"I'm a Mess" | ||||
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Single by Bebe Rexha | ||||
from the album Expectations | ||||
Released | June 15, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2017 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:15 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Bebe Rexha singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I'm a Mess" on YouTube |
"I'm a Mess" is a song by American singer Bebe Rexha from her debut studio album, Expectations (2018). It was released as the first and only single from the album on June 15, 2018, following an early radio release in the United States. [1] The song is produced by Jussifer and vocal produced by Devon Corey. According to Rexha, "The song is about accepting your own imperfections, and not dwelling on them but rather celebrating them". [2]
On September 18, 2017, a snippet of the track was shared by Rexha via an Instagram story. The second snippet was released on April 20, 2018. [3] On June 7, 2018, Bebe announced through social media that her upcoming debut album's first single, entitled "I'm a Mess", would be released on June 15, 2018. [4]
"I'm a Mess" contains an interpolation of the 1997 song "Bitch", performed by Meredith Brooks. [5] [6] It was written by Rexha alongside Justin Tranter and Jussifer, while the latter handled production with Devon Corey. [7]
The song centers around the artist's experience of unrequited love for an unnamed love interest. The artist is deeply enamored, but the recipient of her affections remains indifferent, leading to a cascade of emotions including sadness, anger, and insecurity. These emotions manifest as the artist grapples with trust issues, causing her to become guarded and lash out at the world around her.
The lyrics serve as a poignant portrayal of the artist's inner turmoil, torn between the intensity of her love and the simultaneous feelings of resentment. Although she recognizes the impossibility of a reciprocated love, a glimmer of hope persists within her, yearning for a change in the dynamics.
Beyond the personal narrative, the song offers a broader commentary on the complexities of love. It highlights the dual nature of love as a potent and, at times, destructive emotion. The artist becomes a casualty of her own affections, inadvertently inflicting emotional wounds upon herself without realizing the harm.
The music video was directed by Sophie Muller and premiered on July 19, 2018. [8]
Rexha performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , [9] on the Teen Choice Awards, [10] on the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards. She also performed at the iHeartRadio Music Festival (along with "Meant to Be") [11] and on Big Brother [12] and America's Got Talent . [13]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [44] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [45] | 3× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [46] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [47] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [48] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [49] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [50] | 2× Platinum | 100,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP) [51] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [52] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [53] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [54] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | June 15, 2018 | Original | Warner Bros. | [4] | |
Italy | June 22, 2018 | Contemporary hit radio | [55] | ||
United States | July 16, 2018 | Hot adult contemporary | [56] | ||
Various | October 19, 2018 | Digital download | Acoustic | Atlantic | [14] |
United Kingdom | November 10, 2018 | Hot adult contemporary | Original | [57] | |
Various | November 30, 2018 | Digital download | Remixes | [15] |
"Take Me Home" is a song by American DJ trio Cash Cash, featuring American singer Bebe Rexha, taken from Cash Cash's second EP Overtime and their fourth studio album Blood, Sweat & 3 Years. "Take Me Home" was released digitally worldwide on July 15, 2013. In November 2013, the group recorded an acoustic version of "Take Me Home". A music video for the song was released on December 18, 2013. The song reached the top 10 in The United Kingdom and Australia.
"Hey Mama" is a song recorded by French record producer David Guetta featuring Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj, American singer Bebe Rexha and co-production by Dutch record producer Afrojack. The song was released on 16 March 2015, as the fourth single from Guetta's sixth studio album, Listen (2014). It was produced by David Guetta, Afrojack, and Giorgio Tuinfort, who also wrote the song with Rexha, Minaj, Ester Dean, and Sean Douglas. American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax is also credited as a writer, as the track samples his recording of "Rosie", a field holler sung by an Afro-American chain gang at the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
"I'm Gonna Show You Crazy" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bebe Rexha from her debut extended play, I Don't Wanna Grow Up (2015). The song was written by Rexha, Lauren Christy, and Jon Levine, who also completed the production. It was released as the second single for digital download and streaming by Warner Bros. in various countries on December 19, 2014. A dark and stormy-themed pop song, it is about the theme of self-acceptance, as well as self-love and not changing for anyone else. Commercially, the song reached the top 20 in the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, and Slovakia, as well as number 30 in Sweden. It was further awarded a gold certification from Music Canada (MC) in Canada, platinum from the Swedish Recording Industry Association (GLF) in Sweden, and fourfold platinum from IFPI Norway in Norway. The accompanying music video was released to Rexha's YouTube channel on April 21, 2015, showcasing the story of the singer as a rebellious misfit in a school.
