I'm a Mess (Ed Sheeran song)

Last updated

"I'm a Mess"
Song by Ed Sheeran
from the album ×
A-side "Thinking Out Loud"
Released22 June 2014
Recorded2014
Studio Sticky Studios (Windlesham, Surrey)
Genre Pop
Length4:05
Label
Songwriter(s) Ed Sheeran
Producer(s) Jake Gosling

"I'm a Mess" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, x (2014). It features production from frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 72 and rose to number 49 due to strong download sales.

Contents

Writing and production

Following the release of his debut studio album, + , in 2011, Sheeran started writing material for his next release. [1] Instead of rush-run and launch an album the next year, the singer decided to take time and focus on writing material that would help expand his career in the United States, like fellow British musician Adele and band Coldplay. "I'm a Mess" premiered on 22 June 2014 via MTV, a day before the release of × , his second album in the United Kingdom and the United States. [2] The track together with "Thinking Out Loud" were the last songs he wrote for × and were inspired by his then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos. [3] On 16 July 2014, during the album unveiling in a room in RAK Studios, he noted that he wrote "I'm a Mess" while he was in the shower. [3]

In an interview with the New Zealand Herald , he described "I'm a Mess" as him being in a bad situation after he hurt a person, "I think it's important to stay double-sided. I'm very aware I have a lot of flaws too and I think I wear them on my sleeve with this album." [4] Talking to News.com.au, he identified the song as "fairly self-explanatory" and recalled, "'I’m a Mess' was definitely written at my lowest point. It actually turned out a lot nicer than what was going on at the time, the lyrics aren’t too mental. That came at the end of a lot of things meeting. After that I was fine. Writing that song sorted everything out." [5] Sheeran said that "I'm a Mess" is his favourite track from ×. [6]

The production of "I'm a Mess" was done by Sheeran's regular collaborator, Jake Gosling and was recorded at his Sticky Studios in Windlesham, Surrey. Gosling together with Geoff Swan served as the song's engineers while William Hicks did the vocal editing and provided additional vocals. Mark "Spike" Stent mixed the track at Mixsuite UK whilst Stuark Hawkos mastered it at Metropolis Mastering in London. All the programming and instrumentation was provided by Sheeran, Gosling and Chris Leonard. [7] A live version of "I'm a Mess" was released as a B-side on the 7" release of "Thinking Out Loud". [8]

Composition

"I'm a Mess" is a pop song with folk music influences [2] and a length of four minutes and five seconds. Its instrumentation included electric guitar notes, backing vocals and a beating drum. [9] According to Sony/ATV Music Publishing's digital sheet music for the song, "I'm a Mess" is composed in the key of C♯ minor and set in common time signature, and has a groove of 140 beats per minute. [10] Sheeran's vocals span from the low note of Bb3 to the high note of Bb5. [10] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph described "I'm a Mess" as an "edgy, rocky drama", [11] whilst according to Jason Lipshutz of Billboard Sheeran uses his "classic folk voice and sensibility" to deliver the song's lyrics. [12] MTV News' Emily Blake noted that the stripped-down production of the song helps the focus to be on Sheeran's voice. She further elaborated, "like most of his folk-leaning pop numbers, it’s a track that makes you feel like Sheeran’s singing just to you" and " when his voice comes down to a near whisper — making the whole thing that much more intimate." [2]

According to Caitlin White of the same publication, "I'm a Mess" is a "lovelorn song" which shows a different side of Sheeran; instead of being brokenhearted, "he’s the one that messed up". [13] He is "self-reflective" and "self-critical" with one of the verses contain lyrics as, "And oh, I’ve only caused you pain" and the chorus features the line, "Easy baby, maybe I’m a liar". [13] Billboard's Colin Stutz concluded, "Sheeran's intimate voice carries over simple guitar strokes as he describes a night of loneliness and longing that erupts with fiery passion." [14]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ×. [7]

Locations

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [15] 62
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [16] 60
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [17] 49

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [18] Platinum80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [19] Gold30,000^
Italy (FIMI) [20] Gold25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [21] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [22] Gold500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

Jake Nathan Gosling is an English record producer and songwriter. Best known for his production work for English singer Ed Sheeran, he has also been credited on releases for acts including Lady Gaga, The Libertines, James Bay, Shawn Mendes, All Time Low, One Direction, Major Lazer, Christina Perri, Shania Twain, 5 Seconds of Summer, Paloma Faith, and Wiley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Need Me, I Don't Need You</span> 2011 single by Ed Sheeran

"You Need Me, I Don't Need You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2011 as the second single from his debut studio album, + ("Plus").

