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The Better Life

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This article is about the album by 3 Doors Down. For the Keith Urban song, see Better Life.
The Better Life
Studio album by
3 Doors Down
ReleasedFebruary 8, 2000
Recorded1999
StudioArdent Studios (Memphis, Tennessee)
Genre
Length40:55
Label
ProducerPaul Ebersold
3 Doors Down chronology
The Better Life
(2000) 		Away from the Sun
(2002)
Singles from The Better Life
  1. "Kryptonite"
    Released: January 18, 2000[3]
  2. "Loser"
    Released: June 26, 2000[4]
  3. "Duck and Run"
    Released: January 9, 2001[5]
  4. "Be Like That"
    Released: May 29, 2001[6]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[8]
Metal Hammer8/10[9]
The Phantom Tollbooth[10]
PopMatters3.4/10[11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[12]
Spin4/10[13]
The Village VoiceC+[14]

The Better Life is the debut studio album by American rock band 3 Doors Down, released by Universal Records on February 8, 2000. Three of its four singles—"Kryptonite," "Loser," and "Be Like That"—entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at numbers three, 55, and 24, respectively. The Better Life has sold over seven million copies worldwide and received septuple platinum certification by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) on February 26, 2020.[15] It is the band's only studio album on which lead singer Brad Arnold played drums.[16][17] Richard Liles played drums as a touring member from 2000 to 2002. Music videos were made for the album's four singles: "Kryptonite," "Loser," "Duck and Run," and "Be Like That."

Background and production

[edit]

Before the release of The Better Life in 2000, 3 Doors Down formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi as a three-piece consisting of Brad Arnold on drums and lead vocals, Matt Roberts on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Todd Harrell on bass guitar. The band's earliest material was done by Arnold at the age of 15.[18] Arnold was convinced to be the singer after receiving positive feedback from Harrell's girlfriend.[19] 3 Doors Down's first performance was at a celebratory event for a friend and, according to Arnold on the band's official website in 2000, the four songs the band played included "one by Bush, one by Metallica and a couple of originals".[20]

In 1997, 3 Doors Down began recording demo material.[20] The band's demo material, which was mixed and recorded by Clyde Holly, was released on a self-titled CD that year. According to Arnold, the band's self-titled demo CD was recorded in Biloxi, Mississippi at Holly House Recording, which he referred to as "a pretty decent little studio", and it "maybe cost us a couple thousand dollars" for the band to record.[19] Its track listing is mostly shared with The Better Life as six songs from the demo were later re-recorded and polished for release on the album. Two demo songs, "Sarah Yellin' 86" and "Man in My Mind", were re-recorded as "Sarah Yellin'" on Away from the Sun, the band's second studio album, in 2002 and "Something in My Mind" on the 2023 Deluxe Edition remaster, respectively. Versions of the songs "Dead Love" and "Wasted Me", parenthetically labeled "early version[s]", which were different from the recordings on the 1997 demo CD, were included on the Away from the Sun: Deluxe Edition remaster in 2023.[21] A studio recording of the demo track "Dead Love" was produced, but remains unreleased.[citation needed] 1,000 copies of the demo CD were initially released and took "two years" to sell, after which 1,000 more copies were released and sold in "ten days" due to the success of the band's song "Kryptonite" playing on the WCPR-FM radio station, according to Arnold.[19]

In 1998, Chris Henderson joined 3 Doors Down as the rhythm guitarist after leaving the band Burning Bridges.[22] When discussing how the band got signed to a record label, Arnold said, "Universal and Atlantic came down and talked to us and we wound up signing with Universal".[22] In 1999, a sampler CD with audio clips of six songs from The Better Life was released by Republic Records to promote the album.[23]

Brad Arnold is the band's only original remaining founding member. Matt Roberts announced in May 2012 he would be leaving the band.[24] Matt was replaced by Chet Roberts and, on August 20, 2016, died at age 38 due to overdosing on prescription drugs.[25] Todd Harrell was fired in April 2013 following a vehicular homicide charge and replaced by Justin Biltonen.[26]

In June 2021, 3 Doors Down announced a tour to celebrate The Better Life's twentieth anniversary.[27] During the tour, the album was played in its entirety alongside songs from the band's other albums. The tour began in late June and ended in mid-October 2021.[27]

