Teddy Swims

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Teddy Swims
Birth nameJaten Dimsdale[1]
Born (1992-09-25) September 25, 1992 (age 30)
OriginConyers, Georgia
GenresR&B, soul, country, pop
OccupationsMusician, singer, songwriter
Years active2011–present
LabelsWarner
Websiteteddyswims.com

Jaten Dimsdale, known by his stage name Teddy Swims, is an American singer-songwriter, known for blending genres including R&B, soul, country, and pop.[2] Originally attracting fans through his cover performances on his YouTube, which has amassed 400 million views as of 2022, Swims released his debut major label single in January 2020 and has since released two EPs, Unlearning and Tough Love.[3]

Early life[]

Swims spent his childhood in Conyers, Georgia. His father introduced him to soul music at an early age by way of artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green.[3] Swims' family were football enthusiasts, and he had been playing for ten years when one of his teachers suggested signing up for a musical theater class in his second year at Salem High School.[4] Swims discovered his passion for performance through his high school theater experience, where he performed in a number of musicals and Shakespeare plays.[5] He began playing instruments, including piano and ukulele, and watched YouTube videos of singers to help develop his vocal technique.[3][4]

Career[]

2019: Early career[]

Swims began his music career in 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. In early 2019 Swims' friend Addy Maxwell invited him to rap over some beats he had made, which earned the pair an opening slot on a US tour with Tyler Carter.[3][6] On this tour he began performing under the name Teddy Swims – referring to a nickname from his childhood referencing his size, and an internet-speak acronym for "someone who isn't me sometimes," referring to the idea of integrating different parts of his personality.[3][7]

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 regularly including Lewis Capaldi, Chris Stapleton, Amy Winehouse, and H.E.R.[5][8] His cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One" posted in October went on to become his most viewed video, with 86 million views as of 2022.[9] Swims' videos quickly accumulated millions of views, and after releasing one single "Night Off" independently in July, he signed a record deal with Warner Records in December.[3][10]

2020–2021: Unlearning EP[]

Swims released his debut major label single "Picky" in January 2020 and embarked on his first headline tour the same month. He released several covers in the months following, including "Blinding Lights" in May, "What's Going On" in June (from which he donated the royalties to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund), and "You're Still The One" (which he had previously posted on his YouTube) in July.[9] Swims released his next single "Broke" in August, and released an additional version with Thomas Rhett in October.[3][7]

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.[3][11] 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.[12][13][14] In May, Swims released his debut seven-track EP Unlearning, followed by a tour supporting Zac Brown Band that summer.[15]

2021–present: 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 the Today Show in November.[16][17][18]

After releasing his single "911", Swims released his six-track EP Tough Love in January 2022.[4][19] Swims performed the EP's songs "Love for a Minute" on Late Night with Seth Meyers in January, and "911" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February.[14][20] Swims supported the EP with a three-month headline tour through Europe and North America beginning in February, followed by a United Kingdom and mainland Europe tour in May and June.[14][10]

Discography[]

Extended plays[]

Title Details
Unlearning
  • Released: May 21, 2021
  • Label: Warner
  • Formats: Digital, CD
A Very Teddy Christmas[21]
  • Released: October 15, 2021
  • Label: Warner
  • Formats: Digital, CD, vinyl
Tough Love
  • Released: January 21, 2022
  • Label: Warner
  • Formats: Digital, CD

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

Title Year Album
"Someone You Loved" 2019 Non-album single
"Rivers"
"Night Off"
"I Can't Make You Love Me"
"Picky" 2020
"Blinding Lights"
"What's Going On"
"Picky (Acoustic)"
"You're Still The One"
"Broke" Unlearning
"Please Come Home for Christmas" A Very Teddy Christmas
"Broke (feat. Thomas Rhett)" Unlearning
"Silent Night" A Very Teddy Christmas
"My Bad" 2021 Non-album single
"Till I Change Your Mind" Unlearning
"Bed on Fire"
"Bed on Fire (Stripped)" Non-album single
"Bed on Fire (with Ingrid Andress)"
"Simple Things" Tough Love
"Simple Things (Piano Version)" Non-album single
"Please Turn Green" Tough Love
"Please Turn Green (Live Piano Version)" Non-album single
"911" 2022 Tough Love
"Amazing (Strings Version)" Non-album single
"Dose"
"All That Really Matters"
(with Illenium) 		TBA

As featured artist[]

Title Year Album
"Free Them"
(One Ok Rock featuring Teddy Swims) 		2022 Luxury Disease
"Bad for Me"
(Meghan Trainor featuring Teddy Swims) 		Takin' It Back
"Better"
(MK & Burns featuring Teddy Swims) 		Non-album single

References[]

  1. ^ Young, Robin (August 31, 2020). "YouTube Sensation Teddy Swims: 'All I Wanted Was To Be Somebody With Something To Say'". WBUR. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  2. ^ Costa, Miguel (October 1, 2020). "Teddy Swims on His Upcoming Debut EP, Writing Process, and Metamorphosis [Q&A]". Ones to Watch. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Freeman, Jon (February 5, 2021). "The Chameleon Soul of Teddy Swims". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Neunan, Megan (February 18, 2022). "Singer-songwriter Teddy Swims got his start in Salem High School musicals". The Citizens. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Scott, Jason (August 16, 2021). "Teddy Swims: Rags to Riches". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Tyler Carter – Moonshine Tour". Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Ju, Shirley (September 1, 2020). "Teddy Swims / Reminiscing About Life on "Broke"". Flaunt. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (January 12, 2022). "Teddy Swims Shows Off His Remarkable Vocal Versatility With Performances On 'The Eye'". Uproxx. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Hollabaugh, Lorie (July 17, 2020). "Teddy Swims Dedicates Cover Of Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" To His Mom". Music Row. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Kawashima, Dale (October 8, 2021). "Teddy Swims, Rising Singer/Songwriter & Powerful Vocalist, Talks About His New Single "Simple Things" And His EP, Unlearning". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Paskill, Ashley (February 3, 2021). "Teddy Swims releases latest single/video for "My Bad", performs on the Kelly Clarkson Show". That Music Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Crowley, Erin (March 26, 2021). "Teddy Swims releases new single "Till I Change Your Mind"". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Scott, Jason (April 23, 2021). "Teddy Swims Consumed By All-Powerful Love In "Bed On Fire"". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c Kelia (January 24, 2022). "Teddy Swims Takes Us on a Ride in New EP "Tough Love"". Out Now Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Brow, Jason (May 21, 2021). "Teddy Swims Shares Why His Debut EP Contains Music That 'Means A Whole Lot To Me'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  16. ^ Miriam (August 29, 2021). "Teddy Swims Unveils New Single "Simple Things"". Out Now Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "Teddy Swims talks new music and performs 'Simple Things'". Today. November 16, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  18. ^ Teddy Swims: Simple Things (Television production). The Late Late Show with James Corden. September 10, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  19. ^ Hutchings, John (January 7, 2022). "Teddy Swims Debuts New Single "911"". Music Existence. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  20. ^ "WATCH: Teddy Swims Performs Viral Hit "911" On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'". Music Mayhem. February 11, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  21. ^ "Credits / A Very Teddy Christmas / Teddy Swims". Tidal. Retrieved May 7, 2022.

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