Universal then released their first album, 'The Better Life', and they garnered a big fan response. They received international fame with their first single, "Kryptonite", in particular. The album went on to sell over 6 million copies.
In 2002, 'Away From The Sun' was released with the single "When I'm Gone". The ballad "Here Without You" became another multi-format success, doing especially well in the adult contemporary space, while the singles "The Road I'm On" and "Away From The Sun" were minor hits. The album went on to sell over 3 million copies.
3 Doors Down released their third studio album, Seventeen Days, in 2005, and it debuted at #1 on the Billboard Music Chart. The album achieved platinum status in less than a month. Its first single, "Let Me Go", received much airplay, and was followed by a second song called "Behind Those Eyes."
In 2007, they made a music video with the upcoming track "Citizen Soldiers" for the National Guard.
In May of 2008 3 Doors Down released their 4th full length studio album the self titled "3 Doors Down". The first single is It's Not my Time. They also launched a world tour in March in support.
Early years (1996-2000)
3 Doors Down was formed by drummer vocalist Brad Arnold, guitarist Matt Roberts and bassist Todd Harrell. The three were friends who had grown up together in Escatawpa, and who all shared a common interest in rock music. The band began playing locally around the city, playing a mix of both cover songs and original songs that would eventually be recorded on their first release. Brad Arnold eventually ended up not only drumming, but also acting as the group's singer, mainly because, as he puts it, "nobody else would do it, but I did and enjoyed it." Arnold is also their lyricist, and wrote some of their early hits when he was 15, often working on songs during math class.
The band eventually began to tour outside of their city, and it was during a trip to Foley, Alabama that they came up with their official name. When the three men were walking through the town, they saw a building where some letters had fallen off of its sign, and it read "Doors Down." Since at the time they consisted of three people, they added the "3" to create "3 Doors Down."
A couple years after performing together, Todd Harrell asked guitarist Chris Henderson to join the band in order to make the sound more full. They recorded a demo CD of their original songs at Lincoln Recording Studio in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Radio station 97.9 WCPR started playing the EP version of "Kryptonite", and it became the #1 requested song on the station for over 15 weeks and led to Universal Records signing the band.
The Better Life (2000-2001)
3 Doors Down's first album, The Better Life was released on February 2 , 2000, and went on to become the 11th best-selling album of that year, selling over 3 million copies. It has since been certified 6x platinum, thanks in large part to the international hit singles, "Kryptonite", "Loser", and "Duck and Run". A fourth single, "Be Like That", also did well and was actually re-recorded for the 2001 film American Pie 2, with alternate lyrics for the first 3 lines. This version is known as "The American Pie 2 Edit".
For recording the album, Brad Arnold recorded both the vocal and drum parts. However, when touring to support The Better Life, the band hired a drummer so that Arnold could perform at the front of the stage.
Away from the Sun (2002)
Session drummer Josh Freese was hired to record drums for Away from the Sun. Also, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson produced and performed on three tracks for the record, "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love", and "Wasted Me", but only "Dangerous Game" would appear on the finished product. The band hired Canadian Daniel Adair to play drums for the Away From the Sun tour. He would go on to record the drums for the band's next studio release, and was with the band aboard the U.S.S George Washington (CVN 73) to film the music video "When I'm Gone".
Another 700 Miles (2003)
In 2003, 3 Doors Down released a live E.P. entitled Another 700 Miles consisting of recordings from a live performance by the band in Chicago, Illinois. Another 700 Miles has since been certified Gold in the United States. Besides featuring some of 3 Doors Down's hit singles from their previous two albums, the E.P. also contains a version of the popular Lynyrd Skynyrd song "That Smell".
In 2003, the band began hosting the annual "3 Doors Down and Friends" benefit concert, through the band's own charity The Better Life Foundation. In 2006, this event was held at the Mobile Convention Center, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Katrina survivors. As residents of Escawtawpa, the members of the band saw the effects of Katrina's devastation.[3]
Seventeen Days (2005-2007)
The band's third studio album, 2005's Seventeen Days, has since been certified platinum. "Let Me Go" and "Behind Those Eyes" charted with the most success. "Live for Today", "Landing in London" (on which Bob Seger provided back-up vocals and guitar), and "Here by Me" were also released as singles. During the Seventeen Days tour, the band appeared alongside southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as headlined many shows of their own.
Also in 2005, the band released a live DVD entitled Away from the Sun: Live from Houston, Texas. The DVD was produced and directed by Academy Award nominated Alex Gibney and Doug Biro. It features songs from both The Better Life and Away from the Sun, and even some early sketches of "It's Not Me" and "Father's Son", which were both eventually released on Seventeen Days.
- Greg Upchurch, formerly of Puddle of Mudd, replaced Daniel Adair in 2005, when Adair left to accept the position as drummer and contributing member of Nickelback.[4]
[edit] 3 Doors Down (2008-present)
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3 Doors Down released their self-titled fourth album on May 20, 2008. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 154,000 copies in its first week. It is the band's second consecutive #1 album on the chart after Seventeen Days, as well their fourth album to reach the Top Ten.[5] The album contains the hit singles "It's Not My Time", "Train", "Let Me Be Myself" (currently featured in a GEICO commercial) and "Citizen/Soldier", a song written as a tribute to the National Guard. The band has just recently begun writing their next record. It is rumored that they are going back in the studio near the end of the year to record their new album which can be expect to be out by spring/summer 2010.[6][dead link]
In 2009, 3 Doors Down, along with The Soul Children of Chicago, released the song “In The Presence Of The Lord” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.[7]
[edit] Charity work
[edit] The Better Life Foundation
The Better Life Foundation
3 Doors Down started The Better Life Foundation (TBLF) in 2003, with a goal in mind to give as many children as possible a better life. Since its inception TBLF has supported numerous charities nationwide, as well as providing aid and assistance to the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.
