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
It's Not Me
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And how life was
Just you and me and love and all of our friends
Living life like an ocean
But now the currents slowly pulling me down
It's getting harder to breath
It won't be too long and I'll be going under
Can you save me from this
'Cause it's not my time,
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh, I won't go
I look ahead to all the plans that we made
And the dreams that we had
I'm in a world that tries to take 'em away
Oh, but I'm taking 'em back
All this time I've just been to blind to understand
What should matter to me
My friend, this life we live
Is not what we have, it's what we believe
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
But, it's not my time
I'm not going
There's a wield in me
Now I know that
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh, but I won't go
I won't go
There might be more than you believe
(There might be more than you believe)
There might be something you can see
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
But, it's not my time
I'm not going
There's a wield in me
Now I know that
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh, but I won't go
There might be more than you believe
(There might be more than you believe)
There might be more than you can see
I won't go!
No I won't go down!
Yeah.
The lyrics of Three Doors Down’s song It's Not My Time delve into a reflection on the past and present, weighing heavy on the impact that time and the world have had on the singer. The song begins with a nostalgic look at a past where things were simpler and love and friends were all that mattered- but with time, as the ocean currents that once symbolized the easy life the singer led, begin to pull him further down- he feels as though he’s drowning. The fear grips him, but he knows that it’s not his time to give up- not yet. He still has things to do in this world and dreams to achieve.
The message of the song lies in the chorus of it, which is repeated throughout- It's not my time, I'm not going. There's a fear in me, it's not showing. This could be the end of me and everything I know, but it's not my time, I won't go. The lyrics are about facing life head-on, even when things seem their darkest- and persevering in the face of adversity. The singer wants to acknowledge the fear and doubt that they feel inside and embrace it - rather than letting it hold them down. They reaffirm what’s worth believing in - the dreams they made and the life they want to live.
Overall, the lyrics to It's Not My Time is a powerful anthem of hope and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back at the beginning of this
Reflecting on the past and how things used to be
And how life was
Remembering the way life used to be
Just you and me and love and all of our friends
Simply enjoying life with loved ones and friends
Living life like an ocean
Living life with ups and downs, like the ebb and flow of an ocean
But now the currents slowly pulling me down
Feeling the pressures of life weighing on him
It's getting harder to breath
Feeling suffocated by the stress of life
It won't be too long and I'll be going under
Feeling like he's on the verge of drowning in his problems
Can you save me from this
Asking for help to overcome his struggles
'Cause it's not my time,
Feeling like it's not his time to give up and succumb to his problems
I'm not going
Not giving up or backing down
There's a fear in me
Feeling afraid of the unknown
It's not showing
Keeping his fear hidden from others
This could be the end of me
Realizing the severity of his situation
And everything I know
Knowing that his entire life could be at stake
Oh, I won't go
Determined to fight and not give up
I look ahead to all the plans that we made
Thinking about his future and the goals he set for himself
And the dreams that we had
Remembering the aspirations he had before his struggles started
I'm in a world that tries to take 'em away
Feeling like the world is conspiring against him and trying to sabotage his dreams
Oh, but I'm taking 'em back
Deciding to reclaim control over his life and aspirations
All this time I've just been too blind to understand
Realizing that he hasn't been fully aware of what truly matters in life
What should matter to me
Reevaluating his priorities and values
My friend, this life we live
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and how every moment is precious
Is not what we have, it's what we believe
Understanding that what one believes in is more important than material possessions
There might be more than you believe
Acknowledging that there may be hope and opportunities beyond what he currently perceives
(There might be more than you believe)
There might be something you can see
Believing that there may be a way out of his struggles if he keeps an open mind
There's a wield in me
Feeling a sense of strength and resilience within himself
Now I know that
Feeling more certain and confident
This could be the end of me
Acknowledging the potential consequences of his struggles
And everything I know
Realizing that his entire life and worldview could be at risk
Oh, but I won't go
Recommitting to fight and not give up
No I won't go down!
Refusing to be defeated by his struggles
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.