"If the World Was Ending" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels | ||||
from the EP Hold It Together and the album Dangerous Levels of Introspection | ||||
Released | October 17, 2019 | |||
Recorded | July 20, 2019 | |||
Length | 3:28 | |||
Label | Arista | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Finneas [1] | |||
JP Saxe singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Julia Michaels singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"If the World Was Ending" on YouTube |
"If the World Was Ending" is a song written and performed by Canadian singer JP Saxe featuring American singer Julia Michaels. The song was released by Arista Records on October 17,2019,through digital download and streaming formats as the lead single from his second EP Hold It Together . [2] It is also included on his debut studio album Dangerous Levels of Introspection. [3] The song was nominated for Song of the Year at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards,being Saxe's first and Michaels' third nomination.
Speaking to Billboard ,Julia Michaels said "I discovered JP Saxe's music and posted about him around the same time he was listening to Inner Monologue . Since we were fans of each other's music,we got together for a writing session." Saxe added "Writing this song with Julia was one of the most creative experiences of my life. We wrote it the day we met and recorded it that same day." [4] Michaels shared "The song is about that person in your life who you would come back to if the world was ending,when nothing else matters and there is nothing left to hold you back."
Regarding the sentiments evoked in the composition,Saxe expressed,"Hopefully we are looking for our sense of compassion. My hope is that it's resonating because it connects people to the part of themselves that wants to put love first,that wants to reach out to that family member they haven't talked to in a while,or that friend". [5]
The duo recruited producer Finneas to finalize their piece. "We wanted to find a producer who was going to take up the integrity and emotional contour of our original demo and bring out what was already there. We put together our dream list of producers,and when we reached out to Finneas,he loved the song and told us he wanted to produce it. We were very excited for him to be part of it because he has such unique instincts when it comes to production. And he wanted what we wanted,which was to take the feeling of the song that was there and bring it out and accentuate that emotional world". [5] Michaels says she is now over the song.
"If the World Was Ending" is a piano ballad,played in the keys of A minor and F minor at a tempo of 75 beats per minute. During the chorus,Saxe and Michaels are heard singing the lines over layers of backing vocals. The instrumental consists of a piano,played by Finneas,and gospel vocals. [4] In the second and final chorus,violins are played.
Throughout the song,JP Saxe,together with Julia Michaels,reminisces over a past and flawed relationship,hopefully it can start again with the best intentions and a good amount of patience. Saxe gives audiences a look into the piece's lyrics on Genius.com :"Julia scribed the lyrics at the end of the chorus. 'And there wouldn't be a reason why we would even have to say goodbye,' stabbed me in the heart when she first said it." Pondering the feeling that we don't have to wish each other farewell assures us all would be well. However,the reason for this lack of departure is dark and integrated into the removal of all consequences by the universe. Two situations exist in the song. The beginning situation happens amid a harmless earthquake. The imagined fantasy that occurs later asks,'if everything did go to ruin,what would transpire?' The word:'right.' holds a plethora of weight. It holds the doubt,hope,the question,'are you with me on this?'. The term functions as the period mark following preceding events." [6]
On the Hot 100 it debuted on 96 on April 11,2020. It peaked at number 27 on the chart dated September 12,2020,giving Saxe's first and Michaels's second top 40. [7]
The music video,directed by Jason Lester,was released on October 17,2019. After the Emergency Alert System warns of a “significant environmental event”hitting the United States,the video cuts to two lovers –JP Saxe and Julia –reviewing their last text conversation. As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration instructs citizens to seek refuge in their nearest fallout shelter,JP reads how Julia needed some “space.”Suddenly,with extinction looming,the two reevaluate their priorities and are forced to decide just how they want to spend their last few hours on Earth. [8]
Another music video titled "Spanglish Version" featuring Evaluna Montaner released on April 3,2020. [9]
The third video of the song was titled "If the World Was Ending (In Support of Doctors Without Borders)" featuring music artists was released on April 30,2020. [10] Sam Smith,H.E.R.,Alessia Cara,Niall Horan,Keith Urban and Finneas (the song's producer) are among the long list of names who sing Saxe and Michaels' duet. Saxe explained that the collaboration was inspired by covers of the song he saw online,and he then texted the featured artists to ask if they'd want to get involved. [11] Each artist filmed their part on their phones from their homes while self-isolating. All proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders,where one of Saxe's friends worked,and the video ends with a special message from a participating doctor about the impact of COVID-19 on countries where many of the doctors are stationed. [11]
"We are so grateful for the incredible work being done by those on the frontlines during this global pandemic," Saxe and Michaels said in a joint statement. "At a time when it can sometimes feel like 'the world is ending,' we thank all of the healthcare workers,first responders,and essential workers who are helping so many people in need. Please stay home,stay safe (and don't actually go over!)". [12]
