Teddy Swims

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. Originally attracting fans through his cover performances on his YouTube channel, Swims released his debut major label single in January 2020. He has since released four EPs as well as a debut album I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) in 2023.

Swims grew up 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. Swims' family were football enthusiasts; he had been playing football for ten years when 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. It was his second year at Salem High School.

At first his mother, Glenna Fox, was unconvinced he should be in the class. Swims noted his height and said he was more likely to get a theater scholarship than to get one in football.

Swims discovered his passion for performance through his high school theater experience, where he performed in musicals including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor as well as Shakespeare plays. He began playing instruments including piano and ukulele, and watched YouTube videos of singers to help develop his vocal technique. He is also known by former stage name “Theodore Sinks”. This didn’t float so well with audiences, hence the change to Teddy Swims

2019: 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. 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 U.S. tour with Tyler Carter. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. Swims released his next single "Broke" in August, and released 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. 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. In May, Swims released his debut seven-track EP Unlearning, followed by a tour supporting Zac Brown Band that summer.

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.

After releasing his single "911", Swims released his six-track EP Tough Love in January 2022. Swims performed "Love for a Minute" on Late Night with Seth Meyers in January, and "911" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February. 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. Swims collaborated with Meghan Trainor on "Bad For Me", released June 24 as the lead single for her album Takin' It Back.Swims and Trainor performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in June and The Late Late Show with James Corden in August. 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. Swims performed the song on America's Got Talent alongside season 14 winner Kodi Lee and Journey founding guitarist Neal Schon.

In September Swims embarked on a 7 week US headline tour.

2022–present: I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1)

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. 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).

In 2023 Swims collaborated with Armin van Buuren & Matoma, X Ambassadors, Meghan Trainor, and Elley Duhé. In March Swims 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. He also performed at BottleRock, Bamboozle, Boston Calling, TRNSMT, and Latitude music festivals the same year.

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist