American soul music artist Teddy Swims first gained recognition through his YouTube channel, where he shared song covers during 2019 and 2020. His third EP, “Tough Love” (2022), represented his debut on the Billboard 200 chart.
His passion for performing developed through his involvement in high school theatre, where he starred in musicals like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” and “Rent” as well as Shakespearean plays. Alongside acting, he also began teaching himself to play the piano and ukulele by watching videos of vocalists online to hone his singing abilities.
After several EPs, Swims released his debut full-length album, with “Lose Control” serving as his first song to chart. However, musicians who initially rose to fame by covering tracks on platforms such as YouTube often face obstacles when transitioning to original music, encountering struggles similar to those faced by reality TV singing stars. Without the comfort of familiar tracks or celebrity judge endorsements, public enthusiasm tends to fade.
Despite these challenges, Swims continues to captivate his growing audience with his dynamic vocals and emotionally resonant album, leaving listeners deeply moved.
With an impressive total of 2.2 billion global streams, Swims and his remarkable band, Freak Freely, are gearing up for their largest shows yet in 2025 and Teddy Swims tickets are in high demand for his tour.
While his cover songs helped Swims reach a global audience, his primary goal after signing was to carve out a unique musical identity, which he has consistently achieved since his breakthrough.
As Swims embarks on his 2025 tour, fans can expect a moving vocal performance of his biggest tracks as he performs across significant stages in Europe, North America, and South America. Here are ten of the hits that made the Georgia-born singer a global superstar.
“Rock With You” (Michael Jackson cover)
In June 2019, marking the tenth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s passing, Swims shared his rendition of “Rock With You” on YouTube, which quickly gained viral traction. This success inspired him to request a six-month commitment from his friends to sustain the momentum. Over that span, he covered a mix of timeless tracks such as Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and contemporary chart-toppers like Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved,” with his interpretations of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” and Mario’s “Let Me Love You” each amassing over 100 million views on YouTube.
Soon after, publishers started reaching out, followed by booking agencies, and numerous record labels offered deals in no time. On Christmas Eve 2019, just one day shy of six months after uploading his “Rock With You” cover, he secured a contract with Warner Records.
“Lose Control”
Swims gained global attention in 2023 with the success of “Lose Control,” a hit single that charted in the top ten across multiple countries and eventually topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024. This track paved the way for his debut album, “I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1)” (2023), released under Warner Records, which also reached the top ten in Australia and the Netherlands. In 2024, MTV honoured Swims by naming him their “Push Artist of February.”
“Lose Control” marked Swims’ entry into the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 99 and climbing to the top spot in March 2024. It set a record for the most extended continuous rise to number one, spanning 32 weeks. The song also spent 53 non-consecutive weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the second longest-charting song in the region. It was ranked number one on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2024, topping charts in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Iceland. Additionally, the track earned diamond certification in France and achieved platinum or higher status in fourteen other nations.
“Bad Dreams”
Swims doesn’t dwell on the past, but that doesn’t mean his past hasn’t played a role in shaping his career. The popular artist says he’s doing just fine after a broken heart led to one of the year’s biggest songs. Fans can tell that the joy he experiences now contrasts significantly with how he felt before with an unnamed ex-girlfriend. However, Swims shared that he channelled that experience into his creativity, driving his success.
He infused the painful details of that doomed relationship into tracks like “The Door,” featuring the heart-wrenching lyrics, “I said I would die for you, baby/ But I can’t take this pain no more/ I thought I was willing/ But tonight I saved my life when I showed you the door.”
Reflecting on it now, Swims says, “I have nothing but thanks to give to that person because I was able to take some of that trauma and put it in a way that I can celebrate it now amongst other people with the same kind of issues, so thanks to her honestly.”
“Northern Lights”
“Northern Lights” is a profound exploration of love’s lasting impact, even after parting ways. Swims delves into the complexities of acceptance and lingering feelings, understanding the importance of letting go while cherishing shared moments. The song represents that certain connections, though not meant to last, leave a lasting mark, much like the transient beauty of the aurora borealis. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a past relationship filled with sadness and gratitude for their journey.
