Unwell

Matchbox Twenty

About Unwell

"Unwell" is a song by American alternative rock group Matchbox Twenty. It was released in March 2003 as the second single from their third album, More Than You Think You Are (2002). It was written by Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas. It was very successful on the radio, spending 18 weeks at the top of the US Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, two weeks atop the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, as well as reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The song was one of three of Thomas's songs that appeared in the 2000s decade-end, the other two were "Bent" and "Smooth." 


Year:
2002
3:48
5,025 
#10

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All day staring at the ceiling
Making friends with shadows on my wall
All night hearing voices telling me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for something

Hold on
Feeling like I'm headed for a breakdown
And I don't know why

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be, me

I'm talking to myself in public
Dodging glances on the train
And I know, I know they've all been talking about me
I can hear them whisper
And it makes me think there must be something wrong with me
Out of all the hours thinking
Somehow I've lost my mind

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be

I've been talking in my sleep
Pretty soon they'll come to get me
Yeah, they're taking me away

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be

Hey, how I used to be
How I used to be
Well, I'm just a little unwell
How I used to be
How I used to be
I'm just a little unwell

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Matchbox Twenty

Matchbox Twenty (originally spelled officially, and still sometimes known as Matchbox 20) is an American pop rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1995. The group currently comprises Rob Thomas (lead vocals, piano), Paul Doucette (drums, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Kyle Cook (lead guitar, backing vocals), Brian Yale (bass guitar), and touring drummer Stacy Jones (drums). more »

12 fans

Written by: Robert Thomas

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


21 facts about this song

Release Date
"Unwell" was released on March 25, 2003, as the second single from Matchbox Twenty's third studio album "More Than You Think You Are."
Music Video
The song's music video, directed by Phil Harder, depicts lead vocalist Rob Thomas suffering from various delusions and hallucinations. It was meant to visually symbolize the song's theme of mental health.
Chart Performance
"Unwell" was very successful on the charts. In the United States, it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Australia, it topped the ARIA Hitseekers Chart.
Grammy Nomination
The song earned Matchbox Twenty a nomination for "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004.
Radio Airplay Achievement
"Unwell" set a record for the most spins on U.S. radio in one week with more than 5000 spins.
Songwriting
Rob Thomas wrote the song to express feelings of mental distress and isolation, making "Unwell" a sensitive commentary on mental health issues.
Certifications
The single was certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States, indicating sales over 1 million copies.
AC Charts Longevity
"Unwell" stayed at number 1 on the Adult Top 40 chart for a record-setting 18 weeks, and 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
Song Dedication
In many of their live performances, lead singer Rob Thomas dedicates "Unwell" to anyone dealing with mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of speaking out and not feeling alone.
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered "Unwell", showcasing the song's widespread appeal and influence. These include Boyce Avenue and James Dalby, among others.
Use in Popular Media
"Unwell" has also been used in numerous television shows like "Cold Case" and "NCIS," as well as in promotional videos for mental health awareness.
Release Date and Album Appearance
"Unwell" is a track by Matchbox Twenty from their third studio album, "More Than You Think You Are," which was released in November 2002. The song itself was released as a single in April 2003.
Chart Performance
The song was extremely successful on the charts. It spent a large number of weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #5. It spent 18 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart and ended up on Billboard's end of year charts for both 2003 and 2004.
Song Meaning
The song talks about dealing with mental health issues. Rob Thomas, the lead vocalist of Matchbox Twenty, wrote the song to document his personal experience of feeling like an outsider and dealing with self-doubt and paranoia.
Grammy Nomination
In 2004, "Unwell" received a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 46th Grammy Awards, marking it as one of the band's most critically acclaimed songs.
Music Video
The song's music video has imagery inspired by the works of M.C. Escher. The video features Rob Thomas travelling on a subway filled with characters from Lewis Carroll's “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and other unique figures.
Certified Platinum
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the song as Platinum in 2005, signifying over 1,000,000 copies sold.
Popularity in Other Regions
"Unwell" also achieved success overseas. It charted within the top 50 in Australia and within the top 20 in Ireland, signifying international recognition.
Message about Mental Health
"Unwell" has been cited in various mental health campaigns due to its compassionate portrayal of mental health struggle.
Live Performances
"Unwell" has been a staple in Matchbox Twenty’s live performances since its release. It is often played with an extended outro, offering Rob Thomas more time to interact with the crowd.
Song Cover
In 2011, the song was covered by contemporary Christian music band, Casting Crowns, for their album "Come to the Well." It's testament to the song's broad appeal and enduring popularity.

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    Unwell

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2003

    Billboard #5


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