At LyricVids, we get the chance to work with a lot of talented artists but few are as uniquely multifaceted and refreshingly fearless as Wake The Sky, the solo pop punk project helmed by St. Louis-based artist Alex Wilson. With a sound that’s been compared to genre icons like Panic! At The Disco, Sleeping With Sirens, and Set It Off, yet also draws bold inspiration from the likes of Ne-Yo, Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill and even Beethoven, Wake The Sky is carving out a space all its own. A sound that’s emotional, explosive and genre-defying.
After previously teaming up on the lyric video for “Over It” featuring Ken Savy, we were beyond excited to dive back in for the official lyric video for Alex’s latest single, “While I’m Still Young”. And this time, we went full tilt!
The track is a powerful, personal anthem about chasing change and confronting fear, something Alex knows all too well. As he explains: “‘While I’m Still Young’ was inspired by my own feelings about my own life. I felt like I spent a good bit of my young adult life hustling and working really hard. I would see some of my peers go off to live their own lives and have a great time doing it, traveling the world and pursuing their own ambitions. So the song is really about understanding that if I want to see change in my own life I have to leave some room to try and to face my own fears of failure.“
What sets this single apart from his previous work is how clearly and confidently it came together from the very beginning. “What makes this song different from my other songs is that from start to finish I knew what I wanted the song to be about. Usually it takes me forever to come up with an idea for a song but to sit down and know exactly what it is I wanted to say made the entire process super simple. It allowed me to figure out how I wanted the song to feel using certain chords in a certain key. I also figured out how dynamic I wanted it to be and what tempo felt right for the song.“
That intentionality is felt not only in the track itself but in the visuals we built around it. Inspired by the youthful energy of the single’s cover art, Alex envisioned a roller coaster theme to reflect the emotional journey of the song. “I chose a roller coaster theme for this song because I wanted the listener to go on this crazy ride of life with me. To me roller coaster theme parks are youthful and freeing and that is something I wanted visually represented for the music.“
We ran with the idea, designing a vibrant, animated theme park world, maybe a Wake-The-Skyland, packed with thrill-ride staples like roller coasters, Ferris wheels, bumper cars, a carousel, swing chairs, a high striker and more! The orange, yellow and blue tones from the cover art expanded into the video’s color palette, bringing fun & nostalgia into every frame. Hidden in the video is even a direct nod to the cover artwork, an Easter egg for fans who know where to look.
More than just a visual playground, this setting mirrors the emotional heart of the song: the unpredictability of life, the importance of seizing joy and the need to embrace the unknown with courage and hope. The theme park becomes a symbol of youth, not just in age but in spirit. A reminder that we all deserve moments of freedom & connection, even in the face of fear.
Lyrically, the video keeps that same energy front & center. Key phrases are displayed in a bold, dynamic font. Zooming and sliding across the screen with 3D camera movement that mirrors the rush of some of these fun rides. The visuals are as high-energy and expressive as the song itself. The singer says, “My favorite part of the video would definitely have to be how the lyrics for the harmonies were implemented in the background. The subtlety of it was so cleverly done that I had to rewatch it billions of times!“
That kind of detail is what makes collaborating with Wake The Sky such a joy. Alex is an artist who wears every hat: songwriter, vocalist, producer, manager, promoter & distributor. He’s making waves, his song “A Place in the Middle” reached the top 1% of over 14,000 entries in the 2024 International Songwriting Competition.
What’s up next for Alex and Wake The Sky? “Hopefully if I’m financially capable I would love to be able to finish making my debut album. I’m about to lose my job within a year plus I thought about pursuing finishing my degree.“
Wherever life takes him, one thing’s for sure, Alex is an artist with vision and undeniable talent. You can find and support Wake The Sky on all platforms (except X – he’s not really about that one). We’re proud to have played a small part in bringing ‘While I’m Still Young‘ to life. Here’s to facing fear, chasing freedom and embracing the ride!
You can check out the Wake The Sky ‘While I’m Still Young‘ lyric video on YouTube HERE: