I Swear
"I Swear" | ||||
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Single by John Michael Montgomery | ||||
from the album Kickin' It Up | ||||
Released | November 19, 1993 | |||
Recorded | 1993 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 4:22 | |||
Label | Atlantic Nashville | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Scott Hendricks | |||
John Michael Montgomery singles chronology | ||||
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"I Swear" is a song written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery in 1993, and for American R&B group All-4-One in 1994.
Released in November 1993 as the lead single from his album Kickin' It Up, and accompanied by a music video directed by Marc Ball, Montogemery's version spent four weeks at number-one on the U.S. Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, later crossing over to pop radio and reaching number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March.
The cover by All-4-One was subsequently released in April 1994, becoming a number-one hit in numerous countries, and later garnering a spot in Billboard's ranking of All-Time Top 100 Songs.[1]
Content[edit]
The song is a ballad in which the narrator promises his significant other that he will always love her.
Track listings[edit]
- CD maxi—United States (1993)
- "I Swear" – 4:23
- "Line on Love" – 2:37
- "Dream on Texas Ladies" – 3:08
- "Friday at Five" – 2:41
Charts[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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All-4-One version[edit]
"I Swear" | ||||
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Single by All-4-One | ||||
from the album All-4-One | ||||
Released | April 1994 | |||
Studio | David Foster's Malibu home studio | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:18 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | David Foster | |||
All-4-One singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I Swear" on YouTube |
Following the release of Montgomery's version, American male R&B pop group All-4-One recorded a cover version with record producer David Foster for their eponymous 1994 debut album. The cover includes a lyric change: the original line from the second verse "And when there's silver in your hair" was replaced by "And when just the two of us are there."
All-4-One's version reached number one on numerous music charts, including the US Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for 11 consecutive weeks. The recording later ranked number 98 on Billboard's list of All-Time Top 100 Songs.[1] In the United Kingdom, the All-4-One recording spent a total of 18 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number two, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks (held off the top spot by Wet Wet Wet's "Love Is All Around").
Background and composition[edit]
After their first album had finished going through the mastering process of recording, Doug Morris, president of Atlantic Records called the group for a meeting. He showed them the original "I Swear" country record, asking All-4-One to do a cover of it promising to bring David Foster in for production. Singer Jamie Jones of the group was most hesitant about releasing the song due to the genre crossover. The group finished the recording at Foster's Malibu home studio.[8]
Critical reception[edit]
A reviewer from Billboard described the song as an "memorable anthem ballad".[9] The magazine's Larry Flick wrote, "Follow-up to the gold-selling 'So Much in Love' once again spotlights this male quartet's seamless harmonies. Producer David Foster supplies soft and pillowy synths, a caressing sax solo, and an overall splash of drama, which complements the unabashed romance of this hit-bound ballad. As teens enter prom season, expect this song to be the peak tune of the evening. Ahhh, young love ..."[10] M.R. Martinez from Cash Box complimented it as a single "complete with shimmering vocals, swooning pop arrangements, and throttled (yet soulful) vocals".[11] James Masterton noted in his weekly UK chart commentary, "Labelled by many as this year's 'End of the Road' you can see what all the hype is about. Four American teenagers singing in barber's shop harmonies makes for a gorgeous record. Whether it emulates its American success remains to be seen but Top 10 success is almost assured."[12]
Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report complimented the producer that "polishes it up just right for pop audiences who, like their country counterparts, will soak in the lyrics." He added, "Those contemplating matrimony will no doubt have this played while they're walking down the aisle, and those who've already tied the knot might want to renew their vows just so they can make "I Swear" part of the ceremony."[13] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Since Whitney covered Dolly, Nashville is hip in the R&B milieu. Now the vocal harmony quartet halfway between Shai and Boyz II Men polishes John Michael Montgomery country number 1 hit." Head of music on German Radio Regenbogen/Mannheim, Martin Schwebel said, "It's a beautiful love song. The fact that it's on pole position in every American chart imaginable shows its huge potential. Here in Germany it might be a sleeper, but it will be a hit in the long run."[14] Alan Jones from Music Week declared it as a "pretty and powerful ballad", that "should be big".[15]
Music video[edit]
A music video was produced to promote the single. It portrays the members of All-4-One hanging out on a rooftop singing interspersed with scenes with a young woman walking on the sidewalk below. They go down to walk and talk with her as they implore her not to leave. Ultimately, she says goodbye to each member before boarding a departing bus. The video was later published on YouTube in January 2014. It had generated over 57 million views as of September 20, 2021.[16]
Other All-4-One versions[edit]
All-4-One and John Michael Montgomery recorded an updated duet version of "I Swear" for the deluxe edition of All-4-One's 2015 album Twenty+. A music video for this duet version was released on May 9, 2016. In 2021, All-4-One recorded a remix of "I Swear" for a music video promoting Xbox All-Access, titled "It's All There".[17]
Track listings[edit]
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Charts[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
Decade-end charts[edit]
All-time charts[edit]
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Certifications[edit]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[45] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[64] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[65] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[66] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[67] | Platinum | 10,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[68] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] | Platinum | 600,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[71] | Platinum | 1,500,000[70] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history[edit]
