Counting Stars Guitar Chords

Counting Stars by OneRepublic is one of the most searched guitar chord songs online, built on a satisfying Am – C – G – F loop that carries through the verse, pre-chorus and chorus with only minor variations. Released in 2013, the song showcases how four chords can support complex, layered vocal and instrumental arrangements. The complete chord sheet here includes the intro, interlude, two verses, pre-chorus sections, bridge and full outro.

Chords Used

Am C G F Dm N.C.

Strumming Pattern

DU DU DU

How to Play Counting Stars on Guitar

The main progression Am / C / G / F is one of the most useful four-chord loops you can learn — it appears in dozens of pop and rock songs. Mastering it cleanly on Counting Stars effectively teaches you the fundamental rhythm guitar skill. The bridge introduces an N.C. (no chord) section where the guitar drops out, so listen carefully to the recording to feel where to bring the guitar back in. The Am – F movement in the outro benefits from keeping the high-e string ringing open across both chords.

Intro

Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am                                C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said no more counting dollars
F                          F
We'll be counting stars, yeah we'll be counting stars

Interlude

Am  C  G  F   x2

Verse 1

                       Am
I see this life like a swinging vine
C
Swing my heart across the line
              G
And in my face is flashing signs
F
Seek it out and ye shall find
Am
Old, but I'm not that old
C
Young, but I'm not that bold
G
I don't think the world is sold
F
On just doing what we're told

Pre-Chorus

Am  C                       G
I feel something so right
         F
Doing the wrong thing
Am  C
I feel something so wrong
         F
Doing the right thing
F
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
            N.C.
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Chorus

Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am                                C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said no more counting dollars
F
We'll be counting stars
Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
Am                                C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

Interlude

Am  C  G  F

Verse 2

                        Am
I feel your love and I feel it burn
C
Down this river, every turn
G
Hope is our four-letter word
F
Make that money, watch it burn
Am
Old, but I'm not that old
C
Young, but I'm not that bold
G
And I don't think the world is sold
F
On just doing what we're told

Pre-Chorus

Am  C                       G
I feel something so wrong
         F
Doing the right thing
F
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
            N.C.
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly

Chorus

Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
        Am                        C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said no more counting dollars
F
We'll be counting stars
Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
            Am                    C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said no more counting dollars
F
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

Bridge

N.C.
Oh, take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I learned
N.C.
Take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I learned
N.C.
Take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I learned
Am
Take that money, watch it burn

Sink in the river the lessons I learned
F                Dm
Everything that kills me makes feel alive

Chorus

Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
        Am                        C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be counting stars
Am               C
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
G                                     F
Dreaming about the things that we could be
            Am                    C
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
G
Said, no more counting dollars
F
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

Outro

Am
Take that money, watch it burn
C
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned
G
Take that money, watch it burn
F
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned
Am
Take that money, watch it burn
C
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned
G
Take that money, watch it burn
F
Sink in the river, the lessons I learned

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Counting Stars easy to play on guitar?

Counting Stars is rated intermediate — the four-chord progression (Am, C, G, F) is beginner-friendly, but the full arrangement with multiple sections, a bridge and an extended outro benefits from an intermediate level of playing comfort.

What key is Counting Stars in?

Counting Stars by OneRepublic is in the key of A Minor (the relative minor of C Major). No capo is required to play along with the original recording.

Pair With