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A Great Big World

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A Great Big World
A Great Big World in 2014
A Great Big World in 2014
Background information
OriginNew York City, New York, United States
Genres
Years active2011–present
LabelsEpic
Members
Websiteagreatbigworld.com

A Great Big World is an American musical duo from New York[1] 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,[2] 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

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Early beginnings

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Ian Axel and Chad King met at New York University, where they were attending the Steinhardt Music Program.[3] 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.[3]

2011–2013: Breakthrough and Glee

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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.[4] Ian Axel and Chad King went on national tour and performed as the openers for Ingrid Michaelson, Matthew Morrison (Glee), and Five for Fighting.[3]

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.[4]

In 2013, "This Is the New Year" was performed by the cast in an episode of Glee.[3]

2013–2014: Is There Anybody Out There?

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A Great Big World performing in April 2014

In 2013, the group signed with Epic Records and released a three-song EP under the Epic label in May 2013.[5] They completed a headline tour in conjunction with their EP release.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8] The song reached No. 1 on the digital song chart the next day with 189,000 copies sold for the week.[9] The video was released on November 19, 2013.[10] 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.[11]

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

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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.[12] 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.[13][14][15][16]

They have been writing a musical for several years. The show is about family and is called Strokes of Genius.[17]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[18] 		AUS
[19] 		AUT
[20] 		CAN
[21] 		SWE
[22] 		UK
[23]
Is There Anybody Out There? 3 33 36 3 25 16
When the Morning Comes
  • Released: November 13, 2015
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, CD
 75 — — — — —
Particles
  • Released: August 27, 2021[25]
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download
 — — — — — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
US
[26] 		US
Adult
[27] 		AUS
[19] 		AUT
[20] 		CAN
[28] 		IRE
[29] 		JPN
[30] 		NZ
[31] 		SWE
[22] 		UK
[32]
2013 "This Is the New Year" — 39 — — — — — — — — Is There Anybody Out There?
"Say Something"
(with Christina Aguilera) 		4 1 1 4 1 6 36 2 4 4
2014 "Already Home" — 24 — — — — — — — —
"Rockstar" — — — — — — 86 — — —
2015 "Hold Each Other"
(featuring Futuristic) 		99 12 — — 69 — — — — — When the Morning Comes
2016 "Oasis" — 22 — — — — — — — —
"Won't Stop Running" — 34 — — — — — — — —
2017 "When I Was a Boy" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
2018 "Younger" — 18 — — — — — — — —
"You" — 39 — — — — — — — —
2019 "This Is Magic" — — — — — — — — — —
"Boys in the Street" — — — — — — — — — —
"Fall on Me"
(with Christina Aguilera)[39] 		— 37 — — — — — — — — Particles
2020 "I Will Always Be There" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
2021 "Boys in the Street (2021)"[40] — — — — — — — — — — Particles
"Glowing"[41] — — — — — — — — — —
"Mama"[42] — — — — — — — — — —
2023 "Nothing's Impossible"
(with Rachel Platten)[43] 		— — — — — — — — — — The Imaginary
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

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Year Song Director
2013 "This Is the New Year" Leiv Parton[44]
"Say Something"
(with Christina Aguilera) 		Christopher Sims[45]
2014 "Already Home" Isaac Rentz[46]
"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" Rohitash Rao[47]
2015 "Hold Each Other"
(featuring FUTURISTIC) 		Marc Klasfeld[48]
2016 "Oasis" Elliott Sellers[49]
"Won't Stop Running" Lee Cherry[50]
"Where Does the Time Go" Nathan Crooker[51]
2019 "Fall on Me" Se Oh[52]

