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
Duck An
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just because I have nothing to give
So you call this your free country
Tell me why it costs so much to live
Tell me why
This world can turn me down
But I won't turn away, oh no
All my work and endless measures
Never seem to get me very far
Walk a mile just to move an inch now
Even though I'm trying so damn hard
I'm trying so hard
This world can turn me down
But I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run
'Cause I'm not built that way
When everything is gone
There's nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No, 'cause I'm already here, oh no!
I'm already here, down on my knees
I'm already here
Oh, no, I'm already here
I must have told you a thousand times I am not running away
I won't duck and run
I won't duck and run
I won't duck and run
No, no, no pass away
This world can turn me down
But I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run
'Cause I'm not built that way
When everything is gone
There's nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No, 'cause I'm already here!
This world can turn me down
But I won't turn away
And I won't duck and run
'Cause I'm not built that way
When everything is gone
There's nothing there to fear
This world cannot bring me down
No, 'cause I am already here!
The song "Duck and Run" by 3 Doors Down is about perseverance despite the obstacles in life. The first verse speaks to the feeling of insignificance and inability to make much of an impact in the world. The singer questions why, in a free country, it costs so much just to live. However, he does not give up or turn away from the challenges that he faces. He has been working hard and despite his efforts, he has not made much progress. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the idea that the world can knock him down, but he won't give up.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges his struggles and the feeling of not getting anywhere. He has tried his best and has only moved a small distance despite all of his efforts. However, he still refuses to give up or run away from his problems. He will not be defeated by the challenges he faces.
The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the theme that the world cannot bring him down because he is already here. He will not turn away or run away from the struggles he faces. This song is a reminder to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult things may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
To this world I am unimportant
I feel insignificant and worthless in this world
Just because I have nothing to give
I feel that I have nothing to offer to the world
So you call this your free country
You claim that we live in a free society
Tell me why it costs so much to live
Explain to me why it is so difficult to afford living expenses in this 'free' country
This world can turn me down
This world may reject me
But I won't turn away, oh no
But I won't give up or abandon my beliefs
I won't turn around
I won't be deterred
All my work and endless measures
Despite my hard work and efforts
Never seem to get me very far
I struggle to make any significant progress
Walk a mile just to move an inch now
I have to work extremely hard for very little progress
Even though I'm trying so damn hard
Despite my dedication and hard work
I'm trying so hard
I'm doing my best to overcome obstacles
And I won't duck and run
I won't back down or run away from challenges
'Cause I'm not built that way
It's not in my nature to give up easily
When everything is gone
Even when I lose everything
There's nothing there to fear
There's nothing left for me to be afraid of
This world cannot bring me down
The world and its challenges cannot defeat me
No, 'cause I'm already here, oh no!
I'm already present and persevering, despite the difficulties I face
I'm already here, down on my knees
I'm already here, enduring hardship and difficulty
I must have told you a thousand times I am not running away
I have stated many times that I won't give up or run away from challenges
I won't duck and run
I refuse to give up or back down
No, no, no pass away
I won't let myself die or give in to fear
This world cannot bring me down
The world and its difficulties cannot defeat me
No, 'cause I am already here!
I'm already present, enduring the challenges and difficulties of this world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, CHRISTOPHER LEE HENDERSON, MATTHEW DARRICK ROBERTS, ROBERT TODD HARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulbryant8142
Its not always a masterpiece just because it wasn't played a million times over on the radio........who else thinks this is bad ass jam?
@bobhill3941
I always loved this song over 20 years.
@justinwalsh5496
My personal favorite from 3DD.
@mat2000100
It wasn't even allowed to be played over the radio after the 9/11 attacks.
@jamestruden2853
My favorite 3 doors down song! Agree, bad ass fits this song perfect!
@sammyt315
They were ahead of their time. I saw them live - AMAZING. This song actually is my favorite.
@acraigers3318
Just saw them in concert a couple days ago and this was their first song they played. This band is great in person! They absolutely killed it!!!
@michaelyates7029
Yes they sure are and they sure do, my favorite band of all time other then God smack
@Sixdfive
57 and still rockin' out to 3DD & Duck and Run!! Who's with me????
@showaker4755
28 here and been listening to them since I was born. Dad is a fan and raised me on the good music.