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"3 A.M." (CD single) (by Eminem, Rap)

common sense media says

Ultra-violent single glorifies sociopathic impulses.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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 applicable.
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."

More on "3 A.M." (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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.

What's the story?

What's the story?
On the single "3 A.M.", from Eminem's latest album Relapse, the rapper portrays a serial killer recounting his violent and twisted history. The single is quite darker than the album's other releases up to this point, with quotes from the Silence of the Lambs even incorporated into the lyrical confessions. The single definitely qualifies itself for a place in the "horrorcore" genre of hip-hop, where rappers attempt to create a musical version of horror fiction.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

It's easy to bash Eminem for glorifying heinous, brutal acts on this single. But the real problem here is: What's the point of this song? If it's intended as an examination of the criminal mind, it misses. It just comes off a violent song whose imagery is played only for shock value. The song loses all hope for redemption with its weak writing, exhibited in such unoriginal, repetitive lines as "...there is the coroner, waiting for you to turn the corner so he could corner ya, you're a goner, he's on to ya, out the corner of his cornea."

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: April 28, 2009
Label: Aftermath
Genre: Rap
Parental advisory: Yes

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

Music4Life
teen, 14 years old
 
I lovve this song sooo much. If you don't watch the vid, it's great. =]

9001
teen, 15 years old
 
This is not for kids - or anyone for that matter.
Judging by the review, this is not for kids, or anyone for that matter.

FallenxLeaves
teen, 14 years old
 
I love this song =D If your kid understands the concepts, it's fine.

Metropolisforever
teen, 16 years old
 
Enimem is Getting Really, Really Desperate
Eminem shocked the music world when he released "The Slim Shady LP" in 1999. Nobody in mainstream rap had ever attempted something quite like it. And the fact that nobody even knew who this guy was made it even scarier. Nobody knew when he was joking and when he was being dead serious. Featuring explicit descriptions of grotesque, brutal violence, rape, perverse sexuality, and language that would make Rudy Ray Moore blush, the album is also known as one of the most important records in hip-hop music today. Well, it's been 10 years since that album was released. Nowadays, we hear that kind of music on the radio 24/7, and whatever shock value it may have had is completely gone. Not only that, but practically EVERYONE knows who Eminem is nowadays as well. So... how does Eminem shock audiences again? He doesn't, but he really, really tries to. In this single, he leaves a string of bodies lying behind a McDonald's counter, masturbates to Hannah Montana, drinks a victim's bathwater (?), pops dozens of pills, ect. ect. ect. It's all pretty ridiculous, and Marshall is trying way too hard to be "shocking" again. There is much better rap and "horrorcore" music out there. Don't waste your time with this cry for attention.

shade45
kid, 13 years old
 
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

Jitty
adult
 
Parents decide first.
At least get the lyrics right. Before you type them. It makes you look stupid (not that you;re very bright anyways". The line about the Klonopin is "Swallowing the Klonopin while I'm nodding in and out on the ottoman". The lyrics are printed inside the book of the CD, so if you were to look them up online... their probably right. Unless an idiot like you posted them. This song is normal for Detroit rap and is tame in comparison to other artists who solely record that type of music. This is the type of music that I grew up listening too starting when I was 9.

Cgood
teen, 13 years old
 
incredibly violent and very explicit...NOT for kids
when i first heard this track,i was pretty offended.i knew eminem was pretty messed up,but this song was outrageousely offensive and EXTREMLEY violent.disgusting,scychopathic,and just plain bad.parents beware,dont let your younger kids listen to this song,or your older teenagers at that.stay away.

SamiJolene
teen, 14 years old
 
Great Song, Very Violent
I love this song, but its really violent(lyrics) and it has a lot of talk of drugs and alcohol. :)

Dohayecarumbadoh
kid, 13 years old
 
Dudes and Tomboys: 12+ Girls: 15+
Not trying to be sexist, but that's my opinion

 
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.

Max Vickery
kid, 9 years old
 
Not for kids

 
Play this for your unborn fetus!
This song is the shizz. I brush my teeth to this song. Strongly recommended for children of all ages and senior citizens alike.Some of his finest work.

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
CSM is right!this song is horribly violent!

eeddefdfdf
teen, 16 years old
 
this isnt cool
this is horrible off for 1 salaway to 10

bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
 
Great Song
Their is a lot of violence (especially in video), but only two swears (sh*t, a**) So its cleaner than normal eminem music

jakesyl
parent of 3 year old
 
then let you're kids listen
listen first

SubaruSVX
parent of 12 year old
 

chrissypujol
kid, 13 years old
 
overall good song but VERY VIOLENT

lexalolu
teen, 14 years old
 
This song is... beyond creepy. I'm usually a fan of violent things, but after I heard this song I couldn't sleep for a night. It's super-violent, disturbing, and twisted. On the topic of the actual song, the lyrics are disgusting, and the tune is weak and not catchy at all. My respect for Eminem and his music is fading. I hope I will be lucky enough to never have to listen to this song again

zenondextra
kid, 13 years old
 
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 I love the chorus. Eminem is fascinated by the workings of serial killers minds. But you might not want to trust me, my role model is Wednesday Addams.

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