Matchbox 20: 3 AM Meaning

Song Released: 1997

3 AM Lyrics

She say it's cold outside and she hands me my raincoat
She's always worried about things like that
She says it's all gonna end and it might as well be my fault
And she only sleeps when it's raining
And she screams and her voice is...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   DarkNick

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   Jan 18th 2007 !⃝

   This song regards the sad circumstances and experiences surrounding his mother's cancer.
2. anonymous

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   Nov 7th 2022 !⃝

   I am sorry to learn of Rob’s mother’s cancer. I always thought it was about a chick who handed him a condom. She’s always worried about things line that. It’s cold outside. Baby. I must be lonely. Happiness is a mat that sits on her doorway- Welcome? Lonely?
3. anonymous

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   Mar 4th 2022 !⃝

   A close friend had a mother who was severely ill from methamphetamine. This song could have been written about her and whenever I hear it I think of them
4. anonymous

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   Jul 31st 2018 !⃝

   He may have dedicated the song to his mum however this song are my words I wrote it with a friend who turned it into lyrics who sold the lyrics to them.. The song was about my life at the time
5. anonymous

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   Apr 25th 2018 !⃝

   So I know it was written for his mother and her struggle with cancer. I've seen the videos and interviews.
   
   But I've always imagined it as a person watching a loved one go through anxiety or depression. Staying up late with them, even if it isn't actually three am and listening to them when they are lonely or want to scream.
   When he says she believes that happiness is a mat that sits on the door way I believe he is talking about how the person acts like they are okay and happy but inside they are hurting. To me, this sounds like anxiety or depression
6. anonymous

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   Sep 19th 2017 !⃝

   I saw him live in the most intimate Concert..in atlantic city u have no ideal...my sister of 5 girls died of pan crreatic cancer...and that is besides the point...thats not why I .... "I know u guys inside and out...they all know it....sorry ....But the beach boys...as much as I saw u guys...equal....antes..
7. anonymous

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   May 5th 2015 !⃝

   I know it's about his mother but what the song means to me is to do better for the world
8. anonymous

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   Jun 8th 2012 !⃝

   Actually this song could seem to be taken in many ways. Rob originally played the song slow to create a somber tone surrounding the purpose of the song: to remember how his mother acted in her fight against cancer. Rob speeded the song up for the album, though, which helped make it a hit to the pop-and-rock-loving majority. This song, however, also leaves a bit of self interpretation. Rob used some lyrics, almost unclear ones or ones that seem irrelevant to the song's meaning, as a way for his audience to connect to the song- to help us remember people who "thought happiness was a mat that sits on their doorway." He wanted to do this so we could understand where he was coming from in the piece.
9. anonymous

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   Mar 4th 2012 !⃝

   Just watched 11-part video regarding the music industry....hmmm 3am = the devil witching hour and of course, rain = rainman = devil. As I was watching the series, I immediate thought about this song, it's one of my favorite. but to talk about rain and 3am ... errrrrie.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
10. anonymous

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    Jan 10th 2012 !⃝

    Okay, this song gives me a very strange feeling actually. I know that the writer claims that the song is about his mom's cancer, but certain lyrics allude to something else (in my opinion). For whatever reason, it makes me think of an idea of change for the world. The moon doesnt hang quite as high as it used, and it caused rains to wash it all away. Its the end, and it may as well be my (our) fault. But no matter how loud she screams, no body listens. "she says life is made up of all that your used to." we are comfortable with how things are, and most people are afraid of the idea of change, and that things will just stay how they are...Because the clock is stuck at 3am.... and we will all be lonely when the rain finally stops
11. chaoschick

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    Oct 17th 2011 !⃝

    This song is about his mother. It really is sad. He put all the little comments about her in this song. Comments meaning thinkg that he noticed, like the straining voice and the little habbits she has.
12. anonymous

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    Jun 10th 2011 !⃝

    http://www.youtube.com/user/nrapone?feature=mhee#p/a/C2CE05A83A7D4D7D/1/BUVWzvFYk0k
    
    here's what he says about it himself

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
13. newyorkloveaffair

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    Mar 10th 2007 !⃝

    Indeed it is. On matchbox twenty Storytellers on VH1, Rob played the acoustic version that was for his mother. It was actually really beautiful.

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