Teddy grew up navigating different worlds: he was a football player, a musical theater student and the grandson of a Pentecostal pastor. Teddy was exposed to a wider variety of music than most “country boys”. In high school and over the next few years he was in several bands, genres ranging from 80’s hair metal, funk, modern metalcore, soul, and country alternative bands.
These experiences make Teddy who he is as an artist.
In March of 2019, Teddy went on his first US tour as a hip-hop artist with his best friend Addy Maxwell, which he describes as freeing experience, as he was able to continue to expand into uncharted territory. With this in mind, Teddy began to explore integrating the various genres he loved: metal, pop-punk, soul/funk, country, gospel, r&b, and show-tunes, into one genre that is Teddy Swims.
Teddy is the accumulation of past projects. Swims stands for: someone who isn’t me sometimes, a reference to Teddy’s struggle to integrate the different parts of himself. For Teddy, the goal is to break barriers and bring people together. About the project, Teddy says, “There are no categories, no stereotypes, no statistic is a definite number. Until we learn to see every person as an individual, we will never truly reach unity.”
2 Moods
Teddy Swims Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mood swing like a Gemini
Promise I can handle both sides
Up and down on a wild ride
But that's just what we are
Step it up when we get comfortable (yeah)
It's chaotic and it's wonderful
How can there be more?
I'd rather sleep on the sofa tonight (ooh)
So I can slide back in
And make it all alright
Only got two moods
Either makin' love to you
Or goin' out and blowin' my fuse
Yeah, there's no in-between
We only do extremes
We got two moods
Yeah, we probably got some screws loose
But that's the only way I want you
It's passion and the flames, girl, I need it that way (that way)
(Two moods, ooh)
Got emotions like dominoes
One wrong move, it all hits the floor
I know it sounds irrational (ooh)
But tell me, who it gotta makes sense for?
Girl, what we got, would make most go insane
Nothin' this good comes from playin' it safe
I'd rather sleep on the sofa tonight (ooh)
So I can slide back in
And make it all alright
Only got two moods
I'm either makin' love to you
Or goin' out and blowin' my fuse
There's no in-between
We only do extremes
We got two moods
Yeah, we probably got some screws loose
But that's the only way I want you
It's passion and the flames, girl, I need it that, that way
Two moods, ooh
In "2 Moods" by Teddy Swims, the lyrics explore the intense and passionate nature of a tumultuous relationship. The song depicts a love that is characterized by constant mood swings and extremes. Teddy Swims acknowledges his ability to handle both sides of his partner's mood swings, comparing it to the duality of a Gemini. Despite the chaos and unpredictability, he finds beauty in the relationship's unconventional nature.
The lyrics highlight how the couple steps up their game when they become comfortable with each other, emphasizing their desire for excitement and unpredictability. Teddy Swims acknowledges that it may seem irrational to some, but he questions the need for their love to conform to societal norms. Their intense emotions are compared to dominoes, where one wrong move can lead to everything falling apart. However, the singer is willing to embrace the chaos and insanity because he believes that nothing this good comes from playing it safe.
The chorus delves into the two main moods of the relationship: making love and going out and blowing their fuse. There is no in-between for the couple, as they only know extremes. The lyrics suggest that these extremes are what make their love unique and desirable. The singer admits that their relationship may seem unconventional and that they might have some screws loose, but it's the only way he wants it. The passion and flames are what he craves, and he asserts that he needs it that way.
Line by Line Meaning
Mood swing like a Gemini
My emotions fluctuate unpredictably, just like the zodiac sign Gemini.
Promise I can handle both sides
I assure you that I can manage my changing moods.
Up and down on a wild ride
I experience intense highs and lows in my emotions.
But that's just what we are
Our relationship is characterized by these extreme mood swings.
Step it up when we get comfortable (yeah)
We become more adventurous and daring when we feel at ease with each other.
At least we keep it unpredictable (ah-ah)
We maintain a sense of excitement and surprise by never being predictable.
It's chaotic and it's wonderful
Our relationship may be tumultuous, but it's also incredibly fulfilling.
How can there be more?
How can there be anything better than what we have?
I'd rather sleep on the sofa tonight (ooh)
I prefer to create distance and temporarily separate from you tonight.
So I can slide back in
So that I can smoothly reenter the relationship afterwards.
And make it all alright
And restore harmony and balance between us.
Only got two moods
I only experience two distinct emotional states.
Either makin' love to you
Either engaging in intimate moments with you.
Or goin' out and blowin' my fuse
Or engaging in wild and reckless behavior.
Yeah, there's no in-between
There is no middle ground or moderation in our emotions.
We only do extremes
We only operate at the highest or lowest intensities.
Yeah, we probably got some screws loose
We are likely a bit mentally unbalanced or unconventional.
But that's the only way I want you
However, I wouldn't have it any other way when it comes to being with you.
It's passion and the flames, girl, I need it that way (that way)
The intense passion and fiery emotions are what I crave and desire in our relationship.
(Two moods, ooh)
(Referring back to the two emotional states mentioned earlier)
Got emotions like dominoes
My emotions are interconnected and one triggering event can cause them all to fall.
One wrong move, it all hits the floor
A single mistake can lead to a cascade of emotional turmoil.
I know it sounds irrational (ooh)
I understand that it may seem illogical or unreasonable.
But tell me, who it gotta makes sense for?
But who do we need to conform to or make sense for?
Girl, what we got, would make most go insane
Our relationship would drive most people to madness.
Nothin' this good comes from playin' it safe
Something as amazing as this relationship does not come from being cautious or risk-averse.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jaten Dimsdale, Jeff Gitelman, Marcus Lomax, Whitney Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patricia Davis
You know Teddy swims Is one of the few artists out there that can just sing and not do anything else in their video. There are a few others I agree, but they are the exceptions to the rule
Yoshida Nino
Agree 100% w/ you.
Patricia Davis
@Yoshida Nino I would have to put Chris Stapleton and the teskey brothers in that category
Jennifer Fairall
Great voice, but I disagree. Dude is layered in tats. Gages in his ears the size of bangle earrings back in the 80's
Listen do what makes you happy! However, just bc he has a low budget video of just him and his band jamming doesn't necessarily mean he ain't causing attention, like with his appearance?! Gaga wears meat. Chili peppers wore Sox on their cox lol every artist has a stitch 😆
Singapore Food Review
Teddy swims, Allen stone and Mac Ayers
Alton Ellis
We need someone out there too teach the youths about the classics
Cheryl Gocan888
I could listen to his voice 24/7. Beautiful ❤️
Vaughn Bostwick
Too True, hes like 25% of my playlists now
RL Proctor
Me Too. Love his voice ❤️
PurpleFox6521
He's that soothin warmth to my soul lately. Only a few have that soulful story tellin ability to literally see a picture in ur mind n jus totally puts u in a stress free mindset. Then there's other songs that are how u feel almost to the last word. I would give anything to not have to see my boyfriend slowly get sicker and not able to move out of bed for an entire weekend. I'm slowly loosin my soulmate and there's absolutely nothin I can do to make him feel better. A story of 2 people who are totally different but souls jus match undeniably. I told my son I would never date him when he asked me because I knew how he was. Then that shift happened in the way he was coming at me so I gave in n was in too deep b4 I realized it. Lol This man's music is one of few that can clear my mind enough to not have depressed thoughts n images of my life without him. Thank U Teddy Swims. I couldn't make it without my music.