Counting Sheep (Safia song)

Last updated

"Counting Sheep"
Counting Sheep by SAFIA.jpg
Single by Safia
Released13 March 2015
Genre Indie electronic
Length2:53
Label SAFIA
Songwriter(s) Ben Woolner-Kirkham, Micheal Bell, Harry Sayers
Safia singles chronology
"Take Me Over"
(2014)		"Counting Sheep"
(2015)		"Embracing Me"
(2015)
Music video
"Counting Sheep" on YouTube

"Counting Sheep" is a single by Australian electronic music group Safia, released on 13 March 2015. [1]

Contents

The song is unsettling ode to insomnia complete with string section. As SAFIA member Ben Woolner puts it, “If [previous single] ‘Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds’ could be embodied as a person, then ‘Counting Sheep’ would be its evil sibling.” [2]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Counting Sheep" was first released on YouTube on 15 April 2015. [3] The video takes place on the edge of the lake at a ‘Stop Revive Survive’ station on a highway, while voice-overs warn ‘don’t fall asleep’, a ghoulish person emerges from a chained box in the back of an open truck. The ghoul is met by men in black as they emerge from dark cars and are quickly transfixed by the ghoul. [4] I

Reviews

Sosefina Fuamoli from theaureview said she liked where they’ve gone with it, saying; "A cool fusion of synths and pop sensibilities, SAFIA have continued to produce music which sets them that little bit aside from other 'indietronica' acts currently doing the rounds." [5]

A staff writer at The Music said; “[Counting Sheep] kicks off with some disconcerting synth-string action before a minimalist verse punctuated by Woolner-Kirkham's falsetto upper-register vocal work carries it through to an aurally lush build before bassy vocoder takes the lyrical reins for the plodding, pseudo-steam-powered chorus.” [6]

Charts

In Australia, “Counting Sheep” peaked at number 55 on the ARIA singles chart for the week commencing 6 April 2015. The song also peaked at number 7 on ARIA Australian Artist chart and at number 10 on the ARIA dance chart. [7]

Weekly charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart [8] 55

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Wonderland</span> Australian musician

Alexandra Margo Sholler, known professionally as Alison Wonderland, is an Australian electronic dance music producer, DJ, and singer. Her debut album, Run, was released on 20 March 2015, which peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by ARIA. Her second album, Awake, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums. She was listed at No. 96 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs in October 2018. She is also the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history. Outside of being well-known for her music, she is outspoken about her support for mental health and frequently shares her experiences with her fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masketta Fall</span> Australian pop-rock group

Masketta Fall were an Australian pop-rock group formed in 2012 by Braden Ross on vocals, Ben Downing on vocals and guitar, Daniel Molivas on vocals and guitar, Jamie Ross on drums, and Ryan Spiller on bass guitar. They released a studio album, Golden, four extended plays and six singles. They supported tours by other artists, 5 Seconds of Summer, Anberlin, You Me at Six and Tonight Alive, American Authors, the Vamps and Demi Lovato. They headlined their own tours of Australia. On 3 May 2017 Masketta Fall announced an indefinite hiatus after Molivas became too ill to perform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me Over (Peking Duk song)</span> 2014 single by Peking Duk featuring SAFIA

"Take Me Over" is a song by Australian electronic music duo Peking Duk. The song features vocals from SAFIA. It was produced by Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles of Peking Duk. The song was released on 10 October 2014 by Vicious Recordings as the second single from the duo’s debut EP, Songs to Sweat To.

<i>Ladies & Gentlemen: The Songs of George Michael</i> 2014 live album by Anthony Callea

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Songs of George Michael is the only live album by Australian musical artist, Anthony Callea. The album serves as a tribute to the songs of George Michael; the title refers to Michael's 1998 greatest hits collection, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael. It was recorded and filmed live with a 9 piece band at The Palms at Crown in Melbourne on May 16, 2014.

Safia is an Australian electronica, indie pop band formed in Canberra. They have released two studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embracing Me</span> 2015 single by Safia

"Embracing Me" is a song by Australian electronic music group Safia. It was released as the first single from their forthcoming debut studio album, Internal (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make Them Wheels Roll</span> 2016 single by Safia

"Make Them Wheels Roll" is a song by Australian electronic music group Safia. It was released as the second single from their debut studio album, Internal (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are the One (Safia song)</span> 2014 single by Safia

"You Are the One" is a song by Australian electronic music group Safia. It premiered on 12 September and was released as a single the 16 September 2014. It received international attention in February 2015 following a Facebook post by the band after seeing similarities with the video clip for Ariana Grande's "One Last Time".

