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
Back to Me
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laid it right here for you
And I've tried so hard
That's the best that I can do
Please understand I am not who I was
You used to be all that I had,
Now you're just not what I need
And I know then I can get back to me
Tears forget, that's more than I can do
'Cause they don't wash away
All the things that we've been through
I've put behind me my share of the shame
We could call villains but it's all in vain
You used to be all that I had
Now your just not what I need
I've got to get over you
And I know then I can get back to me
All of my life I've waited, hoping
Wanting you to see me the way that I am
But now I know that I'm not alone
Someone understands
You used to be all that I had,
Now you're just not what I need
I've got to get over you
And I know then I can get back to me
You've got to know that
You used to be all that I had,
(You used to be all that I had)
Now you're just not what I need
(Now you're just not what I need)
I've got to get over you
And I know then I can get back to me
Then I get back to me
(Then I get back to me)
Then I get back to me
The lyrics of “Back to Me” by 3 Doors Down is about a person who has poured their heart out to someone they love but failed to win their affection. The person acknowledges that they have tried their best, yet it was not enough to maintain the relationship. There comes a time to let go and move on. The person realizes that they need to get over their love and start focusing on themselves. They need to be able to affirm their own identity and regain their sense of self-worth.
The first verse of the song reveals the desperation of the person in trying to make the relationship work. They have poured out their heart and tried their best, but it has come to nothing. The person then admits that they are not the same person they used to be. The relationship has changed them, and they need to rediscover themselves. The second verse speaks of the pain and sorrow that the person has been through. The memories and shame of the past have been left behind, and the person can no longer see the other person as a hero in their life. Instead, they have to admit that the relationship is over and move on.
The chorus of the song brings together the central idea of the song. The person recognizes that they need to get over the person that they once loved to be able to get back to who they are. They need to reclaim their identity and sense of self-worth. The final verse speaks of hope and the realization that they are not alone. Someone understands them and can relate to their experience.
Overall, “Back to Me” is a powerful song of self-realization and the need to move on from a failed relationship. It speaks to anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and the struggle to reclaim their sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
I have poured out my heart
I have exposed my own feelings to you
Laid it right here for you
I have made myself vulnerable and exposed to you
And I've tried so hard
I have made every effort possible
That's the best that I can do
I cannot do any better than this
Please understand I am not who I was
I am not the same person that I used to be
You used to be all that I had,
You used to be the only thing that mattered to me
Now you're just not what I need
You are no longer essential to my life
I've got to get over you
I need to move on and forget about you
And I know then I can get back to me
Only then can I become who I truly am again
Tears forget, that's more than I can do
I cannot forget the emotional pain that I have gone through
'Cause they don't wash away
Crying does not make the pain go away
All the things that we've been through
All the experiences that we shared together
I've put behind me my share of the shame
I have let go of the guilt and regret that I felt
We could call villains but it's all in vain
We can blame each other but it won't change anything
All of my life I've waited, hoping
For my entire life, I have been waiting and wishing
Wanting you to see me the way that I am
Desiring for you to truly understand me
But now I know that I'm not alone
I realize that other people can empathize with me
Someone understands
I have found someone who truly comprehends my struggles
Then I get back to me
Only then will I become myself again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, CHRISTOPHER LEE HENDERSON, MATTHEW DARRICK ROBERTS, ROBERT TODD HARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Nieman House
Heard this song on my Spotify. And literally hit a soft spot. I healed but I definitely have not been the same.
Danielle Marie
That’s awesome! Because if you’ve healed then you should definitely never ever be the same. Congratulations to you from another person who has also healed in a world broken unhealed mean hateful people. I appreciate you and I love you and I wish you the best of luck
Marcus Weaver
I love this song. It's help me get through an ex and some family and former friends too.
Carla Lage
Amo #3Doorsdown Brasil 🇧🇷
German F
Great Great band.. 3 doors down is a AMAZING band!!! Tienen letras excelenteees!
Nathan Goad
I love this song, one of my favorites on the album
Leyshay1
I seriously wasnt sure about this album at first(and I have loved EVERY one). Then I took a real good listen and decided it was one of my favorites. Played it day in and out the 1st 2 weeks i had it! I love this song...good break up song <3
Edgar Steven
That solo is so powerful then the chorus my god
Stacey Keiser
YESSSSSS that solo is my fave part.
Dim Pap
Truly emotional ballad! 🎼 🎵 🎧