He's Messed Up

Album: Me (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jo Dee Messina originally penned this tune with Pink in mind. "I wanted to co-write it with her while she was in town, but it ended up that she had a crazy schedule," she said … so I was like, 'I'm going to finish this song anyway.'"
  • The song was inspired by a real person. "Maybe this is too much behind the song, but it's about a guy in the industry who's, like, Joe Cool," she divulged. "He just thinks he's, like, the Cat's Meow, and I had seen him backstage, and all these little girls are hanging on him."

    "He's not an artist. He's not a singer. But he's just some guy that thinks he's, like, the coolest thing, and he plays that off, and girls buy into it," Messina added. "I remember seeing him backstage, with girls all around him, and I'm like, 'Dude.'"

    "I was like, 'Oh, young girl. Walk away,'" she continued. "He is messed up, you know? This guy is never going to change. He's a dog. He always will be a dog. And so, that's where literally the idea came up."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.