Recording

[edit]

The Better Life was recorded in 1999 at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and mixed at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. Five songs, "Duck and Run," "Not Enough," "Be Like That," "Better Life," and "So I Need You," were recorded after the band had been picked up by Universal Records. Two months were spent writing material for The Better Life.[22]

When talking about songs from the band's demo CD and creating material for The Better Life, Arnold said:

We wanted to use about half the songs off that demo, but we needed to write about half another record.[22]

In March 2021, Arnold said the following about the recording process:

Some songs like Kryptonite, we strived to make it sound very much like the demo version because we got signed on the back of those demoes thanks to our local radio stations in Mississippi from playing those songs so the last thing we want to do is change it.[28]

Reissues

[edit]

On September 18, 2007, a two-disc reissue of the album, The Better Life: Deluxe Edition, was released and includes audio of a live performance recorded at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas on September 18, 2003. The live audio on the 2007 Deluxe Edition reissue is from the Away from the Sun - Live from Houston, Texas DVD, which was released on November 8, 2005.[29] The live audio was also separately released digitally and on streaming services as The Better Life: Rarities Edition in 2010.

On November 4, 2009, 3 Doors Down announced a remastered version of The Better Life on CD and vinyl with new artwork as part of "The Even Better Life Ultimate Fan Pack".[30] The package also included an exclusive band poster, a 3 Doors Down shirt, a digital download of a remastered version of "Kryptonite", and a "Pit Pass" for early access to general admission concerts.[30]

In 2020, a remaster of the album, The Better Life: 20th Anniversary Edition, was released on vinyl, as well as on CD and digitally in 2021; all three versions include the band's eponymous 1997 demo, with the ten songs being listed as the "Escatawpa Sessions." The CD and digital releases of the 20th Anniversary Edition also include acoustic versions of "Kryptonite" and "Be Like That," along with "The Better Life (XX Mix)" and the studio recording of "Wasted Me", as bonus tracks.

