Teddy Swims
{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Teddy Swims
| image = Teddy Swims Warner Records.jpg
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption = Swims in 2023
| birth_name = Jaten Collin Dimsdale{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Robin |title=YouTube Sensation Teddy Swims: 'All I Wanted Was To Be Somebody With Something To Say' |url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/08/31/youtube-sensation-teddy-swims |publisher=WBUR |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=August 31, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/914149223 |title=AMAZING |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=October 3, 2023}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|09|25}}
| birth_place =
| origin = Conyers, Georgia, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Pop{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tough-love-mw0003636423 |title=Tough Love |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 15, 2025}}|R&B|hip-hop|rock}}
| occupations = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|ukulele}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| past_member_of = WildHeart
| label = Warner
| website = {{URL|www.teddyswims.com}}
}}
Jaten Collin Dimsdale (born September 25, 1992), known professionally as Teddy Swims, is an American singer and songwriter. Known for creating genre-blending music, which include elements of soul, country, and pop, Swims originally began to attract fans by posting song covers on YouTube during 2019 and 2020.{{cite web |last=Costa |first=Miguel |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Teddy Swims on His Upcoming Debut EP, Writing Process, and Metamorphosis [Q&A] |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/teddy-swims-on-his-upcoming-debut-ep-writing |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Ones to Watch}} Swims's third extended play, Tough Love (2022), became his first entry on the Billboard 200.
Swims rose to prominence in 2023 with the release of the hit single "Lose Control", which peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries and topped the Billboard Hot 100 the next year. The song preceded the release of Swims's debut studio album, I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1) (2023), which was released by Warner Records and entered the top ten of the album charts in Australia and the Netherlands. In 2024, MTV named Swims its "Push Artist of February".{{cite web |last=Dresdale |first=Andrea |title=Teddy Swims talks "Lose Control," collabs and tattoos for 'MTV PUSH' |website=Y94 |date=February 2, 2024 |url=https://y94.com/2024/02/02/teddy-swims-talks-lose-control-collabs-and-tattoos-for-mtv-push/ |access-date=February 10, 2024}}
Early life
Swims was born on September 25, 1992, and grew up in Conyers, Georgia. His maternal grandfather was a Pentecostal minister.https://www.happyscribe.com/public/the-school-of-greatness/teddy-swims-it-was-the-craziest-thing-how-i-manifested-my-record-deal-in-6-monthshttps://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/08/31/youtube-sensation-teddy-swims His father introduced him to soul music at an early age by way of artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green. High school musical theater provided him an avenue into performing. Offstage, he would review YouTube videos of his favorite singers with a couple of supportive teachers to help develop his vocal technique and presentation. {{cite magazine |last=Freeman |first=Jon |date=February 5, 2021 |title=The Chameleon Soul of Teddy Swims |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/teddy-swims-interview-1122488/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} Swims's family were American football enthusiasts; he had been playing football for ten years when, during his second year at Salem High School, one of his teachers suggested he and a few of his teammates sign up for a musical theater class. The teacher also said he should join the chorus.{{cite web |last1=Neunan |first1=Megan |title=Singer-songwriter Teddy Swims got his start in Salem High School musicals |url=https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/singer-songwriter-teddy-swims-got-his-start-in-salem-high-school-musicals/article_ff09639a-8f58-11ec-a8bc-d78360a39f5c.html |website=The Citizens |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=February 18, 2022}}
Swims discovered his passion for performance through his experience in high-school theater, where he performed in musicals such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Rent, as well as Shakespeare plays.{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Jason |title=Teddy Swims: Rags to Riches |url=https://americansongwriter.com/teddy-swims-rags-to-riches/ |website=American Songwriter |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=August 16, 2021}} He began playing instruments including piano and ukulele, and watched YouTube videos of singers to help develop his vocal technique.
Career
= 2011–2018: Early career =
Swims began his music career joining a variety of Atlanta area bands, including alternative rock band WildHeart and post-hardcore band Eris, as well as soul and hair metal cover bands. He was also the lead singer of progressive rock/R&B/soul band Elefvnts.
