# 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. 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".

## 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. 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.

## Composition

"I'm a Mess" contains an interpolation of the 1997 song "Bitch", performed by Meredith Brooks. It was written by Rexha alongside Justin Tranter and Jussifer, while the latter handled production with Devon Corey.
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.

## Live performances

Rexha performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, on the Teen Choice Awards, on the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards. She also performed at the iHeartRadio Music Festival (along with "Meant to Be") and on Big Brother and America's Got Talent.

## Track listing

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

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Platinum | 70,000$^‡$ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | 3× Platinum | 120,000$^‡$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | 4× Platinum | 320,000$^‡$ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000$^‡$ |
| France (SNEP) | Gold | 100,000$^‡$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 200,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 30,000$^‡$ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway) | 2× Platinum | 120,000$^‡$ |
| Poland (ZPAV) | 2× Platinum | 100,000$^‡$ |
| Portugal (AFP) | Gold | 5,000$^‡$ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Gold | 30,000$^‡$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 400,000$^‡$ |
| United States (RIAA) | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label |
| United States | June 15, 2018 | Digital downloadstreaming | Original | Warner Bros. |
| Italy | June 22, 2018 | Contemporary hit radio | Original | Warner Bros. |
| United States | July 16, 2018 | Hot adult contemporary | Original | Warner Bros. |
| Various | October 19, 2018 | Digital download | Acoustic | Atlantic |
| United Kingdom | November 10, 2018 | Hot adult contemporary | Original | Atlantic |
| Various | November 30, 2018 | Digital download | Remixes | Atlantic |