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
Dangerous Game
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before another second clicks away one of us will die
You reach for your metal as I reach for mine
The sound of bullets flyin' through the air, is followed by a cry
And they're cryin'
What will we do? What will we say?
When its the end of this game that we play
Or will we start this game over again?
The young man lays alone but fastened to the ground
The sound of fleein' feet and a cryin' eye will be his last sound
What did we gain from all of this?
Now was it worth a life?
We've thrown all our hopes away and set our dreams aside
Now we're cryin'
What will we do? What will we say?
When its the end of this game that we play
Will we crumble into the dust my friend?
Or will we start this game over again?
It's coming back to me, it's coming back to me
What will we do? What will we say?
When its the end of this game that we play
Will we crumble into the dust my friend?
Or will we start this game over again?
The lyrics to 3 Doors Down's song "Dangerous Game" depict a tense and deadly encounter between two individuals, both reaching for their weapons in a split second decision that results in one of them losing their life. The opening lines create a sense of immediacy and impending danger, as the two opponents lock eyes and prepare for a fatal showdown. The use of the word "die" emphasizes the finality and gravity of the situation. The subsequent lines reveal the violent outcome, with the sound of bullets flying through the air and a cry indicating that one of the combatants has been fatally wounded.
The following verses question the justification for the deadly confrontation, suggesting that the cost of a human life may not have been worth whatever was gained from the conflict. The lines, "we've thrown all our hopes away and set our dreams aside" express a sense of wasted potential and lost opportunities resulting from the violent confrontation. The repetition of the question "what will we do? what will we say?" underscores the regret and sorrow felt by the surviving combatant as they contemplate the senselessness of the tragedy.
The final lines, "it's coming back to me, it's coming back to me" suggests that the survivor is haunted by the memory of the deadly encounter and the realization that the end result was not worth the cost. Overall, the song is a commentary on the tragic consequences of violence and the need to find more peaceful and constructive ways of resolving conflicts.
Line by Line Meaning
You Stand before me now we stare eye to eye
Two people face each other and make eye contact.
Before another second clicks away one of us will die
They are about to engage in a deadly confrontation that will result in one of their deaths.
You reach for your metal as I reach for mine
Both people draw their guns, preparing for the imminent fight.
The sound of bullets flyin' through the air, is followed by a cry
The fight starts and there's gunfire, and one of them gets hit and cries out in pain.
And they're cryin'
The person who got hit is crying in pain.
What will we do? What will we say?
Reflecting on the situation, wondering what they could have done differently.
When its the end of this game that we play
Looking at the fight as a game, but realizing it's too late now as one person is dying.
Will we crumble into the dust my friend?
Wondering if they will surrender and give up, possibly losing everything.
Or will we start this game over again?
Wondering if they will repeat the same mistakes and engage in another fight in the future.
The young man lays alone but fastened to the ground
One person is left lying on the ground, unable to move.
The sound of fleein' feet and a cryin' eye will be his last sound
Hearing the sound of someone running away and the person who got hit crying, knowing that it's their last moment alive.
What did we gain from all of this?
Reflecting on the fight and questioning what they achieved from it.
Now was it worth a life?
Questioning if taking a life was worth the conflict that led to the fight.
We've thrown all our hopes away and set our dreams aside
Realizing that the fight has destroyed everything they hoped for and worked towards.
It's coming back to me, it's coming back to me
Memories of the fight are resurfacing in their minds.
What will we do? What will we say?
Back to questioning what they should have done differently to avoid the fatal fight.
When its the end of this game that we play
Reflecting that life is nothing but a game with a deadly ending.
Will we crumble into the dust my friend?
Wondering if they will give up and lose everything in the end.
Or will we start this game over again?
Wondering if they will repeat their mistakes and engage in another conflict in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, MATTHEW DARRICK ROBERTS, ROBERT TODD HARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Sarah Yellin'
I found this song on a Sabrina Online AMV, although this sounds like something from Shadow the Hedgehog.