Teddy Swims is The Soulful Rebel of Genres
Georgia native Teddy Swims has built a career in music by bucking notions of who he should be. Leaving high school football alone for musical theater transitioned into him playing in various alt-rock and metal bands, even if artists like Stevie Wonder inspired him. Meanwhile, Swims also developed his country soul-like vocals by watching YouTube videos.
“I listened to people that I loved and watched old videos, live videos, watched people and how they moved their voice or how they’re breathing,” explained Swims. “I was one of the first kids and the perfect generation to grow up as YouTube happened. I just studied it night and day because I wanted to know how my favorite artists were doing it.”
Initially, Swims never intended to put covers online. But that changed when he was inspired to cover Micheal Jackson’s 1979 classic “Rock with You” to pay homage to the King of Pop. The adaptation would eventually earn around 9.2 million and set the stage for more covers.
“It started happening and working,” said Swims. “So it was only right to maintain and keep on doing it because something was happening with it but that was all just to pay homage to the absolute greatest.”
This would lead to more highly watched covers of artists from various genres, including Chris Stapleton and H.E.R. According to Swims, his love of covers from different genres allowed him to use them for what they do best. He believes some feelings and emotions are captured better depending on the genre.
“I feel like you’re never going to get real love songs like you get out of R&B,” Swims explained. “You’re never going to get real anger as much as you do out of metal. I feel as somebody who has the human condition and someone who feels all those things, I would just hope that I am allowed to do all the things I listen to; all the things I’m inspired by and whatever is best for the emotion. I’ll use whatever influence it takes to make the emotion I want to get out.”
Then there’s his signature style, which includes dozens of tattoos. One person who’s influenced him stylistically and musically is Lil Wayne.
“He’s the reason I got eyelid tattoos,” said Swims. “Tha Carter III is probably the best album ever in my opinion. Lil Wayne is my hero. If I could ever just be a fly on the wall in a room he is in.”
However, a take on “You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain took his notoriety to an entirely new level. The initial YouTube video released in October of 2019 has earned nearly 140 million views. A more narrative-style video a little under a year later would reach over six million views on YouTube. According to Swims, it was a song that his mom always played when he was a child.
“I dedicated that cover to my mother and she’s my best friend in the world,” explained Swims. “Till this day, every time we play it live, I ask anybody in the crowd if they’re with their mother or if they’re a mother and I talk about how lucky they are to have a good mother. I miss mine being on the road all the time.”
Eventually releasing original music like “Someone You Loved” and “Night Off” independently, his fanbase would grow enough to catch the attention of Warner Bros. Since signing with the label in 2020, Swims has released dozens of singles, including “Bed on Fire'' and “911” while working with other notable artists such as Meghan Trainor and Illenium. For 2023, he’s been gearing up for the release of his major label debut, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1).
The album showcases those extremely soulful vocals while displaying his enhanced songwriting chops. Swims says he’s been writing daily for four years and babysitting somewhere in the ballpark of 500 songs.
“I continue to write and you never run out of ideas or things to say and talk about,” said Swims. “The more you do like any muscle, it gets better and better. I can’t tell you that I’m great or anything but I can tell you that I’m continuing to get better and I’ve watched my songs mature.”
That growth and vulnerability has led to lead single “Lose Control.” The soulful song about losing a woman and the after-effects are deeply felt with lyrics like “Feels like the walls are all closin’ in / And the devil’s knocking at my door / out of my mind, how many times did I tell you / I’m not good at being alone.” Even the album opener, “Some Things I’ll Never Know,” has Swims singing by just a piano where he croons, “When did your heart just let me go?” and puts him in a place of getting incredibly emotional while recording. Swims says it’s the first song he ever cried on while recording it.
I’ve Tried Everything, But Therapy (Part 1) will hopefully set the stage for more albums from the series that’ll reach at least three parts. As the title suggests, he wants the album to serve as a conversation piece for mental health. He even promised himself that once the album came out, he would start going to therapy.
“I think we’re the first generation of people who are talking and openly discussing mental health and starting to talk about it more,” said Swims. “I think I would benefit from it, but there’s still pieces of me where maybe I’m going through some things or there’s answers to questions I don’t want to ask yet.”
Outside of being vulnerable about his mental health, he also has shown solidarity with Black people when fighting systemic oppression. In 2020, he pledged $5,000 to several charities, including 100 Black Men For Atlanta and the Atlanta NAACP. Swims says it’s very important for him to contribute and pay homage to a culture that’s inspired him so much.
“I can’t tell their story, and it will never be my story to tell,” Swims explained. “But if I could ever use my voice to elevate anything to fix this generational shit, I’m here to be the most ally I could possibly be. I’ll do whatever it takes to raise my voice in any way.”
