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
Younger
A Great Big World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fat kid with the big, blue eyes full of wonder
No shame, no fame, no worries, the king of wiffle ball (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
Without a care at all
I wish I was younger
Keeping track of the lightning strikes and the thunder
Barely thirteen, no hurry, my feet over the wall (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
It doesn't matter if I fall
I wish I was younger
I wish I was younger
I wish I was younger
Barbies and fashion shows with my brother
So clear, no fear, no bullies, I didn't even know (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
Where did all that magic go?
I remember third grade, shades, new rollerblades
4 foot 2, feeling 10 foot 8
Classic Mario
I remember charades, your braids, my first date
Working at the pool, barely ever getting paid
Do you remember those days?
I wish I was younger
Getting high with my friends outside in the summer
Never cool, never had a lot of money, but damn we had it all (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
We had it all
I wish I was younger
I wish I was younger
I wish I was younger
I wish I was younger
Butterflies in my chest when I asked for your number
You smiled and said, "you're funny"
Two words and I was gone (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
You wrote it on my arm (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
I swear, we set off the alarm (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
Do you remember making out in the stands?
Showing up late and getting kicked out of bands?
Poor Mr. Kafer never could understand
Just take me back to who I was when I was younger
Do you remember riding home in the rain?
That Sunday morning, playing songs about Jane?
And from that moment I was never the same
Just take me back to who I was when I was younger
Just take me back to who I was when I was younger
Just take me back to who I was when I was younger
The song "Younger" by A Great Big World is a nostalgic reflection on the joys and simplicity of childhood. The singer longs to go back to a time when they were carefree, innocent, and full of wonder. They mention being the fat kid with big eyes, without a care in the world, playing games like wiffle ball and keeping track of lightning strikes and thunder.
The singer also reminisces about playing with Barbies and fashion shows with their brother, not worrying about bullies or anything else that comes with growing up. They then move on to simpler times like when they were in third grade, riding rollerblades, and playing classic Mario. The singer recounts that they never had much money or were never cool but felt like they had it all.
The song concludes with the singer recalling the butterflies they felt when they asked for someone's number, making out in the stands, and getting kicked out of bands. All of these memories make them wish they could go back to the time when they were younger and life was simpler. The song leaves the impression that the singer wishes they could relive the joy and simplicity of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was younger
The singer desires to relive their younger days and experience the carefree life they once had.
The fat kid with the big, blue eyes full of wonder
The singer imagines their younger self as an innocent child with boundless curiosity and awe.
No shame, no fame, no worries, the king of wiffle ball (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
The singer recalls the lack of pressure and anxiety in their childhood, where they could play and have fun without any added attention or stress.
Without a care at all
During their younger days, the artist experienced a carefree, worry-free way of life.
Keeping track of the lightning strikes and the thunder
The artist reminisces about their fascination with natural phenomena and the excitement that came with it.
Barely thirteen, no hurry, my feet over the wall (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
The singer remembers the thrill of being a teenager and the joy of taking risks without consequence.
It doesn't matter if I fall
As a youngster, the singer didn't worry about making mistakes, knowing that they could simply pick themselves back up and try again.
Barbies and fashion shows with my brother
The artist looks back fondly on the childhood activities they shared with siblings, such as playing with dolls and putting on fashion shows.
So clear, no fear, no bullies, I didn't even know (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
The artist remembers a time in their younger days where they didn't experience any negative, social pressures or bullying, and was blissfully unaware of any such issues.
Where did all that magic go?
The artist expresses dismay at the loss of the imagination and enchantment that they experienced in their childhood.
I remember third grade, shades, new rollerblades
The singer reminisces about specific childhood memories, such as receiving new rollerblades and wearing sunglasses in third grade.
4 foot 2, feeling 10 foot 8
The artist recalls feeling taller and more confident than they actually were during their childhood.
Classic Mario
The singer mentions fond memories of playing classic Mario video games from their childhood.
I remember charades, your braids, my first date
The singer describes specific, cherished memories from their youth, such as playing charades, seeing a girl with braids, and going on a first date.
Working at the pool, barely ever getting paid
The singer remembers working at a pool and not receiving ample compensation, but still considers it a valuable experience.
Do you remember those days?
The artist asks their audience if they, too, remember their childhood days and the many joys and experiences that came with them.
Getting high with my friends outside in the summer
The artist remembers enjoying the summer weather with friends and engaging in recreational activities.
Never cool, never had a lot of money, but damn we had it all (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
Despite lacking popular status or wealth, the singer remembers feeling content and fulfilled thanks to the companionship and fun provided by their friends.
Butterflies in my chest when I asked for your number
The singer recalls the nerves and nervous excitement they felt when attempting to ask someone out during their younger years.
You smiled and said, "you're funny"
The artist remembers a positive response to their attempt at asking someone out, which made them feel elated and appreciated.
Two words and I was gone (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
The artist recalls a small interaction having a large emotional impact on them and eliciting a powerful response.
You wrote it on my arm (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
The artist remembers a physical marker of the interaction, which made it all the more special to them.
I swear, we set off the alarm (oh, oh, oh-oh-oh)
The singer describes the intense emotions that they experienced during this pivotal moment, likening it to an alarm being set off.
Do you remember making out in the stands?
The artist asks their audience if they remember specific, intimate experiences from their younger days.
Showing up late and getting kicked out of bands?
The singer recalls not always following the rules, which led to them getting kicked out of their younger bands.
Poor Mr. Kafer never could understand
The singer acknowledges that the authority figures in their life didn't always understand their youthful antics.
Just take me back to who I was when I was younger
The singer longs to relive the person they once were, and experience the joy and innocence of their childhood once again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chad Vaccarino, Chris Kuffner, Ian Axel, Oscar Rodriguez, Zach Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheShoottheradio
I'm almost 40 and this song resonates very heavily with me. Very nostalgic. Everything they talk about I pretty much experienced, plus more. Nothing is better than your adolescent years. Hopefully one day we get to revisit them.
@kaitlyn2295
This is one of those songs that make you feel nostalgia for something you have never experienced, and the video adds so much to it. Thank you for this incredible song.
@AGreatBigWorld
🤗 thank youuuuu 💫
@shaddddow
To all teens feeling nostalgic .....try being almost 30. This really hits home.
@daniellehermann9837
Cade K I'm 39 and lurveeee it x
@eighthournaps9623
I turned 30 in June, it really hits home hard
@someoneawesome8717
23 this November and it still hits hard as hell
@jrodconcertsmedia
Cade K 32 here. Amen
@geoybaney5082
I'm only 21 and it hit me hard, I can't even imagine dude
@gabbygellerman9447
I freaking love this song.. and this is one of the coolest lyric videos i've ever seen!