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Keith Urban tells the story of a “dysfunctional” and senseless relationship — if it should even be called a relationship, he questioned — in the latest anthem to release from his forthcoming chapter of music. “Messed Up As Me” made its debut on Friday morning (March 1), one day after Urban delivered the debut live performance at the 2024 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) on the historic Ryman Auditorium stage in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
“This song is about a relationship…should we call it a relationship ??? We’re calling it a relationship,” Urban decided as he introduced his newest song to his Instagram followers in a caption posted with the song’s debut. “It’s about two people who know they aren’t good for each other: it’s dysfunctional, makes no sense, it might even be toxic, but they keep going back because there’s one thing they’re REALLY good at !!!”
“Most of us have been in dysfunctional relationships before, where there’s not a lot of compatibility, except for that one area where it’s so good you put up with all the rest. A phone call or a night out and you’re right back where you shouldn’t be,” Urban added, per his record label. He added with a laugh, “it’s a song about a relationship that is kind of pretty dysfunctional, pretty messy, except for one part of it and that one part of it is amazing. In fact, that one part is so good that you figure out just putting up with all the rest that is dysfunctional, possibly toxic and just messy. Between the two of you, that one thing is well worth it.”
Urban previously teased “Messed Up As Me” on his social media pages, revealing lyrics to the song: “I’M OUT TONIGHT/ AND I’M FEELIN’ LIKE/ I SHOULD CALL YOU UP/ AND MAYBE TAKE A SHOT/ THAT YOU’RE WIDE AWAKE/ AT A QUARTER TO 3.” Lyrics appeared over a black-and-white image of a clock indicating that the time was 2:45. “Messed Up As Me” follows Urban’s first single to released from his album, “Straight Line,” a vibrant, energetic anthem “wanting to break out of routine,” and reclaim excitement in life. “Straight Line” arrived earlier this month. Urban has yet to announce details about his next album — including the title and the release date — as of publication time. Listen to “Messed Up As Me” here: