Songfacts®:

• "Bad Dreams" finds Teddy Swims detailing the raw emotional aftermath of a relationship ending. Released on September 13, 2024, the song marks Swims' first foray back into the recording studio since his breakthrough album, I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). The lyrics drip with longing as Swims repeatedly begs for his ex to reconsider, all while grappling with insomnia and the persistent specter of regret.
• The Everything But Therapy (Part 1) album was inspired by a complicated relationship and its breakup; this song may be inspired by the same heartbreak. But it should be noted that by the time "Bad Dreams" hit the airwaves, Swims was happily ensconced in a new romance with Massachusetts singer Raiche Wright.
• "Bad Dreams" was born at a Palm Springs writing camp with John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Matt Zara, Mikky Ekko, Rocky Block, and Solly, after he tearfully confessed being scared to go to sleep because of his chronic nightmares. Bunetta and Ekko also helped craft Swims' breakthrough singles "Lose Control" and "The Door."
• On the production side, Bunetta, Zara, and Ryan open the track with a mellow yet funky bassline, setting a contemplative mood that vibes with the emotional weight of the lyrics. Teddy Swims deliberately wanted "Bad Dreams" to have a groove instead of being a full-on scream, explaining that yelling at the top of his voice every night on tour isn't sustainable.
• Orie McGinness directed the music video. Known for his surreal work in the rock and metal genres (he's done multiple videos for the band Bad Omens), McGinness takes Swims - and us - on a surreal journey through the twisted alleyways of the subconscious.
• Teddy Swims has struggled with bad dreams throughout his life, so much so that there are times he either can't sleep or is afraid to. His partner, Raiche Wright, has been a grounding force in managing his insomnia. Swims frames "Bad Dreams" as a love letter to both fear and support, asking his loved one to "set me free from all of these bad dreams waiting on the other side."
  
  "Meeting Raiche, who's such a holistic person," Swims told The Sun, "It's been nice to have someone help with that, making me take charcoal and magnesium to sleep."
• Teddy Swims often turns writing sessions into therapy. At his Palm Springs camp, he and Julian Bunetta would take morning walks to talk through their thoughts before creating music. "Bad Dreams" grew organically from these conversations.
• He credits Rocky Block with nailing the second verse of "Bad Dreams." Swims told Genius performing it in concert "always makes me feel close to him when I sing that verse."