<… Read Full Bio ↴“I’m A Mess” is the second track from Sheeran’s second studio album ×.
The song premiered on June 22, 2014, via MTV, a day before the release of X, and ranked number 49 on the UK’s Singles Chart.
Following the release of his debut studio album, +, in 2011, Sheeran started writing material for his next release. Instead of rush-run and launching 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. The track together with "Thinking Out Loud" was the last song he wrote for × and was 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.
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." 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." Sheeran said that "I'm a Mess" is his favorite track from ×.
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 engineer 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 were 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".
"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. 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. Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph described "I'm a Mess" as an "edgy, rocky drama", whilst according to Jason Lipshutz of Billboard Sheeran uses his "classic folk voice and sensibility" to deliver the song's lyrics. 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". He is "self-reflective" and "self-critical" with one of the verses containing lyrics such 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 a fiery passion."
I'm a Mess
Ed Sheeran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside out
Searching for a sweet surrender
But this is not the end
I can't work it out
How?
Going through the motions
Going through us
And oh, I've known it for the longest time
And all of my hope
All of my words are all over written on the signs
When you're on my road walking me home
Home, home, home, home
See the flames inside my eyes
It burns so bright I wanna feel your love
No, easy baby, maybe I'm a liar
But for tonight I wanna fall in love
And put your faith in my stomach
I messed up this time
Late last night
Drinking to suppress devotion
With fingers intertwined
I can't shake this feeling now
We're going through the motions
Hoping you'd stop
And oh, I've only caused you pain, you know
That all of my words will always be low
Of all the lies spoke
When you're on my road walking me home
Home, home, home, home
See the flames inside my eyes
It burns so bright I wanna feel your love
No, easy baby, maybe I'm a liar
But for tonight I wanna fall in love
And put your faith in my stomach
And for how long I love my lover
For how long I love my lover and now, now
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now (and I feel love)
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now (I feel it all over now, now, and I feel love)
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now (I feel it all over now, now, and I feel love)
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now (I feel it all over now, now, and I feel love)
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now (I feel it all over now, now, and I feel love)
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now (I feel it all over now, now, and I feel love)
For how long, long I love my lover, now, now
For how long, long I love my lover
The song "I'm a Mess" by Ed Sheeran is a melancholic love ballad that is all about feeling lost and confused in a relationship. In the opening verse, Sheeran describes himself as a mess inside out and searching for a way to surrender, but at the same time, he is not ready to give up. He is unable to understand why he is going through the motions, and he talks about the pain and uncertainty he is experiencing as he and his partner go through the motions of being together.
In the chorus, Sheeran explains that he has always known that he is in love with his partner, and all his hope and words are clearly written on the signs. He describes the flames inside his eyes, his desire to feel the love of his partner, and his willingness to fall in love, even if it is just for one night. In the second verse, Sheeran continues to describe his inner turmoil as he relates his drunkenness to suppress devotion.
Overall, the song's meaning revolves around a confused and uncertain relationship, where Sheeran is trying to navigate his feelings and work out what is happening with his partner. Despite his confusion and desperation, he is unwilling to give up, placing his faith in the love he has for his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I'm a mess right now
I am currently very unstable and distressed
Inside out
My emotions and thoughts are in disarray
Searching for a sweet surrender
Looking for a way to let go and find peace
But this is not the end
Although things may be difficult, there is still hope
I can't work it out
I cannot find a solution to my problems
How?
