how do i get a count

[Vizionz]

fixed the first part but i do think theres a simpler way .

mysql_select_db($dbname);
$artist = mysql_query("SELECT DISTINCT artist FROM songlist");  
$artist = mysql_num_rows($artist) or die(mysql_error());
$songs = mysql_query("SELECT title FROM songlist");  
$songs = mysql_num_rows($songs) or die(mysql_error()); 
$album = mysql_query("SELECT DISTINCT album FROM songlist");  
$album = mysql_num_rows($album) or die(mysql_error());   
$request = mysql_query("SELECT count_requested FROM songlist");  
$request = mysql_num_rows($request) or die(mysql_error());    
?>

i am sure i can have that in a smaller form but i dont know how i would do it.

also need this below


Total Users:
Active Users:
Online Users:
Total Posts:

how can i display that info standalone from my board. i want to have it in a block on the cms