The song "Counting Stars" by One Republic tells the story of a drug addict trying to overcome his addiction by attending a self-help meeting. The music video depicts the band performing in a basement while above them a drug recovery meeting is taking place. Throughout the video, a crocodile appears representing the danger of relapse. At the end, one of the men from the meeting falls through the ceiling, connecting the two scenes and their stories.

1. One Republic- Counting stars

2. Narrative
Lyrics:
• the lyrics tell a story of a drug addict trying to overcome his addiction by attending a
self help meeting as he previously ruined his relationship with his loved one therefore
driving them away. This can be conveyed within the lyrics for example ‘in my face is
flashing signs’ this eludes to the symptoms of drug abuse. Also ‘I couldn’t lie, couldn’t
lie everything that kills me makes me feel alive’ this shows that he knows the drugs are
ruining him which link to the video as he is at a help meeting which suggests he wants
to get better.
Video:
• The video shows the band itself performing the song in a dimly lit basement
surrounded by lights which can represent the ‘stars’ repeated throughout in the song,
above where they are performing there is a meeting going on for drug abusers trying to
recover, they are seen dancing and letting go and eventually they break the ceiling and
one of the actors falls through therefore joining the band in the basement at the end of
the song, where they then meet and look up/down at each other. Also during this a
crocodile appears several times crawling along the floor, this represents the danger of
slipping back into drug usage as the crocodile is always there.

3. Intertextuality
• Reference to the bible
- Mathew 7:7
‘seek it out and ye shall find’
At this point we see this scene which suggests
he has seeked out a solution to solve his drug
problem which is going to the drug group

4. Iconography/ voyeurism
• Dark
• Meaningful songs
• Natural
• Not very voyeuristic, however we are
watching a meeting which can be seen as
personal.

5. Camera usage
• The use of a steadicam creates a sense
disorientation- a common state in which drug
users find themselves.
• This is evoked by consistent movement, fast
pans and irregularity of angles.

6. Camera
• Even though the main singer is not acting in
the drug he is seen about 65% of the time
along with the band however he is the main
focus and is shown from all different angles.
Often someone is always facing away from the
camera which suggests running away from
problems.

7. editing
• Fast paced after opening throughout.
• First 5 seconds don’t have a cut which is
setting a gloomy mood as we can focus on the
scene and setting.
• The hole in the floor was also edited.

8. Lip sync
• The main singer is most often singing when
we see him in the video, however the people
upstairs in the video aren't singing but are
dancing supposedly to their music.

9. Star image
• The whole band is performing in the video
however they do not represent characters in
the drug story they are narrating the song.
The story is happening above them in a
different scene, however they do cross at the
end when the guy falls through the ceiling and
finishes In eyecontact between the two
scenes.

10. Mise en Scene
• Costume
The band wears black, lit with bright lights above. The above people are
formal/casual wearing different colours.
• Lighting
Is quite dark around the band however has flickering lights which match with
the ‘stars’ lyrics
• Acting
A bit dramatic and over enthused.
The crocodile shows the danger
• Make up
All quite bare faces which highlights the reality of the song and the natural
problem.
• Props
Bathtub/ raindrop shows cleansing of sins/ drugs.
• Settings
Almost two controversial settings between the band and the service and we
don’t realise they are on top of each other until the end.

11. Illustrate/Amplify
• It goes along with the song however can be
seen as a bit dramatic with the dancing (the
worm) and the falling through the ceiling.