Premiere: Ian Ward unleashes poignant ‘You Can Do Better’ music video
Ward stuns with his latest visual.
In 2025, we all have to do better. “You say you can change the world, but you can’t do it with just words,” sings Ian Ward in his latest song. “You Can Do Better” finds the current American Idol competitor challenging the listener to try harder and do more in their everyday lives. “I’ve seen so many people—myself included at times—talk about big dreams, big changes, or even making relationships better, but then nothing actually happens,” Ward tells B-Sides & Badlands. “It’s easy to say you want to change the world, or even just your own life, but unless you take action, words don’t mean much.”
“You Can Do Better,” from Ward’s One Shot EP, also directly applies to social media. “People post about change, but real impact happens when you put in the effort,” he continues. “Whether it’s working on yourself, your relationships, or making a difference in the world, it all comes down to what you actually do.”
Ward slides over the melody with an iciness, letting the lyrics burn through the atmosphere. His voice yearns to be heard as he encourages the listener to engage with their world tangibly. It’s not enough to post about doing something online; if you don’t act, it all means nothing. “There’s only so much you can do with the laws of the universe,” he contemplates over a sultry melody line. There are constrictions in our lives, but if we don’t push back, there’s not much else we can do.
In the song’s accompanying video, premiering today, he aims for a moody setpiece to accentuate the lyrics and the messaging. “I really wanted to address something I see all the time—especially with younger generations. So many people, especially our youth, are glued to their screens, consuming content but not necessarily doing anything with it,” he offers, noting he worked with Simon Kincade to piece the visual together. “We live in this age where information is everywhere, but engagement with real-world issues feels more passive than active. People watch, scroll, and comment but rarely take action. I wanted to flip that—pull people in and inspire them to actually get up, step out of their comfort zone, and do something.”
Watch the “You Can Do Better” video below.
How did you approach the visual?
We had a super low budget, so instead of trying to create something elaborate, we stripped it down completely. We shot everything in one stark white room, using only color, projections, and movement to tell the story. The simplicity of the setting allowed us to really focus on the message—nothing flashy to distract from what we were trying to say.
One of the most important elements was the projections. We played with visuals of current events, social movements, and powerful imagery that reflected the world we live in today—things that should make people feel something. The idea was to make it impossible to ignore, to make people see what’s happening and understand that they have a role to play in shaping the future.
At the heart of the video is the interplay between me and this young girl. I take on this almost omniscient, mentor-like role—guiding her, pushing her, showing her how she can be better. She starts out passive, just watching, but as the video progresses, she starts engaging—moving, reacting, growing. It’s a metaphor for what I hope people take away from the song. You don’t have to just sit there and accept things as they are. You have power. You can change things, whether that’s in your own life or in the world around you.
The whole goal was to create something visually striking but also deeply meaningful. It’s not just a performance—it’s a lesson, a wake-up call, and an invitation to be part of something bigger.
There’s a line in the song about destiny. Do you believe in destiny?
I do believe in destiny, but not in a way where everything is set in stone. I think we all have a path, but whether we actually walk it or not is up to us. For example, I’ve always felt like music was what I was meant to do. But if I hadn’t put in the work—writing, performing, stepping out of my comfort zone—I wouldn’t be where I am now. I think a lot of people have this idea that destiny just happens to you, but I see it more as an opportunity that you have to claim.
There have been moments where I questioned if I was on the right path, but every time I pushed through, something amazing happened—whether it was getting to perform at Lincoln Center, being on American Idol, or playing SXSW. Those moments feel like destiny, but they only happened because I took the steps to get there.
What have you been inspired to do in your own life?
This song, and my journey so far, has really pushed me to take bigger risks and not settle for “good enough.” I’ve realized that if I want to grow—both as an artist and as a person—I have to challenge myself constantly.
One big thing I’ve been inspired to do is step up as a creator, not just a performer. Being a producer at CineVita, co-founding my entertainment company Mutual Street Entertainment – these were huge steps for me. Making strong choices made me see the bigger picture of what I can contribute to music and storytelling. I want to create experiences, not just songs.
I’ve also been inspired to be more intentional about my relationships. Writing “You Can Do Better” made me reflect on my own connections—where I can show up more, communicate better, and be more present. It’s not just about knowing you can do better, it’s about actually following through.
What did you learn from your time on American Idol?
American Idol was a huge learning experience for me in so many ways. First, it really showed me how much I love performing under pressure. When you’re in a situation where every moment counts, you have to be completely locked in—there’s no room for hesitation. It forced me to trust my instincts and own my artistry.
I also learned that resilience is everything. There were moments when I had to face tough feedback or doubts, but I had to keep going. The show moves so fast, and you don’t have time to dwell on mistakes. That was a big takeaway for me—not letting one bad moment define the whole journey.
And finally, it made me realize just how much I want this. Being surrounded by so many insanely talented people could have been intimidating, but instead, it just fueled me. It reminded me that music isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am. The experience gave me more clarity and confidence than ever before.
