Swing, Swing
Encyclopedia
"Swing, Swing" is the title of a song written and recorded by American alternative rock
group The All-American Rejects
. It was released in December 2002 as their first single from their debut album The All-American Rejects
.
and was released on January 7, 2003. The video cuts between shots of the band playing in what appears to be a trailer park at night or a car garage during day and scenes that tell the story of a boy and his girlfriend as they go through several events together (such as shoplifting from a convenience store), before eventually breaking up. This is originally thought to be because of his car overheating, but it is more likely that it was because of an argument. The story finishes with him trying to talk to her, but she avoids him and moves on.
of both comedy film American Wedding
and videogame Playboy: The Mansion
. The song is also briefly heard in the background of the Smallville
episode "Witness" and also during the pilot for The OC. In 2009 it was performed by Richard Fleeshman
(as his character Kyle Caddick) and others in episode 2 of the British Television Drama: All the Small Things
. "Swing, Swing" was remixed by New Orleans Based DJ Loopy. He remixed the song for a compilation album called "Sky High Invasion - Volume 1". This mix of "Swing Swing" was also featured on the AAR website for quite some time. The song is also a playable track in the game Lego Rock Band
. The song has been used as introduction music to the "Mystery Guest" section in an episode of the British topical news comedy show Russell Howard's Good News
.
as a single in late 2002 along with the full length album, The All-American Rejects, "Swing, Swing" gained attention on Los Angeles
modern rock radio station KROQ-FM
, as well as on WXRK in New York City
which broadcasted rock music at the time. The song peaked at number 26 on the U.S. Billboard
Modern Rock Tracks
.
When the debut album was re-released on Dreamworks Records
in early 2003, "Swing Swing" was reissued. It peaked at number 8 on the Modern Rock Tracks
chart in March. "Swing, Swing" hit a peak at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100
for the week of July 19 when it was declining on the Modern Rock chart and was climbing the pop charts. "Swing, Swing" hit its peaks on the pop charts (the Mainstream Top 40 and Top 40 Tracks) in early August.
"Swing, Swing" charted on the UK Singles Chart for five weeks in August, peaking with its debut. Also, "Swing, Swing" was released digitally in 2005, reaching number 75 on Billboard Magazine's "Hot Digital Songs" chart. "Swing, Swing" returned briefly to the U.K. charts at number 99 on April 18, 2009.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
group The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
. It was released in December 2002 as their first single from their debut album The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects (album)
-Chart performance:AlbumSingles-Certifications and sales:After The All-American Rejects major label debut on February 4, 2003, the album sold steadily in the United States. By March 24, 2003 The All-American Rejects had sold around 217,000 copies. On April 21, 2003, the RIAA awarded the album with...
.
Composition
When the duo was writing for their debut album in lead singer and bassist Tyson Ritter's grandparents' cabin, the tune had come from Ritter at around one in the morning. According to him he started playing the chorus, "and Nick [the band's guitarist] came out and was like, 'What's that?' and [Ritter] told him it was a new song [he] was writing." The band finished writing the song that weekend. Ritter explains the meaning of the song according to the second verse is moving on from past relationships. Apparently the song nearly didn't make The All-American Rejects, and was one of the last songs recorded.Track listing
UK limited edition 7" orange vinyl- Side A: "Swing, Swing"
- Side B: "Too Far Gone" (Bedroom Demo Version)
Music video
The music video for "Swing, Swing" was directed by Marcos SiegaMarcos Siega
Marcos Siega is a film, television, commercial, and music video director. He has also worked as a producer and a musician....
and was released on January 7, 2003. The video cuts between shots of the band playing in what appears to be a trailer park at night or a car garage during day and scenes that tell the story of a boy and his girlfriend as they go through several events together (such as shoplifting from a convenience store), before eventually breaking up. This is originally thought to be because of his car overheating, but it is more likely that it was because of an argument. The story finishes with him trying to talk to her, but she avoids him and moves on.
