The song "Count The Days" by Joss Stone is about a relationship that has become toxic and the speaker is finally realizing their worth and deciding to leave. The lyrics express the speaker's frustration and disappointment with their partner's actions and lack of love and care. In the first verse, the speaker tells their partner to count the days they will be gone if they don't believe they're leaving. There is a repetition of numbers, emphasizing the passing of time and the certainty of the speaker's departure. The chorus highlights the hurt the speaker has experienced in the relationship. They gave their heart and love, but all they received in return was pain and betrayal. The partner doubted that the speaker would have the courage to leave and believed that they would be the one to suffer if they did. The second verse introduces the idea of finding someone new who will fulfill the speaker's needs for care, love, and protection. They point out that their partner was absent when they needed affection. In the following parts, there is a repetition of counting the days the speaker will be gone, emphasizing their determination to leave and move on. The lyrics assert that the partner won't have another chance to mistreat the speaker. The bridge of the song portrays the speaker's realization that it has taken a long time to make this decision to leave. They acknowledge that they will be gone for a while and that it's been a long time coming. The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment and freedom from the toxic relationship. The last section continues to assert the speaker's decision to leave and warns the partner that they will be shocked by the speaker's departure. The repetition of "count the days that I'm gone" and the mention of a calculator emphasize the length of time the speaker will be away and further highlight the certainty of their decision. Overall, "Count The Days" is a song about finding the strength to leave a toxic relationship and valuing oneself. It expresses the journey from a place of hurt and mistreatment to a place of independence and empowerment.