= 2019: Tyler Carter tour and cover performances =
In 2019, Swims's friend Addy Maxwell invited him to rap over some beats he had made, which earned the pair an opening slot on a U.S. tour with Tyler Carter.{{cite web |title=Tyler Carter – Moonshine Tour |url=https://launchpadrocks.com/event/328793/tyler-carter-moonshine-tour |access-date=May 7, 2022}} He adopted the stage name "Swims" from internet forum-speak—an acronym for "Someone Who Isn't Me Sometimes"—as a way to perform in character.{{cite web |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=Teddy Swims / Reminiscing About Life on "Broke" |url=https://flaunt.com/content/teddy-swims-reminisces-life-on-broke |website=Flaunt|access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=September 1, 2020}}
In June, Swims posted his first cover performance on YouTube, Michael Jackson's "Rock with You", and continued posting additional covers of artists from a mix of genres, including Lewis Capaldi, Chris Stapleton, Amy Winehouse, and H.E.R.{{cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |title=Teddy Swims Shows Off His Remarkable Vocal Versatility With Performances On 'The Eye' |url=https://uproxx.com/pop/teddy-swims-the-eye-performances/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=January 12, 2022}} His cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One" posted in October became his most viewed video, with 167 million views as of January 2024.{{cite web |last=Hollabaugh |first=Lorie |title=Teddy Swims Dedicates Cover Of Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" To His Mom |url=https://musicrow.com/2020/07/teddy-swims-dedicates-cover-of-shania-twains-youre-still-the-one-to-his-mom/ |website=Music Row |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=July 17, 2020}} His videos accumulated millions of views quickly and after releasing one single "Night Off" independently in July, he signed a record deal with Warner Records in December.{{cite web |last1=Kawashima |first1=Dale |title=Teddy Swims, Rising Singer/Songwriter & Powerful Vocalist, Talks About His New Single "Simple Things" And His EP, Unlearning |url=https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/teddy-swims-interview-2021.htm |website=Songwriter Universe |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=October 8, 2021}}
= 2020–2021: ''Unlearning'' EP =
Swims released his debut major-label single, "Picky", in January 2020 and embarked on his first headline tour that month. He released several covers in the following months, including "Blinding Lights" in May, "What's Going On" in June (the royalties from which he donated to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund), and "You're Still the One" (which he had previously posted on YouTube) in July. Swims released his next single, "Broke", in August, and an additional version with Thomas Rhett in October.
In February 2021, Swims released his single "My Bad", which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and was named an "Artist You Need to Know" by Rolling Stone magazine.{{cite web |last1=Paskill |first1=Ashley |title=Teddy Swims releases latest single/video for "My Bad", performs on the Kelly Clarkson Show |url=https://thatmusicmag.com/teddy-swims-releases-latest-single-video-for-my-bad-performs-on-the-kelly-clarkson-show/ |website=That Music Magazine |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=February 3, 2021}} In March he released his single "Till I Change Your Mind", followed by "Bed On Fire" in April, which he performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and later re-released as a collaboration with Ingrid Andress.{{cite web |last=Crowley |first=Erin |title=Teddy Swims releases new single 'Till I Change Your Mind' |url=https://www.melodicmag.com/2021/03/26/teddy-swims-releases-new-single-till-i-change-your-mind/ |website=Melodic Magazine |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=March 26, 2021}}{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Jason |title=Teddy Swims Consumed By All-Powerful Love In "Bed On Fire" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/teddy-swims-bed-on-fire-video/ |website=American Songwriter |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=April 23, 2021}}{{cite web |author=Kelia |title=Teddy Swims Takes Us on a Ride in New EP 'Tough Love' |url=https://outnowmagazine.com/teddy-swims-tough-love-ep/ |website=Out Now Magazine |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=January 24, 2022}} In May, Swims released his debut seven-track EP Unlearning, followed by a tour supporting Zac Brown Band that summer.{{cite web |last=Brow |first=Jason |title=Teddy Swims Shares Why His Debut EP Contains Music That 'Means A Whole Lot To Me' |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2021/05/21/teddy-swims-unlearning-interview/ |website=Hollywood Life |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=May 21, 2021}}
= 2021–2022: ''Tough Love'' EP =
