by Jessica Shelton·Published · Updated
As talented as Rob Thomas may be, he originally penned “3AM” when he was but a pubescent lad.Also it is extremely-personal in nature.Indeed the period of his life it is based on is when his motherwas battling cancer. And he, even as a child, was compelled to take care of her.So the lady he is actually talking about throughout the song would be his mom, not a romantic interest as one could easily presume.
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You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Matchbox Twenty's 3AM at Lyrics.org.
And honestly, you can tell through the lyrics that this is someone whom he has a troubled relationship with.Or rather let’s say that she possesses certain characteristics which he deems questionable.And apparently the chorus would be a reflection of her disposition concerning her cancer.
This is perhaps the most-metaphorical passage of the entire track.And what she seems to be saying, obviously, is that she doesn’t want to die.But also she appears to be expressing a belief that she would defeat the sickness, which for the record she actually did.
Song’s Title
Meanwhile, further contributing to the overall mystique of the lyrics, the title of this track refers to the time around whichdrinking bars close upfor the night.And although “3AM” is mentioned in the chorus, how such actually relates to the relationship between Rob and his mother or her cancer is not abundantly clear.
But conclusively, a really-keen ear could probably detect that this song is not the work of a mature songwriter.And that’s taking nothing away from a12-year old Rob Thomas.Ratherin order to truly understandthe lyrics, a listener would also need to have some type of knowledge of the reality which actually caused Thomas to write this tune in the first place.
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Facts about “3AM”
This track originally came out, via Atlantic Records, on 23 November 1997 as the third single from Matchbox Twenty’s first album, “Yourself or Someone Like You”.And it was later featured on their 2007 compilation project, “Exile on Mainstream”.
“3AM” was written by Rob Thomas along with B. Yale, J. L. Goff and J.J. Stanley.This transpired when the quartet were all part of a band called Tabitha’s Secret.Indeed Goff and Stanley remained members of Tabitha’s Secret even after Thomas and Yale left to form Matchbox Twentyin 1995. And that group released their own rendition of this track, officially titled “3 A.M.”, on their own debut album, which is entitled “Don’t Play with Matches”.In fact Thomasalso sang the lead vocalson Tabitha’s Secret version of the song.
The music video to this track was handled by director Gavin Bowden.
“3AM” topped Canada Top Singles.It also reached number one on Billboard’sAdult Alternative SongsandAdult Top 40listings.And in all, it charted in seven countries, including making an appearance on the UK Singles Chart.
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Dingo321 says:
August 20, 2022 at 9:45 am
I can relate to 3am being an odd time of the night. I also understand about the moon being in the wrong spot. I sympathize with anyone that understand what I’m saying.
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Cee says:
September 2, 2022 at 1:36 pm
I know how you feel. On a night out, staying up till 3am can be the best feeling; but when you’re alone and can’t sleep, battling internal struggles, 3AM is such a lonely hour. But contrary to the article, Rob Thomas actually said in a live piano performance that, due to chemo, his mom didn’t sleep much and was usually up at 3AM and that’s when she needed him. I think it’s incredible songwriting from just a 12 year old.
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Anonymous says:
January 27, 2023 at 5:31 am
Agree 100%
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Anonymous says:
July 6, 2023 at 7:06 am
It was frequently unbearable at 39. I cannot fathom trying to navigate that at such a young age.
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Lance says:
September 14, 2022 at 5:14 pm
Rob Thomas says he didnt write the song when he was 12, but he was writing the song about when he was 12. See him talk about it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUVWzvFYk0k&ab_channel=stephen700
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Anonymous says:
July 20, 2023 at 2:33 am
He didn’t write it when he was that age, it was about him during that time. He says it in storytellers vid on YouTube
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