It started with a simple Instagram Q&A. Just a teenager in Jakarta asking her followers for a few words to turn into a song. Then, Marvel happened.
In May 2019, Avengers: Endgame was absolutely devouring the global box office. If you weren’t crying over Tony Stark, you were probably living under a rock. When Stephanie Poetri asked for song prompts, the phrase "I love you 3000" was everywhere. It was the line Morgan Stark said to her dad. It was the line that broke a million hearts.
Stephanie took that grief and turned it into a breezy, acoustic proposal anthem. Honestly, it’s kinda wild how a line about a father and daughter became the ultimate "marry me" song. But that’s the magic of the stephanie poetri i love you 3000 lyrics—they bridged the gap between nerd culture and real-life romance so perfectly that the song exploded overnight.
The Story Behind the Lyrics
Stephanie Poetri didn't sit in a high-tech studio with twenty writers to craft this. She was 19. She was bored. She literally wrote the chorus in her room and shot the music video on an iPhone with her sister's help.
The lyrics aren't actually about the Avengers. Not really. They’re about that terrifying, exhilarating moment when you realize your partner is about to propose, and you’re so excited you almost want to spoil the surprise.
"Baby, take my hand / I want you to be my husband / 'Cause you're my Iron Man / And I love you three thousand"
It’s sweet. It's simple. It’s a bit "meta" too. By calling her partner "Iron Man," she’s leaning into the "I love you 3000" reference while keeping the vibe grounded in a normal relationship.
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Why the Hulk Shirt Matters
One of the most charming details in the stephanie poetri i love you 3000 lyrics is the mention of "Hulk outerwear."
- Verse 1: "I see you standing there / In your Hulk outerwear / And all I can think / Is where is the ring"
It’s such a specific, un-glamorous image. Usually, proposal songs talk about tuxedos or sunset beaches. Stephanie talks about a guy in a superhero hoodie. It makes the whole thing feel real. Like something that would actually happen to a couple who spends their weekends at the movies.
Breaking Down the "I Love You 3000" Meaning
A lot of people forget where the "3000" actually came from. In the movie, Tony Stark tells his daughter he loves her "tons." She fires back with "I love you 3000."
Why 3000?
Fans initially theorized it was the total runtime of every Marvel movie up to that point. It wasn't. Robert Downey Jr. actually revealed that one of his own kids said it to him in real life. The writers liked it so much they put it in the script.
Stephanie took that "internet-famous" number and gave it a new life. In her lyrics, it’s not just a cute number; it’s a measurement of a love that’s "straight out of a Hollywood movie." She even throws in a "no spoilers please" ad-lib, which was a nod to the massive anti-spoiler campaign Marvel ran during the Endgame release.
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The Viral Shift to 88rising
The song didn't just stay in Indonesia. It went global. Fast.
Within months, Stephanie was signed to 88rising, the same label home to Joji and Rich Brian. They even did a remix called "I Love You 3000 II" featuring Jackson Wang from GOT7. That version swapped some of the lyrics and added a male perspective, but the core hook stayed the same.
It’s rare for a song to feel this organic. You can tell she wasn't trying to "game" the algorithm. She was just a fan of a movie, writing for other fans.
The Lyrics: A Quick Refresher
If you've forgotten the bridge, it's where the "plot" of the song really happens:
- The Clues: She notices him smiling when thinking about "the aisle."
- The Dinner: They’re out to eat, and he reaches for his pocket.
- The Panic: She’s so sure he’s asking that she almost answers too fast.
- The Twist: She realizes she’s figured out all the clues and basically asks him to just get on with it.
It’s a story of "pre-proposal" anxiety. We’ve all been there—or at least seen the TikToks of it.
Why We Still Listen in 2026
You might think a song tied to a 2019 movie would feel dated. Strangely, it doesn't.
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Maybe it’s because the production is so stripped back. It’s just a guitar and a voice. Or maybe it’s because Stephanie’s mom is Titi DJ, an Indonesian pop legend, so good songwriting is basically in her DNA.
Whatever the reason, the stephanie poetri i love you 3000 lyrics have transitioned from a "Marvel meme song" to a standard wedding playlist staple. It’s the song for the couple that met at Comic-Con or had their first date at a midnight premiere.
How to Use This Song for Your Own "Movie" Moment
If you're planning to use these lyrics for a post or a proposal, keep these things in mind:
- Lean into the Nerdiness: It’s okay if he’s wearing a Hulk shirt. That’s the point.
- The Number Matters: "3000" is a specific code for Marvel fans. If they don't like the MCU, the reference might fly over their head.
- Timing is Everything: Like the lyrics say, try to make it "out of the blue." Even if they’ve figured out all the clues, the surprise is the best part.
To really appreciate the craft here, try listening to the original acoustic version and the Jackson Wang remix back-to-back. You’ll see how the simple "Iron Man" metaphor can be molded into different styles while keeping that heart-on-your-sleeve honesty that made Stephanie a star.
Check your favorite streaming platform to see her latest projects, as she's moved far beyond just this one hit, but this will always be the one that started the journey.