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
Shine
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody's gonna take it from me
I'm gonna show you something you've got to see
Trust me people will remember this day cause
It's my time to shine
Cause I know what could be mine
It's all layin' on the line so
It's my time to shine
I think about this moment day and night
This is the only thing that I've ever known
I believe I can and I think I'm right
I'm gonna take this back to where it belongs cause
It's my time to shine
Cause I know what could be mine
It's all layin' on the line so
It's my time
It's my time to shine
I'll shine
I'll shine
It's my time to shine
I know what could be mine
It's all layin' on the line so
It's my time
It's my time to shine
The lyrics of "Shine" by 3 Doors Down hold a message of hope, determination, and perseverance. The singer declares that this is their moment to shine, and they won't let anyone take it from them. They speak about how they think about this moment day and night and how they believe they can achieve their dreams. The singer is confident in their abilities, and they are ready to show the world what they can do. This theme of self-belief and confidence in oneself is prevalent throughout the song, illustrated by the repeated line: "It's my time to shine."
The verses are packed with meaning aswell, with the first describing how the singer feels that this is the time when they will make history, and this day will be remembered by others. The second verse speaks of how much the singer has invested in their dreams and how they are determined to take it back to where it belongs. This determination is echoed in the chorus, where the singer declares their time has come to shine.
Overall, "Shine" is a song about believing in oneself, seizing the moment and taking the opportunity to show the world what we are made of. It is a song about determination and perseverance in the face of obstacles, and never giving up on our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
This is about to be history
This is a significant moment that will not be forgotten
Nobody's gonna take it from me
Nobody can take away my chance to shine
I'm gonna show you something you've got to see
I will impress and amaze you with my skills and talent
Trust me people will remember this day cause
This day will be memorable for everyone who witnesses it
It's my time to shine
This is my moment to succeed and be recognized
Cause I know what could be mine
I am aware of the potential success that could come from this moment
It's all layin' on the line so
Everything is at risk and dependent on the outcome of this moment
It's my time
This is the perfect opportunity for me to show my abilities
I think about this moment day and night
I constantly visualize and plan for this moment in my head
This is the only thing that I've ever known
My passion and dream have always been focused on this goal
I believe I can and I think I'm right
I have confidence in myself and my abilities to succeed
I'm gonna take this back to where it belongs cause
I will succeed and bring recognition to where it rightfully belongs
I'll shine
I will stand out and be recognized for my achievements
It's my time to shine
This is the moment where I will finally achieve recognition and success
I know what could be mine
I am aware of all the possibilities and potential success from this moment
It's all layin' on the line so
Everything is at risk and dependent on the outcome of this moment
It's my time
This is the perfect opportunity for me to achieve my goals and dreams
It's my time to shine
This is the moment where I will finally shine and succeed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, ROBERT TODD HARRELL, CHRISTOPHER LEE HENDERSON, MATTHEW DARRICK ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lexi Ashley
i swear they just get better and better.....love brad he's such a cutie <3 put it to u this way, he's a walking sin, and im the sinner ;))
Helio Araujo
Esse é foda de mas
Xanthrox
dude it's like they brought metal back! lolz I love it!!! sounds sort of retro, but the stage with the American Flag has been done way too much ever since Greenday American Idiot...but that's besides the point, I'm glad that 3DD is back and rocking it out!!!
jamwell212
Awesome,,,,, I heard this during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Can't wait for the next album & tour.
Marie Dee Bray
This song rocks! Never fails, you guys put out some kick ass music!
asolis2202
Lets make this the theme song for Sochi in 2014!
buckeyelab
i love 3 doors down you guys freaking rock !!!!!! your awesome i am so ready for the new cd come out i am buying it
Trish Greene
LOVE it! :)
Jewls Smith
luv luv these guys...Brad needs something in his hands to go along with the mic. he holds...sometimes his hands look lost...aimlessly needing to do something with them! (just sayin) He still looks great tho doing what he does!! <3
Ken Cheng
at times I'll have this song on repeat during my whole entire workout and it kicks my ass!