Top 5 Artists Like A Great Big World (Piano Pop & Emotional Anthem Alternatives)
TL;DR: The top artists similar to A Great Big World are OneRepublic, American Authors, The Script, Phillip Phillips, and Ben Rector.
A Great Big World is known for piano-driven pop, emotional ballads, and uplifting, anthemic songwriting. If you're looking for artists like A Great Big World, these five artists share heartfelt lyrics, accessible pop structures, and a balance between intimacy and wide-reaching emotional appeal.
Quick List: 5 Artists Like A Great Big World
- OneRepublic -- polished pop with emotional and anthemic songwriting
- American Authors -- upbeat indie pop with uplifting themes
- The Script -- emotional pop rock with strong vocal delivery
- Phillip Phillips -- acoustic - driven pop with organic textures
- Ben Rector -- piano pop with warm, introspective storytelling
1. OneRepublic
OneRepublic shares A Great Big World’s balance of emotional depth and mainstream pop appeal.
Sound Profile:
- piano and synth-driven pop production
- soaring, anthemic choruses
- clean, polished vocal delivery
Why It's Similar to A Great Big World:
OneRepublic’s music captures the same blend of introspection and wide-reaching accessibility. Like A Great Big World, they often build songs around emotional themes that translate into large, uplifting choruses.
Notable Songs:
- Counting Stars
- Apologize
- I Lived
2. American Authors
American Authors reflect the upbeat and inspirational side of A Great Big World’s sound.
Sound Profile:
- indie pop instrumentation with acoustic elements
- energetic, chant-like choruses
- positive, life-affirming lyrics
Why It's Similar to A Great Big World:
While more upbeat overall, American Authors share the same focus on uplifting themes and accessible songwriting. Their music often emphasizes optimism and connection, aligning with A Great Big World’s brighter material.
Notable Songs:
- Best Day of My Life
- Believer
- Go Big or Go Home
3. The Script
The Script delivers emotionally driven pop rock with strong lyrical focus similar to A Great Big World.
Sound Profile:
- piano-led ballads and pop rock arrangements
- emotive, expressive vocals
- narrative, relationship-focused lyrics
Why It's Similar to A Great Big World:
The Script leans into emotional storytelling, particularly in ballads that parallel A Great Big World’s most heartfelt songs. Their ability to combine vulnerability with mainstream appeal creates strong overlap.
Notable Songs:
- Breakeven
- The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
- Hall of Fame
4. Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips brings an organic, acoustic pop style that aligns with A Great Big World’s softer side.
Sound Profile:
- acoustic guitar and light percussion
- warm, textured vocals
- folk-influenced pop melodies
Why It's Similar to A Great Big World:
Phillips shares the same accessible emotional tone, particularly in stripped-down arrangements. His music focuses more on organic instrumentation but maintains a similar uplifting and reflective quality.
Notable Songs:
- Home
- Gone, Gone, Gone
- Raging Fire
5. Ben Rector
Ben Rector captures the piano-driven warmth and sincerity found in A Great Big World’s songwriting.
Sound Profile:
- piano-led pop arrangements
- conversational, sincere vocal delivery
- reflective and uplifting lyrics
Why It's Similar to A Great Big World:
Rector’s music closely mirrors the emotional tone and structure of A Great Big World, especially in piano ballads. His songwriting emphasizes everyday experiences with clarity and optimism.
Notable Songs:
- Brand New
- Love Like This
- Forever Like That
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Artist | Primary Genre | Mood | Vocal Style | Closest Era/Album of A Great Big World |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OneRepublic | Pop Rock | Inspirational | strong and anthemic | Is There Anybody Out There? |
| American Authors | Indie Pop | Uplifting | energetic and bright | upbeat singles era |
| The Script | Pop Rock | Melancholic | expressive and powerful | Say Something era |
| Phillip Phillips | Folk Pop | Warm | textured and organic | acoustic ballad era |
| Ben Rector | Piano Pop | Reflective | sincere and conversational | piano ballad era |
What These Artists Have in Common
- Piano or acoustic-driven songwriting foundations
- Emotionally direct and relatable lyrics
- Blend of intimate verses with larger choruses
- Strong focus on melody and accessibility
Subtle Differences to Note
- Some artists lean more toward rock while others stay acoustic or pop-focused
- Production ranges from minimal piano to full band arrangements
- Tone varies between deeply melancholic and fully uplifting
Listening Path: Where to Start
- Start with -- “Say Something” by A Great Big World -- defining emotional ballad
- Then try -- “Apologize” by OneRepublic -- similar piano-led intensity
- Go deeper -- “Breakeven” by The Script -- emotional storytelling focus
- For something different -- “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors -- more upbeat energy
- Deep cut -- “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector -- intimate piano songwriting
More Similar Artists
- Kodaline
- Matt Nathanson
- Gavin DeGraw
- Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
- Parachute
- James TW
FAQ: Artists Like A Great Big World
Who sounds most like A Great Big World?
OneRepublic and The Script are often the closest matches due to their combination of emotional lyrics and anthemic pop production.
What genre is A Great Big World similar to?
They are primarily associated with piano pop, pop rock, and singer-songwriter styles.
Are there piano pop artists like A Great Big World?
Yes, Ben Rector and Gavin DeGraw are strong examples of piano-driven pop with similar emotional clarity.
What are lesser-known artists like A Great Big World?
Artists like Parachute and James TW offer similar heartfelt songwriting with slightly less mainstream exposure.
Is OneRepublic similar to A Great Big World?
Yes, both share a focus on emotional pop songwriting with strong melodies and wide audience appeal.
What new artists sound like A Great Big World in 2026?
Emerging piano pop and indie pop artists continue to adopt similar emotional storytelling and accessible production styles.
How We Chose These Artists
These artists were selected based on similarities in vocal style, piano-driven production, lyrical themes centered on relationships and personal reflection, and overlap within pop and singer-songwriter genres. Audience crossover and streaming trends were also considered.
Last updated: 2026-04-01