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"3 A.M." (CD single)

(2009, Rap, by Eminem, Label: Aftermath)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    1.0

  • Common Sense says

    Ultra-violent single glorifies sociopathic impulses.

Why We Rated This not for kids

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The song is like a horror film set to hip-hop beats. The sociopathic, murderous tirade goes far beyond social misbehavior.

  • Violence:

    The song is a diatribe glorifying evil and violence. The video is awash in blood and victims -- and the vast majority of them are young women. The chorus sums things up: "It's 3 a.m. in the morning, put my key in the door, bodies laying all over the floor and I don't remember how they got there, but I guess I must've killed 'em, killed 'em."

  • Sex:

    A warped sensibility permeates the song, as in the lyrics where Eminem talks about masturbating while watching Hannah Montana.

  • Language:

    Although there are very few profanities, the violent lyrics go into such detail they are profane without the use of any four-letter words."I wrapped him in Christmas lights, pushed him in the stinking tub, cut him up into pieces and just when I went to drink his blood, I thought I outta drink his bathwater, that outta be fun."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Abusing prescription drugs is the least of a listener's concerns on this single, however Eminem does rap casually about "Swallowing a calotapin while I'm not in and out of ionamin," referencing a cocktail of "uppers" and "downers."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About "3 A.M." (CD single)

Parents need to know that this song is full of grotesque, unapologetically violent lyrics about murderous, sociopathic impulses. The video is full of ultra-violent scenes of blood, gore, and murder -- Eminem is seen in a bathtub filled with "blood" and standing over the bloodied corpses of dead (mostly female) victims.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Eminem uses his alter-ego, Slim Shady as a mechanism for bad, down-right deplorable behavior. Do you think the rapper is playing a character when he celebrates killing people? What effect do you think this single will have on listeners? Talk to kids about the messages in the music.
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    9001
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    This is not for kids - or anyone for that matter.

    Judging by the review, this is not for kids, or anyone for that matter.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Music4Life
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    I lovve this song sooo much. If you don't watch the vid, it's great. =]

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    FallenxLeaves
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    I love this song =D If your kid understands the concepts, it's fine.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    Nico9000
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0

    Scary

    Too violent. Violence is already frightning and makes my heart beat go real fast. The video after you've listened to the song isn't that scary but factor in curses 1 S--t and a--, I'm losing hope for relapse.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    shade45
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    The King Is Back But Freaky Song

    I Listened To 3AM When It Leaked But When The Video Came Out,It Was Extremely Freaky You Can Even See Peoples Fingers Cut Off But Great Song Anyway,If Eminem Hates Hannah Montana,Join The Club. But If Your Kid Is 11 And Understands These Kinds Of Stuff,You Don't Really Need To Block Eminem Because In A Weeks Time,Heaven Is Released.If You Want To Hear A New Song From Eminem Go On Youtube And Type In Eminem Beautiful Beause It Is One Of The Best Relapse Songs Out

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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