Axel’s known for the 2011 viral hit “This Is the New Year,” which solidified him as an indie pop presence with staggering YouTube views and numerous syncs on film and television. Teaming up with longtime collaborator Chad, he’s expanding his horizons immensely into A Great Big World.
The seeds for the partnership were planted early, even before Ian’s solo career took off. While both studying music at NYU, Ian tracked Chad down in the school’s practice rooms.
Chad smiles, “I kept blowing him off, and then I heard him singing nervously at the piano. I was like, ‘your voice is amazing. Let’s work on these songs. Let’s be friends.’”
Ian laughs, “I kind of forced my friendship on him. I stalked him and made him listen to my songs. He told me I needed to be singing. This realization changed my life. Our relationship is super special. I feel like we’ve known each other forever.”
Ian was the artist, and Chad shared writing duties and became his manager. Playing around New York, Ian eventually stepped into the spotlight and released an independent solo album entitled This Is the New Year in 2010.
The title track featured a vocal cameo from Chad. The song’s low budget music video shot at a Brooklyn party garnered over 1.5 million views and stirred an overwhelming viral buzz. Given the track’s success, tinyOGRE Entertainment signed Ian, remixing and re-releasing the record through Sony. “We finally got to quit our day jobs and do this,” Chad goes on. “It was surreal how quickly everything moved forward from that point.”
As they hit the road, “This Is the New Year” continued to gain steam. MTV utilized it as the theme song for their hit documentary series I Used to Be Fat and then it played over the title credits of Garry Marshall’s New Year’s Eve. Their music became a favorite of music supervisors. One Tree Hill, Amazing Race, ESPN, and Good Morning America all incorporated their songs, and Rachael Ray invited them to perform on her nationally syndicated talk show.
They completed their first national tours and opened shows for Ingrid Michaelson, Five For Fighting, and Glee star Matthew Morrison. Their live performances feature a warm, engaging interplay reminiscent of the intimacy and energy of artists like Elton John, Regina Spektor, and Simon and Garfunkel.
In late 2011, tinyOGRE Entertainment informed all of their artists that they were shutting down. “It was bittersweet,” admits Ian. “On the one hand, we lost our whole team. On the other, my relationship with Chad was as strong as it ever was. We were re-capturing the creative spark we had in college. Our music wasn’t just about ‘Ian Axel.’ We had always been in this together.”
That’s when A Great Big World was officially born. Making positive, piano-driven pop bursting with harmonies and woven together with a fun theatrical twist, the duo crafted a six-song EP funded entirely on Kickstarter by fans. “It’s optimistic pop music,” Chad says. “There are fewer songs about heartbreak and more about the big picture. But even the most painful of our songs are hopeful.”
They’ve certainly chased their dreams and they’re going to continue to do so. But there is something even greater at play. “Writing is our therapy,” Ian concludes. “And when we can connect with people through our music, it’s transformational. We’re not alone. Our songs are your songs. And that’s what it’s all about.”
www.agreatbigworld.com
Come On
A Great Big World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna see the starlight through your eyes
What's it like?
Drive underneath the night you'll be the glow
No matter where we are, it feels like home
Say it's so
Say you'll go with me tonight
Come on, move in just a little closer
Come on, show me what it's like
Come on, don't wait 'til the moment's over
Come on
Time suspended in slow motion, not a sound
Walking on a wire above the ground
Don't look down
And say you'll go with me tonight
Come on, move in just a little closer
Come on, show me what it's like
Come on, don't wait till the moment's over
Come on
Oh, show me what I don't know
Show me how to let go
I've been waiting
The lyrics to A Great Big World's song "Come On" describe a desire for intimacy and connection with another person. The singer longs to be "a thought inside your mind" and "see the starlight through your eyes," suggesting a desire for a deep level of understanding and perspective-sharing with their lover. The song portrays an eagerness to experience life with their partner, whether it's "driving underneath the night" or "walking on a wire above the ground." The refrain "come on" functions as an invitation to their lover to fully engage in the moment and take the risk to let their guard down and allow the singer in. The song is a plea for intimacy and vulnerability in a relationship, and an acknowledgement of the transformative power of such intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna be a thought inside your mind
I want to have such an impact on your life that you think of me often and consider me in your decision-making.
I wanna see the starlight through your eyes
I want to experience the world from your unique perspective and gain a new appreciation for life.
What's it like?
I'm curious to learn more about how you perceive and experience the world.
Drive underneath the night you'll be the glow
When we're together, you light up my world and make everything feel brighter.
No matter where we are, it feels like home
Being with you is familiar, comforting, and feels like the place where I belong.
Say it's so
I'm hoping you feel the same way and will confirm that this is true.
Say you'll go with me tonight
I want to spend time with you and make memories together, starting tonight.
Come on, move in just a little closer
I want to feel connected to you and experience your closeness in this moment.
Come on, show me what it's like
I'm excited to learn more about you and see the world through your eyes.
Come on, don't wait 'til the moment's over
Let's seize the opportunity to connect while we have it.
Time suspended in slow motion, not a sound
When we're together, time seems to stand still and everything else fades away.
Walking on a wire above the ground
Being with you feels exciting and a little risky, but I trust you to take me to new heights.
Don't look down
Let's focus on the moment and not get caught up in worries or distractions.
And say you'll go with me tonight
I really want you to come with me and share this adventure.
Oh, show me what I don't know
I'm eager to learn new things from you and explore uncharted territory together.
Show me how to let go
I trust you to guide me out of my comfort zone and help me experience life from a different perspective.
I've been waiting
I've been looking forward to this moment and I'm excited to see where it takes us.
Writer(s): Gregg Wattenberg, Derek Fuhrmann, Chad Vaccarino, Ian Axel
Contributed by Jeremiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Siri
How does David find these gems?? This song has been on repeat for the last week..
Jessica Smart
Siri I know! I have started a Spotify playlist of all the songs I discover because of the Vlog Squad lol...It's getting longer every week! 😂
Jenni Biffle
Siri man is everyone from David’s vlog😂
Pomegranate 224
YES DAVID COME THROUGH WITH THE AMAZING SONGS
Toogood 4life
This seems like a song that could be played at a prom or something ❤️
Phina Roman
Why doesn't this song have more views omfgg this song is so good
jayda celia
I LOVE EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTHES EVERY SONG IS FIRE
Sumit
Loved it!
James Jordan
This song live is too good! You guys rocked Ridgefield last night!
Ricky Bay
My fav on the whole album. SO UNDERATTED