'When I Was A Kid My Biggest Dream Was to Be Tattooed' Teddy Swims | Heavily Inked

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Every person on this Earth will be asked this question at least 10,000 times by the time they hit the age of 18. Chances are that each of us has had at least a hundred different answers as well, but Teddy Swims always knew what he wanted to be-tattooed. We spoke with the singer about how he discovered music, the meaning behind his first face tattoo and the creative way he spent his allowance each week.
Welcome to Heavily Inked. In our newest series, we're going to speak one-on-one with tattoo collectors and artists about what it means to be a heavily inked person. We'll get deep as we go through the motivations behind their tattoo choices, the way they've been treated in society and much more.
Teddy Swims: / teddyswims404
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[@marcsablatura3576]

I always love that so many tattooed people say they felt more themselves with each tattoo. It’s so true!! Like every time I get more and more ink done and cover my body I feel more empowered and true to myself. This version of me has always existed in my head and he slowly comes to life with each new piece.

[@lucy0537]

Yessssss!! Love your comment! I feel the same way!

[@Stemidaroja]

7:10 "looking one way and being another way" that was a huge part of what got me started getting pierced and tattooed. I felt that duty to show people you can't judge someone based off of how they look. It almost acts as a filter sometimes bringing those with open minds close and keeping those without away.

[@HGQjazz]

Same here.

[@AA-yc9dq]

Sometimes I read ignorant comments on KZbin from men saying tattoos are "gross" and they'd never be with someone who had tattoos. I hesitated with getting my own and thought wait- I don't want to be involved with they kind of ppl that think that way so it's a perfect deterrent lol

[@angelakirk7238]

Teddy we hear your heart, your so real, honest loyal, such a genuine, Beautiful person, we need more Teddy Swims in the world, we are blessed in having you in our world xx

[@Irishred888]

Couldn’t have been said any better!!!

[@ninjasrose1653]

Love how his dream as a kid was just to be tattooed. So innocent, yet so dope!

[@solarsatori]

Damn. Just looked up his music and was not expecting THAT voice. He's amazing.

[@sadem1045]

I would LOVE to see Inked do an interview with Danny Trejo

[@danlmarlow5446]

I found this interview so interesting. I have followed Teddy Swims since he had 4 covers up on KZbin and I am a super fan. His voice and songs really speak to me and help me with my PTSD and the loss of my second husband, my savior, my rock and my extreme grief I have felt for 5 long years living without him. Some of his original songs like amazing use exact words my 2nd husband said to me almost daily and never before and never again has a man ever said that too me I love you Teddy Swims. You have helped my mental health more than you will ever know. Thank you.

[@kayseacamp]

Teddy is just so sweet and his voice is stunning.

[@seasonschange4337]

Teddy it's so nice to hear you talk about your inspirations as a kiddo growing up. Listening to talk your such a Joyful person. Personally I see how you are such a wonderful soul. I think whoever can't see your wonderful personality and soul is not your loss it's theirs. Everyone should never judge anyone by the way they look only by the way they are. Teddy love your soul love your music and I also love how your band and crew are your friends and how you treat them like Family because they are to you. All the best to you and your band. You deserve all of this. Have fun with it Stay safe love to all of you. 🥰🥰🥰💞

[@hollyjayne]

I love this man and his music is fucking awesome!!

[@YouCanCallMeChrys]

Oh Teddy! This is a great interview. Much more personal. Hope his grandpa isn't too mad 😄

[@podaly]

Teddy is a phenomenal singer!

[@narutofox180]

I LOVE TEDDY SWIM'S MUSIC OMG! This is so cool.

[@thekellydennis]

Teddy, You are such a wonderful person! I love this interview! Thank you!

[@tayessamalaquin7747]

Love his character! Such a cool guy

[@andrewksmash8138]

It’s the most expressive beautiful thing in the world

[@cherylreynolds4155]

Teddy this is such a wonderful interview you have been like a jigsaw i couldn't quite see who you are until now. All your music and talent make sense now. Great interview

[@Lizzyjaeger]

I love this! ❤️ Every word he said is wonderful! I couldn’t agree more about having a lot of tattoos, especially face, neck, hands and showing people what it looks like to be heavily tattooed and be a good person! I don’t have any face tattoos but my husband does not like hand tattoos. I did get letters on my knuckles but aside from that won’t tattoo my hands any further….. unless he dies first and in that case I’m covering my hands and his ashes are going in the ink! 😆

[@madbrah8361]

you can see how passionate he is about tattoos. Dope

[@mirkoszitovszky7007]

I love his music! He is great!!

[@josetorres3977]

Shout out to Inked finally someone that is heavily Inked and that’s relatable

[@MultiRedman13]

Different people are relatable to different people.

[@lucy0537]

He's such a sweetheart! I can relate to remember being a kid n wanting to have alot of tattoos. Hope to someday find my tattooed up sweetheart! Now I'm gonna have to find Teddy's music!!

[@mustachadon]

I've never heard your actual voice bro. Not what i expected, but it works man. You got the gift of gab as well. You would've been a fantastic pastor.

[@EricaSilva-fq9ed]

Hey friend! I love Teddy AND his guitarist Jessie 🥰

[@darrellmccall6100]

ok......this dude can BLOW.........his voice is no joke. Look him up, What a paradox🔥

[@nrivera0717]

Finally, the last couple individuals on heavily inked struggled to talk or have any interesting to show/say

[@boots2488]

The title got me!!!!

