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
The Broken
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take it from me
They don't hear if you're lonely
As you can see
They don't care if you're scared
Your heart is the only friend you have in this whole world
Don't start, think you can do this yourself
This is the call to the broken
To all the ones who been thrown away
This is the call to the broken
Stand up and take back your world today
(Stand up)
I know what you're thinking
You say you're tired of keeping score (keeping score)
Trust me, you're not the only one going through this
You see, I've been through this before (this before)
This is the call out
This is the call to the broken
To all the ones who been thrown away
This is the call to the broken
Stand up and take back your world today
This is the call to the broken
We got to do this our own way
This is the call to the broken (stand up)
Stand up and take back your world today
They found their screams in a weakness
To keep us there where we fall down
But now we hold on to pieces
To change the world this is the call out
This is the call to the broken (stand up)
To all the ones who been thrown away
This is the call to the broken (stand up)
Stand up and take back your world today
This is the call to the broken (stand up)
We got to do this our own way
This is the call to the broken (stand up)
Stand up and take back your world today
The song "The Broken" by 3 Doors Down is an empowering anthem that speaks to those who feel lost, rejected, and abandoned. The lyrics address the loneliness and fear that many people experience in their lives, making it clear that those who are broken can't rely on others for support. Instead, they must learn to find strength within themselves.
The chorus serves as a rallying cry for the broken, calling on them to stand up and take back their lives. The singer acknowledges that it's not easy to keep going, especially when you're tired of trying to keep score. But they also offer insight, stating that everyone goes through difficult times, and that they themselves have been in the same situation before.
The last verse of the song talks about how those who are broken have been kept down, but now they hold pieces of themselves together and can change the world. The reiterated call to stand up and take back their world is a powerful and assertive message that encourages listeners to take control of their own lives and make a difference.
Overall, "The Broken" serves as a reminder that even when you feel like the world is against you, you are not alone in your struggles, and that you have the strength within you to overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it from me
Believe me when I say
They don't hear if you're lonely
No one listens to you when you feel alone
As you can see
It's evident that
They don't care if you're scared
No one cares if you're afraid
Your heart is the only friend you have in this whole world
You only have yourself to rely on
Don't start, think you can do this yourself
Don't think you can handle this on your own
This is the call to the broken
This is a message to those who feel broken
To all the ones who been thrown away
To those who have been rejected or abandoned
Stand up and take back your world today
Take control of your life and make a change now
I know what you're thinking
I understand your thoughts
You say you're tired of keeping score (keeping score)
You're exhausted from trying to keep track of everything
Trust me, you're not the only one going through this
You're not alone in these struggles
You see, I've been through this before (this before)
I have experienced this situation in the past
They found their screams in a weakness
Those who oppress us use our vulnerability as a weapon
To keep us there where we fall down
To make sure we stay down when we fail
But now we hold on to pieces
Now we gather our strength from what remains
To change the world this is the call out
This message is a call to action for those who want to make a difference
We got to do this our own way
We have to find our own path to success
Stand up and take back your world today
Take control of your life and make a change now
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JUSTIN CHARLES BILTONEN, BRADLEY KIRK ARNOLD, GREG DAVID UPCHURCH, CHET ROBERTS, CHRISTOPHER LEE HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Unguided Reaper
It's so good to see Three Doors Down killing it. This is honestly one of their best songs that I've heard.
Ethan Judd
Unguided Reaper it's already been out for over a year??? Fuck me time flies when you're rocking!
Vistro
It's crazy how many people come back to this everyday. This song is Legendary ❤💖.
Elizabeth H
Copy that!
Tyler Powell
I'm seriously obsessed with this song. I have loved this band since they first started. I have seen them in concert twice. I will see them for a third time at Carolina Rebellion. I can't wait!!!!! They're music is simply amazing and the first song I ever learned to play on guitar was "be like that". I owe so much to this band and I can always ride around and listen to them no matter what is going on in life.
Luanna Paiva
Voz linda essa 😘😍😍😍😍😍😍
Jessica Brodie-White
My husband introduced me to the music of 3DD 15 yes ago & I love it all! However, it was not until after his brutal murder this last sept. that I found some of my favorites to be tear jerkers. This new song seems to fit right in with where I'm at in my life just beautifully!!
Jessica Brodie-White
@derek farmer yes. Thank you
derek farmer
sorry for your loss rip to your husband glad the music can help you its amazing what it can do
james Dean
One of the best songs ever!