Five Fun Facts with Teddy Swims
Teddy swims
A sweet photo still from the “Broke” music video.
Recently we introduced you to the powerhouse that is Teddy Swims with our Q&A feature. Make sure to check that out HERE if you haven't already.
Teddy spoiled us this week with more on his career and life. The singer shared what it meant to have Shania Twain’s blessing on his cover of "You're Still The One," how comfortable he’s always been living below his means, and how he can never get enough of a sugar rush.
Frank Ocean and Stevie Wonder are the artists I am most interested in collaborating with. Between the two of them, that would be everything for me.
Shania Twain said she absolutely loved my cover of her song "You're Still The One." When we re-released the cover, we did it with a recent friend, producer Dave Cobb who we met before the pandemic. We did it remotely over Facetime with my producer Lee back at home. He was the first one who called me and said he showed Shania the first version. I hope one day this opens up an opportunity to work together with her. When my mom heard that, she was like, oh my god, we had that album when I was young, and I'd listen to it with my mom, it's so amazing to hear that and read that. For [Shania] to have my name in her mouth at all is a huge win for all of us, really.
It's been a while since we've been able to perform covers. Still, while we were on tour, I really enjoyed playing "Let Me Love You" by Mario or "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye. It's one we are finally getting together to play live. My guitarist Jesse and I used to play that one in little bars around Atlanta years ago, so it's really interesting to play those songs ten years later, and they are actually resonating now. A year ago, we were playing in a bar for about no one.
I'm still at a place where $20 would have changed my life a year ago, so having money now makes me sick to my stomach cause I'm so used to being there. When I wrote "Broke," it was kind of the thing like I'm finally able to blow money on things. I'm definitely one to live below my means even though the video doesn't look like that. I want to find ways to give back any way that I can back to my family or people that need it most.
I'm a candy head. I have all the worst habits of a child and an adult. Peach flavor by Jelly Belly is the best on the planet. Easter is the best time- everyone makes jelly beans, Starburst, Airhead, Jolly Rancher. I'm just a huge jelly bean connoisseur. You put them in front of me, and I'll eat 'em.
- Teddy Swims
The IndieWavves editorial staff is going on the record, declaring our most profound regard for Teddy Swims' phenomenal covers. He reimagines covers in a fresh and dynamic way that is entirely timeless, and we look forward to the day he releases a covers album.
Just look at this list, c'mon!:
"Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton
"Let Me Love You" by Mario
"You're Still The One" by Shania Twain
"Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd
"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton
"Make You Feel My Love" by Adele
"I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt
"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
"Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi
"Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross
"Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
"Rock With You" by Michael Jackson
"Focus" by H.E.R.
"Naturally" by Allen Stone
"Talk" by Khalid
"Sara Smile" by Hall & Oates
"idontwannabeyouanymore" by Billie Eilish
"Use Me" by Bill Withers
"Knocks Me Off My Feet" by Stevie Wonder
"Changes" by Justin Bieber
"Lost" by Frank Ocean
"You Look So Good In Love" by George Strait
"Pretty Wings" by Maxwell
Written by Michael Menachem