Early years
Third Day began in 1991, when singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee finished studying at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. They had already played together in a garage band called Nuclear Hoedown, but now wanted to form a band where they could express their faith in God. Powell and Lee added a keyboard player named Billy Wilkins, and dedicated their time to write songs and perform around the state of Georgia.[1]
In 1992, they were playing at Lee's church the same night that drummer David Carr and bassist Tai Anderson were playing with a band called Bullard Family Singers. Their youth director asked the band to perform at their church. The group took along quickly and were invited to join the band.[2] The album that Carr produced would be released the next year under the title Long Time Forgotten.
In 1993, while dealing with their studies, the band started playing more aggressively around Atlanta and saved $3,000 to record a full-length album. Also, during this time, original member, Billy Wilkins, who was working as a school teacher, ended up leaving the band.[3] Still, Third Day continued to work on their first full-length album, recording at Furies Studios in Atlanta. The album was finally released in 1994 with 2,000 copies available.[4] In 1995, the band started looking for a second guitarist. They had heard Brad Avery play with singer Chris Carder and asked him to play with the band. After playing "Consuming Fire" during their first rehearsal, Avery officially joined the band.
As the band completed its line-up, they also started playing steadily around the South-east area. They also started playing at an Atlanta venue called the Strand Theatre. The management of the local decided to sign the band to a new independent record label called Gray Dot Records. That same year, the band released the album Third Day, which ended up selling 20,000 copies. Shortly after, Reunion Records signed the band to a multi-album deal.[5]
International Success
In 1998, the band started working on their next project titled Time under the production of Monroe James. They had compiled around 30 songs to choose from during the last year, and ended up choosing only ten. The album was also nominated for a Grammy and won another Dove Award for the band. Some of the other songs the band recorded, but were left out can be found in the EP Southern Tracks.[8] Also, during the band's live shows, the worship part was becoming more "powerful", which prompted them to release an album exclusively of worship songs, titled Offerings: A Worship Album. The album was recorded in about a week, and they followed it with a tour alongside Jennifer Knapp. They also collaborated in the project called City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise.[9]
In 2001, the band played in Australia and New Zealand on the heels of the success of the Offerings album. They continued to tour in the States, and recorded one of their concerts in Atlanta to be released as their first DVD, The Offerings Experience. The concert was held at the Hi-Fi Buys Ampitheatre with an attendance of close to 15,000 people. That same year, the band won a total of five Dove Awards as well as their first Grammy. They followed that year with the release of Come Together which ended up winning two Dove Awards and one more Grammy. The album was certified gold the next year, along with Time.[10][11] In 2003, they also released a follow-up to their hit Offerings titled Offerings II: All I Have to Give.
The band appeared in the 2002 film "Joshua", the movie version of the Joseph Girzone novel of the same name. The Third Day song "My Hope is You" was included in the Joshua soundtrack album.
Recent Years
In 2004, the band released their next album, Wire, and toured the States with tobyMac and Warren Barfield. In June of the same year, the band traveled to Europe for a two-week tour. Upon returning, the band recorded a concert at Louisville which ended up as their next project, Live Wire, released later that year. During that year, they also collaborated on the soundtrack for Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, they played at the Republican National Convention, and were featured in the show 60 Minutes.[12] In January 2007, the band played one night each in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, Australia.[13]
Their next album, Wherever You Are, debuted on the Billboard 200 at #8.[14] It also won the band their third Grammy. They have followed it with the holiday album, Christmas Offerings in 2006, and with a compilation of their hits titled Chronology in 2007. On February 28th, 2008, Third Day released a statement announcing Brad Avery's departure from the band after 13 years and over 1000 concerts.
Their best album to date entitled Revelation was released July 29, 2008.
Third Day released Miracle on November 6, 2012. The band toured Miracle on the Miracle Tour with artists Colton Dixon and Josh Wilson as their opening acts, commencing on February 21, 2013 in Fairfax, Virginia and concluding on May 19, 2014 in Orlando, Florida.
Third Day released the worship album Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship on March 3, 2015. The album, produced by the duo The Sound Kids, composed of Jonny Macintosh and JT Daly, peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, No. 5 on the Top Rock Albums chart[27] and No. 13 on the Digital Albums chart. The album has had one single, "Soul on Fire", that spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 2 on Hot Christian Songs and No. 3 on Christian Digital Songs.
Otherside
Third Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time that I was moving on
I know that there is a better way
It think I'm going to make a change
So come along now, to where I'm going
[Chorus]
'Cause I need something better
I came into the otherside
'Cause I want to live forever
One thing that is for sure I know
This won't be an easy road
Let me ask before I leave
Won't you come along with me
[Chorus]
Take me to the otherside
So come along now, to where I'm going [Repeat: x 2]
[Chorus]
Take me to the otherside [Repeat: x 3]
'Cause I want to live forever, live forever
Take me to the otherside
The song "Otherside" by Third Day is an optimistic and hopeful tune about moving on from a current situation and seeking something better. The song starts with the realization of having been stuck in one place for too long and the realization that there has to be a better way. The singer is ready for change and is inviting others to come along with him to where he is going. The chorus talks about how the singer came into the "otherside" because he needed something better and that he wants to live forever. Although the road ahead might not be easy, he is ready to take that journey and invites his listeners to do the same.
The song is a reminder that life can be difficult and stagnating, but we cannot stay in the same place forever. There is always a better way, and we can find it if we are willing to take that first step towards progress. The "otherside" can be interpreted as a metaphor for a better place or a better way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been sitting here for way too long
I have been stuck in the same place for too long.
It's time that I was moving on
I need to begin to make a change and leave my current situation.
I know that there is a better way
I am aware that there is a better option or solution.
It think I'm going to make a change
I am determined to make a change.
So come along now, to where I'm going
Join me on this journey towards a better future.
I came into the otherside
I have crossed over to the other side.
'Cause I need something better
I needed something better than what I had before.
'Cause I want to live forever
I want to live a fulfilling life forever.
One thing that is for sure I know
I am certain of one thing.
This won't be an easy road
My journey towards a better future won't be easy.
Let me ask before I leave
Before I embark on this journey, let me ask you something.
Won't you come along with me
Will you accompany me on this journey?
Take me to the otherside
Take me to a place or situation that is better than my current one.
So come along now, to where I'm going [Repeat: x 2]
Join me now on this journey towards a better future.
'Cause I want to live forever, live forever
I want to live a fulfilling life for eternity.
Take me to the otherside [Repeat: x 3]
Take me to where I can find a better future.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brad Avery, David Carr, Mac Powell, Mark Lee, Tai Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind