Arriving as a surprise release on Friday, August 14th shortly after Jordan Davis first teased it via socials, ‘Mess’ is the latest preview of the Louisiana native's Learn the Hardy Way follow-up album. The track joins other 2026 singles such as ‘Like God Intended’ and the ‘Buy Dirt’ hitmaker's powerful cover of James Bay's ‘Let It Go’.

The start of ‘Mess’ finds Davis having overcome the depths of despair following a painful heartbreak. But then, despite his newfound clarity, he wishes he could fall back into his old flame's arms. He addresses her as he makes it clear he'd give back all the self-work he's been doing, if it means they can reconnect.

‘Mess’ sees Jordan Davis teaming up with his older brother Jacob Davis once again in the writing room, along with Paul DiGiovanni and Travis Wood. Jordan and Jacob have penned a number of hits together, such as ‘Buy Dirt’ and ‘Take It From Me’.

The composition of ‘Mess’ mirrors the sultry, sensual atmosphere and sexual tension of the narrative, with Davis crooning yearningly across an electric guitar-driven instrumental. The slow-burning ambience of this sinuous, snaking accompaniment helps to create the growing feeling that he can't go another day without his ex.

The curtain opens on our protagonist in what seems to be a healthy space. He outlines how he's not been touching that bottle of alcohol that he used to lean on, and his eyes are no longer red from crying about their break-up. However, he then playfully admits that he's perhaps sleeping a little too well these days, before hinting that he wants his ex to come and inject some passion back into his evenings.

In the hook, Davis doubles-down and opens up about how much he wants to get back together with her: “Make me undo all my never agains / Make me believe that you need me and then / Back me up down the hall, lock the door / Shake the walls just 'cause you can / Then go ahead leave me like the bed / Make me a mess”.

There's a self-destructive tint to our protagonist's declarations, as he makes it clear that he is well aware that his old flame will more than likely leave him in a “mess” again. But such is his burning desire to be with her, he sees this as a price worth paying.

“I've been letting that dust pile up
On the bottle sitting high on that shelf
I finally got the red out my eyes
I'll be moving on just like I said I would
But the only problem is now
I sleep a little too good at night
I'm back from the hell and back you put me through
I'm ten kinds of crazy for calling, but
Baby, could you
-
Make me undo all my never agains
Make me believe that you need me and then
Back me up down the hall, lock the door
Shake the walls just 'cause you can
Then go ahead leave me like the bed
Make me a mess
-
I ain't hard to find
I don't mind you reminding me just how how bad it gets
Let me lose you one more time, girl, don't
Make it more than what it isn't
Whatever you do, don't
Make me wait another minute
Don't lie, you know you want to
-
Make me undo all my never agains
Make me believe that you need me and then
Back me up down the hall, lock the door
Shake the walls just 'cause you can
Then go ahead leave me like the bed
Make me a mess
-
And I'll kick myself when the sun meets the moon
Pick up the pieces you leave when you do what you do
-
Make me undo all my never agains
Make me believe that you need me and then
Back me up down the hall, lock the door
Shake the walls just 'cause you can
Then go ahead leave me like the bed
Make me a mess
-
Make me a-, make me a-
Make me a mess”

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