Directed by British filmmaker James Lees , known for his work with Bloc Party and Two Door Cinema Club.

Lead singer has explained that the song was born from the stress of financial instability in his 20s.

An alligator prowls through the basement where the band is playing. Interpretations suggest it represents the inherent danger and predatory nature of a world focused on "counting dollars".

On the floor above, a preacher leads a high-energy congregation in a spiritual revival. This symbolizes a "pure" or spiritual world.

The official music video for OneRepublic's "Counting Stars" is a visual exploration of the song's themes of ambition, spirituality, and the rejection of materialism. Filmed in , the video's striking imagery and symbolic narrative helped it become the first video by a band to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube. Production & Setting

Shot on May 10, 2013 , in the basement of a historic African American church (reportedly the second-oldest in the US) in New Orleans, Louisiana . Release Date: Premiered on May 31, 2013 .

Tedder began writing the song while staying at the Hamptons estate of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, but he finished it later on the Greek island of Santorini to capture a specific, "huge" feeling. Notable Achievements