Appearances in other media
"Swing, Swing" was featured on the soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of both comedy film American Wedding
American Wedding
American Wedding is a 2003 comedy film that is a sequel to American Pie and American Pie 2 as part of the American Pie series. It was written by Adam Herz and directed by Jesse Dylan...
and videogame Playboy: The Mansion
Playboy: The Mansion
Playboy: The Mansion is a business simulation video game for the PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows and Xbox consoles, developed by Cyberlore Studios, published by Groove Games and ARUSH Entertainment and licensed by Playboy Enterprises....
. The song is also briefly heard in the background of the Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
episode "Witness" and also during the pilot for The OC. In 2009 it was performed by Richard Fleeshman
Richard Fleeshman
Richard Jonathan Fleeshman is an English actor and singer-songwriter. His television career began as a twelve year old, playing Craig Harris for four years in Coronation Street and most recently "All The Small Things"...
(as his character Kyle Caddick) and others in episode 2 of the British Television Drama: All the Small Things
All the Small Things (TV series)
All the Small Things is a British television programme, produced by the BBC and created and developed by Debbie Horsfield. Following the lives and ambitions of a church choir and its members, the programme began airing on 31 March 2009 and ran for six episodes. The programme frequently features...
. "Swing, Swing" was remixed by New Orleans Based DJ Loopy. He remixed the song for a compilation album called "Sky High Invasion - Volume 1". This mix of "Swing Swing" was also featured on the AAR website for quite some time. The song is also a playable track in the game Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band is a music video game and part of the Rock Band series developed by Harmonix Music Systems, but also incorporates elements from other Lego video games as developed by Traveller's Tales. The game is published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games...
. The song has been used as introduction music to the "Mystery Guest" section in an episode of the British topical news comedy show Russell Howard's Good News
Russell Howard's Good News
Russell Howard's Good News is a British comedy and topical news show broadcast on BBC Three and, since the show's fourth series, BBC HD. Hosted by comedian Russell Howard, he offers his commentary on the news of the week using mostly standup, but including sketches and guest appearances from people...
.
Chart history
When released by Doghouse RecordsDoghouse Records
Doghouse Records is a Toledo, Ohio based record label, now run out of the New York City office. Since 2004 Doghouse has been a part of the Warner Music Group....
as a single in late 2002 along with the full length album, The All-American Rejects, "Swing, Swing" gained attention on Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
modern rock radio station KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
, as well as on WXRK in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
which broadcasted rock music at the time. The song peaked at number 26 on the U.S. Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
.
When the debut album was re-released on Dreamworks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
in early 2003, "Swing Swing" was reissued. It peaked at number 8 on the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart in March. "Swing, Swing" hit a peak at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
for the week of July 19 when it was declining on the Modern Rock chart and was climbing the pop charts. "Swing, Swing" hit its peaks on the pop charts (the Mainstream Top 40 and Top 40 Tracks) in early August.
"Swing, Swing" charted on the UK Singles Chart for five weeks in August, peaking with its debut. Also, "Swing, Swing" was released digitally in 2005, reaching number 75 on Billboard Magazine's "Hot Digital Songs" chart. "Swing, Swing" returned briefly to the U.K. charts at number 99 on April 18, 2009.
| Chart (2002–2003) | Peak position |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 8 | ||||
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
60 | ||||
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay Hot 100 Airplay The Hot 100 Airplay chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures radio airplay, and is one of the three component charts, along with the Hot Singles Sales and the Hot Digital Songs charts, that determine the chart positions of singles on the Billboard... |
59 | ||||
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 17 | ||||
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks is a defunct airplay chart from Billboard Magazine. It was created in 1998, when Billboard Magazine changed the airplay profile of The Hot 100 Airplay to include more R&B, Country, and Rock stations to its profile . To preserve the notion of the former chart, Top 40 Tracks was... |
30 | ||||
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
13 | ||||
| U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs Hot Digital Songs The Hot Digital Songs chart ranks the best-selling digital singles in the United States, according to Billboard.Beginning in February 2005, digital sales have been incorporated into many of Billboards music single charts. It was decided to do so mainly because of the dramatic rise in popularity of... A |
75 | ||||
| *A indicates song charted in 2005. | |||||