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | April 1994 |
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[72] |
United Kingdom | June 6, 1994 |
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Atlantic | [73] |
Other versions[edit]
The final eleven contestants from Popstars: Girls forever, ninth season of TV talent show POPSTARS in Germany, they released a cover version of the song with Gary Baker on November 19, 2010. The finalists premiered the song live on the November 18 edition of the program; the single was available for digital download on November 16, 2010, and a physical release followed the day after the live performance of the song. The song was recorded at Noiseblock Studios in Florence, Alabama. The cover reached number 69 on the German Singles Chart.[74]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Bronson, Fred (August 2, 2013). "Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2387." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. February 14, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1994". RPM. December 12, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Single Sales". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-30. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ "Best of 1994: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "All-4-One reveal details behind '90s tour: 'What's old becomes new again'". EW.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Verna, Paul; Gillen, Marilyn A.; Cronin, Peter, eds. (April 30, 1994). "Album Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 18. p. 68. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ Flick, Larry (April 30, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 18. p. 69. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ Martinez, M.R. (April 30, 1994). "Urban — Reviews: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- ^ Masterton, James (June 12, 1994). "Week Ending June 18th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ Sholin, Dave (April 15, 1994). "Gavin Picks — Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. June 18, 1994. p. 10. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Alan (June 4, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 12. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ^ "All-4-One - I Swear". YouTube. January 9, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ It's All There (July 6, 2021), I Swear Remix, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved July 6, 2021
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2508." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2517." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ Danish peak
- ^ Eurochart peak
- ^ source: Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. ISBN 9789511210535. page: 280
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (16.6.–22.6. '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). June 16, 1994. p. 38. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – All 4 One". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. August 14, 1994. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2022. See LW column.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear". VG-lista. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "All-4-One – I Swear". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ "All-4-One Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
- ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
- ^ a b "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1994". ARIA. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1994" (in German). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 AC tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "1994 in Review – Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1994" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1995. p. 16. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1994" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1994" (in German). Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-26. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ "1994 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-68. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ Mayfield, Geoff (December 25, 1999). "1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade – The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – All 4 One – I Swear" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (All-4-One; 'I Swear')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – All-4-One – I Swear" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter I Swear in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1994 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle statussen"
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – All-4-One – I Swear". Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
- ^ "British single certifications – All-4-One – I Swear". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 3. BPI Communications. January 21, 1995. p. 57. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ^ "American single certifications – All-4-One – I Swear". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ McCabe, Kevin (April 30, 1994). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 18. p. 93.
The commercial single just arrived in stores...
- ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. June 4, 1994. p. 21.
- ^ "Gary Baker feat. Popstars – I Swear" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
External links[edit]
- 1993 songs
- 1993 singles
- 1994 singles
- 2010 debut singles
- All-4-One songs
- Atlantic Records singles
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Billboard Hot Country Songs number-one singles of the year
- Contemporary R&B ballads
- Country ballads
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- John Michael Montgomery songs
- Lotta Engberg songs
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Number-one singles in Austria
- Number-one singles in Denmark
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Number-one singles in the Netherlands
- Number-one singles in New Zealand
- Number-one singles in Sweden
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- Number-one singles in Zimbabwe
- Pop ballads
- RPM Top Singles number-one singles
- Song recordings produced by David Foster
- Song recordings produced by Scott Hendricks
- Songs written by Frank J. Myers
- Songs written by Gary Baker (songwriter)
- Soul ballads
- Warner Music Group singles
- 1990s ballads