[@TheDeviIDogg]

I've never had a title be exactly what I thought, but in 2003 it really ramped up and I started designing tattoos and practicing my drawing skills

[@carolezombi]

I love him. so genuine & honest. 😍🥰😍

[@whothefool398]

I feel like being a walking contradiction too. Been looking for the words for it. Thanks. Your cool

[@Sab031559]

Very good interview. Made me understand a bit more that our external "art" does not, in fact, prove how good of an internal heart we have. Thanku.

[@elainemanner6626]

So proud of you

[@DhanaMoongoddess]

Aww 🥰 What a cutie❤️ Touched on some good points...👍🏾

[@danabailey6174]

You just won me over!

[@LauraHalvar]

Teddy and Posty are a vibe.

[@J.LS.]

Amazing singer.

[@axukokkonen7594]

You know what they say, follow your dreams!

[@jeaniebryce7572]

just got my hourglass tattoo like teddys on my neck just the other day ! can’t wait to see him in glasgow 4 weeks today ❤

[@fishesgetstitches8349]

Teddy! You’re my favorite. I’d 💯 bring you home to my dad. NO WORRIES

[@maegardnermills4292]

Thinking about you daily. God bless you.

[@Dee-ub4eq]

i just love this guy! his music and his tattoo's! ❤️

[@raedenemakiri6542]

Tattoos are art, personal expression and life experiences that we wear on the outside of our hearts

[@withEffect]

Dam, my boy Teddy. Love it

[@firdevsnergiscan9495]

Damn, i love his voice, btw it's fuckin awesome, and him, he's so nice person 🖤

[@Lovelyoctobersky]

Love you, Teddy!

[@Michaelmostert]

What a great dude

[@ritadavis4151]

You rock!

[@Tattitoot]

Finally an interesting dude!

[@kristenmoss2430]

I lovvvveee teddy swims an all his tattoos I want to get so much more then I have tattoos are like a story of your life I don't regret any of them because it was what was going on in my life at that time..

[@colinh9396]

When I thought you couldn't get cooler, you got cooler. I had loads of tattoos done way before I probably should have, I have since had them covered, with some really good Japanese art, by an amazing artist from England, called Arran Burton.

[@angelakirk7238]

To see and hear the real you was like a dream, thank you, xx

[@ruby2037]

You suit all piercings and tats cutest giggle too🤭

[@justineckstein3590]

6:21 The audio and video is out of sync until you cut back to the front shot fyi

[@inked]

Argh. We missed that. Too late to fix it, but thanks for pointing it out.

[@vobden]

TEDDY!!!!!!

[@oldenoughtoknow...]

Thumbs up just because I'm a Teddy Swims fan.

[@willaroz]

Love me some Teddy

[@arlenedevenish8646]

T.S❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ohnevergoingtoquit]

I was like dude this is teddy swims. and it fucking is. listen to him sing

[@mikegonzalez503]

I remember wanting to get those tattoos from the vending machine. I got an incredible hulk one very very young that I still remember getting.

[@Anagnostakou]

There is an expiration date for everything in life

[@juliysmith4598]

🔥

[@kaseybrown5770]

I need to meet Teddy and do a duet...I'm just over here in Alabama Sir Swims

[@rossmurrayfam1568]

Teddy is a nice guy

[@deannaseguin4342]

I love his voice, and now I love who he is!!! What a nice young man!! If I had a daughter I would love him to date her!!! lol

[@GodxMischief]

Damn. My man lost some weight

[@arianajuras1760]

❤

[@kelseycope6833]

I was with him when he got his moms lips tattooed on his neck.💗

[@hannahlambert2807]

You’re friends with teddy?!

[@TYLERSURESHOT7]

Rep Conyers Georgia my guy blow it up lol

[@anarchist_parable]

I can't tell if it's an accent or a speech impediment but it's adorable 😍

[@jarns7jeff228]

+1 Danny Trejo for sure!!

[@findpeace1187]

I wonder if he's heard of Patrice Rushan or Teena Marie?

[@kierramack4708]

I could tell from the voice he grew up in church

[@sheenavallett5428]

Mmmmm Teddy TATTOO

[@spencer_is_bored]

„When i was a kid my biggest dream was to be tattoed“ same, now i‘m mentally ill with no money and only 2 small tats.. still my dream though

[@scooty6410]

There are whole generations of people who should be thanking Al Green...I truly believe if let's stay together was never written probably 3/4 of the world's population wouldn't be here...fact!!!

[@SaturnsRBX]

Claim your “here within an hour” ticket here 👀

[@idkbro8470]

Shut up bot.

[@austinfriley3480]

He had a great voice

[@inked]

*Has

[@austinfriley3480]

You an english teacher now?

[@inked]

@@austinfriley3480 I mean, I have been an English teacher before. Also, using the past tense implies the person is dead.

[@TeethOfDead]

@@austinfriley3480 JUST GOT RECKED BY INKED. YOU GOT RINKED SON

[@darkcrystal2198]

Inked was incredibly unprofessional with this interview. With the chick laughing and dropping shit. Sucks they thought so poorly of Teddy.

[@starving_artist4139]

Partly truth, partly fiction, a walking contradiction! I see you taxi driver!

[@jamesmuhammad4616]

It's makes you look weird, no disrespect

[@youeverseethesehandsfly5334]

This guy looks like he ate jake paul

[@Officialdalston]

BROOOO I THOUGHT DAMN JAKE PAUL BEEN BULKING, THIS DUDE SUPER DOPE THO

[@Germfish]

Who's this guy and why do I care?