I'm a Mess (Ed Sheeran song)

"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.

"I'm a Mess"
Song by Ed Sheeran
from the album ×
A-side"Thinking Out Loud"
Released22 June 2014
Recorded2014
StudioSticky Studios (Windlesham, Surrey)
GenrePop
Length4:05
Label
Songwriter(s)Ed Sheeran
Producer(s)Jake Gosling

Writing and production

Following the release of his debut studio album, +, in 2011, Sheeran started writing material for his next release.[1] 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.[2] The track together with "Thinking Out Loud" were the last songs he wrote for × and were inspired by his then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos.[3] 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.[3]

In an interview with 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."[4] 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."[5] Sheeran said that "I'm a Mess" is his favourite track from ×.[6]

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.[7] A live version of "I'm a Mess" was released as a B-side on the 7" release of "Thinking Out Loud".[8]

Composition

"I'm a Mess" is a pop song with folk music influences[2] and a length of four minutes and five seconds. Its instrumentation included electric guitar notes, backing vocals and a beating drum.[9] 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.[10] Sheeran's vocals span from the low note of Bb3 to the high note of Bb5.[10] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph described "I'm a Mess" as an "edgy, rocky drama",[11] whilst according to Jason Lipshutz of Billboard Sheeran uses his "classic folk voice and sensibility" to deliver the song's lyrics.[12] 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."[2]

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".[13] 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".[13] 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."[14]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ×.[7]

Locations

  • Recorded at Sticky Studios, Windlesham, Surrey
  • Mixed at Mixsuite UK
  • Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London

Personnel

Charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
scope="row"Ireland (IRMA)[15] 62
scope="row"Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] 60
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[17] 49

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[18] Gold 40,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[19] Gold 30,000^
Italy (FIMI)[20] Gold 25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

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References
  1. Cabooter, James (3 May 2014). "Ed Sheeran's new single One recorded using whiskey barrel as an instrument". Daily Star. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  2. Blake, Emily (22 June 2014). "Exclusive: Hear Ed Sheeran's 'I'm A Mess'... Which Isn't A Mess At All". MTV News. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. McLean, Craig (16 July 2014). "Ed Sheeran interview: 'I don't make music for critics'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  4. Jenkin, Lydia (8 May 2014). "Painting the town 'Ed' - A day in the life of Ed Sheeran". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  5. "Ed Sheeran admits Don't is the celebrity breakup song so harsh it even shocked Taylor Swift". News.com.au. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  6. Rubenstein, Holly (29 May 2014). "Ed Sheeran says new album takes him 'outside comfort zone'". London: Reuters. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  7. x (inlay cover). Ed Sheeran. Asylum Records, Atlantic Records. 2014.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. "Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud/I'm a Mess". Record Store Day. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  9. Lee, Christina (23 June 2014). "Ed Sheeran Sings Of Desperation In 'I'm A Mess': Listen". Idolator. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  10. "Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  11. McCormick, Neil (24 June 2014). "Ed Sheeran, X, review: 'genuinely great'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  12. Lipshutz, Jason (23 June 2014). "Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. New York. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  13. White, Caitly (22 June 2014). "Fans Are Loving Ed Sheeran's 'I'm A Mess' ... Because We've All Been There". MTV News. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  14. Stutz, Colin (22 June 2015). "Ed Sheeran Drops Longing New Song, 'I'm A Mess': Listen". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  15. "Chart Track: Week 28, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  16. "Swedishcharts.com – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  17. "Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 - 12th July 2014". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  18. "Canadian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". Music Canada. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  19. "Ed Sheeran "I'm a Mess"" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  20. "Italian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. 14 February 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "I'm a Mess" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
  21. "British single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". British Phonographic Industry. 19 January 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type I'm a Mess in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  22. "American single certifications – Ed Sheeran – I'm a Mess". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 September 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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