What makes Hanginaround by Counting Crows notable?

Hanginaround received critical acclaim, with the title track becoming one of the band's signature songs. The album's exploration of themes like fame and self-reflection resonated with audiences, leading to it reaching the top of the Billboard charts, particularly bolstered by its radio-friendly sound. Released on October 18, 1999, Hanginaround marked Counting Crows' transition from their breakthrough debut August and Everything After to more mature sounds. Following the commercial success of their previous albums, this record showcased a refinement in their songwriting, while maintaining the emotional resonance fans had come to expect.

How many songs are on Hanginaround?

Hanginaround has 3 tracks, running approximately 14 minutes.

Released 27 years ago this October

Hanginaround

Counting Crows · 1999

14 min · 3 tracks · alternative rock

A vibrant blend of jangly guitars and introspective lyrics that capture the essence of late '90s alt-rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hanginaround — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of fame and identity, juxtaposing upbeat melodies with contemplative lyrics about life's uncertainties.
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Baby, I'm a Big Star Now — This track captures a satirical view on celebrity culture, blending catchy hooks with an ironic narrative that stands out within the album's context.
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Omaha (live) — The live rendition of Omaha showcases the band's energetic performance style and emotional depth, highlighting their ability to connect with audiences in real-time.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks the depth and cohesion of a full album.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent jangly guitar riff that drives the melody, while the verses are built around introspective lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hanginaround 4:14
2 Baby, I'm a Big Star Now 6:01
3 Omaha (live) 4:09

What to play next

Listen next

Hard Candy

2002

Go back to

This Desert Life

1999

Full Counting Crows discography Where to start with Counting Crows Artists like Counting Crows

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata