I Swear#All-4-One version
{{Short description|1993 single by John Michael Montgomery}}
{{About|the John Michael Montgomery song, most notably covered by All-4-One}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = I Swear
| cover = I_swear_(JM_Montgomery).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = John Michael Montgomery
| album = Kickin' It Up
| released = November 19, 1993
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Country
| length = 4:22
| label = Atlantic Nashville
| writer =
| producer = Scott Hendricks
| prev_title = Beer and Bones
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = Rope the Moon
| next_year = 1994
}}
"I Swear" is a song written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery in 1993, and for American R&B group All-4-One in 1994.
Released in November 1993, by Atlantic Nashville as the lead single from his second album, Kickin' It Up (1994), and accompanied by a music video directed by Marc Ball, Montgomery's version spent four weeks at number-one on the US Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, later crossing over to pop radio and reaching number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March.
The cover by All-4-One was subsequently released in April 1994, becoming a number-one hit in numerous countries, and later garnering a spot in Billboard's ranking of All-Time Top 100 Songs.
Content
The song is a ballad in which the narrator promises his significant other that he will always love her.
Track listings
- CD maxi—United States (1993)
- "I Swear" – 4:23
- "Line on Love" – 2:37
- "Dream on Texas Ladies" – 3:08
- "Friday at Five" – 2:41
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for John Michael Montgomery's version !Chart (1993–1994) !Peak |
{{single chart|Canadacountry|1|chartid=2387|publish-date=February 14, 1994|rowheader=true|access-date=August 4, 2013}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|42|artist=John Michael Montgomery|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|1|artist=John Michael Montgomery|rowheader=true}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+1994 year-end chart performance for John Michael Montgomery's version !scope="col"|Chart (1994) !scope="col"|Position |
scope="row"| Canada Country Tracks (RPM){{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2685&type=1&interval=24|title=RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1994|work=RPM|date=December 12, 1994|access-date=August 4, 2013}}
| align="center" | 8 |
---|
scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ|title=The Year in Music: Hot 100 Single Sales|magazine=Billboard|date=December 24, 1994|page=YE-30|accessdate=March 28, 2022}}
| style="text-align:center;"|53 |
scope="row"| US Country Songs (Billboard){{Cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/hot-country-songs| title=Best of 1994: Country Songs | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | date=1994| access-date=August 4, 2013}}
| align="center" | 1 |
{{col-end}}
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for John Michael Montgomery's version}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=John Michael Montgomery|title=I Swear|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1994|accessdate=May 3, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
All-4-One version
{{Infobox song
| name = I Swear
| cover = All4one-iswear.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = All-4-One
| album = All-4-One
| released = {{start date|1994|4|22}}
| recorded =
| studio = David Foster's Malibu home studio
| genre =
| length = 4:18
| label =
- Blitzz
- Atlantic
| writer =
| producer = David Foster
| prev_title = So Much in Love
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = (She's Got) Skillz
| next_year = 1994
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|25rL-ooWICU|"I Swear"}}
}}
}}
Following the release of Montgomery's version, American male R&B pop group All-4-One recorded a cover version of "I Swear" with record producer David Foster for the group's eponymous 1994 debut album. The cover includes a lyric change: the original line from the second verse "And when there's silver in your hair" was replaced by "And when just the two of us are there".
Released on April 22, 1994, by Blitzz and Atlantic, All-4-One's version reached number one on numerous music charts, including the US Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for 11 consecutive weeks. The recording later ranked number 98 on Billboard{{'}}s list of All-Time Top 100 Songs. In the United Kingdom, the All-4-One recording spent a total of 18 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number two for seven consecutive weeks, unable to dislodge Wet Wet Wet's "Love Is All Around" from number one. Its accompanying music video was directed by Marcus Nispel. The band won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their version of the song.
=Background and composition=
After their first album had finished going through the mastering process of recording, Doug Morris, president of Atlantic Records called the group for a meeting. He showed them the original "I Swear" country record, asking All-4-One to do a cover of it promising to bring David Foster in for production. Singer Jamie Jones of the group was most hesitant about releasing the song due to the genre crossover. The group finished the recording at Foster's Malibu home studio.{{cite web | title=All-4-One reveal details behind '90s tour: 'What's old becomes new again' | website=EW.com | date=April 14, 2016 | url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/14/all-4-one-90s-tour/ | access-date=November 4, 2022}}
=Critical reception=
American Billboard magazine named the song a "memorable anthem ballad".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-04-30.pdf|title=Album Reviews|editor1-last=Verna|editor1-first=Paul|editor2-last=Gillen|editor2-first=Marilyn A.|editor3-last=Cronin|editor3-first=Peter|magazine=Billboard|volume=106|issue=18|page=68|date=April 30, 1994|access-date=March 18, 2021}} Billboard editor Larry Flick wrote, "Follow-up to the gold-selling 'So Much in Love' once again spotlights this male quartet's seamless harmonies. Producer David Foster supplies soft and pillowy synths, a caressing sax solo, and an overall splash of drama, which complements the unabashed romance of this hit-bound ballad. As teens enter prom season, expect this song to be the peak tune of the evening. Ahhh, young love ..."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-04-30.pdf|title=Single Reviews|last=Flick|first=Larry|author-link=Larry Flick|magazine=Billboard|volume=106|issue=18|page=69|date=April 30, 1994|access-date=March 18, 2021}} M.R. Martinez from Cash Box named it Pick of the Week, complimenting it as a single "complete with shimmering vocals, swooning pop arrangements, and throttled (yet soulful) vocals".{{cite magazine|first=M.R.|last=Martinez|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-04-30.pdf|title=Urban — Reviews: Pick of the Week|magazine=Cash Box|date=April 30, 1994|page=|accessdate=February 28, 2022}} Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report complimented the producer that "polishes it up just right for pop audiences who, like their country counterparts, will soak in the lyrics." He added, "Those contemplating matrimony will no doubt have this played while they're walking down the aisle, and those who've already tied the knot might want to renew their vows just so they can make 'I Swear' part of the ceremony."{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Sholin|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/94/Gavin-Report-1994-04-15.pdf|title=Gavin Picks — Singles|magazine=Gavin Report|date=April 15, 1994|page=|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}
Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel noted its "more modern (i.e. more syrupy)" take.Campbell, Chuck (May 20, 1994). "Basia Returns With 'Illusion' After Long Break". Knoxville News Sentinel. In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "Labelled by many as this year's 'End of the Road' you can see what all the hype is about. Four American teenagers singing in barber's shop harmonies makes for a gorgeous record. Whether it emulates its American success remains to be seen but Top 10 success is almost assured."{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending June 18th 1994|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1994/week-ending-june-18th-1994|website=Chart Watch UK|date=June 12, 1994|access-date=September 6, 2021|author-link=James Masterton}} Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Since Whitney covered Dolly, Nashville is hip in the R&B milieu. Now the vocal harmony quartet halfway between Shai and Boyz II Men polishes John Michael Montgomery country number 1 hit."{{cite magazine|title= New Releases: Singles |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 11 |issue= 25 |date= June 18, 1994 |page= 10 |access-date= May 18, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-06-18.pdf}} Alan Jones from Music Week gave it a score of four out of five, naming it a "pretty and powerful ballad", "[that] should be big".{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-06-04.pdf |title= Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= June 4, 1994 |page= 12 |access-date= April 17, 2021}} Pete Stanton from Smash Hits wrote, "'I Swear' was a peach: lovely sentiment which guaranteed you a slow dance down the disco."{{cite magazine|first=Pete|last=Stanton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/36233920571/in/album-72157683762016282/|title=New Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|date=November 9, 1994|page=53|access-date=May 31, 2025}}
=Music video=
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by German director Marcus Nispel and filmed in Los Angeles.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-06-04-N.pdf|title=Music Video: Production Notes|magazine=Billboard|date=June 4, 1994|page=63|access-date=May 19, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://imvdb.com/video/all-4-one-1/i-swear|title=All-4-One - I Swear (1994)|publisher=IMVDb|access-date=May 18, 2025}} Marc Reshovsky directed photography and Anouk Frankel produced it with supervising producer Ellison Miller. The video has a sepia tone and portrays the members of All-4-One hanging out on a rooftop singing interspersed with scenes with a young woman walking on the sidewalk below. They spots her from the rooftop and go down to talk and walk with the woman as they implore her not to leave. Ultimately, she says goodbye to each member before boarding a departing bus.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVpvlaKfLQc|title=All-4-One - I Swear|publisher=YouTube|date=January 9, 2014|access-date=April 29, 2023}} The video was nominated for Best New Artist Clip of the Year in the category for Pop/AC at the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards.{{cite magazine|first=Deborah|last=Russell|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-10-15-P.pdf#page=12|title=Music Video Award Nominees Named|magazine=Billboard|date=October 15, 1994|page=12|access-date=May 30, 2025}} "I Swear" was later made available on YouTube in 2020, having generated more than 19 million views as of May 2025.
=Other All-4-One versions=
All-4-One and John Michael Montgomery recorded an updated duet version of "I Swear" for the deluxe edition of All-4-One's 2015 album Twenty+. A music video for this duet version was released on May 9, 2016. In 2021, All-4-One recorded a remix of "I Swear" for a music video promoting Xbox All-Access, titled "It's All There".{{Citation|last=It's All There|title= I Swear Remix|date=July 6, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8LUxlzAoyA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Y8LUxlzAoyA |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2021}}{{cbignore}} A clip of the All-4-One has also been used in Gain laundry detergent TV ads in the US since 2021.
=Track listings=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- 7-inch single
- "I Swear" (radio edit) – 3:43
- "I Swear" (radio remix) – 4:19
- CD single
- "I Swear" (radio edit) – 3:43
- "I Swear" (radio remix) – 4:19
{{col-2}}
- CD maxi
- "I Swear" (radio edit) – 3:43
- "I Swear" (radio mix) – 4:18
- "I Swear" (radio remix) – 4:18
- "I Swear" (album version) – 4:18
{{col-end}}
=Charts=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
==Weekly charts==
{{col-2}}
==Year-end charts==
==Decade-end charts==
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Decade-end chart performance for All-4-One's cover !Chart (1990–1999) !Position |
scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA20|title=Hot 100 Singles of the '90s|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=52|page=YE-20|date=December 25, 1999|access-date=October 15, 2010}}
|align="center"|9 |
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==All-time charts==
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+All-time chart performance for All-4-One's cover !Chart !Position |
scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/2155531/the-hot-100-all-time-top-songs?list_page=1|title=Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs|last=Bronson|first=Fred|author-link=Fred Bronson|magazine=Billboard|date=August 2, 2013|access-date=August 1, 2018}}
|align="center"|98 |
---|
{{col-end}}
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for All-4-One's cover}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1994|certyear=1994|certref=}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=All 4 One|title=I Swear|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1994}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=All-4-One|title=I Swear|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1994}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=All-4-One|title=I Swear|award=Gold|relyear=1994|certyear=1994}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=All-4-One|title=I Swear|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|id=1994-09-02|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1994}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1994|certyear=1994}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=All-4-One|title=I Swear|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1994|id=3145-469-1|access-date=March 31, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=All-4-One|title=I Swear|award=Platinum|salesamount=1,500,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uAsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57|title=Best-Selling Records of 1994|magazine=Billboard|publisher=BPI Communications|volume=107|number=3|page=57|date=January 21, 1995|access-date=May 5, 2015|issn=0006-2510}}|refname="RIAA-All-4-One"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
=Release history=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
scope="row"|United States
|April 22, 1994 |{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|cassette}} |{{hlist|Blitzz|Atlantic}} |
---|
scope="row"|United Kingdom
|June 6, 1994 |{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |rowspan="2"|Atlantic |{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Music Week|page=21|date=June 4, 1994}} |
scope="row"|Japan
|July 25, 1994 |CD |{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50923/products/39610/1/|title=オール・フォー・ワン {{!}} アイ・スウェア|trans-title=All for One {{!}} I Swear|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=January 28, 2025}} |
Other versions
In 1996 Canto/Mando Pop Goddess Sandy Lam covered the song with 4 of her friends Chiyi, Teresa Carpio and Prudence Lau on her all English cover album entitled "I Swear". The final eleven contestants from Popstars: Girls forever, ninth season of TV talent show POPSTARS in Germany, they released a cover version of the song with Gary Baker on November 19, 2010. The finalists premiered the song live on the November 18 edition of the program; the single was available for digital download on November 16, 2010, and a physical release followed the day after the live performance of the song. The song was recorded at Noiseblock Studios in Florence, Alabama. The cover reached number 69 on the German Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-766726|title= Gary Baker feat. Popstars – I Swear|publisher=GfK Entertainment charts|language=de|access-date=May 1, 2022}}
The Brazilian version of the song I Swear, titled Eu Juro, was performed by the popular sertanejo duo Leandro & Leonardo. Released in 1995 as part of their album Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 10, the song adapted the romantic theme of the original into Portuguese, maintaining its heartfelt message. Eu Juro became a hit in Brazil, resonating with fans of the duo and contributing to the success of their album. The adaptation preserved the essence of the original, while adding a distinctly Brazilian flair typical of the sertanejo genre.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-07 |title=Relembre 10 regravações que cantores sertanejos fizeram de hits internacionais |url=https://www.uai.com.br/app/noticia/musica/sertaneja/2021/07/07/sertaneja,275497/relembre-10-regravacoes-que-cantores-sertanejos-fizeram-de-hits-internacion.shtml |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Portal Uai Entretenimento |language=pt-BR}}
Filipino boyband group, Quamo did a cover of this song in Filipino entitled Sumpa Ko from the movie, "Pustahan Tayo, Mahal Mo Ako".
The Minions perform an emotional version of the song during Gru's wedding in Despicable Me 2.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1690953/soundtrack/ |title=Despicable Me 2 (2013) - Soundtracks - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-01-18 |via=www.imdb.com}}
Rock band Smokie also featured a version on their 2000 album Uncovered.{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/master/452978-Smokie-Uncovered | title=Smokie - Uncovered | website=Discogs | date=2000 }}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25rL-ooWICU All-4-One - I Swear]
{{John Michael Montgomery}}
{{All-4-One}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for "I Swear"
|titlestyle = background: lightblue
|list =
{{CMA Single of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Country Song}}
}}
{{Billboard Year-End Hot Country Singles number one single of the year}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Billboard Hot Country Songs number-one singles of the year
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
Category:John Michael Montgomery songs
Category:Music videos directed by Marcus Nispel
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Number-one singles in Austria
Category:Number-one singles in Denmark
Category:Number-one singles in Germany
Category:Number-one singles in the Netherlands
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:Number-one singles in Sweden
Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland
Category:Number-one singles in Zimbabwe
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by David Foster
Category:Song recordings produced by Scott Hendricks
Category:Songs written by Frank J. Myers
Category:Songs written by Gary Baker (songwriter)