"I'm a Mess" is a song by American singer-songwriter 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. Commercially, the song reached the top 10 in Singapore as well as the top 40 in the United States and seven additional countries. It is certified Gold or higher in thirteen countries.
Background and release On September 18, 2017, a snippet for the song was shared by Rexha via her Instagram story, and its second snippet was released on April 20, 2018. On June 7, she announced that her then-upcoming debut album Expectationss first single, "I'm a Mess", would be released on June 15. Rexha serviced the song to the US radio stations, prior to the release. About the song, she stated: "[It] is about accepting your own imperfections, and not dwelling on them but rather celebrating them."
Composition "I'm a Mess" contains an interpolation of the 1997 song "Bitch", performed by Meredith Brooks. The electropop track was written by Rexha alongside Justin Tranter and Jussifer, while the latter handled production with Devon Corey.
Music video and live performancss The music video for "I'm a Mess" was directed by Sophie Muller and premiered on July 19, 2018. The video has over 450 million views as of September 2025. Rexha performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Teen Choice Awards, the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Music Festival (along with "Meant to Be"), 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
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2018–19) Peak position Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) 77 France (SNEP) 86 Ireland (IRMA) 40 Malaysia (RIM) 15 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 18 Norway (VG-lista) 18 Romania (Airplay 100) 87 Singapore (RIAS) 10 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) 2
Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 91 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 37
Certifications
Release history Region Date Format Version Label United States June 15, 2018 OriginalWarner Bros. Italy June 22, 2018 Contemporary hit radio United States July 16, 2018 Hot adult contemporary Various October 19, 2018 Digital download AcousticAtlantic United Kingdom November 10, 2018 Hot adult contemporary Original Various November 30, 2018 Digital download Remixes
References