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I Swear

This article is about the John Michael Montgomery song, most notably covered by All-4-One. For other uses, see I Swear (disambiguation).

"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.

"I Swear"
Single by John Michael Montgomery
from the album Kickin' It Up
ReleasedNovember 19, 1993
GenreCountry
Length4:22
LabelAtlantic Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Scott Hendricks
John Michael Montgomery singles chronology
"Beer and Bones"
(1993) 		"I Swear"
(1993) 		"Rope the Moon"
(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, Montgomery'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

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The song is a ballad in which the narrator promises his significant other that he will always love her.

Track listings

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  • CD maxi—United States (1993)
  1. "I Swear" – 4:23
  2. "Line on Love" – 2:37
  3. "Dream on Texas Ladies" – 3:08
  4. "Friday at Five" – 2:41

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for John Michael Montgomery's version
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

All-4-One version

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"I Swear"
 
Single by All-4-One
from the album All-4-One
ReleasedApril 22, 1994 (1994-04-22)[9]
StudioDavid Foster's Malibu home studio
Genre
Length4:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)David Foster
All-4-One singles chronology
"So Much in Love"
(1993) 		"I Swear"
(1994) 		"(She's Got) Skillz"
(1994)
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 of "I Swear" 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".

Released on April 22, 1994,[9] by Blitzz and Atlantic, 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

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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.[10]

Critical reception

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A reviewer from Billboard described the song as a "memorable anthem ballad".[11] An editor, 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 ..."[12] M.R. Martinez from Cash Box complimented it as a single "complete with shimmering vocals, swooning pop arrangements, and throttled (yet soulful) vocals".[13] 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."[14]

Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel noted its "more modern (i.e. more syrupy)" take.[15] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "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."[16] 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."[17] Alan Jones from Music Week declared it as a "pretty and powerful ballad", "[that] should be big".[18] The band won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their version of the song.

Music video

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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.[19]

Other All-4-One versions

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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".[20] A clip of the All-4-One has also been used in Gain laundry detergent TV ads in the US since 2021.

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for All-4-One's cover
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[71] Platinum 50,000*
Germany (BVMI)[72] Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[73] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[74] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[75] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[76] Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[9] Platinum 1,500,000[77]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States April 22, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
[9]
United Kingdom June 6, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Atlantic [78]

Other versions

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In 1996 Canto/Mando Pop Goddess Sandy Lam covered the song with 4 of her friends Chiyi, Teresa Carpio and Prudence Lau on her all English cover album entitled "I Swear". 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.[79]

The Brazilian version of the song I Swear, titled Eu Juro, was performed by the popular sertanejo duo Leandro & Leonardo. Released in 1995 as part of their album Leandro & Leonardo Vol. 10, the song adapted the romantic theme of the original into Portuguese, maintaining its heartfelt message. Eu Juro became a hit in Brazil, resonating with fans of the duo and contributing to the success of their album. The adaptation preserved the essence of the original, while adding a distinctly Brazilian flair typical of the sertanejo genre.[80]

Rock band Smokie also featured a version on their 2000 album Uncovered.[81]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Bronson, Fred (August 2, 2013). "Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2387." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. February 14, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  3. ^ "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "John Michael Montgomery Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1994". RPM. December 12, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  6. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Single Sales". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-30. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  7. ^ "Best of 1994: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  8. ^ "American single certifications – John Michael Montgomery – I Swear". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "American single certifications – All-4-One – I Swear". Recording Industry Association of America.
  10. ^ "All-4-One reveal details behind '90s tour: 'What's old becomes new again'". EW.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Flick, Larry (April 30, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 18. p. 69. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Martinez, M.R. (April 30, 1994). "Urban — Reviews: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  14. ^ Sholin, Dave (April 15, 1994). "Gavin Picks — Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  15. ^ Campbell, Chuck (May 20, 1994). "Basia Returns With 'Illusion' After Long Break". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  16. ^ Masterton, James (June 12, 1994). "Week Ending June 18th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  17. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. June 18, 1994. p. 10. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Jones, Alan (June 4, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 12. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
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  31. ^ source: Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. ISBN 9789511210535. page: 280
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  73. ^ "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 jaargangen".
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  81. ^ https://www.discogs.com/master/452978-Smokie-Uncovered
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