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2014 1st iHeartRadio Music Awards Best Lyrics "Say Something" (with Christina Aguilera) Nominated[53]
NewNowNext Awards Best New Music Group Won[54]
2015
 Grammy Awards Best Pop Duo/Group Performance "Say Something" (with Christina Aguilera) Won[55]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lovett, Matthew (23 May 2013). "Preview: A Great big World At Rumba". Columbus Alive. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  2. ^ Caulfield, Keith (17 May 2013). "Bubbling Under: Passenger's Worldwide Ride Continues". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "A Great Big World To Release Three Song EP May 21". Rock Revolt Magazine. 4 May 2013. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b Gibson, Yolanda (7 May 2013). "A Great Big World Is Making Moves This New Year". Examiner.
  5. ^ "A Great Big World To Release "This Is The New Year" on May 21". Artist Direct. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  6. ^ Pikka (2 May 2013). "Great Big World". Annex Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-05-25. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  7. ^ "A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera, 'Say Something'". EW.com. November 3, 2013. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  8. ^ Kathleen Perricone (November 1, 2013). "Christina Aguilera Duets With A Great Big World on 'Say Something'". RyanSeacrest.com.
  9. ^ Keith Caulfield (November 13, 2013). "Eminem Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Celine Dion and Avril Lavigne in Top Five". Billboard.
  10. ^ Robert Pace (November 19, 2013). "World Premiere: 'Say Something' Music Video". ETonline.
  11. ^ Jason Lipshutz (November 24, 2013). "A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera Combine To 'Say Something' At American Music Awards". Billboard.
  12. ^ "A Great Big World on Twitter: "Recording @SarmStudios in London today. New music is coming"". Twitter.com. 2015-06-13. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  13. ^ "A Great Big World on Twitter: "Working with the incredible @daveeggar on some new music!"". Twitter.com. 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  14. ^ "A Great Big World on Twitter: "Making some magic with these guys @DerekAEF #greggwattenberg #agreatbigalbum "". Twitter.com. 2015-06-07. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  15. ^ "A Great Big World on Twitter: ".@Dan_romer is totally blowing it "". Twitter.com. 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  16. ^ "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. "". Twitter.com. 2015-04-16. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  17. ^ "Chad King of A Great Big World discussing about loving a man". Out. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  18. ^ "A Great Big World – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard.
  19. ^ a b "Discography A Great Big World". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2015-01-23.
  20. ^ a b "Discographie A Great Big World". Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  21. ^ "A Great Big World – Chart history: Canadian Albums". Billboard.
  22. ^ a b "Discography A Great Big World". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  23. ^ "A Great Big World - Official Charts Company" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  24. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015.
  25. ^ "Particles by A Great Big World on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  26. ^ "A Great Big World – Chart history: The Hot 100". Billboard.
  27. ^ "A Great Big World Chart History - Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  28. ^ "A Great Big World – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard.
  29. ^ "Discography A Great Big World". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  30. ^ "A Great Big World – Chart History: Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  31. ^ "Discography A Great Big World". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  32. ^ "Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-12.
  33. ^ Trust, Gary (September 1, 2014). "Ask Billboard : Taylor Swift Out-'Shake's Mariah Carey". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  34. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". ARIA.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  35. ^ "Certified Awards Search: A Great Big World". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (To access, enter the search parameter "A Great Big World" and select "Search by: Keyword", with the other two set to "All") on 2017-07-10. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
  36. ^ "Canadian digital download certifications – A Great Big World – Say Something". Music Canada.
  37. ^ "American single certifications – A GREAT BIG WORLD & CHRISTINA AGUILERA – Say Something". Recording Industry Association of America.
  38. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  39. ^ @AGreatBigWorld (November 18, 2019). "We are so excited to announce our newest collaboration #FallOnMe with @xtina!" (Tweet). Retrieved November 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Boys in the Street (2021) – Single by A Great Big World". Apple Music. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  41. ^ "Glowing – Single by A Great Big World". Apple Music. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  42. ^ "Mama – Single by A Great Big World". Apple Music. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  43. ^ "Nothing's Impossible – Single by A Great Big World (feat. Rachel Platten)". Apple Music. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  44. ^ "This Is the New Year - A Great Big World". Vevo. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  45. ^ "Say Something - A Great Big World". Vevo. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  46. ^ "Already Home - A Great Big World". Vevo. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  47. ^ "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - A Great Big World". Vevo. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  48. ^ "Hold Each Other - A Great Big World". Vevo. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  49. ^ Platon, Adelle (February 22, 2016). "A Great Big World Delivers Stunning 'Oasis' Video (Premiere)". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  50. ^ Hoffman, Ashley (July 25, 2016). "Exclusive: Watch A Great Big World's Empowering New Music Video 'Won't Stop Running'". Time. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  51. ^ "Where Does the Time Go - A Great Big World". Vevo. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  52. ^ "Finally! Christina Aguilera & A Great Big World Tease "Fall On Me" Video". Idolator. February 10, 2020.
  53. ^ Brown, Laurel (May 1, 2014). "2014 iHeart Radio Awards: Full winners list". zap2it. Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  54. ^ "2014 NewNowNext Awards winners". Logotv.com. Viacom. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  55. ^ Brown, August (February 8, 2015). "Grammys 2015: A Great Big World wins in best pop duo/group recording". LA Times. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
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