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.”
My Bad
Teddy Swims Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got one eye open, tryna find out where I'm at
I know that you mad, yeah, sorry that's my bad, yeah
When you talking love, I don't know how to act
And I got some issues that always come up
Smoke myself stupid to cover it up
'Cause my heart's been broken, babe (yeah)
Too many times
You always show up and I always run
Tell myself last what we're doing is done
But deep down I know it, babe
You're one of a kind (woo, oh, yeah)
I was doing good out on my own (yeah)
Yeah, staying in my lane and going slow (going slow, yeah)
Hate to put you through this back and forth
But girl it's hard for me to give up my control
So I been taking these shots back to back to back
Got one eye open tryna find out where I'm at (where you at?)
I know that you mad, yeah, sorry that's my bad, yeah
When you talking love, I don't know how to act
I been taking these shots back to back to back
Got one eye open tryna find out where you at
I know that you mad, yeah, sorry that's my bad, yeah
When you talking love, I don't know how to act
Too many nights I went and got myself in motion
Too many fights thinking back that got your words distorted
Wanna do by you right, swear I'll be better than before (yeah)
But I'm broken inside, I need a fix, I can't ignore it
I wanna fall in love (fall in love)
But I just get so stuck (just get so stuck)
Thinking I messed this up
So I been taking these shots back to back to back (back to back)
Got one eye open tryna find out where I'm at (where you at?)
I know that you mad, yeah, sorry that's my bad, yeah (yeah)
When you talking love, I don't know how to act (don't know how to act)
I been taking these shots back to back to back
Got one eye open tryna find out where you at (baby)
I know that you mad, yeah, sorry that's my bad, yeah
When you talking love, I don't know how to act
Hanging back
Where you at?
The song “My Bad” by Teddy Swims is about the internal struggles of a man who wants to fall in love but due to his past experiences, he has developed trust issues. In the first verse, he expresses that he has been taking multiple shots (of alcohol) and smoking to distract himself from the issues that always come up in his relationships. As a result, he admits that his heart has been broken too many times, and he doesn't know how to act when someone tries to love him.
The second verse talks about his desire to be alone and taking life at his own pace. However, when the woman he loves shows up, he runs away. He is unable to commit because he is afraid of losing control of the situation. He acknowledges that this behavior is hurting the woman he loves and apologizes for his actions.
The chorus reiterates his pattern of taking shots and getting high to hide his fears and not knowing how to act when someone tries to love him. He wants to fall in love but fears getting hurt, so he ends up missing out on a chance at love.
Overall, the song highlights the internal conflicts and trust issues of someone who genuinely wants to love but fears getting hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
I been these shots back to back to back
I have been drinking shots continuously without any break
Got one eye open, tryna find out where I'm at
I am partially conscious and trying to figure out my location
I know that you mad, yeah, sorry that's my bad, yeah
I am aware that you are upset and I apologize for it
When you talking love, I don't know how to act
I am unable to reciprocate your love as I do not know how to express it
And I got some issues that always come up
I have certain personal problems that keep bothering me
Smoke myself stupid to cover it up
I smoke a lot to escape from my problems but it only makes it worse
'Cause my heart's been broken, babe (yeah)
My heart has been shattered into pieces due to past experiences
Too many times
This has happened to me frequently
You always show up and I always run
You are constant in my life but I tend to push you away
Tell myself last what we're doing is done
I convince myself that our relationship is over but I do not mean it
But deep down I know it, babe
I am aware that deep down, I still have feelings for you
You're one of a kind (woo, oh, yeah)
You are unique and special to me
I was doing good out on my own (yeah)
I was managing fine by myself
Yeah, staying in my lane and going slow (going slow, yeah)
I was focusing on my life and taking things at my own pace
Hate to put you through this back and forth
I feel bad for making you go through this constant push and pull
But girl it's hard for me to give up my control
I struggle to let go of my need for control and it affects our relationship
Too many nights I went and got myself in motion
I have had many sleepless nights due to my restless mind
Too many fights thinking back that got your words distorted
I have had many arguments with you and ended up misinterpreting your words
Wanna do by you right, swear I'll be better than before (yeah)
I want to make things right with you and promise to be a better partner
But I'm broken inside, I need a fix, I can't ignore it
I am emotionally damaged and need to fix myself but I cannot ignore it
I wanna fall in love (fall in love)
I want to experience true love
But I just get so stuck (just get so stuck)
But I always end up getting stuck in my own problems
Thinking I messed this up
I am constantly blaming myself for ruining our relationship
So I been taking these shots back to back to back (back to back)
I am drinking shots back to back to ease my mind
Got one eye open tryna find out where you at (baby)
I am partially conscious and trying to locate you
Hanging back
I am hanging around, waiting for you
Where you at?
Where are you located at the moment?
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Ian Franzino, Jalen Dimsdale, Julian Bunetta, Kendrick Nicholls, Sherwyn Nicholls
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edge C-ker
Teddy, brother, from the first cover I heard you sing, from the first few notes, "I said to myself, this m'fer can sing, he can belt it out!"
Much appreciation for the opportunity to listen to your gift, and oh, them Elephants, they ain't too bad either!!!
Love that you're grateful, show mad appreciation to your quickly expanding fan base!
Hard work + God given talent + being grateful + doing what you live, love to do + showing and giving love = success
May you and your elephants, bring joy to all your brother's and sister's that will follow your gift...
God bless
&
Thank you!
Teddy Swims
I LOVE YOU ALL SOO MUCH!!! Thank you for all the love!! Listen & Download the song here: https://teddyswims.lnk.to/mybad
jose pizano
Great song!
19Lorraine72
Just beautiful.
wendy hamilton
Absolutely 💗💖💕 it!!!!! Keep them coming, we will always be here for you💯!!!! Waiting to see you live and meet you!
jusp_187
Nuff luv from the UK
Angela
You're AMAZING! 💞🎶
Tweetums
Man this man can sing!!! I am just grateful I discovered his music. Keep on making more.
lisalynn rowley-dixon
me as well
Kay Kay
Man SAME!!!!
Robert Uller
Grateful ❤