COUNT(*) returning multiple rows instead of just one

Question

Why does COUNT() return multiple rows when I just need the total count of how many rows my query generates?

Should return 1078.

Answer 1

Write the above query as subquery then it will give proper result and dont use group by

select count(*) from (select articles.id from 'contract_prices' left join 'articles' on
    (arcticles.id = contract_prices.article) 
    where 'contract_to' >= curdate()
    )