There is no band, no song, no video, no sound, that is more “now” than AJR. The band — three brothers born and raised in New York City — has achieved a startling quick level of success with “I’m Ready,” a buoyant electro-pop single that’s taking off on social media. The numbers: over 1.5M views on YouTube, thousands of singles sold each week, features in Billboard, the NY Post, and on MTV. Festival performances in front of 10,000+ people.
AJR started to become popular with their track "Weak", which they wrote in a few hours and released 16th September 2016, that was made Platinum in 5 countries, including the US, and Gold in 4 more. It has more than 500 million Spotify streams.
They followed this up with their album The Click, released 9th June 2017, featuring the single Weak as well as "Drama" and "Sober Up", the latter of which features Rivers Cuomo. The album reached no. 1 on Mediabase's alternative singles chart the following year. An extended "Deluxe" version of the album was released 21st September 2018, including an acoustic version of Pretender, a track they worked on with Steve Aoki and Lil Yachty.
30th January 2019 saw the release of "100 Bad Days", which was performed on Jimmy Kimmel on 11th March (coinciding with the release of another single, "Birthday Party"), and got included on Taylor Swift's "Playlist by ME!" in May of that year. Dear Winter was released 5th April, and got a sequel, Dear Winter 2.0, on 25th October.
Neotheater was their next album. It was debuted 26th April 2019 and was possibly where the band got noticed the most, hitting number one on Billboard's Top Rock and Top Alternative charts, and 8th on the Top 200 Albums. It featured 100 Bad Days, Birthday Party, and Dear Winter.
"Bang!" came next on 13th February 2020, at first intended for a Deluxe version of Neotheater, but later integrated into their next album OK Orchestra. "Bummerland" was then released 31st August 2020. 22nd of December 2020 saw the release of My Play, 2 days after they announced OK Orchestra as an album. Then 17th February 2021 saw the release of "Way Less Sad".
OK Orchestra, often teased as OKO, was released 26th March 2021, featuring these 4 singles and a track with the Blue Man Group. Merchandise was release on the 23rd March, and a game called OKO World was released on the 21st.
3AM
AJR Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
3 o'clock at dawn
remember alcohol and dancing
our friends are gone now
'cause she chose me to take her home
I guess that's all I've ever wanted
I just can't believe
that you chose a guy like me
I will go down that road
the one that takes you home
after the party's done
and all is well
but I'm scared as hell
that you won't like me in the morning
that you won't like me the way that I like you
the coldest traincar
chilly friday night
i hope she holds on to what I told her
the boys around her take a second look
she made a choice the night is over
I just can't believe
that you chose a guy like me
no matter where you go
I will go down that road
the one that takes you home
after the party's done
and all is well
but I'm scared as hell
that you won't like me in the morning
that you won't like me the way that I like you
and all is well
but I'm scared as hell
that you won't like me in the morning
I know you'll like me the way that I like you
The song "3AM" by AJR is a tale of uncertainties and insecurities after a night of partying. The first stanza describes a cold train car at 3 o'clock in the morning, with the singer reminiscing about how they and their love interest had been dancing and drinking but are now alone. The singer reflects on how their friends have left, leaving them with the girl. It's a moment that they had always wanted, but they just can't believe that she has chosen them. The verse ends with the singer promising to take her home, even if it means going down a road they have never been on before.
The second verse sets a similar scene, with the same girl making a choice to spend the evening with the singer. He expresses his disbelief that she chose someone like him and is hopeful that she will remember what he told her earlier. He is anxious, however, wondering if she will still like him in the morning.
Overall, the song is about the fear of rejection and the insecurities that come with new relationships. It's a vulnerable and relatable sentiment conveyed through the singer's personal experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
The coldest traincar
It is a chilly and desolate environment on the traincar.
3 o'clock at dawn
The time of day is early in the morning, just before sunrise.
remember alcohol and dancing
Memories of drinking and dancing from the night before are still fresh in the mind.
our friends are gone now
The group of friends who were together earlier in the night have left, and it is just the singer and the girl he is interested in remaining.
'cause she chose me to take her home
The girl has chosen the singer to take her home, indicating her interest in him.
I guess that's all I've ever wanted
The singer is pleased that the girl has shown interest in him and chose him to be her companion.
I just can't believe that you chose a guy like me
The singer expresses disbelief and gratitude that the girl has chosen him, as he does not think he is particularly impressive.
no matter where you go
I will go down that road
the one that takes you home
after the party's done
The singer promises to always be there for the girl and take care of her after a night out, regardless of where they are or what time it is.
and all is well
but I'm scared as hell
that you won't like me in the morning
that you won't like me the way that I like you
Despite the positive and exciting events of the night, the singer is worried that the girl may not feel the same way about him in the morning and that their connection may not be reciprocated.
chilly friday night
i hope she holds on to what I told her
the boys around her take a second look
she made a choice the night is over
The night is described as cold, and the singer hopes that the girl will remember what he said to her. Other men are shown noticing the girl, but she has already chosen the singer to be with for the night.
and all is well
but I'm scared as hell
that you won't like me in the morning
I know you'll like me the way that I like you
The singer repeats his fear of the girl not feeling the same way in the morning but expresses confidence that she will like him, and they will be happy together.
Contributed by Nathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gkennedy_32
The coldest traincar
3 o'clock at dawn
Remember alcohol and dancing
Our friends are gone now
Cause she chose me to take her home
I guess that's all I've ever wanted
I just can't believe
That you chose a guy like me
No matter where you go
I will go down that road
The one that takes you home
After the party's done
And all is well
But I'm scared as hell
That you won't like me in the morning
That you won't like me the way that I like you
The coldest traincar
Chilly friday night
I hope she holds on to what I told her
The boys around her take a second look
She made a choice the night is over
I just can't believe
That you chose a guy like me
No matter where you go
I will go down that road
The one that takes you home
After the party's done
And all is well
But I'm scared as hell
That you won't like me in the morning
That you won't like me the way that I like you
And all is well
But I'm scared as hell
That you won't like me in the morning
I know you'll like me the way that I like you
@emerald_b01
Ryan's voice is so warm and calm, light my heart up💗
@thehilarioussisters9545
Omg so freaking true his making my heart explode so very much😭✌️✨🥲💖💘
@ajrsmelodypyc4042
ugh, ikr, why is he perfect, it's like, can you just stop, just for a minute? bc i am falling deeper and deeper in love every second, oml,
@brainb0t_952
@@ajrsmelodypyc4042 isnt he engaged?
@pastelwasteland1204
been diving into old AJR lately, how have these guys NEVER WRITTEN A BAD SONG
@zeke_squareroot
Same
@madiserket2
well... woody allen
@amyb0630
@@madiserket2 to be fair that was before all the stuff about him came out :(
@bell9822
Bro I’m a devout AJR fan but they made sum bad songs before
@chancetorrence5123
@@madiserket2 I love woody Allen tho lol