I'm a Mess (Bebe Rexha song)

Last updated
"I'm a Mess"
Bebe Rexha - I'm a Mess (Remixes).png
Remixes cover
Single by Bebe Rexha
from the album Expectations
ReleasedJune 15, 2018 (2018-06-15)
Recorded2018
Genre Pop
Length3:15
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jussifer
  • Devon Corey
Bebe Rexha singles chronology
"Girls"
(2018)
"I'm a Mess"
(2018)
"Say My Name"
(2018)
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]

Contents

Background and release

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]

Composition

"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.

Music video

The music video was directed by Sophie Muller and premiered on July 19, 2018. [8]

Live performances

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]

Track listing

  1. "I'm a Mess" - 3:15
  1. "I'm a Mess" (Acoustic) – 2:33
  1. "I'm a Mess" (Ofenbach Remix) — 2:44
  2. "I'm a Mess" (Robin Schulz Remix) – 3:20
  3. "I'm a Mess" (Alphalove Remix) – 3:11

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [44] Platinum70,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [45] 3× Platinum120,000
Canada (Music Canada) [46] 3× Platinum240,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [47] Gold45,000
France (SNEP) [48] Gold100,000
Norway (IFPI Norway) [49] 2× Platinum120,000
Poland (ZPAV) [50] 2× Platinum100,000
Portugal (AFP) [51] Gold5,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [52] Gold30,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [53] Gold400,000
United States (RIAA) [54] 2× Platinum2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabelRef.
United StatesJune 15, 2018Original Warner Bros. [4]
ItalyJune 22, 2018 Contemporary hit radio [55]
United StatesJuly 16, 2018 Hot adult contemporary [56]
VariousOctober 19, 2018Digital downloadAcousticAtlantic [14]
United KingdomNovember 10, 2018Hot adult contemporaryOriginal [57]
VariousNovember 30, 2018Digital downloadRemixes [15]

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