"3 O'Clock Things" is a song by American pop band AJR from their fourth studio album OK Orchestra, appearing as the third track. It is the most popular non-single from the album, amassing over 43 million streams as of October 2023.
| "3 O'Clock Things" | |
|---|---|
| Song by AJR | |
| from the album OK Orchestra | |
| Released | March 26, 2021 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:48 |
| Label |
|
| Songwriter(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Ryan Met |
| Music video | |
| "3 O'Clock Things" on YouTube | |
Background and composition
editAJR began writing the song with the intent of creating a "stream of consciousness" song, grabbing thoughts that would be had at 3 AM and weighing if others would have an instant feeling from it. Each line is taken from different one-sided perspectives, with the song's final line "if you're fuckin' racist, then don't come to my show" tying in as one thought given as a fact rather than an uncertainty.[2] During live performances, the line is often shouted by the audience.[3]
"3 O'Clock Things" is composed in 4
4 time signature in the key of B major and follows a tempo of 94 beats per minute (bpm). The song's intro and bridge vocal melodies were inspired by close-harmony choirs featured in the 1940s jump blues song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", similarly to the band's previous album, Neotheater, which took inspiration from 1930s barbershop quartets. The Beu Sisters perform these vocal sections in "3 O'Clock Things".[4]
Music video
editOn June 23, 2021, a video directed by Jack Met and Edoardo Ranaboldo was released.[5] The music video features AJR absent of Jack, with the band's lighting designer Ezra Donellan taking his place.[6] Donellan recreates scenes from previous AJR music videos with the other members, including "I'm Not Famous", "Dear Winter", "Sober Up", "Bang!", "My Play", "Bummerland", "Way Less Sad", "OK Overture", "Come Hang Out", and "Weak", while additionally recreating a Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance of "Way Less Sad" and an interview with Zach Sang.[7] The music video's audio was mixed with 360 Reality Audio, which was released onto streaming services the next day.[8]
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Tidal.[9]
- Adam Met – vocals, instruments, composer
- Jack Met – lead vocals, instruments, composer
- Ryan Met – vocals, instruments, composer, producer
- The Beu Sisters – vocals
- Chris Gehringer – mastering engineer
- Joe Zook – mixing engineer
- Chris Berry - drums
- Arnetta Johnson - trumpet
- Josh Plotner - flute
- Danny Ferenbach - violin
- Emelia Suljic - violin
- Ruth Kornblatt-Stier - cello
- Alba Avoricani - backing vocals
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] | 39 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] | 28 |
References
edit- ^ Brumfield, Sydney (April 6, 2021). "Review: Dynamic trio shows off talents in latest album". The Ithacan. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ AJR (March 30, 2021). AJR Breaks Down Their New Album "OK ORCHESTRA" (YouTube video). Zach Sang Show. Event occurs at 42:52. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ AJR (June 8, 2023). "One thing I know". YouTube. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ AJR (March 30, 2021). AJR Breaks Down Their New Album "OK ORCHESTRA" (YouTube video). Zach Sang Show. Event occurs at 51:33. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ iHeartMedia (June 29, 2021). "New AJR Vid! 3 O'Clock Things (Official Video)". iHeartRadio. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ Maeoka, Toshio (June 24, 2021). "AJR Shares New Music Video for "3 O'Clock Things"". pm studio. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ Louie, Philip (June 23, 2021). "AJR: "3 O'Clock Things" Music Video (First Reactions)". Philip's Music Corner. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "The Story of AJR - 3 O'Clock Things". Music.com. June 24, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "Credits / OK ORCHESTRA / AJR". Tidal. March 26, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 5, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "AJR Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2023.