<i>Internal</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Safia

Internal is the debut studio album by Australia electronica indie pop band, Safia, released on 9 September 2016. The album was self-produced and mixed by Eric J Dubowsky. The album was announced alongside a national tour on 30 June 2016. Upon announcement, Safia lead singer Ben Woolner said "Hopefully there should be a song for everyone on the record that fits into their tastes. It kind of explores everything we've done in the past in all those different singles into one."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds</span> 2014 single by Safia

"Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds" is a song by Australian electronic music group Safia. It was released as the group's second single on 11 April 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World of Our Love</span> 2016 single by Client Liaison

"World of Our Love" is a song written by Australian group Client Liaison and co-produced with Flight Facilities. It was released on 19 April 2016 as the lead single from their debut studio album, Diplomatic Immunity (2016). The single was certified gold in Australia in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Innerbloom</span> 2015 single by Rüfüs

"Innerbloom" is a song by Australian alternative dance group Rüfüs. The song was released on 20 November 2015 as the third single from the group's second studio album, Bloom (2016). The song peaked at number 65 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The song was certified platinum in Australia in 2017. The song listed at #5 in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of the Decade in March 2020, whilst the What So Not remix polled at #64.

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse and successful live industry, celebrating the diversity and success of the Australian live scene – recognising the best vocal talents and musicians alongside the best venues, events and festivals. The awards contain both national and state focused categories, voted on by the live industry, with select public voted categories. The national awards are revealed at a gala event, while the State and Territory awards are revealed at satellite events in their respective capital cities. They awards have been held annually since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fracture (song)</span> 2017 single by Slumberjack featuring Vera Blue

"Fracture" is a song by Australian band Slumberjack, featuring female folk/indie-pop vocalist Vera Blue. The song was released on 13 January 2017 and peaked at number 89 on the ARIA Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack River (musician)</span> Australian pop musician

Holly Isabella Rankin, who performs as Jack River, is an Australian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Her debut album, Sugar Mountain, peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2018 she received nominations for Breakthrough Artist, Best Pop Release and Engineer of the Year.

The discography of Australian rock band Gang of Youths consists of three studio albums, one live album, four extended plays and 23 singles.

<i>Blastoma</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Ngaiire

Blastoma is the second studio album by Papua New Guinea-born Australian-based singer Ngaiire, released on 10 June 2016. The album is named blastoma; a form of cancer Ngaiire battled at a young age. The album peaked at number 41 on the ARIA Charts.

<i>50 Push Ups for a Dollar</i> 2015 EP by Skegss

50 Push Ups for a Dollar is a five-track extended play by Australian surf music and garage rock band Skegss, released on 16 October 2015. It provided two singles, "Fun" and "Eat It" (October). The EP's cover art was designed by Jack Irvine of Space 44. In March 2016 United States hip hop collaborators Reese x Lil Yachty released a single, "Do It". That single's cover art was described by Irvine, "they have just straight up taken the artwork, erased 'Skegss' and put their song title and not even changed anything else. And also, it's a horrible Photoshop edit looks like it was done in Microsoft Paint." The EP was re-released in October 2020 with the lead track from their 2014 single, "L. S. D.", added. It peaked at number 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<i>Total Serene</i> 2021 EP by Gang of Youths

Total Serene is the second extended play by Australian alternative band Gang of Youths, released on 16 July 2021 via Mosy Recordings and Sony Music Australia. The EP was released without notice and is the first collection of new tracks from the band since their second album, Go Farther in Lightness (2017).

<i>Surrender</i> (Rüfüs Du Sol album) 2021 studio album by Rüfüs Du Sol

Surrender is the fourth studio album by Australian alternative dance group Rüfüs Du Sol, released on 22 October 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Counting Sheep - Single". iTunesCharts.net. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Nick Jarvis (9 March 2015). "Listen to the evil new single by SAFIA". www.inthemix.com.au. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  3. ↑ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EICCRiwlQd0 SAFIA - "Counting Sheep" - YouTube
  4. ↑ Cameron Nicholls (22 April 2015). "Safia drop chilling new video for Counting Sheep". howlandechoes.com. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Safia – Counting Sheep 2015". Sosefina Fuamoli. theaureview. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "SAFIA unveil their evil side with new single Counting Sheep". The Music. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  7. ↑ "The ARIA Report w.c 6 April 2015" (PDF). www.ariacharts.com.au. 6 April 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  8. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (4 April 2015). "ARIA singles: Major Lazer has no1 song". Noise11. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.