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
These Days
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So clearly I can see lately that you don't know who I am
Everybody tried to tell me something that I never could believe
Staring back it seemed so much different than it did in front of me
But I know there's no good in looking back on yesterday
And wondering what could have happened then
You say
(You say)
You say
I think I'm better off alone
These days
(These days)
These days
Why should I put my trust in something that I never could believe
So one day you can find something better
Just to pack your things and leave
Loneliness is a friend for the moment but you won't walk out on me
But I know there's no good in looking back on yesterday
And wondering what could have happened then
You think you can give me what I want
You say
(You say)
You say
I think I'm better off alone
These days
(These days)
These days
I'm tired and I'm sick of waiting, maybe I'll die alone
'Cause I can't take another damn day of waiting here for you
To come home to me
Yeah, yeah, baby, baby please tell me why
You think you can give me what I want
You say
(You say)
You say
I think I'm better off alone
These days
(These days)
These days
You think you can give me what I want
You say
(You say)
You say
I think I'm better off alone
These days
(These days)
These days
The lyrics of 3 Doors Down's These Days express a feeling of uncertainty in a relationship. The singer reflects that he was better off before the relationship started, and now feels that his partner does not truly know him. Though others tried to warn him, he stayed in the relationship. However, he now realizes that he should not keep looking back; he should move forward and not waste time wondering what could have been. Moreover, he decides that he is better off alone and does not want to put his trust in something he does not believe in. Finally, he expresses his tiredness of waiting and wonders whether he will die alone.
The song's message is quite clear. It is about the passage of time, and often feels that the grass is greener on the other side. It can be hard to let go of things in life, but sometimes it is necessary in order to move forward. The singer questions his choice to stay in the relationship, but ultimately realizes that it is better for him to be alone. The lyrics are introspective and reflective, acknowledging the pain of relationships not working out, but nonetheless making a firm decision.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I was better off before this all began
I realize now that things were actually easier for me back when none of this had even started
So clearly I can see lately that you don't know who I am
It's become apparent to me that you don't really understand me as a person anymore
Everybody tried to tell me something that I never could believe
Many people attempted to inform me of something that I just couldn't bring myself to accept
Staring back it seemed so much different than it did in front of me
There's a stark contrast between what I expected and what reality actually turned out to be
But I know there's no good in looking back on yesterday
I understand that dwelling on past events is fruitless
And wondering what could have happened then
It's pointless to speculate on what might have occurred in the past
Why should I put my trust in something that I never could believe
There's no reason for me to rely on something that I have serious doubts about
So one day you can find something better
At some point, you may come across something that is a better fit for you
Just to pack your things and leave
And when that happens, you'll likely leave behind everything you've known
Loneliness is a friend for the moment but you won't walk out on me
Being alone can be comforting for a while but I trust that eventually you'll come back to me
I'm tired and I'm sick of waiting, maybe I'll die alone
I'm exhausted from waiting for you and I fear that I may end up alone forever as a result
'Cause I can't take another damn day of waiting here for you
I've reached the end of my patience with how long it's taking for you to come back to me
To come home to me
To finally return to my side
Yeah, yeah, baby, baby please tell me why
I'm begging you to explain yourself to me
You think you can give me what I want
You believe that you're capable of providing me with what I need
I think I'm better off alone
But I've come to the conclusion that I'm better off on my own
These days
At this point in time
You say (You say) You say
You continue to insist that you can offer me exactly what I'm looking for
These days
But lately, it seems that's just not the case
You think you can give me what I want
You have faith in your ability to give me everything I desire
These days
However, given recent events, I'm not so sure
You say (You say) You say
Regardless, you continue to state that you're exactly what I'm looking for
I think I'm better off alone
At this point, I believe that I'm better off just being by myself
These days
As things currently stand
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
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.