Lose Control by Teddy Swims: A Genre-Bending Ballad That Tops the Charts

Teddy Swims is anything but predictable. His song Lose Control is proof that the Georgia-born crooner isn’t just hopping on trends; he’s carving his own lane, one soulful high note at a time.

You may have heard it blasting from every other car stereo, or maybe you caught it during that awkward department store moment where you pretended not to groove along.

Either way, there’s a reason Lose Control has climbed its way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And we’re here to spill the tea on why.

Teddy Swims: From YouTube Covers to Chart Dominance

Once upon a YouTube upload, Teddy Swims was just another guy posting covers online—except he wasn’t. Not really.

Whether it was Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” or Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One,” Teddy wasn’t just covering songs; he was transforming them, twisting them through his soulful, raspy voice until they were something entirely new.

His version of “You’re Still the One” didn’t just rack up views; it raked in 158 million streams and gave a nudge to the music industry, whispering, “Hey, maybe this guy’s got something.”

And that whisper turned into a roar. Cue Warner Records, a record deal, and eventually Lose Control.

Teddy Swims went from that dude with the voice to that dude topping the charts—a move that, admittedly, might sound like a fairy tale, if it weren’t for the way he manages to pull it off with raw authenticity.

Behind the Lyrics: A Song About Love and Addiction

Lose Control isn’t your typical love song. It’s about that one person you just can’t quit—you know the one.

Teddy has said that the song is really about codependency, likening it to an addiction.

In Lose Control, love is portrayed as a substance you crave, even when it’s taking a toll on you.

Lyrics like, “Something’s got a hold of me lately / No, I don’t know myself anymore,” and, “The problem is when I’m with you I’m an addict” illustrate the chaotic intensity of a love that’s both exhilarating and exhausting.

Swims, in an interview, shared his perspective on the song’s essence, stating, “To be able to share my pain with someone, it makes my pain very necessary. It makes it okay that I had it. It made me feel not alone, and it made me realise that I helped somebody else not feel alone. Isn’t that just the function of music? We did a damn good job with this one.”

The breakup anthem Lose Control mirrors the tumult in Teddy Swims’ life.

Amid the release of his album by Warner Records, Swims found himself in the throes of a bitter breakup.

This personal upheaval added a layer of raw authenticity to the song, blurring the lines between art and life.

Swims opened up about this period, revealing, “Our lives were very intertwined. And so, it’s quite nuts to have this come out at the same time this is all happening, and it’s all even more real to me now than it was when I was writing it, which is quite insane. We weren’t great together … toxic sh–, substance abuse, and alcohol. So, it’s a lot of my journey through that, and my journey to also recover [from] how I treated myself and [how I] felt like I was unlovable.”

It’s personal, too. Teddy Swims has opened up about how the track mirrors a particularly toxic relationship in his own life—one defined by love, dependency, and, frankly, the kind of drama that feels like it should come with a Netflix disclaimer.

If you’ve ever found yourself needing someone like a bad habit, Lose Control will hit you right in the gut (in a good way, I promise).

Teddy Swims I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) album cover — Teddy Swims I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) album cover

The Sound: Jazz, Motown, and a Little Bit of Everything

It’s hard to pin Lose Control to a single genre—but honestly, why would we even try?

Teddy Swims takes pop, R&B, Motown, and even country, throws them into a metaphorical blender, and somehow pours out something that’s smooth as butter.

The song starts off minimalist, with sparse staccato keys and Teddy’s voice front-and-centre.

Then, as the song builds, it layers in some dramatic strings, a soulful drum pattern, and this overwhelming sense that you should probably be swaying along by now.

The magic lies in how Lose Control keeps evolving—just when you think you’ve figured it out, it hits you with something different. That’s what makes it a genre-bender.

It’s like Teddy is on this musical expedition, and we’re just lucky enough to get the invite.

And despite all the genre-blending, it still feels like a Teddy Swims song.

His signature raspy delivery stays right at the forefront, somehow managing to feel both polished and unfiltered.

Teddy described the song as having roots in multiple genres, adding, “You don’t hear a lot of songs like ‘Lose Control’ anymore. It’s got roots in country, rock, Motown, and R&B—and it was made to be sung live.”

The eclectic mix of influences is one of the reasons why Lose Control stands out so much, and why it resonates with such a broad audience.

Swims’ ability to blend these styles is a testament to his musical versatility.

Chart Performance: Breaking Records and Taking Names

Lose Control has been on a ride, and no—not just the emotional kind. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a 32-week journey, setting the record for the longest consecutive climb to the top.

Talk about a slow burn. And not only that, it spent 38 weeks in the top ten, becoming one of the longest-charting songs of the year.

It’s not just America, either. Lose Control has made its way to the top of charts in Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and beyond.

The song’s success is proof that Teddy Swims isn’t just a local sensation—he’s becoming a global powerhouse, one soulful note at a time.

The song has also earned certifications across the globe, including diamond status in France and platinum in over a dozen other countries, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of Lose Control.

Its journey on the charts reflects the connection that Teddy Swims has managed to forge with fans all around the world, transcending cultural and language barriers.

Why ‘Lose Control’ Hits Different (Oops, I Mean, Feels Real)

Sure, Lose Control has a catchy beat. Sure, it’s impeccably produced, blending everything from Motown to modern pop.

But the reason this song works—the reason it has worked its way into the hearts (and playlists) of so many—is because it’s honest. It’s messy, raw, and full of imperfections.

Teddy Swims isn’t trying to dress it up or tie it all neatly in a bow. Love, dependency, heartbreak—all that messy stuff is just served up for what it is.

And really, isn’t that what makes music relatable? The vulnerability. The willingness to admit, “I don’t have it all together.”

Teddy Swims might sing about losing control, but it’s that honesty that’s keeping listeners coming back for more.

Teddy Swims Lose Control Lyrics

Verse 1
Something’s got a hold of me lately
No, I don’t know myself anymore
Feels like the walls are all closin’ in
And the devil’s knockin’ at my door, woah
Out of my mind, how many times did I tell you
I’m no good at bein’ alone?
Yeah, it’s taken a toll on me, tryin’ my best to keep
From tearin’ the skin off my bones, don’t you know

Chorus
I lose control
When you’re not next to me
I’m fallin’ apart right in front of you, can’t you see?
I lose control
When you’re not next to me, mhm
Yeah, you’re breakin’ my heart, baby
You make a mess of me

Verse 2
Problematic
The problem is I want your body like a fiend, like a bad habit
Bad habits hard to break when I’m with you
Yeah, I know I can do it on my own
But I want that real full-moon black magic and it takes two
Problematic
The problem is when I’m with you I’m an addict
And I need some relief, my skin and your teeth
Can’t see the forest through the trees
Got me down on my knees, darlin’, please, oh

Chorus
I lose control
When you’re not next to me
I’m fallin’ apart right in front of you, can’t you see?
I lose control
When you’re not next to me (Mm-hmm)
Yeah, you’re breakin’ my heart, baby
You make a mess of me, yeah

Chorus
I lose control
When you’re not here with me, mm
I’m fallin’ apart right in front of you, can’t you see?
I lose control
When you’re not here with me, mhm
Yeah, you’re breakin’ my heart, baby
You make a mess of me