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
Hold Each Other
A Great Big World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I miss the sounds of yesterday
I miss the games we used to play like oh
I was trapped inside a dream
I couldn't see her next to me
I didn't know she'd set me free like oh
Something happens when I hold her
When the days get short
and the nights get a little bit colder
We hold each other
We hold each other
We hold each other
Everything looks different now
All this time my head was down
He came along and showed me how to let go
I can't remember where I'm from
All I know is who I've become
That our love has just begun like oh
Something happens when I hold him
He keeps my heart from getting broken
When the days get short
and the nights get a little bit frozen
We hold each other
We hold each other
We hold each other
If I'm stressing you that blessing that's sent from heaven
These days start to feel like hours and hours feel more like seconds
People judged us they couldn't see the connection
When I look at you, it's like I'm looking back at my reflection
I don't see nothing different, our pigments they coincide
We hold each other so tight they couldn't break us if they tried
My eyes are are those of the blind, I see no color or size
I feel the love in your touch and I trust what's inside your mind, ok
I know that we've been through a lot
I know that we both grew up
You know I missed you a lot
When I was young I was dumb
Didn't think you'd fit in my plot
And I appreciate the break
because I love what we got now
You give me chills and I can't imagine you leaving
If I could build a perfect person honestly you would be it
And you know nobody knows you like I know you
I can't wait to come back home so I can hold you
Something happens when I hold her
She keeps my heart from getting older
When the days get short
and the nights get a little bit colder
We hold each other
We hold each other
We hold each other
We hold each other
We hold each other
We hold each other
The lyrics of "Hold Each Other" are a tender tribute to a deep and abiding love that liberates and sustains the singers. The first verse reminisces on the intimate moments and practices that the singer shared with their lover before they properly knew each other, but now cannot fully recall. They consider the gift of being awakened to a new way of living and loving by their partner, who frees them from a dreamlike state of numbness. The chorus emphasizes that something changes in the way they feel when they share embraces, as if time stops and their aging hearts are rejuvenated. The second verse describes how the singer changes when they are with their partner, how they lose track of their origins and become a different person after the love that they share. They reaffirm their commitment to each other, despite facing adversity and discrimination from others who do not understand or support their relationship. The song concludes with a promise that they will always hold each other close and cherish their bond.
Line by Line Meaning
I miss the words we used to say
I miss the sweet and loving things we used to tell each other.
I miss the sounds of yesterday
I miss the nostalgic and pleasant sounds of our past.
I miss the games we used to play like oh
I miss the fun and delightful activities we used to enjoy together.
I was trapped inside a dream
I was caught up in my own thoughts and wasn't aware of my true feelings.
I couldn't see her next to me
I couldn't realize that she was the missing piece of my life.
I didn't know she'd set me free like oh
I didn't know that being with her would liberate me from my old self.
Something happens when I hold her
Holding her invokes a unique and pleasant feeling in me.
She keeps my heart from getting older
Her love keeps me young at heart and gives me a sense of vitality.
When the days get short and the nights get a little bit colder
When the times are tough and life feels difficult to bear.
We hold each other
We support and comfort each other.
Everything looks different now
My outlook on life has improved and I see things in a more positive light.
All this time my head was down
I was preoccupied and not aware of the beauty around me.
He came along and showed me how to let go
He taught me to release my fears and inhibitions, and embrace life more fully.
I can't remember where I'm from
I'm just happy and content to be where I am with the love of my life.
All I know is who I've become
I've transformed into a better version of myself with my partner's love and support.
That our love has just begun like oh
Our love story is only getting started and there are many more beautiful moments to come.
If I'm stressing you that blessing that's sent from heaven
If I'm causing you any worry or trouble, please know that you are still a gift sent from above.
These days start to feel like hours and hours feel more like seconds
Time flies by when we're happy and enjoying each other's company.
People judged us they couldn't see the connection
Others didn't understand our relationship and how strong our love was.
When I look at you, it's like I'm looking back at my reflection
We are so similar and in tune with each other that it's like looking in a mirror.
