Yes I'm a Mess
| "Yes I'm a Mess" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by AJR | ||||
| from the album The Maybe Man | ||||
| B-side | "Inertia" | |||
| Released | September 29, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2020–2023 | |||
| Length | 2:44 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Ryan Met | |||
| AJR singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Yes I'm A Mess" on YouTube | ||||
"Yes I'm a Mess" is a song by American pop band AJR. It was released on September 29, 2023, via Mercury Records as the fifth single from the band's fifth studio album The Maybe Man.
Background
[edit]AJR began writing a concept for an "old western/hip hop" song, titling it "So What" and creating a demo on March 27, 2020. It was intended to be released on OK Orchestra, but was met with negative reactions from friends and family. The band wrote five more iterations before settling on "Yes I'm a Mess", with the lyrical idea of "throwing out your life, moving to another city, [and] just tak[ing] it from scratch".[1]
The song first teased on YouTube on August 9, 2023, featuring an instrumental clip of the song with the band in Pula.[2] More teasers were published on August 13, August 22, September 12, September 16, and September 22 before its release date was announced on September 25, 2023. "Yes I'm a Mess" was teased again on September 26 before releasing on September 29, 2023.[3] In relation to the song being the last single of The Maybe Man before release,[4] the band stated "we put absolutely everything we had into this album, visuals, and tour. Down to every little detail. Get ready to immerse yourself in this world".[5][6]
Composition
[edit]"Yes I'm a Mess" is composed in 4
4 time signature in the key of D minor and primarily follows a tempo of 92 beats per minute (BPM).[7]
Music video
[edit]A music video for "Yes I'm a Mess" was released on October 25, 2023, and was directed by Adam Met, Jack Met, Ryan Met, Austin Roa, Libby Sears, Pranav Arora, Cat Capps, Alba Avoricani, and Rob Piccione. The band claimed they spent three weeks attempting to produce a high-budget video that they found unsatisfactory, so they quickly filmed a low-budget video that they liked more. The video features Jack in Times Square dressed up as Elmo; later in the video, he ends up being chased by the NYPD due to a lack of permit.[8]
Personnel
[edit]AJR
- Adam Met – instruments, composer
- Jack Met – lead vocals, instruments, composer
- Ryan Met – instruments, composer, producer, programming
Additional personnel
- Dale Becker – mastering engineer
- Noah McCorkle – assistant mastering engineer
- Katie Harvey – assistant mastering engineer
- Rob Piccione – backing vocals, engineer
- The Beu Sisters – backing vocals
- Kent Lucas – backing vocals
- Ryan Chernin – backing vocals
- Ezra Donellan – backing vocals
- Joe Zook – mixing engineer
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2023–2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 16 |
| US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[10] | 26 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] | 24 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 24 |
| US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[13] | 17 |
References
[edit]- ^ AJR (November 14, 2023). AJR Breaks Down "The Maybe Man" (YouTube video). Zach Sang Show. Event occurs at 42:11. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ "It begins". YouTube. August 9, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ "New Music Friday: Ed Sheeran, AJR and more". MOViN 92.5. September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Maeoka, Toshio (September 30, 2023). "AJR Releases New Song "Yes I'm A Mess"". pm studio. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ "AJR releases new song "Yes I'm a Mess" off upcoming 'The Maybe Man' album". 105.7 The Point. September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ Elbl, Allison; Price, Alexa (September 29, 2023). "Multi-Platinum Chart-Topping Band AJR Are Back With Anthemic New Single "Yes I'm A Mess" Out Now". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ Faulkner, Brent (October 3, 2023). "AJR, Yes I'm A Mess | Track Review". The Musical Hype. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ "AJR's Jack Met is an Elmo on the run in new video for "Yes I'm a Mess"". 105.7 The Point. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|people=ignored (help) - ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2024.