It's Okay to Feel a Little Unwell

That's the message singer/songwriter Rob Thomas set out to convey when he penned the 2003 hit song, Unwell. Almost 20 years later, producer Steve Aoki and vocalists Kiiara and Wiz Khalifa have teamed up to reiterate that message with a reimagined version of the song entitled, Used to Be. The catchy rewrite incorporates Thomas’ original chorus with new unforgettable verses performed by Kiiara. It forcefully moves the all-important meaning of the lyrics back into the spotlight and emphasizes the fact, as stated by Thomas in the 2004 live Show: A Night in the Life of Matchbox Twenty, “We all feel a little messed up sometimes… you’re not alone.”

Matchbox Twenty - Unwell (Official Video)

In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1 in 5 adult Americans suffer from one or more diagnosable mental disorders. Also, the percentage of Americans reporting behavioral health symptoms is on the rise due to the social uncertainty and emotional distress of living during the time of a pandemic. Social distancing, unemployment, homelessness, sickness, and death are the COVID-19 heavy-hitters to attack the human psyche over the past year. Pair that chaos with pre-existing trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses and it’s no wonder why many people are feeling a little unwell right now.

“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.”

-Rob Thomas

Thankfully, the push to normalize mental health awareness is on the rise among the current generation of young musicians. Music has always been an excellent outlet for emotional expression. Today, more artists are using their influence and personal experiences to speak out and raise awareness for issues like bullying, gender identity, sexual discrimination, addiction, racism, abandonment, neglect, and abuse that have long been at the heart of the toughest mental conditions.

Steve Aoki, Kiiara & Rob Thomas - Used To Be (Acoustic Video)

Steve Aoki & Kiiara - Used To Be (feat. Wiz Khalifa) [Official Music Video]

By breathing new life into such a popular song from the early 2000s, Aoki and Kiiara have opened the door between generations of fans to start a dialogue about those issues. It’s refreshing to see how appreciation for good music can create moments of recognition for so many people who are battling the stigma of mental illness.

“Some days I just hate myself,

Wish that I was someone else.

Stuck inside this prison cell,

I need some help.

Someone help.”

-Kiiara

Matchbox Twenty also commissioned its first ever NFT (non-fungible token) in conjunction with the release of the new acoustic version of Used to Be featuring Rob Thomas. The NFT included the licensing rights to digital images of the original handwritten lyrics to Unwell as well as a video of Thomas signing the proof of NFT. It recently sold at auction for $24,000 and the proceeds were donated to two charitable groups - RADical Hope and The Trevor Project. Both non-profits were established to help advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention among America's youth. In a live stream conversation hosted by the Clubhouse app on April 8, 2021, Thomas explained, "What we are talking about is the mental health of our future generations." A statement on the Matchbox Twenty website also reads, "Mental health matters. Wellness matters. YOU matter. It's okay to not be okay, and it's okay to ask for help."

If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, please, call 800-273-8255 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and remember that you're not alone.

Get involved with NIMH

Donate to RADical Hope

Donate to The Trevor Project

Catch Matchbox Twenty with special guests, The Wallflowers, on tour this summer/fall