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
Father's Son
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She laid her body down
The damned walked in beside her
And laid his money down
He said don't try to scream now
But I want this one to hurt
And tonight my pretty one
He said they never listened
She said they'd never understand
That I don't this for pleasure
I just do it cause I can
I swear I didn't want to
And I swear I didn't know
That things like this could happen
To a seventeen year old
And I've bundled up all these fears inside
And I've bottled up all of this pain
And no one or nothing can take this away
But I won't let it happen again
Never again
In the haze of a smokey room
He chokes that bottle down
It's been a month since her saw her face
Underneath the blood stained gown
He thinks about that little girl
And the one he has at home
And wonders what if that was my little girl
Walkin' down that road alone
And I've bundled up all these fears inside
And I've bottled up all of this pain
And no one or nothing can take this away
But I won't let it happen again
Never again
Never again
No
Maybe I'm just crazy or the devil got inside
Either way my soul is gone
And I'll end this all tonight
The one hand throws the whiskey
And the other throws the gun
As he cries out to the heavens
I am not my father's son
And I've bundled up all these fears inside
And I've bottled up all of this pain
And no one or nothing can take this away
But I won't let it happen again
Never again
Never again
No
"Father's Son" is a somber and haunting song by the band 3 Doors Down. The lyrics tell the story of a young girl who becomes victim to human trafficking, and the aftermath of her trauma on both her and her father. The first verse sets the scene of a young girl being sold to a patron of a sleazy establishment. The lyrics convey the power dynamic present in this situation - the man knows he has complete control over her and relishes in inflicting pain. The girl has resigned herself to the situation, recognizing that her pleas for help would fall on deaf ears. She knows that there is a societal taboo on this sort of work, but ultimately just sees it as a way to make money.
The chorus reflects the girl's internal struggle to cope with what has happened to her. She has "bundled up all these fears inside" and "bottled up all of this pain." The lyrics suggest that this trauma has had a profound effect on her and that she feels completely alone in her suffering. She repeats the phrase "never again" to signify her commitment to not letting this happen to her again, although it is unclear whether this means that she seeks revenge on her tormentor, or simply that she is unwilling to trust anyone ever again.
The second verse shifts the focus to the father of the victim. He is shown struggling to come to terms with what has happened to his daughter. He is haunted by the thought that it could have been his own child that this happened to. The lyrics suggest the enormity of the trauma, as he is still affected by it months later. The chorus repeats with the addition of "no" after "never again," emphasizing the father's determination to ensure that this never happens to anyone else again.
Overall, "Father's Son" is a sobering and powerful reminder of the horrors of human trafficking. The lyrics are intense and tell a story that is unfortunately all too common in the world today. The chorus provides a message of resilience and determination, and the whole song serves as a call to action to put an end to this sort of suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
In the glare of a neon sign
Under the harsh, artificial light of a neon sign
She laid her body down
She placed her body on display
The damned walked in beside her
A sinful man entered alongside her
And laid his money down
And deposited his payment for her services
He said don't try to scream now
He warned her not to scream or resist
But I want this one to hurt
But he desired to inflict more pain than usual
And tonight my pretty one
And tonight, addressing her with a condescending and patronizing manner
I'm gonna get my money's worth
I intend to derive maximum satisfaction from our transaction
He said they never listened
He complained that his grievances were never taken seriously
She said they'd never understand
She shared a sense of hopelessness and despair
That I don't this for pleasure
That she didn't engage in this activity for pleasure
I just do it cause I can
But rather because she believes she has no choice
I swear I didn't want to
Addressing the listener to express reluctance and regret
And I swear I didn't know
Denying any prior awareness or complicity
That things like this could happen
That such events were within the realm of possibility
To a seventeen year old
To someone so young and vulnerable
In the haze of a smokey room
Amidst the obscure and polluted atmosphere of a room filled with smoke
He chokes that bottle down
He drinks heavily and recklessly, as if trying to escape reality
It's been a month since her saw her face
It's been a long time since he last saw her in person
Underneath the blood stained gown
While she was still wearing the garment that was soiled with blood
He thinks about that little girl
He recollects the innocent and vulnerable girl he encountered
And the one he has at home
And compares her to his own daughter
And wonders what if that was my little girl
Contemplating the horror and outrage if his daughter suffered the same fate
Walkin' down that road alone
Walking down the path of vulnerability and danger, unaccompanied and unsupported
Maybe I'm just crazy or the devil got inside
Admitting to his own mental instability or spiritual corruption
Either way my soul is gone
Regardless of the exact reason, his innermost self is damaged and lost
And I'll end this all tonight
And he makes the irreparable decision to take his own life
The one hand throws the whiskey
As he lets go of the alcohol he relied on as a crutch
And the other throws the gun
While picking up the weapon that will end his life
As he cries out to the heavens
Proclaiming his desperation and anguish to the divine power
I am not my father's son
Rebelling against the legacy and influence of his abusive and dangerous parent
And I've bundled up all these fears inside
Using a metaphor to describe how he's kept his emotions and traumatic experiences hidden and repressed
And I've bottled up all of this pain
Similar to the previous line, he's kept his emotional turmoil and distress confined and suppressed
And no one or nothing can take this away
Emphasizing the permanence and inescapability of his inner turmoil
But I won't let it happen again
Despite the seeming hopelessness of his situation, he resolves to prevent similar tragedies from occurring
Never again
Repeating this phrase as a mantra of determination and defiance
No
Affirming this resolve with concise and emphatic negation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, CHRISTOPHER LEE HENDERSON, 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.