Swing, Swing

Last updated
"Swing, Swing"
Wingsing.png
Single by the All-American Rejects
from the album The All-American Rejects
ReleasedDecember 2002 [1]
Recorded2001
Genre
Length3:53
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Tim O'Heir
The All-American Rejects singles chronology
"Swing, Swing"
(2002)
"The Last Song"
(2003)
Music video
"Swing, Swing" on YouTube

"Swing, Swing" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects, released as their debut single from their self-titled debut studio album in December 2002.

Contents

Background

"Swing, Swing" was written by Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter. According to Ritter, the song was written in his grandparents' cabin in his hometown of Stillwater in Oklahoma when he came up with the chorus one weekend morning. "My ex-girlfriend and I had a rough relationship, and that was written when it sucked real bad," Ritter explained, "I liked this other chick, so that's what the second verse is about, moving on to a hotter chick - no I'm just kidding. Moving on to another girl... or just moving on." [4]

The song was also one of the last to be written and recorded for the duo's self titled debut album "It was over and done with a year ago," Ritter said of the misery-inducing relationship that also inspired many other tear-jerking pop songs, such as "My Paper Heart" and "Don't Leave Me." "But I got a great record out of it... as far as lyrics. I didn't have to think too hard." [5]

Reception

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Rockfeedback, who rated the track 3 out of 5 stars, reviewed the song as "Very polished, insanely catchy, and heart-on-sleeve this record is. Dramatically expressive lyrics ('Did you think that I would cry, on the phone...?', 'My heart is crushed by a former love!'), ultra-glossy production and a ridiculously infectious chorus: you wouldn't bet against them." [6] Contactmusic.com said "The melody is appealing and its pop punk sounds like something from Simple Plan or Blink 182. The lyrics are slightly baffling with 'swing, swing, swing from the tangles of' - a classic example." [7]

MusicOMH regarded "Swing, Swing" as "top form" and commented with "These small-town American, fun rockers are hard to dislike. Swing Swing swings along pleasantly enough, developing from an organ intro to a good-natured, old-style rock out that does just what you expect it to. Rock, that is", [8] while City Life praised the track as "imaginative" and that "The use of a church organ gives way to a totally catchy - if formulaic - college rock anthem. Vocals are typically American high-pitched angst, while the simple "Swing-Swing" chorus should guarantee favourable radio play on both sides of the Atlantic." [9]

Chart performance

Upon release, "Swing, Swing" gained attention on Los Angeles modern rock radio station KROQ-FM and WXRK in New York City. When The All-American Rejects was re-released in early 2003, "Swing, Swing" gained more commercial success; peaking at #8 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in March, [10] #60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #13 UK Singles Charts in August for five weeks respectively. It is the band's highest charting single in the UK.

"Swing, Swing" was digitally released later in 2005; reaching #75 on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs, it also briefly returned to the UK Singles Chart in April 2009 at #99. [11]

Music video

The music video for "Swing, Swing" was directed by Marcos Siega and shot in December 2002 in Los Angeles and was released on January 7, 2003. It involves the band performing the song in a small trailer park while scenes of a young couple going through their relationship are overlapped through the video - eventually ending with them breaking up.

"Swing, Swing" is featured on the soundtrack of the comedy film American Wedding , the video games Playboy: The Mansion , Lego Rock Band , MVP Baseball 2003 and on the compilation album Sky High Invasion - Volume 1 as a remix by DJ Loopy. Television-wise, the song has appeared in the American action series Smallville , the pilot episode of teen drama The O.C. , Series 3, Episode 5 of the British topical news comedy show Russell Howard's Good News and was covered by the cast of the British drama series All the Small Things in character.

