Studio Album · No. 1

The Better Life Songwriting Credits by 3 Doors Down

2000 Republic Records 11 tracks 41 min

Produced by Paul Ebersold  ·  Engineered by Paul Ebersold, Toby Wright, Stephen Marcussen

Republic Records Post-grungeAlternative metalAlternative rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether 3 Doors Down carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by 3 Doors Down 0 tracksoutside writers
3 Doors Down's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
2000
Released
Data Insight

The Better Life is a fully band-written debut, with the core lineup of Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell, and Chris Henderson credited on the songs. Its breakout single "Kryptonite" was written by Arnold as a teenager and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, powering the album to seven-times Platinum. Paul Ebersold produced what became one of the biggest rock debuts of its era.

The debut album by 3 Doors Down, released February 8, 2000 on Universal with Paul Ebersold producing. Brad Arnold wrote all the lyrics on his own and shares the music credits with Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell and Chris Henderson, so the band wrote every track without an outside writer. Arnold also played the drums on it, the only 3 Doors Down studio album where he does; Richard Liles handled drums on tour. 'Kryptonite' reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and 'Be Like That' number 24. The album has sold more than seven million copies worldwide and was certified seven times platinum by the RIAA in 2020.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Kryptonite #3
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd Harrell Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
2
Loser #55
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd Harrell Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
3
Duck and Run
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd HarrellChris Henderson Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
4
Not Enough
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd HarrellChris Henderson Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
5
Be Like That #24
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldChris Henderson Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
6
Life of My Own
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldTodd Harrell Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
7
Better Life
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd HarrellChris Henderson Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
8
Down Poison
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd Harrell Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
9
By My Side
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd Harrell Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
10
Smack
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd Harrell Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)
11
So I Need You
Brad Arnold Brad ArnoldMatt RobertsTodd HarrellChris Henderson Paul Ebersold Brad Arnold (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

More from 3 Doors Down

Frequently Asked Questions The Better Life

Who wrote Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down?
"Kryptonite" was written by singer Brad Arnold when he was still a teenager, years before the band signed. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the band's signature song.
Did 3 Doors Down write The Better Life themselves?
Yes. The album was written by the band's core lineup, with Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell, and Chris Henderson credited on the songs. There were no outside hit-writers.
How many copies did The Better Life by 3 Doors Down sell?
No published copies-sold count exists for The Better Life. The RIAA certified it 7x Platinum in 2020, a shipment and streaming figure rather than a sales tally, and it was the 11th best-selling US album of 2000.
What genre is The Better Life by 3 Doors Down?
The Better Life is a post-grunge and alternative metal album. It defined the band's radio-friendly hard rock sound.
When was The Better Life by 3 Doors Down released?
The Better Life was released on February 8, 2000, through Republic and Universal Records. It was the band's debut studio album.
Who produced The Better Life by 3 Doors Down?
The Better Life was produced by Paul Ebersold, who also engineered it. It was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis.

Sources