TEDDY SWIMS POURED HIS PAIN INTO A HIT

The singer recalls the heartbreak and collaboration that led to his chart-topping smash, 'Lose Control'

- TARA CATHERINE REID AND ANDY GREENE

Just a few years before his lovesick anthem "Lose Control" shot to Number One all across the planet, Teddy Swims was an unknown singer in Atlanta, posting covers of Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson songs on YouTube that showed off his incredible vocal range, and moonlighting as the singer of a hair-metal cover band. But after his stunning rendition of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One" racked up tens of millions of views, Swims signed a deal with Warner Records and started work on his debut LP, I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). Leadoff single "What More Can I Say" was a complete stiff, which left him stunned when "Lose Control" debuted at Number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 and slowly climbed to the top spot, unseating Ariana Grande in March and lingering in the Top 10 through the rest of 2024.

The inspiration