What If

Album: Bookmarks (2013)
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Songfacts®:

  • In this song, John Ondrasik (who records as Five for Fighting) asks what would happen if we could see the world through the eyes of another, envisioning that deep connection that comes from understanding.

    While the song plays out an interpersonal relationship, Ondrasik revealed that the message is more broad and deals with the political divide in America. "The message of the song is that it takes two to tango – two to solve problems and I don't see much of that which is very frustrating," he told Guardian Live. "Maybe if you lived my life and shared my experience maybe you would understand where I am coming from and vice versa. We all have certain stereotypes and I just think this really hurts the country. I think we are seeing this now more than ever and we are polarized and nothing is getting done – we are kind of on the wrong track. I think a lot of that is just because we are unwilling to kind of listen to and respect each other and it worries me."
  • The music video was directed by Roman White, who also did Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" and Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats." The video tells the story of a robot who takes out his heart and puts it in a little boy, bringing him to life.

    Ondrasik doesn't appear in the clip, which is fine by him. "I've seen enough videos of me sitting and playing the piano and singing a song," he said.

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