Digital download
Remixes [13]
Covers
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [59] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [60] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Belgium (BEA) [61] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [62] | 7× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [63] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [64] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI) [65] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [66] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [67] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [68] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [69] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP) [70] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [71] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [72] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [73] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [74] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Sweden (GLF) [75] | 2× Platinum | 16,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 17 October 2019 | Arista | [2] | |
Australia | 24 April 2020 | Contemporary hit radio |
| [76] |
"Broken Strings" is the second single by British musician James Morrison from his second studio album, Songs for You, Truths for Me (2008), and was released in December 2008. The song is a duet with Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. The single became Morrison's most successful single to date, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart in January 2009, as well as in the top ten on many other European charts while topping the charts in Germany and Switzerland. It was featured in episode 16 of the second season of the American television drama The Vampire Diaries.
"A Thousand Years" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Perri, and written by Perri and its producer David Hodges, for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1. The song was released as a digital download on October 18, 2011, worldwide, and serves as the second single by Atlantic Records for the movie. Perri re-recorded the song with vocals from Steve Kazee for the sequel The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012). It was also produced by Hodges.
"Hurt Somebody" is a song by American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, released on September 15, 2017, as the lead single from his extended play of the same name. The song was written by Kahan and Scott Harris in Nashville and was recorded with Joel Little in Los Angeles. Kahan told Billboard: "'Hurt Somebody' is about the paralyzing fear of not being able to cut loose ends – even if it's ultimately for the greater good. Ending things can be painful, and 'Hurt Somebody' illuminates the inner dialogue of trying to stomach the weight of that decision."
"Hall of Fame" is a song by Irish pop rock band the Script featuring American rapper will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. It is the lead single from the band's third studio album #3. The track was given its first radio play on Capital on 23 July 2012. Written and co-produced by the band, the song is about following dreams and making an impact on the world. The song has been licensed for use in various media since its release.
English singer and songwriter Sam Smith has released four studio albums, one independent album, three live albums, one remix album, one soundtrack, thirteen extended plays, thirty-seven singles, and six promotional singles.
"Close" is a song recorded by American singer Nick Jonas from his third studio album, Last Year Was Complicated. The track features guest vocals from Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo. It was released on March 25, 2016, by Island, Safehouse and Republic Records as the album's lead single. The song was written by Tove Lo, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, and its producers Mattias "Mattman" Larsson and Robin Fredriksson.
"Perfect Strangers" is a song by British record producer Jonas Blue featuring vocals from singer JP Cooper, released through Capitol, Positiva, and Virgin EMI Records on 3 June 2016 as the second single from Blue's debut studio album Blue (2018). The song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, and reached the top 10 positions in eight additional countries, including Germany, Australia, and Sweden. A Japanese version of the song by South Korean girl group AOA was released on their album Runway (2016).
"Goosebumps" is a song by American rapper Travis Scott featuring fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was sent to rhythmic radio on December 13, 2016, by Grand Hustle Records and Epic Records as the third single from Scott's second studio album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight.
Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara has released three studio albums, one live album, four extended plays, twenty singles, ten promotional singles and thirty music videos. She signed to EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings in 2014, and began recording her debut album the same year.
American singer Julia Michaels has released one studio album, five extended plays (EP), thirty-two singles and eleven promotional singles. She released her self-titled debut EP in 2010 and a second, Futuristic, two years later. Michaels signed with Republic Records in 2016 and released her debut single, "Issues", on January 13, 2017. The song peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 in various countries, including Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the UK. It preceded her third EP, Nervous System (2017), which charted in the top 50 in the US, Canada, and Sweden. The EP was further supported by the singles "Uh Huh" and "Worst in Me". Michaels was featured on Clean Bandit's single "I Miss You" (2017), which reached the top 10 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UK.
