Ian Axel Quotes

Powerful Ian Axel for Daily Growth

About Ian Axel

Ian Axel Quotes (born December 31, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor best known as one half of the Grammy-nominated pop duo A Great Big World. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Quotes developed a love for music at a young age, inspired by artists such as Queen, Elton John, and Billy Joel. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he honed his skills as a pianist and vocalist. After graduating, he pursued a career in acting, appearing in off-Broadway productions before transitioning to music. In 2012, Quotes formed A Great Big World with Chad Vaccarino. Their debut single, "This Is the New Year," gained traction on YouTube and led to a deal with Epic Records. However, it was their next release, "Say Something," that catapulted them to international fame. The song, written by Quotes and Vaccarino along with Christina Aguilera, became a global hit after Aguilera recorded a duet version for the film 'The Fault in Our Stars.' Quotes' lyrics often reflect his personal experiences and emotions, making him relatable to many listeners. His music is characterized by its heartfelt melodies, powerful vocals, and thought-provoking themes. Apart from his work with A Great Big World, Quotes has also released solo material, including the EP 'How We Met' (2018). Quotes continues to write and perform music, inspiring listeners around the world with his poignant lyrics and captivating performances. His unique style and powerful storytelling have solidified his place in the contemporary pop music landscape.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is beautiful, don't trouble its beauty."

This quote encourages individuals to appreciate and preserve the inherent beauty in life without causing unnecessary distress or harm. It suggests that one should allow life's natural splendor to shine by treating it with respect, understanding, and love, rather than adding complications or negativity. In essence, live harmoniously and cherish the beauty around us.


"You can be exactly who you want to be. You can love anyone you choose."

This quote by Ian Axel emphasizes the freedom, individuality, and autonomy that we each possess in our lives. It encourages self-expression and authenticity, suggesting that people should embrace their true selves without fear or constraint. Additionally, it advocates for love that transcends societal norms, encouraging individuals to pursue romantic relationships based on personal feelings rather than external expectations. In essence, the quote encourages us to live our lives boldly, authentically, and freely in both self-identity and love relationships.


"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn."

This quote by Ian Axel speaks to the wisdom of knowing when to take action and when to let things go, or more specifically, which relationships, opportunities, or decisions are worth pursuing and which should be left behind. In other words, it's about discerning when to invest energy in building bridges (establishing connections, fostering relationships, or working towards a goal) and when to deliberately cut off ties (walk away from toxic situations, let go of regrets, or abandon lost causes). Mastering this skill requires self-awareness, experience, and the ability to navigate life's complexities with balance and thoughtfulness.


"Being true to yourself never goes out of style."

This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression. Being true to oneself means living in alignment with one's core values, beliefs, feelings, and identity. It signifies that individuality should always be embraced and respected, regardless of societal trends or expectations. Authenticity brings personal fulfillment, fosters genuine connections, and promotes self-growth.


"Life's a precious journey, make sure it's filled with love."

This quote emphasizes the importance of filling one's life with love as they navigate their personal journey. It suggests that life should be cherished and lived to its fullest potential by focusing on love, whether it is self-love, love for others, or love for experiences. This perspective encourages us to cultivate positive relationships, practice kindness, express our feelings, and savor moments of joy in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.


We never thought 'Say Something' would be a holiday song. I'm still surprised that it's resonating at this time of year. Maybe that's why it's working so well - it balances out all the joy.

- Ian Axel

Thought, Year, Resonating, Surprised

I'm a big fan of piano-based rock music like Elton John, Ben Folds, and even Queen.

- Ian Axel

Queen, Big, Like, Elton

Producers on Broadway approached us with an original script after relaunching ourselves as 'A Great Big World,' and wanted us to write the music. They asked us to make the music we would sing if we could, and so we can go a little crazier. We refer to it as 'our music on steroids.'

- Ian Axel

Big, Broadway, Ourselves, Refer

It's different for every song. But for 'Say Something,' I think it was Chad who had an idea on guitar, and I had an idea on piano for different songs, and we just married them together. We bounce things off each other constantly and kind of massage all these ideas into a three and a half minute pop song.

- Ian Axel

Other, I Think, Half, Massage

When you're listening to the radio, you're hearing dance beats, all the bells and whistles, and 'Say Something' makes you quiet and forces you to listen.

- Ian Axel

Listening, Makes, Bells, Hearing

I feel that when Chad is in the room, I can tap into this other thing where music comes from. I don't know. It's just this really magical, special connection and relationship.

- Ian Axel

Feel, I Can, Other, Chad

We met because Chad was in one of my classes, and I was looking for someone to write music with. I knew that he wrote his own music, and he seemed nice, so I found out he was going to be in a practice room, practicing his trumpet. He'd already said he was too busy to hang out or hear any new people or work on any music, so I stalked him.

- Ian Axel

Practice, New People, Hang, Chad

There are people we look up to, like Lady Gaga and what she's built. She's not afraid to own who she is.

- Ian Axel

Like, Gaga, Built, None

I started writing songs when I was real young, when I was 3 years old. The piano spoke to me - I don't remember when I wasn't playing piano. My second grade talent show was the first time I performed my own thing. I dressed up as Dracula and played a song called 'Monster Rock' that I wrote. And I won.

- Ian Axel

Young, Spoke, Remember When, Performed

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.