Loser (3 Doors Down song)
"Loser" is a song by American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released on June 26, 2000, as the second single from their debut album, The Better Life (2000). The song spent 21 weeks at the number-one position on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, an all-time record for the chart. It additionally peaked at number four on the Canadian RPM Rock Report and rose to number five in Portugal in April 2003.
| "Loser" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by 3 Doors Down | ||||
| from the album The Better Life | ||||
| Released | June 26, 2000 | |||
| Studio | Ardent (Memphis, Tennessee) | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Paul Ebersold | |||
| 3 Doors Down singles chronology | ||||
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Content Edit
According to lead lyricist Brad Arnold, the song is written from the perspective of a childhood friend of his who became addicted to cocaine. The lyrics subtly describe symptoms of depression and withdrawal and allude to suicide.[1]
Release and reception Edit
Commercial performance Edit
Released to American mainstream rock and active rock radio on June 26, 2000,[2] "Loser" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 76 on the chart dated October 21, 2000.[3] It spent 20 weeks on this chart, peaking at number 55 on December 2 of the same year.[4] On the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, the song spent 21 weeks at number one (from September 9, 2000, to January 27, 2001), becoming the chart's longest-running number one hit, and it is among the songs that spent the most weeks on the listing, remaining on the chart for 53 weeks.[5][6] In addition, it reached number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 36 on the Adult Top 40.[7][8] The Recording Industry Association of America awarded the record a gold disc on February 26, 2020, for sales and streams of over 500,000.[9] In Canada, it peaked at number four on the RPM Top 30 Rock Report in September 2000.[10]
Beginning in early 2001, "Loser" began to chart in other countries outside North America. In Germany, it debuted at number 99 on January 8, rose to its peak of number 78 the following week, then spent three more weeks on the Media Control chart before falling off.[11] It spent three weeks on the Dutch Single Top 100 in February, peaking at number 67 during its second week in.[12] In neighboring Belgium, the track appeared on Flanders' Ultratip Bubbling Under listing, peaking at number nine on March 10.[13] Later the same month, it debuted at number 42 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and rose to number 37, its peak, on April 1.[14] On the Australian Singles Chart, the song topped off at number 68 on May 7.[15] "Loser" experienced withstanding popularity in Portugal, not reaching the top 10 until April 2003, when it climbed to number five on the AFP ranking.[16]
Brad Arnold's response Edit
When 3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold discovered that "Loser" had topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 21 weeks, he was initially indifferent, explaining that they were still focusing on the success of their previous single, "Kryptonite". He said that although "Loser" was virtually ignored, it was the band's deal-maker along with "Duck and Run" and "Be Like That"; however, Arnold has stated that if "Loser" did not become a hit, neither would have the succeeding two singles.[17]
Music video Edit
The music video, directed by Liz Friedlander, features the band performing the song in a dimly lit high school. According to Arnold, the video shoot took place in California.[18]
Live performances Edit
"Loser" was first performed live on January 15, 1997, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. As of April 1, 2019, it has been performed 466 times, making it the second most performed song by 3 Doors Down.[19]
Track listings Edit
| European CD single[20]
European and Australian maxi-CD single[21]
| Australian maxi-CD single 2[22]
|
Credits and personnel Edit
Credits are lifted from the European CD single liner notes.[20]
Studio
- Recorded at Ardent Studios (Memphis, Tennessee)
Personnel
- Brad Arnold – writing
- Matt Roberts – writing
- Todd Harrell – writing
- Paul Ebersold – production, recording
- Matt Martone – recording
- Toby Wright – mixing
Charts Edit
| Chart (2000–2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[15] | 68 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[13] | 9 |
| Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[10] | 4 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[11] | 78 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[23] | 6 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] | 67 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] | 37 |
| Portugal (AFP)[16] | 5 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 55 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[8] | 36 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[7] | 2 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[5] | 1 |
Certifications Edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
| ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history Edit
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 26, 2000 | [2] | ||
| July 18, 2000 | Alternative radio | [24] | ||
| January 22, 2001 | Hot adult contemporary radio | [25] | ||
| January 23, 2001 | Contemporary hit radio | [26] | ||
| Australia | April 23, 2001 | Maxi-CD | [27] |
References Edit
- ^ Arnold, Brad (March 20, 2009). "Brad Arnold from 3 Doors Down" (Interview). Interviewed by Shawna Ortega. Songfacts. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ a b "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1356. June 23, 2000. pp. 100, 104. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Hot 100 – Week of October 21, 2000". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 633.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – 3 Doors Down – Loser". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 8645." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down – Loser" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down – Loser" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down – Loser" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
- ^ a b "3 Doors Down – Loser". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ a b "Issue 584" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 16. April 12, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Childers, Chad (August 26, 2020). "Brad Arnold's 'Backstage Pass to Life': From 3 Doors Down's 'The Better Life' to 'Wicked Man'". Loudwire. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ^ Reily, Emily (August 9, 2018). "3 Doors Down's Brad Arnold opens up about sobriety, 'Kryptonite' and math class". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ "Loser by 3 Doors Down song statistics". Setlist.fm. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ a b Loser (European CD single liner notes). 3 Doors Down. Universal Records, Republic Records. 2000. 158 668-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Loser (European & Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). 3 Doors Down. Universal Records, Republic Records. 2000. 158 669-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Loser (Australian maxi-single disc notes). 3 Doors Down. Universal Records, Republic Records. 2000. 015063-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 7, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Alternative: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1359. July 14, 2000. p. 156. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Hot AC: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1385. January 19, 2001. p. 84. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1385. January 19, 2001. p. 43. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 23rd April 2001" (PDF). ARIA. April 23, 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 20, 2021.