The lyrical content in the song was about a dream vocalist Raine Maida had. In the dream, his father was dying in the hospital, but he arrives too late to say that he loved him. The song thoroughly explains it in direct context. This has become another fan-favourite Our Lady Peace song.
The song title 4 A.M. was said by the band that it had double meanings - that it was completely written at 4:00 am, and it stands for Raine Maida's Father's initials, Adam Maida.
A remixed version of the song appears on OLP's greatest hits album "A Decade."
4am
Our Lady Peace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And found that there were none
I blamed my father for the wasted years
We hardly talked
I never thought I would forget this hate
Then a phone call made me realize
I'm wrong
I've loved you all along
Just like the sunny days that
We ignore because
We're all dumb and jaded
And I hope to god I figure out
What's wrong
I walked around my room
Not thinking
Just sinking in this box
I blame myself for being too much
Like somebody else
I never thought I would just
Bend this way
Then a phone call made me realize
I'm wrong
The lyrics of Our Lady Peace's "4am" describe a moment of introspection and reflection for the singer. The song opens with the line "I walked around my good intentions and found that there were none," implying that the singer had previously believed they were doing the right thing but now realizes they were misguided or deluded. This idea is reinforced by the following lines, which reveal that the singer has been holding onto a grudge against their father, blaming him for the years he feels he has wasted. However, the singer is forced to confront their own mistake when a phone call reveals that they were wrong all along.
The second verse of the song continues to explore the theme of self-doubt and regret. The line "I walked around my room not thinking, just sinking in this box" suggests that the singer has been isolating themselves and dwelling on their mistakes. They blame themselves for being too much like somebody else, perhaps implying that they have been copying someone else's behavior or beliefs without really examining them. Once again, the singer is forced to confront their own fallibility when a phone call reveals that they were wrong.
The chorus of the song is a plea for forgiveness and honesty. The singer hopes to "figure out what's wrong" and make it known that they have "loved you all along." The line "just like the sunny days that we ignore because we're all dumb and jaded" implies that the singer recognizes that they have been taking things for granted or failing to appreciate what they have. The song ends with the repeated refrain "then a phone call made me realize I'm wrong," emphasizing the transformative power of communication and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked around my good intentions
I wandered about with the purest of motives.
And found that there were none
But then realized that there was no good reason for what I was doing.
I blamed my father for the wasted years
I put the responsibility of my lost time on my father because of our lack of relationship.
We hardly talked
We didn’t communicate much.
I never thought I would forget this hate
I never thought I would move on from this negativity.
Then a phone call made me realize
But a phone call made me see the wrong in my ways.
I'm wrong
That I was incorrect in my initial assumptions.
If I don't make it known that
If I don’t express my feelings about the situation.
I've loved you all along
That I have had love towards you all this time.
Just like the sunny days that
Similarly to beautiful weather that goes unappreciated.
We ignore because
We choose to pay no attention because.
We're all dumb and jaded
As a group, we tend to be less aware and react to things with skepticism.
And I hope to god I figure out
And I pray that I can resolve.
What's wrong
What originated my negative views.
I walked around my room
I was pacing the confines of my own space.
Not thinking
Not focusing on anything in particular.
Just sinking in this box
But instead dwelling on the bad situation I’m in.
I blame myself for being too much
I hold myself accountable for acting inappropriately.
Like somebody else
Similar to the characteristics of another person.
I never thought I would just
I didn’t expect to just.
Bend this way
Act in this manner that is now foreign to me.
Then a phone call made me realize
But a phone call made me reevaluate.
I'm wrong
That my past judgments were misinformed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARNOLD LANNI, MICHAEL MAIDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@herrerajoey2
Noah,
My son, If you end up reading this I want you to know that you are so precious to me.
Your kind heart and empathy for those around you is a gift to this world.
Just remember, everyday that you are on this earth is a day that you can bring comfort to someone or bring a smile to their face.
People like you are what make living in this world a beautiful experience.
Love,
Dad
@user-sg3sh2jh6g
One of my all time Favorites!! Here's to 2024! The world is messed up would be an understatement! Please bring these days back
@Owell85
Definitely agreeing with you. 👊
@wardenandriuk9448
100%......
@LongJohnTippah
I'll triple it. I feel you guys. Hope to God we figure out how to change
@number1homie925
This was my dads favourite song. He was terminally ill for 15 years until this saturday god came down and took him away. It always made me sad why this was his favourite and tonight it hit me " If I dont make it know that I loved you all along" Love you so much Dad, the best Dad and small engine mechanic there ever was. I'll see you again oneday.
@stevenarevalo9101
Rip papa
@justingibel1261
Stay strong brother because you will be reunited with ur father one day! Sorry for ur loss.
@guillermofigueroa1875
R.I.P.🙏🏽
@michaelhughes3302
Keep your chin up Homeboy. All the best. Michael in Toronto.
@katiematson6416
i hear you man, im so scared to listen to this song after 6 months of him passing
we'll both see em one day (L)