Counting Crows - Round Here

“Round Here” is one of Counting Crows’ most iconic songs, with origins that predate the band itself. The song was originally written by Adam Duritz during his time with an earlier band called the Himalayans, where he collaborated with members Dan Jewett, Chris Roldan, and Dave Janusko on the music while contributing the lyrics. When Duritz formed Counting Crows with Steve Bowman, David Bryson, Charlie Gillingham, and Matt Malley, he brought “Round Here” with him and the band reworked it into a slower, more mellow folk rock version. Duritz made sure to credit all contributors from both bands, resulting in eight different writers listed on the composer credits.

The song appeared on Counting Crows’ breakthrough debut album, August and Everything After, which was released in September 1993 and produced by T Bone Burnett. While the album’s first single “Mr. Jones” became a massive hit, “Round Here” was released as the second single on May 23, 1994, and became the more emotionally representative track of the album’s introspective mood. Despite not charting on the Billboard Hot 100 due to chart rules at the time, the song peaked at number 31 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart and number seven on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also reached the top 20 in Canada and Iceland. The song earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1994.

According to Duritz, “Round Here” is deeply personal, describing it as “a song about me.” He explained that it tells the story of a man who walks out on a woman and leaves people behind, only to feel like he’s disappearing from his own life in the process. The lyrics explore themes of disillusionment with childhood promises and societal expectations, with the chorus referencing parental sayings like “Around here we always stand up straight” and “Around here we’re carving out our names.” The song has become known for its evolving nature during live performances, with Duritz frequently altering the lyrics, making each performance unique. A music video directed by Mark Neale accompanied the single, and the song has endured as one of the band’s most beloved tracks, ranking number five on American Songwriter’s list of “The Top 10 Counting Crows Songs” in 2022.

Counting Crows - Round Here Lyrics

Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog
Where no one notices the contrast of white on white
And in between the moon and you
The angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right

Well, I walk in the air between the rain
Through myself and back again
Where? I don't know
Maria says she's dying
Through the door, I hear her crying
Why? I don't know

'Round here, we always stand up straight
'Round here, something radiates

Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
She said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
And she walks along the edge
Of where the ocean meets the land
Just like she's walking on a wire in the circus

She parks her car outside of my house
And takes her clothes off
Says she's close to understanding Jesus
And she knows she's more than just a little misunderstood
She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous

'Round here, we're carving out our names
'Round here, we all look the same
'Round here, we talk just like lions
But we sacrifice like lambs
'Round here, she's slipping through my hands

Woah oh oh
Sleeping children better run like the wind
Out of the lightning dream
Mama's little baby better get herself in
Out of the lightning

She says it's only in my head

She says, shh, I know it's only in my head
But the girl on the car in the parking lot
Says, Man, you should try to take a shot
Can't you see my walls are crumbling?

Then she looks up at the building
Says she's thinking of jumping
She says she's tired of life
She must be tired of something

'Round here, she's always on my mind

'Round here, hey man, got lots of time
'Round here, we're never sent to bed early
And nobody makes us wait
'Round here, we stay up very, very, very, very late
I, I can't see nothin', nothin' 'round here

You catch me if I'm fallin', you catch me if I'm fallin'
Will you catch me? 'Cause I'm fallin' down on you
I said I'm under the gun, 'round here
I'm innocent, I'm under the gun, 'round here
And I can't see nothin', nothin' 'round here