"That's How You Know" is a 2015 song by the Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz. It peaked at number nine on VG-lista, the Norwegian Official Singles Chart.
American singer and songwriter Bebe Rexha has released three studio albums, three extended plays, 33 singles, five promotional singles, and twenty-two music videos. Rexha released "I Can't Stop Drinking About You" as her debut single in 2014, followed by "I'm Gonna Show You Crazy", which was certified Platinum by the Swedish Recording Industry Association (GLF). Both releases were included on I Don't Wanna Grow Up (2015), the singer's first extended play. In 2015, Rexha collaborated with G-Eazy for her breakthrough single "Me, Myself & I", which experienced widespread success worldwide and was awarded multi-Platinum certifications in several countries.
"Me, Myself & I" is a song by American rapper G-Eazy and American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha. It was released on October 14, 2015, as the lead single for his second studio album When It's Dark Out. The song was written by the two artists alongside Lauren Christy; originally produced by Rexha and TMS, it was re-produced by Michael Keenan with additional production by Christoph Andersson and G-Eazy. It was both artists' highest-peaking single, until Rexha's song "Meant to Be" peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and G-Eazy's song "No Limit" peaked at number four. It is also featured in the NBA 2K17 soundtrack.
"No Broken Hearts" is a song recorded by American singer Bebe Rexha featuring Nicki Minaj. It was released on March 16, 2016, and was originally intended as the lead single from her second EP All Your Fault: Pt. 1, however it is no longer on the track list of any project. It premiered on the Elvis Duran Show on NYC's Z100. The song was written by Rexha, Minaj, Koko LaRoo, Kgaugelo Nalane and Jacob Kasher Hindlin and produced by The Invisible Men and Saltwives.
"In the Name of Love" is a song recorded by Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix and American singer Bebe Rexha. The song was produced by Garrix, Matt Rad, Steve James and Simon Says. It was released on iTunes and streaming services after he premiered the song at Ultra Music Festival 2016. A remix EP was released on 11 November 2016, consisting of three remixes featuring DallasK, The Him and Snavs.
"I Got You" is a song recorded by American singer Bebe Rexha. It was released on October 28, 2016, as the lead single from her second extended play (EP) All Your Fault: Pt. 1 and was later included on her debut studio album Expectations (2018). The track was produced by production team Captain Cuts. It was also featured in a commercial for the Galaxy S21 FE.
"The Way I Are (Dance with Somebody)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha featuring American rapper Lil Wayne, from her third EP All Your Fault: Pt. 2. It was released on May 19, 2017, by Warner Bros. Records as the lead single from the EP. The single was leaked a week before its release, though it was deleted soon after. The single was serviced to pop radio on June 6, 2017. The song samples Whitney Houston's single "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)".
"Back to You" is the second solo single of English singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson featuring American singer Bebe Rexha and English DJ and producer Digital Farm Animals. It was written by Tomlinson, Digital Farm Animals, Pablo Bowman, Richard Boardman, and Sarah Blanchard, while the production was handled by Digital Farm Animals and Tommy Danvers. The single was released on 21 July 2017; its accompanying music video premiered the same date.
"Meant to Be" is a song recorded by American singer Bebe Rexha featuring American country music duo Florida Georgia Line, from Rexha's third extended play (EP) All Your Fault: Pt. 2 and later included in her debut studio album Expectations (2018). It was sent to American contemporary hit radio on October 24, 2017, by Warner Bros. Records as the second single from the EP. It was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. And it holds the record of the most streamed country song of all-time on Spotify. Rexha's acoustic version of the song without Florida Georgia Line was released on April 6, 2018.
"Call You Mine" is a song by American production duo The Chainsmokers featuring American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha. It was released as a single on May 31, 2019, along with its music video, serving as the fourth single from the duo's third studio album World War Joy. "Call You Mine" marks The Chainsmokers' third collaboration with Bebe Rexha, following their remixes of "Take Me Home" by production trio Cash Cash, featuring Rexha on vocals, and their remix of her debut solo single, "I Can't Stop Drinking About You". Its music video won Best Dance Video at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
"Girls" is a song by English singer Rita Ora featuring American rapper Cardi B, American singer Bebe Rexha and English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 11 May 2018 by Atlantic Records. It was written by the former three as well as Klenord Raphael, Ali Tamposi, Pardison Fontaine, Brian Lee, and producers Jonny Coffer, Watt, and Ben Billions.
"Home" is a song by American rapper and singer Machine Gun Kelly, American rock band X Ambassadors, and American singer Bebe Rexha. The song was sent to radio on December 5, 2017, by Atlantic Records as the second single from the Netflix film Bright. It was written by MGK, Sam Harris of X Ambassadors, Jacob Hawkes, Charlie Snyder, Robert Gillies, and producers D. Phelps and David Pramik. The song marks David Ayer's second film to feature X Ambassadors on its soundtrack, following "Sucker for Pain" from the 2016 film Suicide Squad.
Expectations is the debut studio album by American singer Bebe Rexha. It was released on June 22, 2018, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was announced following the success of her collaboration with country duo Florida Georgia Line, "Meant to Be". Expectations went out for pre-order on April 13, 2018, with the release of two promotional singles: "Ferrari" and "2 Souls on Fire". The album includes the singles "I Got You" and "Meant to Be" from All Your Fault: Pt. 1 and All Your Fault: Pt. 2, respectively. It features appearances from rappers Quavo and Tory Lanez, and country duo Florida Georgia Line.
"Say My Name" is a song by French DJ David Guetta, American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha and Colombian singer J Balvin. It was released as the seventh single from Guetta's album 7 on 26 October 2018. The track first charted upon the album's release in September 2018. It notably reached number two on Romania's Airplay 100 chart.
"Last Hurrah" is a song by American singer Bebe Rexha. It was released as a single on February 15, 2019.
"Harder" is a song by English DJ Jax Jones and American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha, released on 12 July 2019. It is the ninth single from Jones's debut EP Snacks (2018), and was also included on his debut studio album, Snacks (Supersize) (2019). The music video for the song was released on 31 July 2019. The song was released to top 40 radio on 13 August 2019, and spent 14 weeks on the UK Singles Chart.
"I'm Good (Blue)" is a song by French DJ and producer David Guetta and American singer and songwriter Bebe Rexha. Produced by the former alongside Timofey Reznikov, it was written by the artists alongside Kamille and Plested, with additional writing credits going to Jeffrey Jey, Massimo Gabutti, and Maurizio Lobina, as the song is a reworking of Italian group Eiffel 65's single "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (1998). Marking the artists' fourth collaboration, it was released for digital download and streaming in various countries by What a DJ and Warner on 26 August 2022. The song is included on Rexha's third studio album, Bebe (2023). Despite working on the song in 2017 with no intention to release it, the artists were prompted to complete the song in 2022, after a snippet of it gained extensive popularity on social media. It is an upbeat dance-pop song that channels Rexha's excitement for a long clubbing night and the potential of an unforgettable night. The song was met with a warm reception from music critics for its lyrics, sound and collaboration between Guetta and Rexha. It is composed in the key of G minor with a tempo ranging from 126 to 132.