<i>+</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Ed Sheeran

+ ("Plus") is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 9 September 2011 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album is considered Sheeran's commercial breakthrough. He previously released five EPs independently. Jake Gosling and Sheeran produced the majority of the album, with additional production by American hip hop producer No I.D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lego House</span> 2011 single by Ed Sheeran

"Lego House" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 11 November 2011 as the third single lifted from his debut studio album + of 2011. It was released as the second single in the US on 11 February 2013. It was written by Sheeran, Jake Gosling and Chris Leonard, and produced by Jake Gosling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drunk (Ed Sheeran song)</span> 2012 single by Ed Sheeran

"Drunk" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as the fourth single lifted from the debut studio album + on 17 February 2012. The song was written by Ed Sheeran and Jake Gosling and produced by Gosling. The single entered the UK Singles Chart at number 63. The week after, it climbed to number 29. Later on, it climbed to number 9, making it his fourth top ten single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Things (One Direction song)</span> 2012 single by One Direction

"Little Things" is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction from their second studio album, Take Me Home (2012). It was released by Syco Music on 12 November 2012 as the record's second single. The song was written by Fiona Bevan and Ed Sheeran, and produced by Jake Gosling. Bevan brought the song to Sheeran's attention while he was in studio with the group in 2012, resulting in the band recording it. "Little Things" is a mid-tempo pop and folk ballad about the insistence that flaws are what make a person unique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me Love (Ed Sheeran song)</span> 2012 single by Ed Sheeran

"Give Me Love" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as the sixth and final single from his debut studio album, +, on 21 November 2012. The song was written by Sheeran, Jake Gosling and Chris Leonard. The single peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. On the album, Sheeran's cover of the traditional Irish folk song "The Parting Glass" is included at the end as a hidden track. A cover of the song recorded live at the Capital FM Studios in London on 30 May 2014, is featured on the deluxe version of American singer Demi Lovato's fourth album, Demi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything Has Changed</span> 2013 single by Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran

"Everything Has Changed" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from Swift's fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the sixth single from the album on July 14, 2013, by Big Machine Records. A music video for the song was released earlier on June 6, 2013. Produced by Butch Walker, "Everything Has Changed" is a guitar-led folk-pop ballad. Its lyrics are about wanting to know a new lover better. The song received mixed reviews from critics, who either complimented or criticized the production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I See Fire</span> 2013 single by Ed Sheeran

"I See Fire" is a song by the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was commissioned for the soundtrack of the 2013 film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, where it was played over the closing credits. The Hobbit director, Peter Jackson, asked Sheeran to write a song for the movie after Jackson's daughter, Katie, suggested Sheeran. Sheeran saw the film, wrote the song, and recorded most of the track elements on the same day.

"Tenerife Sea" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was written by Sheeran, Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol, and Foy Vance, and produced by Rick Rubin. The song was released on 20 June 2014 as part of his second studio album, x. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 93 and peaked at number 62.

<i>x</i> (Ed Sheeran album) 2014 Ed Sheeran album, pronounced multiply

x is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran. It was released on 20 June 2014 in Australia and New Zealand, and worldwide on 23 June through Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album received positive reviews from music critics. It was an international commercial success, peaking at No. 1 in 15 countries, while topping both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. x also reached the top five in seven other countries and was the best selling album of 2014 in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Five singles were released from the album: "Sing", "Don't", "Thinking Out Loud", "Bloodstream", and "Photograph".

<i>Songs I Wrote with Amy</i> 2010 EP by Ed Sheeran

Songs I Wrote with Amy is an extended play, independently released by Ed Sheeran on 18 April 2010. All of the songs were written collaboratively by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge. The EP is a folk album of what journalist David Nolan described as "polite, discreet adult offerings aimed at a grown-up audience," with "world-weary songs of mornings after, indecision and regret."

