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
You'll Be Okay
A Great Big World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll be okay
The sun will rise
To better days
And change will come
It's on it's way
Just close your eyes
'Cause you're never alone
And I will always be there
You just carry on
You will understand
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
Just look inside
You know the way
Let it go
Fly away
And say goodbye
To yesterday
'Cause you're never alone
And I will always be there
You just carry on
You will understand
And I will be strong
When love is gone
And I'll carry on...
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
The sun will rise
To better days
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
Just close your eyes
And let it rain
When you need it the most
And all you've got is a prayer
You must carry on
You will understand
You will understand
You will understand
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
You'll be okay.
The song "You'll Be Okay" by A Great Big World is a hopeful and encouraging tune that offers comfort to those who are struggling. The lyrics assure that despite the difficulties and obstacles that one may face, everything will eventually work out and it will be okay. The song emphasizes the power of resilience and the ability to overcome hardships by encouraging listeners to keep going.
The chorus repeats "You'll be okay" to reinforce the message of the song and to provide a sense of reassurance to those who are struggling. The lyrics "The sun will rise to better days" encourage listeners to have hope for the future and that there will be better days ahead. "Let it go, fly away, and say goodbye to yesterday" encourages listeners to let go of their past struggles and focus on the present and future.
Overall, "You'll Be Okay" is a song that aims to lift up anyone who is experiencing challenges and instill confidence in them that they will ultimately overcome. It serves as a reminder that even though things may seem tough now, it won't always be that way.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll be okay
Everything will turn out fine. The singer is trying to reassure the listener that their problems will be solved and that they have the capability to overcome any challenge.
The sun will rise
A brighter tomorrow is on the horizon. The singer is suggesting that the listener's current situation is likely to improve soon, and that their problems will eventually be resolved.
To better days
A better future is in store. The singer is expressing faith that everything will eventually turn out for the best, no matter how dire things appear to be at the present moment.
And change will come
Change is inevitable. The artist is encouraging the listener to be open to change and to embrace new possibilities, as this will help them overcome any obstacles they may be facing.
It's on its way
Change is already happening. The artist is telling the listener that the changes they need are already in motion and that they simply need to persevere until they start to see the results they desire.
Just close your eyes
Don't be afraid. The singer is suggesting that the listener should try to let go of their fears and anxieties and focus on the positive aspects of their life.
And let it rain
It's okay to cry. The singer is reassuring the listener that feeling sad or overwhelmed is a natural response to difficult situations and that it's healthy to let their emotions out.
'Cause you're never alone
You are loved and supported. The artist is reminding the listener that they have people in their life who care about them and who are willing to help them through their struggles.
And I will always be there
You can count on me. The artist is offering their help and support to the listener, letting them know that they can rely on them no matter what.
You just carry on
Keep going. The artist is encouraging the listener to not give up and to keep moving forward, despite any difficulties they may encounter along the way.
You will understand
Things will make sense eventually. The singer is suggesting that the listener may not understand why they're going through certain struggles at the moment, but that they will eventually make sense in retrospect.
Just look inside
You have the answers. The artist is reminding the listener that they have the ability to solve their own problems, and that they should trust themselves when making important decisions.
You know the way
You are capable. The singer is urging the listener to have confidence in their own abilities, and to believe that they have the power to overcome any obstacle.
Let it go
Don't hold onto the past. The singer is suggesting that the listener should try to let go of any negative emotions or memories that are holding them back.
Fly away
Be free. The singer is telling the listener to let go of their problems and embrace the freedom and possibilities of the future.
And say goodbye
Move on. The artist is suggesting that the listener should try to leave their problems in the past and move on to new and better things.
When love is gone
When things get tough. The artist is acknowledging that it can be difficult to face life's challenges alone and that it's natural to feel overwhelmed at times.
And I'll carry on
I'll be there for you. The singer is reassuring the listener that they will be there to support them through hard times and that they will keep going together.
When you need it the most
During your darkest moments. The singer is suggesting that the listener can count on their support when they're struggling the most.
And all you've got is a prayer
When you feel like you have nothing left. The artist is suggesting that prayer can be a source of comfort and strength when a person feels they have no other options.
You must carry on
Don't give up. The artist is urging the listener to persevere through their problems and to continue trying, even when things feel difficult or hopeless.
You will understand
Things will become clear. The artist is reassuring the listener that eventually, they will be able to understand why they had to go through their struggles and that they will find peace in knowing that they gained strength from those experiences.
You'll be okay
Everything will turn out fine. The singer is once again reassuring the listener that their problems will be solved and that they will come out of their struggles stronger and wiser.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD VACCARINO, IAN AXEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aphrodite Stylianou
You'll be okay ×2
The sun will rise
To better days
And change will come
It 's on its way
Just close your eyes
And let it rain
Cause you 're never alone
And i 'll always be there
Just carry on
And you 'll inderstand
Just look inside
You know the way
Let it go
Fly away
And say goodbye to yesterday
Cause you 're never alone
And i 'll always be there
Just carry on
And you 'll understand
And i 'll be strong
When all is gone
And i 'll carry on
You 'll be okay ×2
The sun will rise
To better days
You 'll be okay ×2
Just close your eyes
And let it rain
When you need it the most
And all you 've got is a prayer
You must carry on
You 'll understand ×3
You 'll be okay ×3
cosmos
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
The sun will rise
To better days
And change will come
It's on it's way
Just close your eyes
And let it rain
'Cause you're never alone
And I will always be there
You just carry on
You will understand
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
Just look inside
You know the way
Let it go
Fly away
And say goodbye
To yesterday
'Cause you're never alone
And I will always be there
You just carry on
You will understand
And I will be strong
When love is gone
And I'll carry on...
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
The sun will rise
To better days
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
Just close your eyes
And let it rain
When you need it the most
And all you've got is a prayer
You must carry on
You will understand
You will understand
You will understand
You'll be okay
You'll be okay
You'll be okay.
Auna Hart
Five years ago I had a freak injury that damaged my spinal cord & it changed my life forever. I'm blessed to be walking. Last February I found out that my husband of 12 years was having an affair with a co-worker. I was absolutely crushed. He said that my chronic pain & other medical issues was to much for him, he couldn't live like that anymore. This has easily been the most difficult year of my life. I just heard this song for the first time....tears!
Anon O'Maus
I get this is an old comment, but I hope you’re doing better. :>
Prince Affum
Yeah Auna will be okay
Elizabethf0x
I hope you're ok now❤
Stephanie Marchbanks
I am so, so sorry for your pain and loss. 💔 It's never too late to say I care, I hope.
Meh ?
I hope that you are at peace now ❤️
Savage Black
I still can’t believe these guys aren’t more popular. This entire album was great...
Psyche0h
A stranger on Discord sent me this song when I was drunk and depressed by myself, several years ago. I still find comfort in it whenever I’m feeling low, and I’m so grateful to that person for the gesture of kindness.
Fine Signs
We need more songs like this in the world.
Will Kroon
Give I’ll be OK by McFly a try, it’s a bit more upbeat than this but it’s great help to me on bad days