Expressing confusion and frustration
Going through the motions
Just going through the actions without truly feeling it
Going through us
Our relationship is also just going through the motions
And oh, I've known it for the longest time
I have been aware of this for a very long time
And all my hope
Despite everything, my hope remains
All my words are all over written on the signs
My emotions are clearly displayed for you to see
When you're on my road walking me home
When we are together and close
See the flames inside my eyes
Passionate feelings are burning within me
It burns so bright I wanna feel your love
I crave your love and affection
No, easy baby, maybe I'm a liar
I recognize that I may not be trustworthy
But for tonight I wanna fall in love
I want to forget our issues and just enjoy the moment
Put your faith in my stomach
Trust me and my judgment
I messed up this time
I have made a mistake
Late last night
When it was very late
Drinking to suppress devotion
Drinking to numb my feelings of love
With fingers intertwined
Holding hands and being together
I can't shake this feeling now
I cannot rid myself of this emotion
We're going through the motions
We are still together, but it feels empty
Hoping you'd stop
Desiring a change or improvement in our relationship
And oh, I've only caused you pain, you know
I am aware that I have hurt you
That all of my words will always be low
My words and promises may never be enough
Of all the lies spoke
Acknowledging past dishonesty
When you're on my road walking me home
When we are together and close
See the flames inside my eyes
I am still deeply passionate about our relationship
It burns so bright I wanna feel your love
Desiring your love and affection more than ever
And for how long I love my lover
Expressing the longevity and depth of love for my partner
For how long, long I love my lover and now, now
My love for my partner is still going strong at this moment
And I feel love
Expressing my strong emotions of love
I feel it all over now, now, and I feel love
These emotions of love are consuming me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ed Sheeran
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kitsanathanakit3652
I'm a Mess - Ed Sheeran
Lyrics
...
Oh I'm a mess right now
Inside out
Searching for a sweet surrender
But this is not the end
I can't work it out
How going through the motions
Going through us
And oh I've known it for the longest time
And all of my hopes
All of my own words
Are all over written on the signs
But you're on my road
Walking me home
See the flames inside my eyes
It burns so bright I wanna' feel your love
Easy baby maybe I'm a liar
But for tonight I wanna' fall in love
Put your faith in my stomach
I messed up this time
Late last night
Drinking to suppress devotion
With fingers intertwined
I can't shake this feeling now
We're going through the motions
Hoping you'd stop
And ohhh I've only caused you pain
I know but all of my words will always below
Of all the love you spoke
When you're on my road
Walking me home
See the flames inside my eyes
It burns so bright I wanna' feel your love
Easy baby maybe I'm a liar
But for tonight I wanna' fall in love
Put your faith in my stomach
And for how long, I love, my lover
For how long I love my lover
And now, now, for how long, long I love my lover
Now, now, for how long, long I love my lover
Now now, for how long, long I love my lover (and I feel loved)
Now now, for how long, long I love my lover
I feel it all over now, now and I feel loved
Now now, for how long, long I love my lover
Feel it all over now, now, and I feel loved
Now now, for how long, long I love my lover
Feel it all over now, now, and I feel loved
Now, now, for how long, long I love my lover
Feel it all over now, now, and I feel loved
Now, now, for how long I love my lover
Feel it all over now, now, and I feel loved
Now now, for how long, long I love my lover
Now now, for how long, long I love my lover
@technos_orphan_obliterator
When i listened to all of Ed's albums a year or so ago, this was one of my favorites. But honestly, Ed's songs are just a goldmine.
@Spotski_
This song came out when I was a teenager and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me, nobody liked me I kept making the same mistakes over and over again and I remeber listening to this song on repeat crying in my bedroom…10 Year Later got a General Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis with ongoing depression, 2 degrees and a man who love me for me, this is so cathartic to listen to now knowing that it all worked out
@nimra9679
amazing
@nimra9679
motivation ,;love u
@i_said8939
This too shall pass 😢
@VanillaBean15
😢 God can heal anything and anyone
@nostalgialad9467
At the time I was around 20 let's say, and I was in an absolute mess! This song just blasted my head off listening to it again for the first time in like 10 years 😂
@Chiosford
Most times I recharge my creative art by listening to Ed Sheeran's songs. I pray to be there someday. It's never been easy
@layitonegrete2826
I really love the way Ed plays the guitar !!
@PABFDIF2025
This was my new favorite Ed Sheeran song!