I'm a Mess (Bebe Rexha song)

"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]

"I'm a Mess"
Remixes cover
Single by Bebe Rexha
from the album Expectations
Released	June 15, 2018 (2018-06-15)
Recorded	2018
Genre	Pop
Length	3:15
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Bleta Rexha Justin Tranter Meredith Brooks Shelly Peiken Jussifer
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

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

• Digital download

1. "I'm a Mess" - 3:15

• Digital download – Acoustic^[14]

1. "I'm a Mess" (Acoustic) – 2:33

• Digital download – Remixes^[15]

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

Weekly charts Chart (2018–19) Peak position Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[16] 77 Australia (ARIA)[17] 41 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[18] 17 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[19] 30 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 25 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[21] 29 France (SNEP)[22] 86 Germany (GfK)[23] 86 Hungary (Stream Top 40)[24] 31 Ireland (IRMA)[25] 40 Malaysia (RIM)[26] 15 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[27] 18 Norway (VG-lista)[28] 18 Portugal (AFP)[29] 90 Romania (Airplay 100)[30] 87 Scotland (OCC)[31] 59 Singapore (RIAS)[32] 10 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[33] 56 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[34] 34 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[35] 2 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 93 UK Singles (OCC)[37] 77 US Billboard Hot 100[38] 35 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[39] 20 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[40] 17 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[41] 9

Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[42] 91 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[43] 37

Certifications

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.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
United States	June 15, 2018	Digital download streaming	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]

References

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2. "Bebe Rexha on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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