"One" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, x (2014). Sheeran wrote the song immediately after releasing his debut album, + (2011). It marked the last occasion wherein Sheeran wrote about his former girlfriend, who inspired all the romantic compositions on +. "One" was produced by frequent collaborator Jake Gosling and its music was based primarily on acoustic guitar. Critics were generally positive toward the song; it was noted for its guitar-driven sound and Sheeran's use of falsetto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't (Ed Sheeran song)</span> 2014 single by Ed Sheeran

"Don't" is a song by English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, for his second studio album, × (2014). Written by Sheeran and Benny Blanco and produced by Blanco and Rick Rubin, the song samples "Don't Mess with My Man" by Lucy Pearl. It was initially planned as the album's lead single, but was passed over in favour of "Sing". It was instead released to iTunes on 13 June 2014 as the second "instant grat" promotional single from ×. "Don't" officially impacted US contemporary hit radio on 15 July 2014 as the album's second single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thinking Out Loud</span> 2014 single by Ed Sheeran

"Thinking Out Loud" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran recorded for his second studio album, × (2014). It was written by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, and produced by frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. It was released in the US on 14 August 2014 as the album's third single.

"The Man" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It features production from frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. The song was released as an "instant grat" digital download to the iTunes Store on 19 June 2014, serving as the sixth of seven promotional singles from his second studio album, x (2014). It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 87.

Sticky Studios is an independent music recording studio located in Windlesham, Surrey. The studio is owned by music producer, songwriter, remixer, manager and publisher Jake Gosling. Sticky Studios is most notable for its work with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, One Direction, Christina Perri, Paloma Faith and Wiley.

<i>Jamie Lawson</i> (album) 2015 studio album by Jamie Lawson

Jamie Lawson is the fourth studio album by British singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson. It is also the first album to be released on Ed Sheeran's record label Gingerbread Man Records. On 17 July 2015, it was announced through Lawson's Twitter account that the self-titled album was available for pre-order on iTunes. The release of the album was pushed back by one week to 16 October 2015.

"Nina" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and Northern Irish singer Johnny McDaid. It was recorded by the former for his second studio album, x (2014), and it appeared as the sixth track. The song was produced by Jake Gosling. "Nina" samples elements of "Welcome to My World" by Wretch 32, written by Jermaine Scott, Isra Andja-Diumi Lohata and Jay Lee Robert Hippolyte.

"Runaway" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and American rapper and singer Pharrell Williams then it was recorded by the former for his second studio album, x (2014) which appeared as the ninth track. The song was produced solely by Pharrell Williams.

References

  1. ↑ Cabooter, James (3 May 2014). "Ed Sheeran's new single One recorded using whiskey barrel as an instrument". Daily Star . Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Blake, Emily (22 June 2014). "Exclusive: Hear Ed Sheeran's 'I'm A Mess'... Which Isn't A Mess At All". MTV News. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 McLean, Craig (16 July 2014). "Ed Sheeran interview: 'I don't make music for critics'". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  4. ↑ Jenkin, Lydia (8 May 2014). "Painting the town 'Ed' - A day in the life of Ed Sheeran". New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ed Sheeran admits Don't is the celebrity breakup song so harsh it even shocked Taylor Swift". News.com.au. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Rubenstein, Holly (29 May 2014). "Ed Sheeran says new album takes him 'outside comfort zone'". London: Reuters . Retrieved 3 November 2015.[ dead link ]
  7. 1 2 x (inlay cover). Ed Sheeran. Asylum Records, Atlantic Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ "Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud/I'm a Mess". Record Store Day. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  9. ↑ Lee, Christina (23 June 2014). "Ed Sheeran Sings Of Desperation In 'I'm A Mess': Listen". Idolator . Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing . Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  11. ↑ McCormick, Neil (24 June 2014). "Ed Sheeran, X, review: 'genuinely great'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (23 June 2014). "Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard . New York. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  13. 1 2 White, Caitly (22 June 2014). "Fans Are Loving Ed Sheeran's 'I'm A Mess' ... Because We've All Been There". MTV News. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  14. ↑ Stutz, Colin (22 June 2015). "Ed Sheeran Drops Longing New Song, 'I'm A Mess': Listen". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 28, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 - 12th July 2014". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". Music Canada . Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  20. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  21. ↑ "British single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  22. ↑ "American single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 1 September 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.