What does "3am" by Halsey mean?
“3am” Lyrics Meaning
“3am” is from Halsey’s newest album, “Manic.” “Manic” is tied together by themes of loneliness, love, and introspection and is meant to be more about Ashley-- Halsey’s real name-- than her stage persona, Halsey.
“I really need a mirror that’ll come along and tell me that I’m fine”
“3am” is about insecurity and the anxiety that accompanies relying on others for validation. The above line highlights that desire to be known and accepted. Adding to this anxiety, is the knowledge that this isn’t the best way to handle her insecurity. Not sure what else to do, in this song at least, Halsey continues to search for comfort in others.
(Disclaimer: Because Halsey has expressed that she has written this album to be autobiographical, this song likely is as well. However, when explaining a vulnerable song like this we want to remember that even in autobiographical songs there is often still some playing of a character. Even in autobiographical songs, sometimes artists write lines that are not exact representations of their real lives; this is part of the art of lyric writing. When this analysis refers to “Halsey,” it is only referring to the lyrics and not Halsey as a person.)
Verse 1
Darling, I've just left the bar
And I've misplaced all my credit cards
My self-preservation and all of my reservations
Are sittin' and contemplating what to do with me, do with me
Think I took it way too far
And I'm stumblin' drunk, getting in a car
My insecurities are hurtin' me
Someone please come and flirt with me
I really need a mirror that'll come along and tell me that I'm fine
I do it every time
As Halsey prepares to drive home from the bar her thoughts are in chaos. Her natural self-preservation instincts and the reservations she normally has that prevent her from acting on any destructive impulses are upset. She feels less like she is in control, and more like the thoughts in her head are trying to decide “what to do with [her].” In this vulnerable place, her insecurities are hurting her badly, and she wants someone to tell her good things about herself. She wants someone to let her know that she’s okay.
Pre-Chorus
I keep on hanging on the line, ignoring every warning sign
Come on and make me feel alright again
She doesn’t think that seeking validation from everyone is wise, but she ignores “every warning sign” in the hopes that someone will “make [her] feel alright again.”
Chorus
'Cause it's 3 AM
And I'm callin' everybody that I know
And here we go again
While I'm runnin' through the numbers in my phone
And yeah, I'll take fake moans and dial tones
Let 'em spill right down the microphone
I need it digital 'cause, baby, when it's physical
I end up alone, end up alone
Three in the morning here represents a time of loneliness, doubt, and insecurity. In an attempt to pull herself out of this spiral, she calls everyone she knows, even people she isn’t close to, hoping that they will be able to lift her mental state. Even a “fake” attraction or fake attention would be welcome. The “digital” versus “physical” could be a sexual reference, or it could be mean that she wants less of an intimate in-person relationship because she doesn’t want to be left alone again.
Verse 2
And every night, I wanna live in color through a white-blue screen
I got a technicolor vision going vivid in my white-blue jeans
I know it's complicated
'Cause everyone that I've dated says they hate it
'Cause they don't know what to do with me, do with me
Know that my identity's always getting the best of me
I'm the worst of my enemies
And I don't really know what to do with me
Yeah, I don't really know what to do with me
Though the first lines of verse two are open to interpretation, they likely refer to a desire to escape reality through technology. She recalls how everyone she’s dated has hated this desire of hers, and she begins to feel worse about herself. The “identity” that she says is ‘always getting the best” of her is not everything about who she is, but the negative sides of her personality. She feels like she’s self-sabotage and become her own “worst enemy.”
Bridge
I'm reckless, treat it like a necklace
Take a different version and I try it on for size with everybody that I know
And will you please pick up the f***ing phone?
In the bridge, she says that she treats her recklessness casually: “like a necklace.” She tries different types of recklessness with the people she knows. The tone of the first two lines is nonchalant, but the third line conveys the underlying loneliness that motivates those reckless acts as she pleads for someone to pick up the phone.
Deeper Meaning of “3am” by Halsey
Insecurity is something that is almost, if not completely, universal to humanity. When insecurity becomes intense, it can feel like the only way out is to be validated by someone. Encouragement from people who care about us can help, but we should also be kind to ourselves. A battle with insecurity takes time, but through being patient with ourselves, listening to people we trust, and believing the truth about who we are, people can overcome insecurity. “3am” is meant to show an unhealthy way of dealing with insecurity. This song is beautiful and heartfelt and shows listeners that searching for security entirely in the opinions of others, leads to more pain.
