I would consider myself a dabbler (someone who dabbles) in the Counting Crows discography. Their songs frequenting my car ride sing-along queue, I find Adam Duritz’s vocals to be approachable and easily replicated. One really couldn’t call what he is doing singing, but rather more a spoken word cry. Honestly, I resonate with that. One afternoon, after enduring over an hour of my one women performace of the August and Everything After album, my sister prompted me to rank my favorite Counting Crows songs. Counting Counting Crows, if you will. The following is THE best of the Crows (in order):

1.Round here

I would like to preface this list by saying I am not in any way, shape, or form heartbroken at the moment.  This, though, does not exclude me from indulging in some gut-wrenching tunes. This brings me to Round Here. The lyrics, true poetry. The emotion, all too real. The vocals, just within my range. I think what specifically draws me to this song is the build. Starting small with just a guitar and Duritz, then building with a little drum action, and then the crescendo of a cry, “She says she’s tired of life, she must be tired of something,” I am blown away.

2. Mr. Jones

This one is just a classic. Mr. Jones was the first Counting Crows song I ever listened to. Introduced to it by my mother, I think it will always have a special place in my heart. Generally a more popular pick, I concede that maybe it is not the most niche song to put at my two. But maybe there is a reason so many are drawn to it. Aren’t popular songs popular for a reason? I mean with lyrics like “I want to believe in anything cause I want to be someone who believes” and “I wanna be Bob Dylan,” who wouldn’t resonate with this song?

3. American Girls

This song is in top three purely because of the synth usage. The dynamic and just “ray of sunshine” vibe it brings is unmatched. Didn’t really know Sheryl Crow featured on the song till writing this, but you know what, she’s definitely bringing something to its greatness. Overall, a great peppy pick that exudes fun and good times. As an American Girl, I approve.

4. Anna Begins

Often paired with a listen to Round Here, Anna Begins similarly gives me that emotionally devastating lyricism that is all too catchy. I initially got into listening to this song because I have a sister named Anna that I could scream the lyrics to in the car while she rolled her eyes. Usually, the line “Every time she sneezes, I believe it’s love” gets a smile out of her.

5. A Long December

I think I must have listened to this song over a hundred times this past December. My grandparents live out in California, and growing up going back and forth for every holiday and vacation, I think that I have formed enough of a connection to the state to truthfully belt, “It’s one more day up in the canyon its one more night up in Hollywood.” The “NaNaNa’s” the song features also gives a good, catchy energy. I fear that some the lyrics in this song do drop the value of it just a little. “The Smell of Hospitals in Winter and the feeling that it’s all a lot of oysters and no pearls” had me losing the thread. No matter, still a classic and fav for a California moonlighter like myself.

6. Goodnight Elisabeth

Okay, final pick. We end on a sad one.  The guitar intro on this has to be one of my absolute favorites. Just by the first few notes, I know I am in for a treat. The one drawback I do find to this song is that it is quite sad. At times, I can almost hear tears well in Adam Duritz’s eyes. “We couldn’t all be cowboys, some of us are clowns,” you just know he had to be sobbing during that one. Still, a great listen that is not to be skipped.

Those of you who have read this far, wow, thanks for hearing me out. If you have any feedback that is not positive, I would rather not receive it. I do not do well with people criticising my music taste.