"...I don't remember how they got there, but I guess I must've killed 'em."

"It's 3 A.M. in the morning, put my key in the door; there's bodies layin' all over the floor, and I don't remember how they got there but I guess I must've killed 'em, killed 'em."

Song information:

Title: 3 A.M.

Artist: Eminem

Album: Relapse (2009)

View Complete Lyrics

Song and Video

Jessica's Analysis

Oh, Marshall Mathers. Such an idol for so many kids who don't have anything: but with a song like this, parents find that frightening. Kids just think it's freakin' awesome. Twisted, disgusting, scary lyrics, a message that includes drugs, serial murder, cannibalism, and masturbation... and parents wonder why their children love Eminem! Here's the breakdown: First, Eminem points the picture of himself as a coroner at a hospital. He knows what he wants: "all he wants is to kill you in front of an audience while everyone is watching in the party, applauding it." He talks about stealing drugs from the hospital, careful to get every last powdery grain, and then flashes to "wake up naked in McDonald's with blood all over my hands, dead bodies behind the counter. Guess I must have just blacked out again... shit, not again!" The next morning, he wakes up (at noon) and masturbates to Hannah Montana before heading out. He talks about using more drugs, then talks about how messed up he is, and then sings the chorus again. The lyric "It puts the lotion on the skin..." is a reference to an old horror movie, The Silence of Lambs. (If this analysis isn't making any sense, follow along with me in the lyrics or the video.) Once again, we talk about drugs accompanied by alcohol this time, and then we launch into a memory about the first time our character has 'dismantled' a family member. The rest is fairly self explanatory.

*This is a perfect example of the healing power's of music. Marshall Mathers (Eminem) is clearly not a serial murderer. What he does have, though, is anger, like every other human being. For most musicians, lyrics are a safe outlet for our emotions.

Please understand that my opinion doesn't have to be yours. If you disagree, strike up a conversation about it! That's the design of the Project. We'll all learn a little somethin'.