If the World Was Ending

"If the World Was Ending" is a song by Canadian singer JP Saxe, featuring vocals of 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]

"If the World Was Ending"
Single by JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels
from the EP Hold It Together
ReleasedOctober 17, 2019 (2019-10-17)
RecordedJuly 20, 2019
Length3:28
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Finneas[1]
JP Saxe singles chronology
"Women Who Look Like You"
(2019)		 "If the World Was Ending"
(2019)		 "Sad Corny F**k"
(2020)
Julia Michaels singles chronology
"If You Need Me"
(2019)		 "If the World Was Ending"
(2019)		 "Cool Anymore"
(2019)
Music video
"If the World Was Ending" on YouTube

Background and composition

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."[3] 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, JP 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”.[4]

The duo recruited renowned artist 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]

Lyrics

Throughout the song, Jonathan, 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.

JP Saxe gives audiences a profound 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]

Music videos

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.[7]

Another music video titled "Spanglish Version" featuring Evaluna Montaner released on April 3, 2020.[8]

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.[9] 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. Each artist filmed their part on their phones from their homes while self-isolating. All proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders, 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.

“We are so grateful for the incredible work being done by those on the frontlines during this global pandemic,” Saxe and Michael 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!)”.[10]

Track listing

Digital download

  1. "If the World Was Ending" – 3:28

Remixes[11]

  1. "If the World Was Ending" (Marian Hill remix) – 3:27
  2. "If the World Was Ending" (Other remix) – 2:29
  3. "If the World Was Ending" (Original) – 3:28

Charts
Chart (2019–2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 29
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[13] 65
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] 13
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[15] 18
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 13
Canada AC (Billboard)[17] 7
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 11
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[19] 7
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[20] 92
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[21] 78
Denmark (Tracklisten)[22] 39
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 17
Lithuania (AGATA)[24] 59
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25] 23
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 25
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 20
Norway (VG-lista)[28] 16
Portugal (AFP)[29] 76
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[30] 7
Singapore (RIAS)[31] 18
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[32] 93
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[33] 32
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] 56
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[35] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[36] 50
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] 14
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 9
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 13
US Rolling Stone Top 100[40] 61

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[41] Platinum 70,000
Belgium (BEA)[42] Gold 20,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] Platinum 30,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[44] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[46] Platinum 1,000,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 17 October 2019
Arista [2]
Australia 24 April 2020 Contemporary hit radio
  • Arista
  • SME
 [47]

References
  1. "Credits / If the World Was Ending (feat. Julia Michaels) / Jp Saxe". Tidal. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. "If the World Was Ending – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  3. "JP Saxe & Julia Michaels Prepare For the Apocalypse in 'If The World Was Ending' Video: Watch". Billboard. October 17, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  4. "JP Saxe on Julia Michaels Duet If the World Was Ending: It's Helping People Connect". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. "JP Saxe on Julia Michaels Duet If the World Was Ending: It's Helping People Connect". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  6. "JP Saxe If The World Was Ending Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. "JP Saxe & Julia Michaels Proves Love Wins Over All, Even The Apocalypse, In If The World Was Ending". Hollywood Life. October 19, 2019.
  8. "JP Saxe - If The World Was Ending (Spanglish Version) Feat. Evaluna Montaner". YouTube. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  9. "JP Saxe, Julia Michaels & Friends - If The World Was Ending (In Support of Doctors Without Borders)". YouTube. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. Spanos, Brittany. "JP Saxe, Julia Michaels Recruit Star-Studded Group for 'If the World Was Ending' Cover". Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  11. "If the World Was Ending (Remixes) – Single by JP Saxe on Apple Music". Apple Music. January 31, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  12. "Australian-charts.com – JP Saxe & Evaluna Montaner – If the World Was Ending (Spanglish Version)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  13. "Austriancharts.at – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  14. "Ultratop.be – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  15. "Ultratop.be – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  16. "JP Saxe Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  17. "JP Saxe Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  18. "JP Saxe Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  19. "JP Saxe Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  20. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202028 into search. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  21. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202019 into search. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  22. "Danishcharts.com – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  23. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  24. "2020 14-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  25. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 6, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  26. "Dutchcharts.nl – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  27. "Charts.nz – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  28. "Norwegiancharts.com – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". VG-lista. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  29. "Portuguesecharts.com – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  30. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  31. "RIAS International Top Charts Week 21". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on May 26, 2020.
  32. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202015 into search. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  33. "Swedishcharts.com – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  34. "Swisscharts.com – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  35. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  36. "JP Saxe Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  37. "JP Saxe Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  38. "JP Saxe Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  39. "JP Saxe Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  40. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  41. "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2020 Singles". ARIA. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  42. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2020". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  43. "New Zealand single certifications – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  44. "Polish single certifications – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If the World Was Ending" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  45. "British single certifications – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If The World Was Ending". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 22, 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type If The World Was Ending in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  46. "American single certifications – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels – If The World Was Ending". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 29, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  47. "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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