In August 2021, Swims released his single "Simple Things", which he performed on The Late Late Show with James Corden in September and Today in November.{{cite web |author=Miriam |title=Teddy Swims Unveils New Single 'Simple Things' |url=https://outnowmagazine.com/teddy-swims-simple-things/ |website=Out Now Magazine |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=August 29, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Teddy Swims talks new music and performs 'Simple Things' |url=https://www.today.com/video/teddy-swims-talks-new-music-and-performs-simple-things-126348357729 |website=Today |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=November 16, 2021}}{{cite AV media |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Teddy Swims: Simple Things |type=Television production |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUp5dDpt2e4 |access-date=May 7, 2022 |publisher=The Late Late Show with James Corden}}
After releasing his single "911", Swims released his six-track EP Tough Love in January 2022.{{cite web |last=Hutchings |first=John |title=Teddy Swims Debuts New Single "911" |url=https://musicexistence.com/blog/2022/01/07/teddy-swims-debuts-new-single-911/ |website=Music Existence |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=January 7, 2022}} He performed "Love for a Minute" on Late Night with Seth Meyers in January and "911" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February.{{cite web |title=WATCH: Teddy Swims Performs Viral Hit "911" On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' |url=https://musicmayhemmagazine.com/watch-teddy-swims-performs-viral-hit-911-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show/ |website=Music Mayhem |access-date=May 7, 2022 |date=February 11, 2022 |last1=Mayhem |first1=Music }} Swims supported the EP with a three-month headline tour of Europe and North America beginning in February, followed by a United Kingdom and mainland Europe tour in May and June. He collaborated with Meghan Trainor on "Bad for Me", released on June 24 as the lead single for her album Takin' It Back.{{cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |title=Meghan Trainor Announces New Single 'Bad For Me' With Teddy Swims |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/meghan-trainor-teddy-swims-bad-for-me-1235103982/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=June 21, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Benitez-Eves |first1=Tina |title=Meghan Trainor Owns Motherhood and Matrimony on Upcoming Album 'Takin' It Back' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/meghan-trainor-owns-motherhood-and-matrimony-on-upcoming-album-takin-it-back/ |website=American Songwriter |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=June 24, 2022}} Swims and Trainor performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in June and The Late Late Show with James Corden in August.{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Annie |title=Meghan Trainor performs 'Bad for Me' with Teddy Swims on 'Late Late Show' |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/08/24/Meghan-Trainor-performs-Bad-for-Me-Late-Late-Show/9131661348492/ |work=United Press International |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=August 24, 2022}} Swims also collaborated on singles with Mitchell Tenpenny, Illenium, MK and BURNS, and Telykast.
After releasing a short performance clip in May, Swims released a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" in August. He performed the song on America's Got Talent alongside season 14 winner Kodi Lee and Journey guitarist Neal Schon.{{cite web |last=Vigil |first=Dom |title=Teddy Swims Shares Emotional Cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" |url=https://preludepress.com/news/2022/08/24/teddy-swims-dont-stop-believin/ |website=Prelude Press |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=August 24, 2022}} In September Swims embarked on a seven-week US headline tour.
= 2022–present: ''I've Tried Everything but Therapy'' =
File:Teddy Swims – Rivers (NZ Live Acoustic Session).webm
After releasing the singles "Dose", "2 Moods", "Someone Who Loved You", and "Devil in a Dress", Swims released his EP Sleep Is Exhausting on November 4, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Vigil |first1=Dom |title=Teddy Swims Drops New EP, "Sleep Is Exhausting" |url=https://preludepress.com/news/2022/11/03/teddy-swims-sleep-is-exhausting/ |website=Prelude Press |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=November 3, 2022}} He first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 2023 with the release of his single "Lose Control". The single is from his 2023 debut album, I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1).{{cite web |last=Zellner |first=Xander |title=Hot 100 First-Timers: Teddy Swims Makes a Splash With 'Lose Control' |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/music/news/hot-100-first-timers-teddy-swims-makes-a-splash-with-lose-control/ar-AA1fDbDv |publisher=MSN |access-date=August 28, 2023 |date=August 22, 2023}}
