Feature Photo: Justin Allen Hundsnurscher, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The group formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi, when childhood friends Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, and Todd Harrell began playing together. Arnold, who started as the drummer, also handled vocals in the band’s early days and would eventually become their lead singer. Their sound blended post-grunge grit with melodic hooks and emotional lyrics that connected with mainstream audiences. The trio began playing locally and recording demos, gaining regional attention before writing the song that would change their lives, “Kryptonite.”
The turning point came when “Kryptonite,” written by Arnold when he was fifteen, began receiving heavy radio play on a local Gulf Coast station. The song’s success quickly spread beyond Mississippi, reaching major radio markets and attracting industry interest. The momentum led to the band signing with Republic Records, and in 2000 they released their debut album, The Better Life. Produced by Paul Ebersold, the album became an enormous commercial success, selling over six million copies in the United States. “Kryptonite,” “Loser,” “Duck and Run,” and “Be Like That” all became hit singles, propelling the band to the forefront of modern rock radio. The Better Life peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and established 3 Doors Down as one of the most successful new rock acts of the decade.
Their second album, Away from the Sun, arrived in 2002 and solidified their reputation for creating emotionally charged, radio-friendly rock. The record included the hit singles “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You,” both of which received extensive airplay and international recognition. “Here Without You” became one of the defining ballads of the early 2000s, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a staple of the band’s live performances. The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and went multi-platinum, confirming the band’s consistency and appeal.
3 Doors Down continued their momentum with the 2005 release of Seventeen Days, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album featured guest guitarist Bob Seger on the track “Landing in London,” highlighting the band’s growing musical credibility and connections within the rock world. Singles such as “Let Me Go” and “Behind Those Eyes” showcased the group’s continued commitment to balancing hard-hitting rock with emotional introspection. This success was followed by 3 Doors Down in 2008, another number-one album that included the popular single “It’s Not My Time.” The song became a major hit on rock and adult contemporary charts, reinforcing the band’s ability to adapt while maintaining their signature sound.
The band’s lineup shifted over the years, but their creative drive remained strong. Their fifth album, Time of My Life, was released in 2011 and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. The album included songs like “Every Time You Go” and “When You’re Young,” continuing their tradition of emotionally direct lyrics and melodic strength. In 2016, they returned with Us and the Night, which introduced new members Chet Roberts and Justin Biltonen to the lineup. The record featured the singles “In the Dark” and “Still Alive,” marking a return to form and a reaffirmation of their enduring connection with fans. Across their career, 3 Doors Down has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and built one of the most loyal followings in post-grunge rock.
Beyond their musical achievements, 3 Doors Down has been deeply involved in philanthropic efforts. The band founded The Better Life Foundation in 2003, a charity focused on helping children and young adults facing hardships. The foundation has raised millions of dollars through concerts and events, supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This commitment to giving back has made them not only respected musicians but also admired humanitarians within the industry.
Over the years, 3 Doors Down has earned multiple awards, including American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and BMI Pop Awards. Their consistent presence on rock radio and their dedication to connecting with fans through heartfelt songwriting have made them one of the most reliable and enduring acts in modern rock. Their live performances have taken them around the globe, from intimate theaters to massive arenas, and they continue to tour regularly, maintaining a strong connection to the audience that first embraced them.
Complete List Of 3 Doors Down Songs From A to Z
- Away from the Sun – Away from the Sun – 2002
- Back to Me – Time of My Life – 2011
- Be Like That – The Better Life – 2000
- Be Somebody – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Behind Those Eyes – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Believe It – Us and the Night – 2016
- Believer – Time of My Life – 2011
- Better Life – The Better Life – 2000
- The Broken – Us and the Night – 2016
- By My Side – The Better Life – 2000
- Changes – Away from the Sun – 2002
- Citizen/Soldier – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Dangerous Game – Away from the Sun – 2002
- Down Poison – The Better Life – 2000
- Duck and Run – The Better Life – 2000
- Every Time You Go – Time of My Life – 2011
- Every Time You Go (acoustic) – Time of My Life (Deluxe Edition) – 2011
- Father’s Son – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Feet in the Water – 3 Doors Down (Best Buy exclusive) – 2008
- Fell from the Moon – Us and the Night – 2016
- Found Me There – Us and the Night (Deluxe Edition) – 2016
- Give It to Me – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Going Down in Flames – Away from the Sun – 2002
- Heaven – Time of My Life – 2011
- Here by Me – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Here Without You – Away from the Sun – 2002
- I Don’t Wanna Know – Us and the Night – 2016
- I Feel You – Away from the Sun – 2002
- In the Dark – Us and the Night – 2016
- Inside of Me – Us and the Night – 2016
- It’s Not Me – Seventeen Days – 2005
- It’s Not My Time – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- It’s the Only One You’ve Got – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- It’s the Only One You’ve Got (acoustic) – 3 Doors Down (Bonus Track) – 2008
- Kryptonite – The Better Life – 2000
- Landing in London – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Let Me Be Myself – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Let Me Go – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Life of My Own – The Better Life – 2000
- Live for Today – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Living in Your Hell – Us and the Night – 2016
- Loser – The Better Life – 2000
- Love Is a Lie – Us and the Night – 2016
- My Way – Time of My Life – 2011
- My World – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Never Will I Break – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Not Enough – The Better Life – 2000
- On the Run – Time of My Life – 2011
- Pages – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Pieces of Me – Us and the Night – 2016
- Race for the Sun – Time of My Life – 2011
- Right Where I Belong – Seventeen Days – 2005
- Round and Round – Time of My Life – 2011
- Runaway – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Running Out of Days – Away from the Sun – 2002
- Sarah Yellin’ – Away from the Sun – 2002
- She Don’t Want the World – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- She Is Love – Time of My Life – 2011
- Smack – The Better Life – 2000
- So I Need You – The Better Life – 2000
- Still Alive – Us and the Night – 2016
- The Real Life – Seventeen Days – 2005
- The Road I’m On – Away from the Sun – 2002
- The Silence Remains – Time of My Life (Deluxe Edition) – 2011
- These Days – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Ticket to Heaven – Away from the Sun – 2002
- Time of My Life – Time of My Life – 2011
- Train – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- Train (demo) – Time of My Life (Deluxe Edition) – 2011
- Us and the Night – Us and the Night – 2016
- Walk Before You Run – Us and the Night (Deluxe Edition) – 2016
- What’s Left – Time of My Life – 2011
- What’s Left (acoustic) – Time of My Life (iTunes bonus) – 2011
- When I’m Gone – Away from the Sun – 2002
- When It’s Over – 3 Doors Down – 2008
- When You’re Young – Time of My Life – 2011
- When You’re Young (acoustic) – Time of My Life (Deluxe Edition) – 2011
- Who Are You – 3 Doors Down (Best Buy and UK exclusive) – 2008
- Your Arms Feel Like Home – 3 Doors Down – 2008
Albums
The Better Life (2000)
Away from the Sun (2002)
Seventeen Days (2005)
3 Doors Down (2008)
Time of My Life (2011)
Us and the Night (2016)
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