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)
Recorded2017
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]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me Home (Cash Cash song)</span> 2013 single by Cash Cash featuring Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Mama (David Guetta song)</span> 2015 single by David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha and Afrojack

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Show You Crazy</span> 2014 single by Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's How You Know (Nico & Vinz song)</span> 2015 single by Nico & Vinz featuring Kid Ink and Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bebe Rexha discography</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me, Myself & I (G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2015 single by G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Broken Hearts</span> 2016 single by Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Name of Love (Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2016 single by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Got You (Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2016 single by Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way I Are (Dance with Somebody)</span> 2017 single by Bebe Rexha featuring Lil Wayne

"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)".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back to You (Louis Tomlinson song)</span> 2017 pop song by Louis Tomlinson featuring Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meant to Be (Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2017 single by Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Call You Mine</span> 2019 single by The Chainsmokers featuring Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls (Rita Ora song)</span> 2018 single by Rita Ora featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home (Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2017 single by Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors, and Bebe Rexha

"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.

<i>Expectations</i> (Bebe Rexha album) 2018 studio album by Bebe Rexha

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say My Name (David Guetta, Bebe Rexha and J Balvin song)</span> 2018 single by David Guetta, Bebe Rexha and J Balvin

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Hurrah (song)</span> 2019 single by Bebe Rexha

"Last Hurrah" is a song by American singer Bebe Rexha. It was released as a single on February 15, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harder (Jax Jones and Bebe Rexha song)</span> 2019 single by Jax Jones and Bebe Rexha

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Good (Blue)</span> 2022 single by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha

"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.

References

  1. "Bebe Rexha on Twitter: "We sent all the radio stations a version so they can live with it & hopefully like it enough to play it. Some stations loved it & played it"". June 4, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  2. "Bebe Rexha on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  3. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess (Snippet)". YouTube. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Bebe Rexha on Twitter". June 13, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2020 via Twitter.
  5. "Bebe Rexha's New Song 'I'm a Mess' Adding '90s Hit 'Bitch' Songwriters to Credits". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  6. Angermiller, Michele Amabile (2018-06-15). "Bebe Rexha's 'I'm a Mess' Gives Belated Credit to Writers of 1997 Hit 'Bitch'". Variety. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  7. "Tune. Bebe Rexha's "I'm A Mess" Is An Emo Anthem". idolator. 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  8. "Bebe Rexha I'm a Mess Music Video Celebrates Her Faults". 23 July 2018.
  9. Legaspi, Althea (2018-06-26). "Bebe Rexha Navigates a Hospital for 'I'm a Mess' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  10. Cardoza, Riley (13 August 2018). "Bebe Rexha Dances On A Giant Bed For Amazing 'I'm A Mess' Performance At TCAs". Hollywood Life.
  11. "Bebe Rexha Brings The House Down In Surprise-Filled iHeartRadio Performance". iHeartRadio.
  12. "Bebe Rexha's "I'm A Mess" Enters Top 3 On US iTunes Sales Chart Following "Big Brother"". Headline Planet. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  13. "Bebe Rexha and Glennis Grace Team Up For Surprise Duet On 'AGT' Finale: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  14. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - I'm a Mess (Acoustic) - Single by Bebe Rexha". iTunes Store. 19 October 2018.
  15. 1 2 "I'm a Mess [Remixes] – Single by Bebe Rexha on Apple Music". iTunes. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  16. "Argentina Hot 100 – Semana del 20 de Octubre del 2018". Billboard Argentina (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  17. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  18. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  19. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  20. "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  21. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 34. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  22. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés + Streaming – SNEP (Week 1, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved January 13, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  23. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  24. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  25. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  26. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia . Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  27. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  28. "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 37, 2018". VG-lista . Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  29. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  30. Arvunescu, Victor (September 2, 2018). "Top Airplay 100 – Toamna începe... tot cu Mahmut Orhan!" [Top Airplay 100 – Fall starts off... with Mahmut Orhan!] (in Romanian). Un site de muzică. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  31. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  32. "RIAS TOP 30 DIGITAL STREAMING CHART 2018 WEEK 31" (PDF). RIAS. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  33. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 09. týden 2019 in the date selector. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  34. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 35. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  35. "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 35, 31 augusti 2018". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  36. "Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  37. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
  38. "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  39. "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  40. "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  41. "Bebe Rexha Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  42. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  43. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  44. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  45. "Brazilian single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm A Mess" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  46. "Canadian single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm A Mess". Music Canada. February 3, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  47. "Danish single certifications". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  48. "French single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm A Mess" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  49. "Norwegian single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm A Mess" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  50. "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  51. "Portuguese single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  52. "Spanish single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  53. "British single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  54. "American single certifications – Bebe Rexha – I'm a Mess". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  55. "BEBE REXHA "I'm a Mess" - (Radio Date: 22/06/2018)". radiodate.it. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  56. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access. All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  57. "BBC – Radio 2 – Playlist". BBC Radio 2. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.