I don't see nothing different, our pigments they coincide
Our race, ethnicity, or skin color don't make us any different, we complement each other.
We hold each other so tight they couldn't break us if they tried
Our love is so strong and unbreakable that nothing can come in between us.
My eyes are those of the blind, I see no color or size
I'm blind to physical differences and only see the person for who they truly are.
I feel the love in your touch and I trust what's inside your mind, ok
I feel the depth of your affection in your physical contact and I have complete faith in your thoughts and intentions.
I know that we've been through a lot
We've faced and overcome many obstacles together.
I know that we both grew up
We've matured and evolved over the years to become better individuals and partners to each other.
You know I missed you a lot
I've always looked forward to reuniting with you and being with you again.
When I was young I was dumb
When I was inexperienced, I made foolish mistakes and didn't appreciate what I had.
Didn't think you'd fit in my plot
I didn't imagine that we were meant to be together in my future plans.
And I appreciate the break because I love what we got now
I'm grateful for the time apart because it helped me cherish what we now have even more.
You give me chills and I can't imagine you leaving
Just the thought of losing you sends shivers down my spine because I can't bear to be without you.
If I could build a perfect person honestly you would be it
You are the epitome of my ideal partner and I wouldn't change a thing about you.
And you know nobody knows you like I know you
I understand you better than anyone else and I know you at a deeper level.
I can't wait to come back home so I can hold you
I'm eager to be reunited with you and hold you in my arms again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Abkco Music Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IAN AXEL, CHAD VACCARINO, DANIEL ROMER, ZACHARY LEWIS BECK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mysteria Wayne-Grayson
I appreciate the lyrics here so much because A Great Big World didn't choose a girl to sing the line "Something happens when I hold him, he keeps my heart from getting broken". And I think that shows a lot of acceptance of what love is: that this song shouldn't be taken as strictly romantic, and that in the romantic sense, anyone can be together.
And that ought to be applauded in today's music industry. Keep it up, guys.
E Bell
Fun fact, the 'something happens when I hold him' line was originally with 'her' instead of 'him', but they changed it because the guy who sings that line is gay so they decided to switch it
Em Ken
Actually the guy singing that part is gay so that's why they changed the lyrics:)
Celly1301
@cakt15us only one of them
Evan Padilla
I know right!! I love how their is so much love in this song. Im bisexual so when I sing it I dont have to change the lyrics. Also the dude who sings that is gay!😍✊
dysentery world
i first heard this song when i was 13, and it literally was my first real exposure to gay media. i was so sheltered by my religious parents and religious school that i never got to see gay representation growing up. i was told that lgbt was weird and wrong. i remembering hearing this on the radio and listening to the lyrics, realizing that the second verse was gay. there was a part of me that felt like i needed to, like i was supposed to think it was weird and gross or something... but i was drawn to it for some reason and ended up looking up the video and secretly watching it loads. i really couldn't find anything wrong with it. it was the thing that made me realize how normal being gay is, and that there is absolutely nothing weird or bad about it. i will always remember that, because turns out, i'm gay.
Verisimilitude
Bro u zesty why would you say that
Karae Elaine
I have a story about this song. I don't know if anyone will care but here it is...
When I was younger (probably like 3 years ago lol) I remember watching some kids choice awards thing and this song was on it. I heard it and instantly fell in love with it. At that point at time in my life I was totally sheltered and oblivious to basically everything. I don't even know if I knew what gay meant.. Anyways, my mom walked in and heard it, got mad, and told me to never listen to it again because it was bad. I remembered that incident and started looking everywhere to find this song. I now understand LGBT+ things and a bunch of other stuff and have my own opinions and views from my parents. I talked to my mom and she denied what she said but I remember what happened. I know this is really random and whatever but I'm so glad I found this song and it means so much to me now that I identify as bi. Thanks whoever took time to read this. :)
Zoey Hope (formerly Zonnie Hoffer)
Wait.....so....you're like....9 or 10 now.....right?
Also, glad you came out. Proud of you.
CatsAreFancy
As long as these things happen there will ALWAYS be someone who cares to listen. Thank you for sharing.