Track listing

Charts and awards

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [19] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesDecember 2, 2002 CD promo
United Kingdom [20] July 21, 2003

Related Research Articles

Emo is a music genre characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics. It emerged as a style of hardcore punk and post-hardcore from the mid-1980s Washington, D.C. hardcore scene, where it was known as emotional hardcore or emocore. The bands Rites of Spring and Embrace, among others, pioneered the genre. In the early-to-mid 1990s, emo was adopted and reinvented by alternative rock, indie rock, punk rock, and pop-punk bands, including Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker, Cap'n Jazz, and Jimmy Eat World. By the mid-1990s, Braid, the Promise Ring, and the Get Up Kids emerged from Midwest emo, and several independent record labels began to specialize in the genre. Meanwhile, screamo, a more aggressive style of emo using screamed vocals, also emerged, pioneered by the San Diego bands Heroin and Antioch Arrow. Screamo achieved mainstream success in the 2000s with bands like Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, Story of the Year, Thursday, the Used, and Underoath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The All-American Rejects</span> American rock band

The All-American Rejects are an American rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma, formed in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bassist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor. Wheeler and Ritter serve as the band's songwriters; Wheeler is the primary composer and Ritter is the primary lyricist. Although Kennerty and Gaylor are not founding members, they have appeared in all of the band's music videos and on all studio releases except for the band's self-titled debut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Miss You (Blink-182 song)</span> 2004 single by Blink-182

"I Miss You" is a song by American rock band Blink-182, released on February 2, 2004, as the second single from the group's self-titled album (2003). Co-written by guitarist Tom DeLonge and bassist Mark Hoppus, they employed a method of writing separately and bringing their two verses together later. The song features an acoustic electric bass, a cello, and a brushstroked drum loop. The song was inspired by the Cure song "The Love Cats" and contains references to The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).

<i>Move Along</i> 2005 studio album by The All-American Rejects

Move Along is the second studio album by the American rock band the All-American Rejects, released on July 12, 2005, by Interscope Records. It spawned three top 15 singles, which helped the album ship 2 million units to be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is the first album to feature guitarist Mike Kennerty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underneath It All</span> 2002 single by No Doubt

"Underneath It All" is a song by American ska band No Doubt from their fourth studio album Rock Steady (2001). It was written by the band's lead singer Gwen Stefani and David Stewart. The song features a reggae production from Sly and Robbie and guest vocals from Lady Saw. The song received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugar, We're Goin Down</span> 2005 single by Fall Out Boy

"Sugar, We're Goin Down" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released to US radio on April 4, 2005, as the lead single from their second album, From Under the Cork Tree. Two different CD singles were released with different B-sides, Part I with a green cover and Part II with a red cover. With music composed by vocalist Patrick Stump and lyrics penned by bassist Pete Wentz, the single reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Fall Out Boy's first top-10 hit and exploding the band into the mainstream, exposing them to a new audience. It spent five weeks in the top 10 and 20 weeks in the top 20 out of its 42 chart weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh La La (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2005 single by Goldfrapp

"Ooh La La" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song consists largely of a synthesiser and guitar arrangement, and has been described as "a dirty, decadent homage to Marc Bolan".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Little Secret</span> 2005 single by the All-American Rejects

"Dirty Little Secret" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects from their second studio album Move Along. It was released on June 6, 2005, as the lead single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Move Along (song)</span> 2006 single by the All-American Rejects

"Move Along" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects from their second studio album of the same name. It was released on February 27, 2006, as the second single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna (The All-American Rejects song)</span> 2009 single by the All-American Rejects

"I Wanna" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects, released as the third and final single from their third studio album When the World Comes Down on June 8, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Ends Tonight</span> 2006 single by the All-American Rejects

"It Ends Tonight" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects from their second studio album Move Along. It was released on September 17, 2006, as the third and final single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to the Black Parade</span> 2006 single by My Chemical Romance

"Welcome to the Black Parade" is a song by American rock band My Chemical Romance, from their third studio album The Black Parade (2006). It was released on September 12, 2006, as the album's lead single, with the studio version available on the band's Myspace on September 2, 2006. The music video for the single was recognized as MTV's "Greatest Music Video of the Century" in 2017. The song topped the UK Singles Chart, reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was named one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Last Song (The All-American Rejects song)</span> 2003 single by The All-American Rejects

"The Last Song" is a song by American rock band The All-American Rejects, released as the second single from their self-titled debut studio album on April 21, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Avenue (song)</span> 2003 single by Yellowcard

