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
Here by Me
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I'm not doing so good without you
The things I thought you'd never know about me
Were the things I guess you always understood
So how could I have been so blind for all these years
This I only see the truth through all this fear living without you
And anything I have in this world
It could all fall down around me
Just as long as I have you right here by me
I can't take another day without you
'Cause, baby, I could never make it on my own
I've been waiting so long just to hold you
And to be back in your arms where I belong
I'm sorry I can't always find the words to say
Everything I've ever known gets swept away
Inside of your love
And anything I have in this world
And all that I'll ever be
It could all fall down around me
Just as long as I have you right here by me
As the days roll on I see
Some is standing still for me
And you're not here
I'm sorry I can't always find the words to say
Everything I've ever known gets swept away
Inside of your love
And anything I have in this world
And all that I'll ever be
It could all fall down around me
Just as long as I have you right here by me
And anything I have in this world
And all that I'll ever be
It could all fall down around me
Just as long as I have you right here by me
The song "Here By Me" by 3 Doors Down is a touching ballad about missing someone you love dearly. It begins with the singer expressing his hope that the person he loves is doing fine without him, though confessing that he himself is not doing so well. He reflects on the fact that the person he loves always seemed to know and understand him better than anyone else. He realizes with regret that he has been blind to this truth for all these years, living without her.
The second verse of the song expresses the singer's desperation at being without the person he loves. He can't take another day without her and feels that he could never make it on his own. He longs to hold her again and be back in her arms where he belongs. He apologizes for not always finding the words to say how he feels and acknowledges that everything he has ever known is swept away inside of her love.
The chorus of the song is a powerful declaration of the singer's love for this person. He states that anything he has in the world and all that he'll ever be means nothing without her. He would be content to lose everything as long as he has her right here by him.
Overall, "Here By Me" is a beautiful and poignant love song that will resonate with anyone who has ever missed someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope you're doing fine out there without me
Despite my sadness, I truly hope that you are doing well without me.
Cause I'm not doing so good without you
I am struggling greatly without you in my life.
The things I thought you'd never know about me
There were certain things about myself that I believed you had no knowledge of.
Were the things I guess you always understood
However, you seemed to have a deep understanding of those things all along.
So how could I have been so blind for all these years
I must have been incredibly unaware to not recognize your understanding of me.
This I only see the truth through all this fear living without you
It is only now that I am living without you that I see the truth clearly.
And anything I have in this world
I understand that material possessions are not as important as having you in my life.
And all that I'll ever be
I know that my identity and purpose in life is intertwined with you.
It could all fall down around me
Everything I have can easily crumble away.
Just as long as I have you right here by me
But as long as I have you with me, I can overcome any obstacle.
I can't take another day without you
I cannot bear to go another day without you in my life.
'Cause, baby, I could never make it on my own
I recognize that I cannot thrive without your presence and love.
I've been waiting so long just to hold you
I have been eagerly and anxiously waiting for the chance to embrace you once again.
And to be back in your arms where I belong
Being held in your arms is where I truly feel like I belong.
I'm sorry I can't always find the words to say
I apologize for my struggle to express my feelings accurately.
Everything I've ever known gets swept away
Even my sense of familiarity disappears when you are not around.
Inside of your love
It is only when I am enveloped in your love that I feel truly at ease.
As the days roll on I see
Every passing day brings new realizations.
Some is standing still for me
However, it often feels like my life is at a standstill because of my longing for you.
And you're not here
The unbearable truth is that you are not present in my life.
And anything I have in this world
Once again, I understand that worldly possessions do not compare to the value of having you in my life.
And all that I'll ever be
I know that my ultimate purpose in life is to be with you.
It could all fall down around me
Everything I have can fall apart, but that does not matter as long as you are by my side.
Just as long as I have you right here by me
You are my rock and my source of strength, as long as I have you, I can overcome anything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, CHRISTOPHER LEE HENDERSON, MATTHEW DARRICK ROBERTS, ROBERT TODD HARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SuperKoreanGuy
These guys need an Emmy or a Golden Globe Equivalent for music. They are fucking brilliant. They sing from the heart, you can see it in their faces, their lyrics and you can hear it in their voices. 3DD for Life.
@delmar9122
The message of this song touches my heart.. ❤️👊🏻😢
@reivansilvadeoliveira3596
💓💓💓💓
@orlandovigilgangsterus.lun2433
Love what you say
@Chantara27
This will always be one my favorite songs by 3 doors down ❤
@TinaMarie101571
I lost my baby boy due to hurricane Katrina here in New Orleans, so this song hits close to home.
@revekkaestacado437
+TinaMarie101571 sorry for your loss.
@ashleefowler5073
I'm really sorry for your loss
@theogrieve2126
TinaMarie101571 lost of a child can be the worst for any parent
@vinifenge
I'm really sorry!!! =(