I'm a Mess (Ed Sheeran song)
{{Use British English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = I'm a Mess
| cover =
| alt =
| type =
| artist = Ed Sheeran
| album = ×
| EP =
| A-side = "Thinking Out Loud"
| written =
| published =
| released = 22 June 2014
| recorded = 2014
| studio = Sticky Studios {{small|(Windlesham, Surrey)}}
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=05}}
| label = {{hlist|Asylum|Atlantic}}
| writer = Ed Sheeran
| composer =
| lyricist =
| producer = Jake Gosling
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title =
| next_title =
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}}
"I'm a Mess" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, x (2014). It features production from frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 72 and rose to number 49 due to strong download sales.
Writing and production
Following the release of his debut studio album, +, in 2011, Sheeran started writing material for his next release.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/playlist/377179/Ed-Sheeran-s-new-single-One-recorded-using-whiskey-barrel-as-an-instrument |title=Ed Sheeran's new single One recorded using whiskey barrel as an instrument |work=Daily Star|last=Cabooter|first=James|date=3 May 2014|access-date=11 November 2015}} Instead of rush-run and launch an album the next year, the singer decided to take time and focus on writing material that would help expand his career in the United States, like fellow British musician Adele and band Coldplay. "I'm a Mess" premiered on 22 June 2014 via MTV, a day before the release of ×, his second album in the United Kingdom and the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1851879/ed-sheeran-mess-premiere-x/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626043225/http://www.mtv.com/news/1851879/ed-sheeran-mess-premiere-x/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2014|title=Exclusive: Hear Ed Sheeran's 'I'm A Mess'... Which Isn't A Mess At All|publisher=MTV News|last=Blake|first=Emily|date=22 June 2014|access-date=3 November 2015}} The track together with "Thinking Out Loud" were the last songs he wrote for × and were inspired by his then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos. On 16 July 2014, during the album unveiling in a room in RAK Studios, he noted that he wrote "I'm a Mess" while he was in the shower.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/10859780/Ed-Sheeran-interview-I-dont-make-music-for-critics.html|title=Ed Sheeran interview: 'I don't make music for critics'|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=McLean|first=Craig|date=16 July 2014|access-date=2 November 2015}}
In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, he described "I'm a Mess" as him being in a bad situation after he hurt a person, "I think it's important to stay double-sided. I'm very aware I have a lot of flaws too and I think I wear them on my sleeve with this album."{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11251065|title=Painting the town 'Ed' - A day in the life of Ed Sheeran|work=New Zealand Herald|last=Jenkin|first=Lydia|date=8 May 2014|access-date=3 November 2015}} Talking to News.com.au, he identified the song as "fairly self-explanatory" and recalled, "'I’m a Mess' was definitely written at my lowest point. It actually turned out a lot nicer than what was going on at the time, the lyrics aren’t too mental. That came at the end of a lot of things meeting. After that I was fine. Writing that song sorted everything out."{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/ed-sheeran-admits-dont-is-the-celebrity-breakup-song-so-harsh-it-even-shocked-taylor-swift/story-e6frfn09-1226958933233|title=Ed Sheeran admits Don't is the celebrity breakup song so harsh it even shocked Taylor Swift|publisher=News.com.au|date=18 June 2014|access-date=2 November 2015}} Sheeran said that "I'm a Mess" is his favourite track from ×.{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/05/28/us-music-britain-sheeran-idINKBN0E828B20140528|title=Ed Sheeran says new album takes him 'outside comfort zone'|publisher=Reuters|last=Rubenstein|first=Holly|location=London|date=29 May 2014|access-date=3 November 2015}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
The production of "I'm a Mess" was done by Sheeran's regular collaborator, Jake Gosling and was recorded at his Sticky Studios in Windlesham, Surrey. Gosling together with Geoff Swan served as the song's engineers while William Hicks did the vocal editing and provided additional vocals. Mark "Spike" Stent mixed the track at Mixsuite UK whilst Stuark Hawkos mastered it at Metropolis Mastering in London. All the programming and instrumentation was provided by Sheeran, Gosling and Chris Leonard. A live version of "I'm a Mess" was released as a B-side on the 7" release of "Thinking Out Loud".{{cite web|url=http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/7621|title=Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud/I'm a Mess|publisher=Record Store Day|access-date=3 November 2015}}
Composition
"I'm a Mess" is a pop song with folk music influences and a length of four minutes and five seconds. Its instrumentation included electric guitar notes, backing vocals and a beating drum.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7523790/ed-sheeran-im-a-mess|title=Ed Sheeran Sings Of Desperation In 'I'm A Mess': Listen|publisher=Idolator|last=Lee|first=Christina|date=23 June 2014|access-date=3 November 2015}} According to Sony/ATV Music Publishing's digital sheet music for the song, "I'm a Mess" is composed in the key of C♯ minor and set in common time signature, and has a groove of 140 beats per minute. Sheeran's vocals span from the low note of Bb3 to the high note of Bb5.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0139850|title=Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess Sheet Music (Digital Download)|publisher=Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing|access-date=3 November 2015}} Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph described "I'm a Mess" as an "edgy, rocky drama",{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/10920578/Ed-Sheeran-X-review-genuinely-great.html|title=Ed Sheeran, X, review: 'genuinely great'|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=24 June 2014|access-date=3 November 2015}} whilst according to Jason Lipshutz of Billboard Sheeran uses his "classic folk voice and sensibility" to deliver the song's lyrics.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6128781/ed-sheeran-x-track-by-track-album-review|title=Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review|magazine=Billboard|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=23 June 2014|access-date=3 November 2015|location=New York}} MTV News' Emily Blake noted that the stripped-down production of the song helps the focus to be on Sheeran's voice. She further elaborated, "like most of his folk-leaning pop numbers, it’s a track that makes you feel like Sheeran’s singing just to you" and " when his voice comes down to a near whisper — making the whole thing that much more intimate."