In 2023, Swims collaborated with Armin van Buuren & Matoma, X Ambassadors, Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, and Elley Duhé.{{cite web |title=X Ambassadors release new single, "Happy People" |url=https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/x-ambassadors-release-new-single-happy-people |website=ABC}} In March, he announced his I've Tried Everything but Therapy international headline tour, including shows in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, and New Zealand in July and August.{{cite web |title=Live Preview: Teddy Swims Announces Run Of New UK Shows Across The Summer |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/live/live-preview-teddy-swims-announces-run-of-new-uk-shows-across-the-summer/ |website=Clash |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=March 13, 2023}} He also performed at BottleRock, Bamboozle, Boston Calling, TRNSMT, and Latitude music festivals the same year.{{cite web |last=Voynovskaya |first=Nastia |title=Lizzo, Smashing Pumpkins, Lil Nas X Headline BottleRock Napa Valley |url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923476/lizzo-smashing-pumpkins-lil-nas-x-bottlerock-napa-valley-lineup |publisher=KQED |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=January 9, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Sacher |first1=Andrew |title=Bamboozle initial 2023 lineup (Limp Bizkit, Rick Ross, Steve Aoki, Finch, Saosin & more) Bamboozle initial 2023 lineup (Limp Bizkit, Rick Ross, Steve Aoki, Finch, Saosin & more) Bamboozle initial 2023 lineup (Limp Bizkit, Rick Ross, Steve Aoki, Finch, Saosin & more) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/bamboozle-initial-2023-lineup-limp-bizkit-rick-ross-steve-aoki-finch-saosin-more/ |website=Brooklyn Vegan |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=November 22, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Boston Calling Music Festival Announces 2023 Lineup: Foo Fighters, The Lumineers, Paramore and More |url=https://relix.com/festivals/festival_news/detail/boston-calling-music-festival-announces-2023-lineup-foo-fighters-the-lumineers-paramore-and-more/ |website=Relix |access-date=April 3, 2023 |date=January 10, 2023}}{{cite web |title=TRNSMT |url=https://trnsmtfest.com/line-up |website=Line Up {{pipe}} TRNSMLT {{pipe}} 2023 |access-date=April 3, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Latitude Festival {{pipe}} Artist {{pipe}} Teddy Swims |url=https://www.latitudefestival.com/artists/teddy-swims/ |website=Latitude |access-date=April 3, 2023}} Teddy also opened for the rock band Greta Van Fleet on the tour to support their new album Starcatcher.
On December 6, 2023, Swims performed at Avicii Arena for the Together for a Better Day concert.{{Cite web |last=Sandén |first=Molly |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Molly Sandén, NOTD, Yaeger och amerikanske soulkometen Teddy Swims klara för Together For A Better Day – Tim Bergling Foundations kväll för ungas psykiska hälsa på Avicii Arena 6 december |url=https://kulturbloggen.com/?p=173572 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=kulturbloggen.com}} The concert promoted mental health awareness and was sponsored by the Tim Bergling Foundation to honor the memory of the Swedish DJ Avicii. At the concert, Swims performed his song "Lose Control" and Coldplay's "A Sky Full of Stars", which Avicii produced.
Personal life
On January 8, 2025, Swims and his girlfriend Raiche Wright announced they were expecting their first child.{{cite web | url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/teddy-swims-rachie-wright-are-expecting-1st-baby/ | title=Teddy Swims, Rachie Wright Are Expecting 1st Baby }}
Discography
{{main|Teddy Swims discography}}
=Studio albums=
Tours
= Headline =
- Tough Love World Tour (2022){{cite news |title=Teddy Swims at Le Studio TD – April 26, 2022 |url=https://themontrealeronline.com/2022/04/teddy-swims-at-le-studio-td-april-26-2022/ |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=The Montrealer |date=April 17, 2022}}
- US Fall Tour (2022){{cite news |last=Jean-Philippe |first=McKenzie |title=What to Know About Soul Singer Teddy Swims, Who Sang With AGT's Kodi Lee |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/agt-2022-kodi-lee-teddy-swims |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=NBC |date=August 25, 2022}}
- Summer International Tour (2023){{cite news |last=Major |first=Michael |title=Teddy Swims Announces Summer 2023 International Tour |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Teddy-Swims-Announces-Summer-2023-International-Tour-20230313 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=Broadway World |date=March 13, 2023}}
- I've Tried Everything but Therapy (2023–2025){{cite news |last=Major |first=Michael |title=Teddy Swims Announces 2024 North American Tour Dates |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Teddy-Swims-Announces-2024-North-American-Tour-Dates-20231212 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=Broadway World |date=December 12, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Weatherby |first1=Taylor |title=Noah Kahan's Big Year: How The "Stick Season" Singer Became A Folk-Pop Hero |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/noah-kahan-stick-season-tour-interview-big-year |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=Grammy Awards |date=October 9, 2023}}
= Supporting act =
- Zac Brown (2021)
- Greta Van Fleet's Starcatcher Tour (2023){{cite news |title=GRETA VAN FLEET's New Album 'Starcatcher' Debuts At No. 1 Across Multiple BILLBOARD Charts |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/greta-van-fleets-new-album-starcatcher-debuts-at-no-1-across-multiple-billboard-charts |access-date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=Blabbermouth |date=August 9, 2023}}
Awards and nominations
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.teddyswims.com}}
- [https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/176945/works Songs written by Teddy Swims]
{{Teddy Swims}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swims, Teddy}}
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:American male singers