When the Mississippi town of Waveland took an especially hard hit from Katrina, the charity was able to purchase three police cars and a fire truck to help with rescue efforts. Also, in connection with Wal-Mart, were able to supply the town with three semi-trucks full of rescue supplies. There was also extensive support from TBLF in providing funding for rebuilding efforts in the town
3 Doors Down and The Better Life Foundation host a yearly show in at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, MS to raise money for the charity. In addition to a concert from 3 Doors Down and friends, there is also an auction, which includes numerous items from musical friends, sports icons, and other various supporters of the band and the charity. There is an average of sixty items auctioned off yearly, and proceeds are given to TBLF.
This year's show will feature 3 Doors Down, MuzikMafia, and Switchfoot.
The band has shared the stage with artists such as Daughtry, Megadeth, Staind, Nickelback, Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Theory of a Deadman, Seether, Shinedown, Hinder, Mentors, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. .
Website: http://www.3doorsdown.com/
Information about the charity can be found at http://www.thebetterlifefoundation.org
[edit] Members
[edit] Current members
* Brad Arnold - lead vocals
* Chet Roberts - lead guitar, backing vocals
* Chris Henderson - rhythm guitar
* Todd Harrell - bass guitar
* Greg Upchurch - drums, percussion, backing vocals
[edit] Past members
* Matt Roberts - lead guitar, backing vocals
* Daniel Adair - drums, percussion
* Richard Liles — drums, percussion
9-By My Side
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They built this world and I have come
I need another, like a brother,
For a cryin' shoulder
This could be the last time, you will
Stand by my side
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly
Sober mind time now is gone, they carved my
Body not of stone
A petty maze of emptiness, I've said the hell
With all the rest
This could be the last time, you will
Stand by my side
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly
With me this evening
This could be the last time, you will
Stand by my side
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly
With me this evening
This could be the last time, you will
Stand by my side
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly
With me this evening
The opening lines of the song '9-By My Side' by 3 Doors Down are an expression of admiration and respect for the generations that came before the singer. The singer acknowledges the trailblazers who have built the world they currently inhabit, appreciates the hard work that goes into it, and expresses a desire for someone to lean on, someone to share the burden with. The lines "I need another, like a brother, For a cryin' shoulder" reveal that the singer is trying to find comfort and solace in difficult times.
As the song progresses, the singer's emotions become more intense. The repetition of "This could be the last time, you will stand by my side" creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The singer's soul is "bleeding," which adds another layer to the song's theme of vulnerability and the need for emotional support. In the next stanza, the singer refers to themselves as a "petty maze of emptiness" which is a metaphorical reference to feeling lost, confused and not having any direction in life. The singer finally concludes that they have had enough with everything else and are looking for someone to run away with, someone with whom they can escape their mundane life.
Overall, the song is a cry for help, a plea for connection, and speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they need someone to lean on, someone who understands them in their difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
They blazed a trail I dared to run
I followed in the footsteps of those who came before me.
They built this world and I have come
I arrived in a world that was created by those who came before me.
I need another, like a brother, For a cryin' shoulder
I need someone to lean on when things get tough.
This could be the last time, you will Stand by my side
This may be the final moment we have together.
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly With me this evening
I am hurting deeply, will you spend time with me tonight?
Sober mind time now is gone, they carved my Body not of stone
I am no longer in control of my thoughts, and I feel vulnerable.
A petty maze of emptiness, I've said the hell With all the rest
I am lost in a pointless, hollow existence, but I reject that way of life.
This could be the last time, you will Stand by my side
This may be the final moment we have together.
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly With me this evening
I am hurting deeply, will you spend time with me tonight?
This could be the last time, you will Stand by my side
This may be the final moment we have together.
I can feel my soul it's bleeding, will you fly With me this evening
I am hurting deeply, will you spend time with me tonight?
This could be the last time, you will Stand by my side
This may be the final moment we have together.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Public Broadcasting 1
Underrated song. This whole album kicks ass!
Kevin Magee
Brad Arnold sings so great!!!! He's a great singer!!!!
William Root
This group so utterly rules ! one of the hottest lead guitar solos ever recorded on this number right here ! On technical difficulty not so much but WGAF ! It so utterly rips 🔥
Celia Warren
This song didn't have alot of credit but it was still a killer!!
Autumnal Gloom
It was weirdly the only 3 Doors Down song I knew for, like, 2 years. Eventually I heard Kryptonite.
WeatheredClay99
Chris's riffs fit so well with the feel of this album. Very late 90s or early 2000s.
flavour1970
Such a great album all KILLER no filler
Dean Hire
always thought this was their best song, it kicks
melon bread
Finally found them at last !!!! I can finally die in peace.🥺😵
John Myers
Great tune God I miss these guys!