A Great Big World

{{short description|American pop rock musical duo}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = A Great Big World

| image = A Great Big World 2014.jpg

| caption = A Great Big World in 2014

| image_size = 300px

| origin = New York City, New York, United States

| genre = {{hlist|Pop rock|pop}}

| years_active = 2011–present

| label = Epic

| associated_acts = {{hlist|Christina Aguilera}}

| website = {{URL|http://agreatbigworld.com/}}

| current_members = * Ian Axel

  • Chad King {{small|(born Vaccarino)}}

}}

A Great Big World is an American musical duo from New York{{cite news | last =Lovett | first =Matthew | title =Preview: A Great big World At Rumba | newspaper =Columbus Alive | date = 23 May 2013| url =http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2013/05/23/preview-a-great-big-world-at-rumba.html | access-date =4 June 2013 }} made up of singer/songwriters Ian Axel and Chad King and signed to Epic Records. The group is best known for their single "This Is the New Year", which was performed by the cast in an episode of Glee and reached the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart in May 2013,{{cite magazine | last =Caulfield | first =Keith | title =Bubbling Under: Passenger's Worldwide Ride Continues | magazine =Billboard Magazine | date = 17 May 2013| url =http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/chart-alert/1562813/bubbling-under-passengers-worldwide-ride-continues | access-date =4 June 2013 }} and their worldwide hit "Say Something", particularly after recording it as a duet collaboration with Christina Aguilera. The duet peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Career

=Early beginnings=

Ian Axel and Chad King met at New York University, where they were attending the Steinhardt Music Program.{{cite news|title=A Great Big World To Release Three Song EP May 21 |newspaper=Rock Revolt Magazine |date=4 May 2013 |url=http://www.rockrevoltmagazine.com/a-great-big-world-to-release-three-song-ep-may-21/ |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507183047/http://www.rockrevoltmagazine.com/a-great-big-world-to-release-three-song-ep-may-21/ |archive-date=7 May 2013 }} Both were music business students and Axel is said to have convinced King to write a song together. King agreed to work with Axel after hearing him sing. They both wrote and performed songs together prior to Axel embarking on a solo career in which he released an independent album featuring songs that were all co-written by King.

=2011–2013: Breakthrough and ''Glee''=

In 2011, their song "This Is the New Year" was licensed to various television networks and was used as the theme song for MTV's I Used to Be Fat as well as being featured on The Amazing Race, ESPN, One Tree Hill, and Good Morning America. Ian Axel and Chad King went on national tour and performed as the openers for Ingrid Michaelson, Matthew Morrison (Glee), and Five for Fighting.

The duo re-branded itself in 2012, when they took the official name A Great Big World. They released a six-song EP after obtaining funding from the crowdsource funding website Kickstarter.{{cite news | last =Gibson | first =Yolanda | title =A Great Big World Is Making Moves This New Year| newspaper =Examiner | date =7 May 2013 }}

In 2013, "This Is the New Year" was performed by the cast in an episode of Glee.

=2013–2014: ''Is There Anybody Out There?''=

File:A Great Big World Performing Live 2 (cropped).jpg

In 2013, the group signed with Epic Records and released a three-song EP under the Epic label in May 2013.{{cite news | title =A Great Big World To Release "This Is The New Year" on May 21 | newspaper =Artist Direct | date =10 May 2013 | url =http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/a-great-big-world-to-release-three-song-ep-on-may-21/10550113 | access-date =4 June 2013 }} They completed a headline tour in conjunction with their EP release.{{cite news | last =Pikka | title =Great Big World | newspaper =Annex Magazine | date =2 May 2013 | url =http://www.annexmagazine.com/great-big-world/#sthash.EBQRnOfL.ZfHT7U4Y.dpbs | access-date =7 May 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130525055836/http://www.annexmagazine.com/great-big-world/#sthash.EBQRnOfL.ZfHT7U4Y.dpbs | archive-date =2013-05-25 | url-status=dead }}