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Brad Arnold

No.TitleMusicLength
1."Kryptonite[a][b][c][d]"
  • Brad Arnold
  • Matt Roberts
  • Todd Harrell
3:54
2."Loser[c]"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
4:25
3."Duck and Run[a][b][c]"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
  • Chris Henderson
3:51
4."Not Enough"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
  • Henderson
3:14
5."Be Like That[c]"
  • Arnold
  • Henderson
4:26
6."Life of My Own1"
  • Arnold
  • Harrell
3:58
7."Better Life2"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
  • Henderson
3:07
8."Down Poison"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
4:21
9."By My Side"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
3:16
10."Smack"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
2:29
11."So I Need You"
  • Arnold
  • Roberts
  • Harrell
  • Henderson
3:48
Total length:40:55
a live recording appears on Another 700 Miles EP (2003)
b appears on A Six Pack of Hits compilation (2008)
c remixed remaster appears on The Greatest Hits compilation (2012)
d acoustic recording appears on Back Porch Jam (2019)
U.S. Best Buy exclusive edition[31]
No.TitleLength
12."Loser (live)" (recorded at Roxy Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia on July 13, 2000, mastered by Tony Gills at The Hit Factory in New York and mixed by Brian Sperber)5:28
13."Life of My Own (live)" (recorded at Roxy Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia on July 13, 2000, mastered by Tony Gills at The Hit Factory in New York and mixed by Brian Sperber)4:37
14."Kryptonite (live acoustic version)" (recorded at WMFS-FM in Memphis, Tennessee on February 14, 2000, mastered by Tony Gills at The Hit Factory in New York)3:49
Total length:54:49
Australian/Australasian 2-CD special edition (disc two)[32][33]
No.TitleLength
12."Loser" (album version)4:23
13."Kryptonite (live acoustic version)" (recorded at WMFS-FM in Memphis, Tennessee on February 14, 2000, mastered by Tony Gills at The Hit Factory in New York)3:50
14."Wasted Me" (produced and mixed by Alex Lifeson at American Sector Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana)3:09
15."By My Side (live)" (recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on September 18, 2000)3:39
16."So I Need You (live)" (recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on September 18, 2000)3:53
17."Kryptonite" (music video) 
18."Loser" (music video) 
European 2-CD special edition (disc two)[34]
No.TitleLength
12."Loser (live)" (recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on September 18, 2000)5:08
13."Duck and Run (live)" (recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on September 18, 2000)3:54
14."Not Enough (live)" (recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on September 18, 2000)3:08
15."By My Side (live)" (recorded at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on September 18, 2000)3:47
16."Be Like That" (acoustic version)4:26
17."Loser" (music video) 
18."Duck and Run" (music video) 
Deluxe Edition bonus disc – U.S. edition (Universal Republic Records – B0008991-02)/digital Rarities Edition
No.TitleLength
1."Duck and Run" (live)4:42
2."The Road I'm On" (live)3:48
3."Kryptonite" (live)4:22
4."Father's Son" (live)4:32
5."Better Life" (live)3:23
6."Away from the Sun" (live)4:15
7."Be Like That" (live)4:38
8."Runnin' Out of Days" (live)3:36
9."Sarah Yellin'" (live)3:28
10."It's Not Me" (live)3:27
11."When I'm Gone" (live)4:52
12."Here Without You" (live)5:05
13."Loser" (live)5:44
Total length:55:59
20th Anniversary Edition CD/digital bonus tracks (disc one)
No.TitleLength
12."Kryptonite" (acoustic)3:50
13."Be Like That" (acoustic)4:25
14."The Better Life" (XX mix)3:05
15."Wasted Me" (studio version with harp)3:12
Total length:55:28
20th Anniversary Edition "Escatawpa Sessions" demos (disc two)
No.TitleLength
1."Kryptonite" (Escatawpa Sessions)3:52
2."Loser" (Escatawpa Sessions)3:32
3."Life on My Own" (Escatawpa Sessions)4:40
4."Smack" (Escatawpa Sessions)2:28
5."Down Poison" (Escatawpa Sessions)6:21
6."Dead Love" (Escatawpa Sessions)2:41
7."Wasted Me" (Escatawpa Sessions)2:55
8."Man in My Mind" (Escatawpa Sessions)3:04
9."By My Side" (Escatawpa Sessions)3:16
10."Sarah Yellin' 86" (Escatawpa Sessions)3:29
Total length:36:23

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[35]

3 Doors Down
  • Brad Arnold – lead vocals, drums
  • Matt Roberts – rhythm and lead guitars
  • Chris Henderson – rhythm and lead guitars
  • Todd Harrell – bass guitar
Additional musicians
  • Kevin Paige – keyboards (tracks 2, 3, 5)

Singles

[edit]
  • "Kryptonite" – 2000
    • Reached No. 3 on the US Hot 100[38]
    • Reached No. 1 on the US Modern Rock (11 weeks)[39] and US Mainstream Rock (nine weeks)[40]
  • "Loser" – July 29, 2000
    • Reached No. 55 on the US Hot 100[38]
    • Reached No. 2 on the US Modern Rock[39]
    • Reached No. 1 on the US Mainstream Rock (21 weeks)[40]
  • "Duck and Run" – 2000
    • Reached No. 11 on the US Modern Rock[39]
    • Reached No. 1 on the US Mainstream Rock (three weeks)[40]
  • "Be Like That" – May 20, 2001
    • Reached No. 24 on the US Hot 100[38]
    • Reached No. 22 on the US Modern Rock[39]
    • Reached No. 10 on the US Mainstream Rock[40]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[58] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Germany (BVMI)[59] Gold 150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[60] Gold 7,500^
United States (RIAA)[61] 7× Platinum 7,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Appearances