"Ocean Avenue" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Yellowcard for their fourth studio album of the same name. It was released as the second single from Ocean Avenue on December 15, 2003, through Capitol Records. "Ocean Avenue" shares writing credits between the band's singer Ryan Key, guitarist Ben Harper, bassist Pete Mosely, drummer Longineu W. Parsons III, and violinist Sean Mackin. It was written about the band's teenage years along the Atlantic Coast. Neal Avron, a veteran punk rock producer, engineered and produced the tune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wind Blows</span> 2009 single by The All-American Rejects

"The Wind Blows" is a song by American rock band The All-American Rejects, released as the second single from their third studio album When the World Comes Down on April 21, 2009.

Emo pop is a fusion genre combining emo with pop-punk, pop music, or both. Emo pop features a musical style with more concise composition and hook-filled choruses. Emo pop has its origins in the 1990s with bands like Jimmy Eat World, the Get Up Kids, Weezer and the Promise Ring. The genre entered the mainstream in the early 2000s with Jimmy Eat World's breakthrough album Bleed American, which included its song "The Middle". Other emo pop bands that achieved mainstream success throughout the decade included Fall Out Boy, the All-American Rejects, My Chemical Romance, Panic! at the Disco and Paramore. The popularity of emo pop declined in the 2010s, with some prominent artists in the genre either disbanding or abandoning the emo pop style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gives You Hell</span> 2008 All-American Rejects song

"Gives You Hell" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects, released as the lead single from their third studio album, When the World Comes Down on September 30, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The All-American Rejects discography</span>

American rock band the All-American Rejects have released four studio albums, 22 singles, 21 music videos, 4 video albums, and 7 extended plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Your Heart a Break</span> 2012 single by Demi Lovato

"Give Your Heart a Break" is a song recorded by American singer Demi Lovato for her third studio album Unbroken (2011). It was released on January 23, 2012, by Hollywood Records, as the second and final single from the album. The song was written and produced by Josh Alexander and Billy Steinberg. "Give Your Heart a Break" incorporates drums, violin and strings. The latter two, according to music critics, are reminiscent of those used in Coldplay's "Viva la Vida". Lyrically, the song chronicles the protagonist's attempt to win over her lover who has been hurt in a previous relationship and is fearful of committing again. In 2023, the song was re-recorded for her rock-compilation Revamped with Bert McCracken from the rock band The Used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beekeeper's Daughter</span> 2012 single by the All-American Rejects

"Beekeeper's Daughter" is a song by American rock band the All-American Rejects, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album Kids in the Street on January 31, 2012.

References

  1. "Billboard". 21 December 2002.
  2. Koerber, Brian (February 5, 2015). "22 emo songs that helped you through your high-school breakup". Mashable . Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  3. "Kara Connolly Celebrates the Sweet 16 of The All-American Rejects Emo Hit "Swing, Swing" with a Pop Ballad Version". Rock the Pigeon. October 16, 2018. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  4. "All-American Rejects: Red, White And So, So Blue". MTV. Retrieved 4 December 2002.
  5. "All-American Rejects Set Headlining Tour, Score (Literally) With Single". MTV. Retrieved 24 March 2003.
  6. "The All-American Rejects - 'Swing Swing' (Dreamworks)". RockFeedBack. Retrieved 26 November 2003.
  7. "All American Rejects". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 21 February 2003.
  8. "The All-American Rejects - Swing Swing (Dreamworks)". musicOMH. Retrieved 21 July 2003.
  9. "The All-American Rejects - Swing, Swing (Dreamworks)". City Life. Retrieved 18 July 2003.[ dead link ]
  10. https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-all-american-rejects/chart-history/alternative-songs
  11. "OfficialCharts.com Is For Sale". Official Charts Company .
  12. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  14. "The All American Rejects Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  15. "The All American Rejects Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  16. "The All American Rejects Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  17. "The All-American Rejects - Awards". AllMusic . Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  19. "British single certifications – All-American Rejects – Swing Swing". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  20. "Swing Swing [Single, Enhanced, Maxi]". Amazon UK. Retrieved July 12, 2014.