According to Caitlin White of the same publication, "I'm a Mess" is a "lovelorn song" which shows a different side of Sheeran; instead of being brokenhearted, "he’s the one that messed up".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1852218/im-a-mess-ed-sheeran/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913075107/http://www.mtv.com/news/1852218/im-a-mess-ed-sheeran/|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2014|title=Fans Are Loving Ed Sheeran's 'I'm A Mess' ... Because We've All Been There|publisher=MTV News|last=White|first=Caitly|date=22 June 2014|access-date=3 November 2015}} He is "self-reflective" and "self-critical" with one of the verses contain lyrics as, "And oh, I’ve only caused you pain" and the chorus features the line, "Easy baby, maybe I’m a liar". Billboard{{'}}s Colin Stutz concluded, "Sheeran's intimate voice carries over simple guitar strokes as he describes a night of loneliness and longing that erupts with fiery passion."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6128719/ed-sheeran-new-im-a-mess-listen-song|title=Ed Sheeran Drops Longing New Song, 'I'm A Mess': Listen|magazine=Billboard|last=Stutz|first=Colin|date=22 June 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|location=Los Angeles}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ×.{{cite AV media notes|others=Ed Sheeran|title=x|year=2014|type= inlay cover|publisher= Asylum Records, Atlantic Records}}
Locations
- Recorded at Sticky Studios, Windlesham, Surrey
- Mixed at Mixsuite UK
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London
Personnel
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- Songwriting – Ed Sheeran
- Production – Jake Gosling
- Engineer – Jake Gosling, Geoff Swan
- Vocal editing – William Hicks
- Mixing – Mark "Spike" Stent
- Mastering engineer – Stuart Hawkos
- Programming and instrumentation – Ed Sheeran, Chris Leonard, Jake Gosling
- Additional vocals – William Hicks
{{div col end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2014)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row" {{single chart|Ireland|62|year=2014|week=28|rowheader=true|accessdate=3 November 2015}} |
| scope="row" {{single chart|Sweden|60|artist=Ed Sheeran|song=I'm a Mess|accessdate=3 November 2015}} |
| scope="row"| UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/ |title=Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 - 12th July 2014 |publisher=Official Charts Company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701120250/http://www.officialcharts.com/singles-chart/ |archive-date=1 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}
| 49 |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Platinum|type=single|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=I'm a Mess|certyear=2023|relyear=2014|access-date=6 October 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=I'm a Mess|artist=Ed Sheeran|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2015|relyear=2014|id=5050|access-date=6 October 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=I'm a Mess|artist=Ed Sheeran|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2014|certyear=2017|id=4113|access-date=14 February 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=I'm a Mess|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2021|source=radioscope|access-date=29 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=I'm a Mess|artist=Ed Sheeran|type=single|award=Platinum|id=13459-2403-1|relyear=2014|certyear=2021|refname="bpi"|access-date=2 December 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=I'm a Mess|certyear=2017|relyear=2014|access-date=1 September 2017}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t2CR9qZRj0 Ed Sheeran - I'm A Mess (x Acoustic Sessions)] on YouTube
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em-1E3I8imc Ed Sheeran - I'm A Mess (Live From Wembley Stadium)] on YouTube
{{Ed Sheeran songs}}
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