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

1. Titled "Life on My Own" on the physical 20th Anniversary Edition.

2. Titled "The Better Life" on the physical 20th Anniversary Edition.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Better Life". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. ^ "The Better Life". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1333. January 14, 2000. pp. 101, 105, 115.
  4. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1356. June 23, 2000. pp. 100, 104.
  5. ^ "Active Rock: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1382. December 22, 2000. p. 86.
  6. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1403. May 25, 2001. pp. 87, 114, 125, 129, 140, 146.
  7. ^ Allmusic review
  8. ^ Entertainment Weekly review
  9. ^ Ewing, Jerry (November 2000). "Under The Hammer". Metal Hammer. No. 80. Future plc. p. 75.
  10. ^ Argyrakis, Andy (2001). "3 Doors Down- a Review of The Phantom Tollbooth". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Lichtenstein, Steve. "Three Doors Down: The Better Life". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 2001-01-09. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  12. ^ Sinagra, Laura (2004). "3 Doors Down". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 813. ISBN 9780743201698.
  13. ^ LePage, Mark (August 2000). "Reviews". Spin. Vol. 16, no. 8. SPIN Media, LLC. pp. 149–150.
  14. ^ Christgau, Robert (November 28, 2000). "Consumer Guide Turkey Shoot: Where the Action Isn't". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2023-11-28 – via robertchristgau.com.
  15. ^ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  16. ^ [1] Archived September 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Grein, Paul (June 24, 2014). "USA: Top 20 New Acts Since 2000". Yahoo! Music.
  18. ^ "The Story Behind 'Kryptonite' By 3 Doors Down". Ultimate Guitar. November 13, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c 3doorsdown (February 8, 2021). 3 Doors Down - "The Better Life" Mini Documentary (Part 1). Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ a b "3 Doors Down - Meet The Band". Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  21. ^ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230811875119/en/3-Doors-Down-Celebrates-20th-Anniversary-of-Away-From-The-Sun-With-a-Deluxe-Digital-Release---Available-Now [bare URL]
  22. ^ a b c d 3doorsdown (April 2, 2021). 3 Doors Down - "The Better Life" Mini Documentary (Part 2). Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "Snippets From The Better Life". Discogs. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  24. ^ "Matt Roberts Leaves 3 Doors Down". May 23, 2012. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  25. ^ Kreps, Daniel (August 21, 2016). "Matt Roberts, Original 3 Doors Down Guitarist, Dead at 38". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  26. ^ "New 3 Doors Down Material Coming in 2014, Guitarist Chris Henderson Confirms". Ultimate Guitar. January 23, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "3 DOORS DOWN ANNOUNCE "THE BETTER LIFE 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR"". Live Nation Entertainment. June 3, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  28. ^ "3 DOORS DOWN – 'THE BETTER LIFE 20TH ANNIVERSARY' 3LP BOX SET – REVIEW". allabouttherock.co.uk. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Away From The Sun - Live From Houston Texas". Discogs. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  30. ^ a b 3doorsdown (November 4, 2009). The Even Better Life Ultimate Fan Pack. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "The Better Life". Discogs. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  32. ^ "The Better Life 2 Disc". Discogs. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  33. ^ "The Better Life". Discogs. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  34. ^ "The Better Life". Discogs. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  35. ^ The Better Life (booklet). Republic, Universal Records. 2000.
  36. ^ The Better Life: Deluxe Edition (booklet). Republic, Universal Records. 2007.
  37. ^ The Better Life: 20th Anniversary Edition (booklet). Republic, Universal Music Group. 2021.
  38. ^ a b c "3 Doors Down Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  39. ^ a b c d "3 Doors Down Chart History: Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  40. ^ a b c d "3 Doors Down Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  41. ^ "Australiancharts.com – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  42. ^ "Austriancharts.at – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  43. ^ "Ultratop.be – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  44. ^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  45. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  46. ^ "3 Doors Down: The Better Life" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  47. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  48. ^ "Charts.nz – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  49. ^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  50. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2000". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  51. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  52. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  53. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001". Ultratop. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  54. ^ "Top 200 Albums of 2001 (based on sales)". Jam!. Archived from the original on November 6, 2003. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  55. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2001". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  56. ^ "The Decade in Music – Charts – Top Billboard 200 Albums" (PDF). Billboard. December 19, 2009. p. 162. Retrieved November 14, 2021 – via World Radio History. Digit page 166 on the PDF archive.
  57. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  58. ^ "Canadian album certifications – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life". Music Canada.
  59. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (3 Doors Down; 'The Better Life')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  60. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved August 22, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link]THE FIELD archive-url MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION from obsolete website.
  61. ^ "American album certifications – 3 Doors Down – The Better Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  62. ^ "The Hole Original Soundtrack". allmusic.com. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  63. ^ "American Pie 2 Original Soundtrack". allmusic.com. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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