'Counting Chickens' by Lainey Wilson – Lyrics & Meaning

Lainey Wilson has placated fans with a smattering of singles, such as ‘Country’s Cool Again’ and ‘Hang Tight Honey’, for long enough. Now, that her highly-anticipated Whirlwind is finally here, we're getting swept up in the album's 14 tracks, taking a closer look at and listen to the star's latest offerings.

In each new batch of songs from the 'Watermelon Moonshine' hitmaker, there always seems to be a few great ballads and loved-up ditties that perfectly showcase the artist's trademark charm. One of Whirlwind's most darling, teetering on nauseating, is 'Counting Chickens.'

While 'Counting Chickens' drips with intricate idioms and adages, the song's arrangement is pretty straight-forward. Other than a pluck here, a strum there and a demure beat throughout, the tune doesn't stray to far from simplicity.

Far as I know you ain’t bought a diamond
You ain’t sat my deddy down and asked if it’s alright
I don’t mean to jump the gun on perfect timing
But if you brought up Vegas I’d be on a plane tonight

With songs like 'Ring Finger' and 'Counting Chickens', Wilson seems to be pretty marriage-minded this album. The latter offering is the most cutesy of the two eager tunes, an idiom-filled ballad that opens with conversation about tying the knot.

A proposal hasn't happened yet, but the artist seems to be waiting on one with bated breath, thoughts of white dresses and flowy tulle kept at bay with daydreams of the future and the sweet life they have ahead of them.

I’m already counting chickens pecking corn in our backyard
Hanging up a frame with both our names cross stitched in a heart
Might be off my rocker dreaming ‘bout a hilltop front porch view
Baby maybe cart and horsing ain’t the smartest thing to do
Cause they ain’t even hatched yet but my eggs are in one basket
And I’m loving counting chickens with you

She admits to putting the cart before the horse and placing all of her eggs in one basket, but she doesn't really care. The life she envisions with her lover is far more enticing than squashing such wishful thoughts.

She knows she needs to slow down, but she can't help it. She has baby names picked out, dammit!

Oh and I ain’t tryna scare ya
Make you high tail fly the coop
But I’m counting on ya baby
Hope you’re counting on me too

She understands commitment is scary, but she's got it bad. She's keeping her fingers-crossed that these feelings are mutual and that they'll someday turn into the forever she's been counting on.

Yeah I’m loving counting chickens with you

While nothing has been shared specifically about 'Counting Chickens,' Wilson has been open about the fact that this new project has been a major source of solace and self-discovery over the last few years as she's seen her life completely change while her career has skyrocketed.

Weaving together the highs, lows and in-betweens that she's experienced along the way, her signature storytelling is front and center across the project, which she explains has been in the works essentially since the release of Bell Bottom Country in October of 2022.

“This album has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait for the world to have this body of work in their hands soon,” Wilson noted when announcing the highly-anticipated project. “This new chapter of music is the most cathartic and personal piece of art I’ve ever made. I hope this record brings some peace to your whirlwind and wraps its arms around you like it did for me.”

Expanding on these sentiments, the decorated entertainer also added: "Writing & recording these 14 songs over the past couple of years has helped me stay grounded in ways you’d never believe. This album brought me back to my roots and made me feel at home during times when I couldn’t have been further away and my biggest hope is that it gives you that same sense of comfort that it has for me."

Far as I know you ain’t bought a diamond
You ain’t sat my deddy down and asked if it’s alright
I don’t mean to jump the gun on perfect timing
But if you brought up Vegas I’d be on a plane tonight

I’m already counting chickens pecking corn in our backyard
Hanging up a frame with both our names cross stitched in a heart
Might be off my rocker dreaming ‘bout a hilltop front porch view
Baby maybe cart and horsing ain’t the smartest thing to do
Cause they ain’t even hatched yet but my eggs are in one basket
And I’m loving counting chickens with you

Tell my heart to slow down but it’s tripping
I can’t help but be full steam ahead and halfway down the road
Boy I’d be fibbing if I told ya that I didn’t
Have a laundry list of baby names that I saved in my phone

I’m already counting chickens pecking corn in our backyard
Hanging up a frame with both our names cross stitched in a heart
Might be off my rocker dreaming ‘bout a hilltop front porch view
Baby maybe cart and horsing ain’t the smartest thing to do
Cause they ain’t even hatched yet but my eggs are in one basket
And I’m loving counting chickens with you

Oh and I ain’t tryna scare ya
Make you high tail fly the coop
But I’m counting on ya baby
Hope you’re counting on me too

I’m already counting chickens pecking corn in our backyard
Hanging up a frame with both our names cross stitched in a heart
Might be off my rocker dreaming ‘bout a hilltop front porch view
Baby maybe cart and horsing ain’t the smartest thing to do
Cause they ain’t even hatched yet but my eggs are in one basket
And I’m loving counting chickens with you
Yeah I’m loving counting chickens with you

One chicken two chickens three chickens
Oh shoot I think that's a duck

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