Every Little Counts (Full Length)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that's simultaneously frustrating and captivating. The narrator declares, "I think you are a pig / You should be in a zoo," a harsh assessment that immediately clashes with the repeated refrain, "Every second counts when I am with you." This contrast sets up a central tension: the speaker is aware of significant flaws in the other person, yet finds themselves drawn in, unable to pull away. The shift from "every second counts" to "every little counts" in the second verse is a subtle but crucial change. It suggests a move from a sense of urgency or high stakes to a focus on smaller, perhaps more intimate, details. This evolution mirrors the narrator's apparent internal conflict, moving from outright disdain to a grudging affection, acknowledging that even the "stupid" moments or the other person's unchanging "smile upon your face" hold a strange significance. The repetitive, almost chant-like "Do do do" sections in the chorus, interspersed with the core sentiment, create a hypnotic effect. This musicality seems to underscore the narrator's own inability to articulate the complex feelings, resorting to simple, almost primal sounds. It’s as if the sheer force of this confusing attraction bypasses reasoned thought, leaving only a persistent, almost involuntary, emotional response. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unvarnished portrayal of a complicated connection. The narrator doesn't shy away from the negative, yet the persistent "every second counts" and "every little counts" reveal an undeniable pull. It captures that peculiar human tendency to be deeply invested in someone, flaws and all, even when logic might dictate otherwise.