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The Video Diaries: Teddy Swims
Key moments in the career of the genre-blending singer, caught on camera
It was YouTube that first got Teddy Swims through the door. The singer began uploading covers of popular songs and throwback hits on the video-sharing platform, everything from Billie Eilish to Michael Jackson. The song that saw him go viral was one he chose because it was a favourite of his mum’s. Swims’ ‘unafraid to try’ attitude has served him well as he’s gone on to become one of the most talked about new acts in the past few years – he’s known for combining genres and pursuing the sounds that interest him rather than chart chasing. He may be scooping up ‘Best New Artist’ nominations right now, but the internet archives hold evidence of years of hard work before the breakthrough moment. With Irish tour dates announced for summer 2026, we’re scrolling back to find key moments in Swims’ videography.
2018 – ‘Padlock Book’ by Elefvnts
In the 2010s, Swims sang in a number of Atlanta bands playing everything from alt-rock to hair metal. This video from 2018 shows him performing live as the lead singer of progressive rock band Elefvnts. It might not sound too much like what he’s putting out these days, but the soulful sound is indicative of the genre-blending he would go on to do as a solo artist.
2019 – ‘Rock With You’ (Michael Jackson Cover)
It was around this time that Swims’ YouTube channel began to gain traction. This cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Rock With You’ was a high performer. Swims goofs around in the intro, but the second he starts singing, it’s serious business. His voice is undeniably something special, but the performance itself is also captivating – Swims strikes an impressive balance of immersion in the song and performing outwards to his audience, and the result is both powerful and full of joy.
2019 – ‘You’re Still The One’ (Shania Twain cover)
“This goes out to my mom,” laughs Swims as the intro to this Shania Twain classic plays. As of Oct 2025, the video sits at 236 million views. He might be known as a vocal powerhouse, but it was this soft rasp that really launched Swims as an artist. As his version of ‘You’re Still The One’ gained traction, Swims’ other covers also began to rack up millions of views. It was the success of this video that would lead him to independently release a song – called ‘Night Off’ – and eventually to sign a record deal with Warner Records.
2020 – ‘Picky’
Swims’ first major label single was released in January 2020. Just as in his cover days, Swims can’t take himself seriously in the music video, but for a tongue-in-cheek song about a girl who can’t decide if she wants him or not, it works. He was still releasing covers to YouTube in this time too, and ‘Picky’ feels like a perfect transition between worlds, a push towards an artist image that still manages to preserve plenty of personality.
2021 – ‘My Bad’ on The Kelly Clarkson Show
This performance from February 2021 comes around the same time that Swims released ‘My Bad’, his third major label single. It’s a little more sincere than ‘Picky’ and the Shania Twain influences are evident, R&B and country blending as Swims drowns his relationship sorrows with a row of shots. One of Swims’ biggest advantages as an artist is it’s hard for his voice to fail in a live setting, and his performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show precedes a string of memorable TV appearances
2021 – ‘Simple Things’ live performance
‘Simple Things’ resurrects the gentle, raspy vocals that first caught the attention of the internet, with Swims singing an ode to familiar comforts. The lead single from his Tough Love EP, it marked his first appearance on the Billboard charts, peaking at no. 14 on the Digital Song Scales chart.
2022 – ‘Bad For Me’ with Meghan Trainor on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Meghan Trainor – Bad For Me (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) ft. Teddy Swims
Swims featured on this gospel-inspired track from Trainor’s fifth studio album, Takin’ It Back, about having a toxic relationship with a family member. Trainor is a vocalist more than capable of keeping pace with Swims and their appearance together on Jimmy Kimmel Live! demonstrated a seamless blend. The song charted in several territories, landing Swims on the US Adult Contemporary chart for the first time.
2023 – ‘Lose Control’
If Shania Twain broke Teddy Swims out, it was ‘Lose Control’ that catapulted him upwards. If ever there was a track that it feels only the original singer could do justice to, it’s this one – the combination of rasp and vocal gymnastics is characteristically Swims. It peaked at no.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 32 weeks after it originally debuted at no.99 – the longest climb to no.1 ever recorded – and topped the charts in many other territories as well. The music video puts his vocals centre stage and for once Swims isn’t trying to be funny but letting the music doing the talking instead.
2024 – ‘Bad Dreams’
In Sept 2024, Swims released the lead single from his second studio album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), a track that discusses insomnia born out of heartbreak. The ‘Bad Dreams’ music video is a polished piece of video art, and there’s a stark contrast between the YouTube singer sticking his tongue out at his microphone and the rising star patrolling dreamscapes in a crisp, white suit.
2025 – NRL Grand Final
In October 2025, Teddy Swims performed at the grand final of the National Rugby League in Sydney, Australia. Playing hits ‘Bad Dreams’, ‘The Door’ and ‘Lose Control’, he also surprised the crowd with a cover of AC/DC’s ‘TNT’. The enormous performance at Accor Stadium marked Swims’ biggest live show to date.
Looking for even more concerts & tours coming to Ireland in the near future? Check out the guide now.
