Read Full Bio ↴A Great Big World is the new incarnation of Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino.
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
There Is an Answer
A Great Big World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Searching for what's meant for me
And I thank my lucky stars every single day
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be
When the storm begins to blow
When I've lost my way back home
Oh, there is an answer
There is a ripple to every wave
A rhythm to the days and nights
And all our thoughts, they make the world go round
All our efforts multiply
Make a change, and you will see
One small step is all we need
Oh, there is an answer
Oh, there is an answer
There is no difference between you and me
It lies beyond our history
And if we only take the time to see we're all we need
Just take my hand, and see me as a brother
Look inside, and you will find
Love exists in every kind
Oh, there is an answer
Oh, there is an answer
Near or far, oh I believe that love will find us there
Through the dark, oh I believe that love will find us there
Oh, I believe that love will find us there
Oh, I believe that love will find us there
Oh, I believe that love will find us there
Oh, there is an answer
The song "There Is an Answer" by A Great Big World is about the journey of life and finding one's purpose. The singer compares themselves to a sailor in a great big sea, searching for what is meant for them. Despite the challenges and uncertainties they face, they express gratitude for being exactly where they are supposed to be. When faced with storms and lost paths, they remind themselves that there is an answer and a solution to every problem. The song also speaks to the power of positive thinking and the impact that it can have on the world. The line "all our thoughts, they make the world go round, all our efforts multiply" emphasizes this point, conveying that our thoughts and actions have a ripple effect.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "there is an answer," reassuring listeners that no matter what struggles they face, there is always a solution. The singer urges listeners to make a change and take one small step towards creating a better world. The song also emphasizes the unity of humanity, emphasizing that there is no difference between individuals, and that love exists in every kind. The singer urges listeners to see each other as brothers and sisters, reminding them that love will always find them in their darkest moments.
Overall, "There Is an Answer" is a hopeful and optimistic song that emphasizes the power of positive thinking, unity, and love in overcoming life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I am just a sailor in a great big sea
I am a person navigating life amongst a vast world full of opportunities and challenges.
Searching for what's meant for me
I am looking for my purpose and destiny in this world.
And I thank my lucky stars every single day
I express gratitude each day for the blessings and opportunities that come my way.
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be
I trust that my journey has led me to my current position in life, and I am content with it.
When the storm begins to blow
When life becomes difficult or uncertain,
When I've lost my way back home
When I feel lost and unsure of how to proceed,
Oh, there is an answer
I know that there is a solution or guidance available to me.
There is a ripple to every wave
The actions we take have consequences that ripple outward and affect others.
A rhythm to the days and nights
There is a natural cycle and flow to life that is beyond our control.
And all our thoughts, they make the world go round
Our perspectives and mental attitudes shape the world around us and impact our experiences.
All our efforts multiply
When we work together and combine our efforts, we can achieve greater things.
Make a change, and you will see
If you take the initiative to make a difference in the world,
One small step is all we need
Even the smallest actions can lead to meaningful change.
There is no difference between you and me
We are all fundamentally the same despite our differences in appearance, background, or personality.
It lies beyond our history
True understanding and harmony can only come from looking beyond our past struggles and injustices.
And if we only take the time to see we're all we need
If we can recognize the common humanity and worth in all people, we can find all that we need within ourselves and each other.
Just take my hand, and see me as a brother
Let us embrace our shared humanity and form a bond of fraternity and mutual support.
Look inside, and you will find
If you take the time to look within yourself,
Love exists in every kind
You will discover that love is present in every form and expression of life.
Near or far, oh I believe that love will find us there
No matter where we are or what challenges we face, love has the capacity to reach us and bring us together.
Through the dark, oh I believe that love will find us there
Even in our darkest moments or most difficult circumstances, love can still be found and offer us hope and encouragement.
Oh, I believe that love will find us there
Love is always present and available if we are willing to seek it out and allow it into our lives.
Oh, there is an answer
No matter what our struggles or uncertainties, there is always an answer, solution, or way forward available to us with faith and perseverance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD VACCARINO, IAN AXEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katie Underhill
I'm tempted to write a musical out of all of their songs.
Athena
I just did!! Hmm!!
Rae Kaskie
Same
malissa hyatt
Katie Underhill. That would be completely awesome!!!!!!
Please do it!!! I know the world needs it and want to see it!!!!!
Huge fan of musicals!!!!!
RaeCharles394
I am so curious of the interpretation. I heard a musical as soon as I listened to the album.
Mitch Henderson
+Sentient Starstuff +Chloe Louise +Demi Muse I am not sure if any of you are aware of this so I thought I'd share. I heard in an interview that Ian Axel studied music at NYU, in which his original goal was create a musical, and write the songs for it. I mean, it shows in an album like this for sure, but I am pretty sure one of his goals in life is to write a musical. He seemed very passionate about it in the interview (this was post Is There Anybody Out There), so I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't already working on it.
WETRIX
Why did their most depressing and stereotypical song have to become a hit? If music like this were on the radio, I would be perfectly okay with listening to it.
Jane Doe
Although I like Say Something, I agree that it far from their best song!
Catherine Bazin
wow, beautiful progression with such a higher velocity in the energy. This music is awakening me! Such a good job! thank you!
Hana
If it werent from 2 days and 1 night I wouldn’t be here. This song catches my attention. This is so beautiful 💕