"I Miss You" is a song by British electronic music group Clean Bandit, featuring vocals from American singer and songwriter Julia Michaels. It was written by Michaels, Jack Patterson and Grace Chatto, with production handled by the latter two and Mark Ralph. The song was released to digital retailers on 26 October 2017, as the third single from Clean Bandit's second studio album, What Is Love? (2018).
"What a Time" is a song by American singer and songwriter Julia Michaels featuring Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, from her fourth EP, Inner Monologue Part 1 (2019). The song was written by Michaels, Justin Tranter, Casey Barth, and Riley Knapp, and produced by Ian Kirkpatrick and RKCB. It was sent to Australian radio on March 29, 2019, as the second single from the EP and was the second most added song days after its release. It was nominated at the Teen Choice Awards 2019 for Choice Collaboration.
"I Love You" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). Eilish co-wrote the song with her brother Finneas O'Connell, who also handled production. As the 13th track on the album, "I Love You" is an acoustic guitar-based ballad accompanied by various plane-related noises, where Eilish's lyrics describe the resistance to falling in love with someone.
"Bored" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish from the soundtrack album, 13 Reasons Why (2017). The song was written by Eilish, her brother Finneas O'Connell, Aron Forbes, and Tim Anderson. Production was solely handled by Finneas. It was released by Darkroom and Interscope Records for digital download and streaming on March 30, 2017, as the lead single from the soundtrack. A mid-tempo pop ballad, the song's lyrics see Eilish sing about finally discovering her former lover's mistakes. The song has received generally mixed reviews from music critics, with a number of them deeming it as forgettable.
"Everything I Wanted" is a song by American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish, and co-written by Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell, who also produced it. Darkroom and Interscope Records released the track as a standalone single on November 15, 2019, and later added it to the deluxe edition of Eilish's debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019) in December that year. It is a house and electronica-influenced pop and alternative pop track with minimal piano and downtempo bass guitar instrumentation. Inspired by a nightmare she experienced, the song is about Eilish's strong relationship with O'Connell and his protectiveness of her from harm.
Jonathan Percy Starker "JP" Saxe is a Canadian singer and musician. He is best known for his collaboration with American singer Julia Michaels titled "If the World Was Ending" which was released in 2019. The song was nominated for a 2021 Grammy. His "hero" grandfather, noted cellist János Starker, was a multiple nominee and Grammy winner.
"No Time to Die" is the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name. Performed by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and written by Eilish and her brother and collaborator, Finneas O'Connell, the song features orchestration by Hans Zimmer and was produced by Finneas O'Connell and Stephen Lipson. It was released through Darkroom and Interscope Records on February 13, 2020. Only 17 years old at the time of recording, Eilish is the youngest artist to have recorded a James Bond theme in the history of the franchise.
Hold It Together is the second EP by Canadian singer JP Saxe. It was released on February 7, 2020, by Arista Records and Sony Music. The EP peaked at number 53 on the Canadian Albums Chart. It includes the singles "If the World Was Ending" and "Sad Corny Fuck".
"Popstar" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on July 17, 2020, simultaneously with their other collaboration "Greece", as the dual lead singles from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled. Both songs were produced by frequent Drake collaborator OZ. It marked the sixth and seventh collaborations between Khaled and Drake, and their first since 2017's "To the Max". The mid-tempo "Popstar" sees Drake boasting about being the "popstar" of the generation. The song proved to be more successful than "Greece", debuting at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and number-one in Drake's native Canada.
"Mood" is a song by American singer 24kGoldn featuring fellow American rapper Iann Dior. It was released on July 24, 2020, through Records and Columbia Records, as the lead single from 24kGoldn's debut studio album, El Dorado (2021). The pop rock, rap rock and hip hop song is built around a guitar riff inspired by indie rock and post grunge music and also features hi-hats and snare drums in the style of trap music. On the song, 24kGoldn and Dior sing-rap about their toxic relationships in which their lovers are always in a "mood".