Anthony Hamilton, I’m a Mess | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 10^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I’m A Mess” by Grammy-winning neo-soul artist, Anthony Hamilton. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 10^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “I’m a Mess”, performed by Anthony Hamilton. 

“Can’t believe / Oh, oh, oh, oh no, no, oh.” What I can’t believe is the fact that Grammy-winning R&B artist Anthony Hamilton has been so underrated throughout his career.  Hamilton is one of the most soulful singers in the game.  That man doesn’t just sing, he sangs! A prime example of him sangin’ is on “I’m A Mess”, one of many highlights from his 2003 album, Comin’ From Where I’m From. Despite modestly peaking at no. 33 on the Billboard 200, Comin’ From Where I’m From was eventually certified platinum. Hamilton wrote the messy fifth track alongside Jeanine Smith and Cedric Solomon, who also produces.  The backdrop sounds like it hails directly from the church – can I get an amen? It’s the organ!

So, why is Anthony Hamilton a mess? It all comes down to love lost. Hamilton sings incredibly authentically as he depicts his love pain.  In the first verse, he “Lost my best friend, my soul mate /… We’ve invested in a set of twins, a small house…” Essentially, a life built between the two has crumbled (“And empty walls can’t hold this house together”).  In the second verse, he just comes out and says it – “I’m a mess right now.” How bad is it for Anthony? “Ain’t bathed, can’t shave ‘cause my heart is so tender / Like living in a blender, I’m shaken, and I’m stirred.” Damn! The verses are incredible, even as Hamilton experiences these unfortunate circumstances. Still, they’re trumped by the chorus where, “I rather you slit me cross the throat, so I can die / Instead of leaving, no explanation as to why / You don’t want me no more,” and the epic outro, where he begs, “Call me, write me / Love me, come home.” “I’m A Mess” is a prime example of an utterly stupendous album cut that deserved to be a single.

🎙 Anthony Hamilton • 💿 Comin’ From Where I’m From • 🏷 RCA / Jive • 📅 2003

Anthony Hamilton, I’m a Mess: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 10 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; RCA / Jive; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]