme of aspiration and the search

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for meaning in a fast paced world. The chorus of Counting Stars is an

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infectious earworm, with Tedda's soaring vocals
delivering an uplifting message of hope and perseverance.

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The repetition of everything that kills me
makes Me feel alive serves as a

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powerful reminder that growth often comes from
overcoming adversity. The band's dynamic instrumentation featuring

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driving percussion, shimmering guitars and pulsing
synths propels the song forward with an irresistible

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energy. As the song progresses,
Teda's lyrics become more introspective, touching on

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theme of materialism and the true value
of life's experiences. Lines like I feel

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something so right doing the wrong thing, I feel something so wrong doing the

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right thing highlight the internal conflict that
comes with pursuing one's passions while navigating societal

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expectations. The bridge of Counting Stars
showcases Teda's vocal prowess as he belts out

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the lines take that money, watch
it burn, sink in the river,

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the lessons I've learned. This powerful
moment serves as a cathartic release, emphasizing

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the importance of prioritizing personal growth and
fulfillment over material success. The music video

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for Counting Stars, directed by James
Lees, features the band performing in a

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dimly lit space, surrounded by eclectic
characters and visually stunning imagery. The video's

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esthetic complements the song's themes of dreaming
and escapism, creating a captivating visual experience

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that enhances the track's emotional impact.
More In a moment, Counting Stars became

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a global phenomenon, topping charts in
numerous countries and earning platinum certifications worldwide.

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The song's universal themes, coupled with
One Republic's masterful storytelling and Tedder's in motive

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vocals, resonated with listeners across generations
and cultures. The track's success solidified One

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Republic's status as one of the most
influential and beloved pop rock acts. The

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impact of Counting Stars extended beyond its
commercial achievements, as the song became an

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anthem for dreamers and a source of
inspiration for those navigating life's challenges. The

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tracks uplifting message and infectious melody made
it a staple at weddings, graduations,

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and other celebratory events, cementing its
place in the cultural zeitgeist. In the

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years following the release of Counting Stars, Public continued to evolve their sound and

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push the boundaries of their artistry.
Subsequent albums like oh My Mai and Human

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showcased the band's growth and willingness to
experiment with new genres and collaborations while still

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maintaining the heartfelt storytelling and soaring melodies
that define their signature style. As we

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reflect on the enduring impact of Counting
Stars. It's clear that the song's success

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lies in its ability to connect with
listeners on a deep emotional level. Ryan

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Tedder's honest and introspective songwriting, combined
with One Republic's dynamic musicianship, created a

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timeless anthem that continues to inspire and
uplift audiences around the world. Counting Stars

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serves as a testament to the power
of music to capture the human experience and

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provide solace in times of uncertainty.
As we continue to explore the stories behind

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the songs that shape our lives,
it's evident that One Republic's contribution to the

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tapestry of popular music is both significant
and enduring. I'm Andrew Irons, and

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this has been the hit Maker Chronicles. Join us next time as we uncover

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the tales behind the tunes that become
the soundtracks of our lives. The Hit

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Maker Chronicles is a production of Calarogu
Shark Media. Executive producers are Mark Francis

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and John McDermott. Some portions of
this episode may have been created with the

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assistance of Ai