The pre-chorus marks a shift in the story, symbolising acceptance and understanding. “Oh, I know now what I didn’t before. Sometimes, it’s good to let a good thing go.” Swims sings, reflecting on the hard-earned wisdom of recognising when it’s time to let go. It acknowledges the necessity of separation, suggesting that holding on might have caused more harm than letting go, even though it came with emotional pain.
“Guilty”
As the title suggests, “Guilty” is a track about jealousy, heartbreak, and guilt. In this song, Swims sings about his guilt for loving someone who may not reciprocate those feelings. The track reveals Swims’ vulnerability and acceptance. He reflects on accepting the consequences of expressing his love for someone. Moving on can be significantly tricky when you’ve invested your whole heart in a person. That longing and urgency resonate throughout the song, creating a darker yet equally powerful piece.
“Bed on Fire”
In “Bed on Fire,” Swims powerfully conveys the turmoil of a lover at the brink of a relationship’s end, caught between the fear of abandonment and the desperate wish for a sharp, clean break. Using intense and vivid imagery, Swims expresses a preference for cutting ties abruptly rather than enduring the drawn-out agony of saying goodbye. The song captures the internal tension between the need for closure and the overwhelming dread of being left behind, offering a raw glimpse into the emotional conflict at its core. “Bed on Fire” is a profound exploration of heartbreak’s complexities, where the urge for release is intertwined with the persistent ache of love slipping away.
“Blowin’ Smoke”
“Blowin’ Smoke” is Swims’ heartfelt expression of affection, where he bares his soul to a woman who has profoundly affected him. The song explores the intricate balance between showing vulnerability and summoning the courage to love as Swims navigates the uncertainty of romance with an open heart. The metaphor of “blowing smoke” is used to dispel any doubts about his true intentions. At the same time, his desire for deeper intimacy is evident throughout, emphasising his longing to create a lasting connection. The track paints a picture of a man willing to risk everything for a chance at love, working to cement his bond with the woman who has captured his heart.
As the song begins, Swims reflects on his sudden boldness, attributing it to the enchanting atmosphere of the summer night, “Maybe it’s the midnight air, something ’bout the summer night.” The lyrics suggest an almost magical moment, as if everything aligned so he could finally voice his emotions.
The chorus stands as the song’s heart, where Swims reassures the listener of his sincerity, “I ain’t just blowing smoke, girl, tonight, you look so beautiful.” The term “blowing smoke” here is a potent metaphor, assuring that his words are far from empty promises. He praises her beauty as a divine gift, “This must be a blessing; I just had to take a second,” conveying a deep admiration for her presence.
“L.I.F.E.”
The track “L.I.F.E.” by Swims reflects on the complex balance between heartbreak and resilience, acknowledging the emotional weight of feeling lost while pointing toward the power of inner strength. The song highlights life’s challenges while offering hope for personal growth and healing. It encourages listeners to understand that struggles are a universal part of the human experience and that it’s acceptable not to have all the answers. The message is clear: even through the challenging moments, what matters most is perseverance. With its raw delivery and relatable words, the song serves as a reminder that the journey is worth taking despite life’s difficulties.
“It Isn’t Easy”
The song “It Ain’t Easy” takes listeners through the turmoil of self-discovery and the anxiety that comes with entirely giving your heart to another. It first sounds like echoes of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album, but upon further reflection of the song, it turns out the entire album draws inspiration from that iconic 1977 release. The track has since become a fan favourite, especially with lines expressing emotional conflict, such as, “So what do I do with all these weird hard feelings? / Thinkin’ all night and you know you’re the reason / Ain’t like me to let somebody be my high and my weakness.”
“Hammer to the Heart”
“Hammer to the Heart” is the second-to-last track on this album and was initially featured on “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5)”, a mini-extension of the debut album. Swims expresses a sense of helplessness in a toxic relationship in this song. Escaping such a relationship can feel like an overwhelming challenge, as reflected in the lyrics: “We both know what you’ve done, what you’ve done / Don’t love anyone, anyone / Anyone but yourself, oh / Just when I think I found the strength to go and push you away, away, oh/ I pull you in again, oh, I’m such a sucker for the pain, pain, pain.”
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