Let Me Be Myself

Album: 3 Doors Down (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frontman Brad Arnold told Babble and Beat magazine that this was the easiest song on the album to write as the song seemed to flow out easily lyrically. He also felt it was a pretty easy idea to express.
  • Arnold told Artist Direct: "That's probably my favorite song that we've ever done. I look at our albums like chapters of my life. I'm happy to say that I'm in a happier and better chapter now than I was during Away from the Sun. Each album has had a song that was my favorite at the time. During Away from the Sun, that song was definitely "Away from the Sun." It was about being in the dark. On Seventeen Days, there's a song called 'The Real Life' that's more about standing in the shadows but seeing the light and going to it. 'Let Me By Myself' is simply about standing in the light and being yourself. It's so easy to get lost being what someone else wants you to be and forgetting about who you want to be. That song is about getting back to those things, being happy with yourself and who you are."

Comments: 6

  • Just A Guy from EarthI know this song has a straight forward message, which I think all of us can relate to. But for me it has a more significant chord that it strikes.

    It's a song to one's self and the struggles it comes with. Whether that's addiction, abuse, or changing who you are for a relationship/career/friendships. It's a desperate cry from the pure and innocent version of yourself to the person you are now. The true person you are has been shut away for so long unable to exist. The shell that's controlled your life has stolen away time, happiness, a normal and good life. This song is a plea to have just a little piece of that back, even if for only a short moment. Just to remember what it was like to be who you truly were before you locked that person away
  • Joel from Princeton-plainsboro, NjI totally agree with Daniel of Winchester, OH.
  • Daniel from Winchester, OhThis song makes you think its ok to be a little different, and not changing for any reason
  • Alec Thorp from Yorktown Heights, NyThis was used in the newest GEICO Caveman commercial.
  • Daniel from Winchester, OhWhen I first heard this song i loved it I mean it has a good beat and basically its one of their best work yet..
  • Adam from South Pasadena, Israelgreat song. one of the bands best
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.