Grammy-nominated and Diamond-certified superstar Teddy Swims has released his most vulnerable single to date, “Break Up in Reverse.” Out now via Warner Records, the track is a deeply loving breakup song rooted not in regret or resentment, but in a wish to relive the relationship all over again in a way that leads to a happy ending.
The new song arrives as Swims plays a series of overseas festivals, shortly after wrapping a stateside summer run that culminated in a triumphant return to BottleRock and Bonnaroo.
He was also the only artist to play both Stagecoach and Coachella this year, making headlines for bringing David Lee Roth, Joe Jonas, and Vanessa Carlton onstage at the latter.
Teddy Swims brings us a Unique Take on Heartbreak
“Break Up in Reverse” is intimate from the start, featuring just Teddy Swims’ voice over a sweetly intimate acoustic strum as he paints a heartbreaking scene.
Reuniting Teddy Swims with collaborators Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Matt Zara, Mikky Ekko, and Tommy King, the cut builds to a warm swell of instrumentation and a poignant hook: “I wish we could break up in reverse / Every night would get better, instead of getting worse / I’d watch you slowly slip back into my hands / Say goodbye to me in the beginning, and love me in the end.”
Speaking on the personal meaning of his new song, Swims shared that “Break Up in Reverse” really hits home for where he is in his life right now.
He explained that while writing this song and his next album, he has been navigating the end of his relationship with his baby’s mother. The concept was heavily inspired by an old Nas song called “Rewind,” which takes place entirely in reverse.
Swims and his team thought it would be beautiful to apply that same idea to his relationship, with the emotional punchline being to say goodbye in the beginning and love him in the end. He hopes listeners feel as moved as he does every time he hears and sings the track.
The official music video for “Break Up in Reverse” brilliantly brings this concept to the screen. It opens with Teddy Swims standing in front of a pile of rubble. As he sings, a bulldozer moving in reverse reassembles the mess into a cozy room full of meaningful objects, including photos, baby toys, puzzle pieces, and kintsugi pottery – broken ceramics whose cracks have been repaired with gold. In time, Swims finds peace.
“Break Up in Reverse” follows April’s “Mr. Know It All,” an instantly catchy and deceptively breezy single about the pain of romantic self-sabotage that recently brought down the house at the 52nd Annual American Music Awards in May.
That song officially signaled the start of a new era following an incredible breakout run that saw Swims become a universally beloved star, global hitmaker, and absolute force of nature on stage.
Check out the music video for “Break Up in Reverse” below:
You can stream/download the track HERE.
Last year was especially monumental for Swims, who wrapped a sold-out global tour, earned his second career Grammy nod, and made history with his Diamond-certified smash “Lose Control.” The hit set the record for the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 song after spending 112 weeks on the chart, in addition to topping five radio formats and surpassing 5 billion global streams.
Taking a much-deserved victory lap, Swims also released I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Complete Edition) in 2025. The definitive 32-track collection unveiled the full vision behind his blockbuster two-part debut album, featuring enduring singles like “Bad Dreams,” “Guilty,” “Are You Even Real” featuring GIVĒON, “The Door,” and “Lose Control.”
As he continues to unveil what looks to be his biggest, boldest, and brightest era yet, Teddy Swims is preparing for THE UGLY TOUR. The tour kicks off on September 22 in Kansas City and wraps up in Los Angeles on November 18. Supporting artists on the run will include Natasha Bedingfield, Avery Anna, Wyatt Flores, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Mac Ayres, Allen Stone, and MarcLo.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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