In June 2013, they were picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and were featured on NBC's Today where they performed live their song "This Is the New Year". The song "Say Something" was featured in the final episode of the US dance competition So You Think You Can Dance on September 3, 2013, and released digitally the same day. It climbed to number 20 on iTunes in the United States the next day. The song was subsequently re-recorded featuring Christina Aguilera after she heard the song, and this version was released on November 4, 2013, and that version reached number 1 on the iTunes charts.{{cite news |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/11/03/a-great-big-world-christina-aguilera-say-something/ |title=A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera, 'Say Something' |date=November 3, 2013 |work=EW.com |access-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106051611/http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/11/03/a-great-big-world-christina-aguilera-say-something/ |url-status=dead }} The following evening, A Great Big World and Aguilera gave the premiere live TV performance of the song on the NBC television series The Voice.{{cite web |url=http://www.ryanseacrest.com/2013/11/01/christina-aguilera-duets-with-a-great-big-world-on-say-something/ |title=Christina Aguilera Duets With A Great Big World on 'Say Something' |author=Kathleen Perricone |date=November 1, 2013 |work=RyanSeacrest.com }} The song reached No. 1 on the digital song chart the next day with 189,000 copies sold for the week.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5785918/eminem-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-celine-dion-and-avril-lavigne-in-top |title=Eminem Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne in Top Five|author= Keith Caulfield |date= November 13, 2013 |magazine=Billboard }} The video was released on November 19, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.etonline.com/music/140996_Say_Something_Music_Video_A_Great_Big_World_Featuring_Christina_Aguilera/ |title=World Premiere: 'Say Something' Music Video |author= Robert Pace |date= November 19, 2013 |work=ETonline }} In November 2013, it was announced that A Great Big World would be performing at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The same month, they performed for the first time at the American Music Awards with Aguilera.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5800696/a-great-big-world-christina-aguilera-combine-to-say-something-at|title=A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera Combine To 'Say Something' At American Music Awards |author= Jason Lipshutz |date= November 24, 2013 |magazine=Billboard }}

Their debut album, Is There Anybody Out There?, was released on January 21, 2014.

The group made an appearance on the song "Over You" on Ingrid Michaelson's 2014 album, Lights Out.

"Say Something" was also used in the nineteenth season of South Park (Episode 6) Titled "Tweek x Craig"

=2015: ''When the Morning Comes''=

On April 21, 2015, it was announced through the A Great Big World Facebook page that Ian and Chad were working on a second album. The group announced the release of their first single off of the new album via Instagram in mid-July. The single "Hold Each Other" was released on July 22, 2015, featuring the rapper Futuristic. The non-rap version was released on July 24, 2015. The album was released on November 13, 2015, with the title When the Morning Comes. While visiting the UK in June 2015 they recorded at Sarm Studios in London.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AGreatBigWorld/status/609764814236315649 |title=A Great Big World on Twitter: "Recording @SarmStudios in London today. New music is coming" |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2015-06-13 |access-date=2015-08-10}} Several musicians and producers collaborated on the album including Dave Eggar, Derek Fuhrmann, Gregg Wattenberg, Greg Holden, Kevin Kadish, Josh Kear, Dan Romer, and Mozella.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AGreatBigWorld/status/619601083107831808 |title=A Great Big World on Twitter: "Working with the incredible @daveeggar on some new music!" |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2015-07-10 |access-date=2015-08-10}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AGreatBigWorld/status/607652839322710017 |title=A Great Big World on Twitter: "Making some magic with these guys @DerekAEF #greggwattenberg #agreatbigalbum " |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2015-06-07 |access-date=2015-08-10}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AGreatBigWorld/status/603348188129579008 |title=A Great Big World on Twitter: ".@Dan_romer is totally blowing it " |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2015-05-26 |access-date=2015-08-10}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AGreatBigWorld/status/588856122104107008 |title=A Great Big World on Twitter: "Just finished writing a beautiful song w/ @mozellamusic. Can't wait to share what we've been working on with you all. " |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2015-04-16 |access-date=2015-08-10}}

They have been writing a musical for several years. The show is about family and is called Strokes of Genius.{{cite journal |date=14 August 2015 |title=Chad King of A Great Big World discussing about loving a man |url=http://www.out.com/music/2015/8/14/chad-king-great-big-world-discusses-singing-about-loving-man3 |journal=Out |access-date=2 September 2015}}

Discography

= Studio albums =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details

! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Sales

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US
{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5885925/a-great-big-world/chart?f=305|title=A Great Big World – Chart history: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUS
{{cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=A+Great+Big+World |title=Discography A Great Big World |publisher=Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123071041/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=A+Great+Big+World |archive-date=2015-01-23 }}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUT
{{cite web|url=http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=A+Great+Big+World|title=Discographie A Great Big World|publisher=Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| CAN
{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5885925/a-great-big-world/chart?f=309|title=A Great Big World – Chart history: Canadian Albums|magazine=Billboard}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE
{{cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=A+Great+Big+World|title=Discography A Great Big World|publisher=Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK
{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/a%20great%20big%20world/|title=A Great Big World - Official Charts Company | publisher=Official Charts Company | access-date=March 21, 2014 | format=select "Albums" tab}}

scope="row"| Is There Anybody Out There?

