| Counting Sheep | |
| Cover: | Counting_Sheep_by_SAFIA.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Safia |
| Released: | 13 March 2015 |
| Genre: | Indie electronic |
| Length: | 2:53 |
| Label: | SAFIA |
| Chronology: | Safia |
| Prev Title: | Take Me Over |
| Prev Year: | 2014 |
| Next Title: | Embracing Me |
| Next Year: | 2015 |
"Counting Sheep" is a single by Australian electronic music group Safia, released on 13 March 2015.[1]
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]
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
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]
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]