“AMEN SONGS”: Count On Me (Bruno Mars)
June 25, 2025
Rabbi Cantor Eyal Bitton highlights a song that connects with this year’s Congregation Neveh Shalom theme, “Amen – Be a Blessing.”
Bruno Mars’ “Count On Me” is a cheerful, heartfelt anthem of loyalty and friendship. With lyrics like “You can count on me like one, two, three, I’ll be there,” the song expresses a simple but powerful message: we are meant to support one another through life’s ups and downs. Its light melody carries a deeper truth—that real blessing often comes not from grand gestures, but from consistency, presence, and trust. In the spirit of our theme, “Amen – Be a Blessing,” this song reminds us that to be a blessing doesn’t always mean offering solutions; sometimes, it means simply showing up—being the kind of person others can count on, no matter what.
This message is especially poignant in Parashat Korach, where we encounter a very different model of relationship. Korach rebels against Moses and Aaron, not in the name of community, but out of jealousy and self-interest. His challenge to their leadership fractures the trust and unity of the people. “Count On Me” offers an antidote to this kind of discord. Where Korach sows doubt and division, Bruno Mars sings of loyalty and solidarity. The parasha becomes a cautionary tale: true greatness is not found in grabbing power, but in building trust. The real leaders, the real blessings, are the ones you can count on—those who put others first, who serve with humility, and who strengthen the bonds of community.
In a world that often celebrates independence and self-promotion, “Count On Me” reminds us that strength is found in mutual support. It invites us to ask not only who we can count on, but who counts on us. As we reflect on Korach, we are called to be different—to resist the temptation of ego and instead commit to relationships rooted in care and faithfulness. Whether it’s through friendship, leadership, or quiet acts of kindness, we have the power to bless others simply by being reliable, compassionate, and steady. That kind of love is enduring—and that kind of blessing can hold a community together.