|

| 3 || 33 || 36 || 3 || 25 || 16

|

  • US: 165,000{{cite web|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151029235059/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date= October 29, 2015 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures }}
scope="row"| When the Morning Comes

|

  • Released: November 13, 2015
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, CD

| 75 || — || — || — || — || —

|

scope="row"| Particles

|

  • Released: August 27, 2021{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/particles/1577928498|title=Particles by A Great Big World on Apple Music|work=Apple Music|accessdate=July 31, 2021}}
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download

| — || — || — || — || — || —

|

colspan="15" style="font-size:85%;"| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

= Singles =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Single

! scope="col" colspan="10"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Sales

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Album

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/a-great-big-world/chart-history/hsi/|title=A Great Big World – Chart history: The Hot 100|magazine=Billboard}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Adult

{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/a-great-big-world/chart-history/atf/|title=A Great Big World Chart History - Adult Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 28, 2020}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUT

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN
{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/5885925/a-great-big-world/chart?f=793|title=A Great Big World – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| IRE
{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=A+Great+Big+World|title=Discography A Great Big World|publisher=Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| JPN
{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=a great big world|chart=Japan Hot 100}} |title=A Great Big World – Chart History: Japan Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 25, 2016}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ
{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=A+Great+Big+World|title=Discography A Great Big World|publisher=New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK
{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |title=Official Charts Company |work=officialcharts.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012020203/http://www.officialcharts.com/music-charts/ |archive-date=2013-10-12 }}

rowspan="2"| 2013

! scope="row"| "This Is the New Year"

| —

39

|

|

| rowspan="4"| Is There Anybody Out There?

scope="row"| "Say Something"
(with Christina Aguilera)

| 4 || 1 || 1 || 4 || 1 || 6 || 36 || 2 || 4 || 4

|

  • US: 3,859,000{{cite magazine | url =http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6236538/ask-billboard-taylor-swift-out-shakes-mariah-carey?page=0%2C3 | title = Ask Billboard : Taylor Swift Out-'Shake's Mariah Carey | author =Trust, Gary|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media| date = September 1, 2014 | access-date = September 2, 2014}}

|

  • ARIA: 3× Platinum{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2014.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles|access-date=March 5, 2014|work=ARIA.com.au|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association}}
  • BPI: 2× Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|title=Certified Awards Search: A Great Big World|publisher=British Phonographic Industry|access-date=2014-04-04|format=To access, enter the search parameter "A Great Big World" and select "Search by: Keyword", with the other two set to "All"|archive-date=2017-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710164143/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|url-status=dead}}
  • MC: 6× Platinum{{Certification Cite Ref|region=Canada|type=digital download|title=Say Something|artist=A Great Big World}}
  • RIAA: 6× Platinum{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=single|title=Say Something|artist=A GREAT BIG WORLD & CHRISTINA AGUILERA}}
  • RMNZ: Platinum{{cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2014-02-21|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|access-date=March 8, 2014|publisher=Recorded Music NZ}}
rowspan="2"| 2014

! scope="row"| "Already Home"

| —

24

|

|

scope="row"| "Rockstar"

| — || — || — || — || — || — || 86 || — || — || —

|

|

2015

! scope="row"| "Hold Each Other"
(featuring Futuristic)

| 99

1269

|

|

| rowspan="3"| When the Morning Comes

rowspan="2"| 2016

! scope="row"| "Oasis"

| —

22

|

|

scope="row"| "Won't Stop Running"

| — || 34 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|

2017

! scope="row"| "When I Was a Boy"

| —

|

|

| rowspan="5" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}

rowspan="2" | 2018

! scope="row"| "Younger"

| —

18

|

|

scope="row"| "You"

| — || 39 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|

rowspan="3"| 2019

! scope="row"| "This Is Magic"

| —

|

|

scope="row"| "Boys in the Street"

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|

scope="row"| "Fall on Me"
(with Christina Aguilera){{cite tweet|user=AGreatBigWorld|number=1196423372156145664|title=We are so excited to announce our newest collaboration #FallOnMe with @xtina!|date=November 18, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}

| — || 37 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|

| Particles

2020

! scope="row"| "I Will Always Be There"

| —

|

|

| {{n/a|Non-album single}}

rowspan="3"| 2021

! scope="row"| "Boys in the Street (2021)"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/boys-in-the-street-2021-single/1570394724|title=Boys in the Street (2021) – Single by A Great Big World|website=Apple Music|access-date=August 27, 2021}}

| —

|

|

| rowspan="3"| Particles

scope="row"| "Glowing"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/glowing-single/1575660518|title=Glowing – Single by A Great Big World|website=Apple Music|access-date=August 27, 2021}}

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|

scope="row"| "Mama"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/mama-single/1579000987|title=Mama – Single by A Great Big World|website=Apple Music|access-date=August 27, 2021}}

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|

2023

! scope="row"| "Nothing's Impossible"
(with Rachel Platten){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/nothings-impossible-from-the-imaginary-soundtrack/1712690576|title=Nothing's Impossible – Single by A Great Big World (feat. Rachel Platten)|website=Apple Music|access-date=November 3, 2023}}

| —

|

|

| The Imaginary

2025

! scope="row"| "Then There Were Sparks"{{cite web|url=https://www.threads.net/@agbwontour/post/DEdGV2tyyoD|title= A Great Big World's new single "then there were sparks" out 1/10|website= Threads|date=January 5, 2025|access-date=January 10, 2025}}

| —

|

|

colspan="15" style="font-size:85%;"| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

=Music videos=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

! Year

! Song

! Director

rowspan="2" | 2013

! scope="row"| "This Is the New Year"

| Leiv Parton{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/a-great-big-world/This-Is-the-New-Year/USW3R1090002|work=Vevo|access-date=November 13, 2015|title=This Is the New Year - A Great Big World}}

scope="row"| "Say Something"
(with Christina Aguilera)

| Christopher Sims{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/a-great-big-world/Say-Something/USSM21302290|work=Vevo|access-date=November 13, 2015|title=Say Something - A Great Big World}}

rowspan="2" | 2014

! scope="row"| "Already Home"

| Isaac Rentz{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/a-great-big-world/Already-Home/USSM21400547|work=Vevo|access-date=November 13, 2015|title=Already Home - A Great Big World}}

scope="row"| "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"

| Rohitash Rao{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/a-great-big-world/I-Want-a-Hippopotamus-for-Christmas/USSM21402027|work=Vevo|access-date=November 13, 2015|title=I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - A Great Big World}}

2015

! scope="row"| "Hold Each Other"
(featuring FUTURISTIC)

| Marc Klasfeld{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/a-great-big-world/Hold-Each-Other/USSM21501392|work=Vevo|access-date=November 13, 2015|title=Hold Each Other - A Great Big World}}

rowspan="3" | 2016

! scope="row"| "Oasis"

| Elliott Sellers{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6882865/a-great-big-world-oasis-video-premiere|title=A Great Big World Delivers Stunning 'Oasis' Video (Premiere)|first=Adelle|last=Platon|magazine=Billboard|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=February 22, 2016}}

scope="row"| "Won't Stop Running"

| Lee Cherry{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4421918/a-great-big-world-wont-stop-running/|title=Exclusive: Watch A Great Big World's Empowering New Music Video 'Won't Stop Running'|last=Hoffman|first=Ashley|date=July 25, 2016|access-date=August 21, 2016|magazine=Time}}

scope="row"| "Where Does the Time Go"

| Nathan Crooker{{cite web |url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/a-great-big-world/Where-Does-the-Time-Go/USSM21600626|work=Vevo|access-date=October 22, 2016|title=Where Does the Time Go - A Great Big World}}

2019

! scope="row"| "Fall on Me"

| Se Oh{{Cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7906592/finally-christina-aguilera-a-great-big-world-tease-fall-on-me-video|title=Finally! Christina Aguilera & A Great Big World Tease "Fall On Me" Video|date=February 10, 2020|website=Idolator}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Association

! Category

! Nominated work

! Result

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |2014

|1st iHeartRadio Music Awards

|Best Lyrics

|"Say Something" (with Christina Aguilera)

| {{nom}}{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Laurel|title=2014 iHeart Radio Awards: Full winners list|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/2014_iheart_radio_awards_full_winners_list-2014-05|publisher=zap2it|date=May 1, 2014|access-date=February 28, 2015|archive-date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612173916/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/2014_iheart_radio_awards_full_winners_list-2014-05|url-status=dead}}

NewNowNext Awards

|Best New Music Group

|

| {{won}}{{cite web|title=2014 NewNowNext Awards winners|url=http://www.logotv.com/events/newnownext_awards/winners.jhtml|website=Logotv.com|publisher=Viacom|access-date=4 March 2015|archive-date=9 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009213849/http://www.logotv.com/events/newnownext_awards/winners.jhtml|url-status=dead}}

{{center|2015}}

|Grammy Awards

|Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

|"Say Something" (with Christina Aguilera)

| {{won}}{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=August|title=Grammys 2015: A Great Big World wins in best pop duo/group recording|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-grammys-2015-best-pop-duo-group-recording-20150205-story.html|newspaper=LA Times|date=February 8, 2015|access-date=4 March 2015}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}