When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)

"When I'm Gone"
"When I'm Gone"
Single by 3 Doors Down
from the album Away from the Sun
Released	September 23, 2002
Genre	Post-grunge
Length	4:20
Label	Republic; Universal;
Songwriters	Brad Arnold; Todd Harrell; Chris Henderson; Matt Roberts;
3 Doors Down singles chronology
Music videos
	"When I'm Gone" (first version) on YouTube
	"When I'm Gone" (second version) on YouTube

"When I'm Gone" is a song by American rock band 3 Doors Down. It was released on September 23, 2002, as the lead single from their second album, Away from the Sun. It peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2003. The song also spent seventeen weeks atop the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart from November 2002 through March 2003, becoming one of the longest-running number-one singles on that chart.^[2] The song also peaked at number two on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, blocked from the number one spot by Queens of the Stone Age's "No One Knows" on the issue dated February 15, 2003. It spent one week atop the Top 40 Mainstream chart for one week on May 3, 2003, and also peaked at number three on the Adult Top 40 chart.

Background and meaning

"When I'm Gone" was written by Brad Arnold, Matthew Roberts, Todd Harrell and Christopher Henderson. "There are only a few songs we’ve written on the road and 'When I’m Gone' is the only hit we’ve written on the road," Todd Harrell said on 3 Doors Down's official website.^[3] "We were playing it in Europe and could immediately tell it was something special. From day one, it got the crowd up. I always knew it would do well," Harrell continued.^[3]

Brad Arnold wrote the song thinking of unconditional love, for when being removed from loved one by miles, or time, or other obstacles. "When I'm Gone" does not necessarily mean being gone permanently. "It's asking a question, just please love me when I'm gone. And not just like when I'm dead and gone, but when I'm gonna come back. And that's kind of one thing it's about. But at the same time it's kind of about unconditional love. It's a lot of different statements it's asking of the person in that song. And it's like just the fulfillment of those different needs for every situation that it mentions. So I guess that song is just about needing someone really to be there for you unconditionally, and when you're gone," Arnold said of the song.^[4]

Music video

There are two music videos for the song. The official music video was directed by The Emperor. It features the band performing live on the USS George Washington in the Mediterranean Sea on October 2, 2002.^[5] Although the lyrics don't have anything to do with the navy or war, the music video was dedicated to all military personnel serving in the United States military.^[4]

The original video features the band members in a swamp, being buried alive while playing.^[6] It was directed by Marc Klasfeld.^[7]

Track listings

Australian CD1^[8]

"When I'm Gone" (album version) – 4:20
"Changes" – 3:56
"Living a Lie" – 3:35
"Pop Song" – 3:12

Australian CD2^[9]

"When I'm Gone" – 4:20
"Living a Lie" – 3:35
"I Feel You" – 4:07
"When I'm Gone" (video)

Canadian CD single^[10]

"When I'm Gone" – 4:15
"Living a Lie" – 3:35

European CD single^[11]

"When I'm Gone" – 4:15
"Changes" – 3:56
"Living a Lie" – 3:35
"Pop Song" – 3:12

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "When I'm Gone"
Chart (2002–2003)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[12]	64
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[13]	10
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)^[14]	6
Canada Rock (Nielsen BDS)^[14]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[15]	95
US Billboard Hot 100^[16]	4
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[17]	3
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[18]	2
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[19]	1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[20]	1

Year-end charts

2002 year-end chart performance for "When I'm Gone"
Chart (2002)	Position
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[21]	77

2003 year-end chart performance for "When I'm Gone"
Chart (2003)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[22]	5
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[23]	4
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[24]	3
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[23]	10
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[25]	13

Certifications

Certifications for "When I'm Gone"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[26]	Platinum	30,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[27]	3× Platinum	3,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "When I'm Gone"
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	September 23, 2002	Mainstream rock active rock alternative radio	Republic Universal	^[28]
United States	November 18, 2002	Contemporary hit adult contemporary hot AC radio	Republic Universal	^[29]
Australia	November 25, 2002	CD1	Universal	^[30]
Australia	June 9, 2003	CD2	Universal	^[31]

References

^ Graves, Wren (May 20, 2024). "50 Best Post-Grunge Songs". Consequence. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 633.
^ ^a ^b Union, Wonderful. "Official Site". 3 Doors Down. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Songfacts. "When I'm Gone by 3 Doors Down - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
^ 3 Doors Down - When I'm Gone. YouTube. Retrieved on April 11, 2013.
^ "3 Doors Down - When I'm Gone (Official Music Video)". June 9, 2023 – via YouTube.
^ Wiederhorn, Jon (November 4, 2002). "Navy Plays Role In 3 Doors Down's Operation Shoot Video". MTV. Archived from the original on December 2, 2002. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
^ When I'm Gone (Australian CD1 liner notes). Universal Records. 2002. 0194842.
^ When I'm Gone (Australian CD2 liner notes). Universal Records. 2003. 9808034.
^ When I'm Gone (Canadian CD single liner notes). Universal Records. 2003. 4400194852.
^ When I'm Gone (European CD single liner notes). Universal Records. 2003. 019 484-2.
^ "Issue 673" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ ^a ^b Lwin, Nanda (2003). The Essential 2002 Chart Yearbook. Music Data Canada. pp. 8, 64. ISBN 1-896594-15-8.
^ "3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ "3 Doors Down Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
^ "Most-Played Modern Rock Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 44.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
^ ^a ^b "Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-80. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
^ "2003 Year End Charts: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Titles". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on March 27, 2004. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ "Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-75. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – 3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone". Radioscope. Retrieved March 20, 2025. Type When I'm Gone in the "Search:" field.
^ "American single certifications – 3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1471. September 20, 2002. p. 33. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1479. November 15, 2002. p. 22. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 25th November 2002" (PDF). ARIA. November 25, 2002. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 9th June 2003" (PDF). ARIA. June 9, 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2003. Retrieved March 17, 2025.

[1] Graves, Wren (May 20, 2024). "50 Best Post-Grunge Songs". Consequence. Retrieved April 1, 2025.

[2] Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 633.

[:1-3] Union, Wonderful. "Official Site". 3 Doors Down. Retrieved September 17, 2019.

[:0-4] Songfacts. "When I'm Gone by 3 Doors Down - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved September 8, 2019.

[5] 3 Doors Down - When I'm Gone. YouTube. Retrieved on April 11, 2013.

[6] "3 Doors Down - When I'm Gone (Official Music Video)". June 9, 2023 – via YouTube.

[7] Wiederhorn, Jon (November 4, 2002). "Navy Plays Role In 3 Doors Down's Operation Shoot Video". MTV. Archived from the original on December 2, 2002. Retrieved June 16, 2025.

[8] When I'm Gone (Australian CD1 liner notes). Universal Records. 2002. 0194842.

[9] When I'm Gone (Australian CD2 liner notes). Universal Records. 2003. 9808034.

[10] When I'm Gone (Canadian CD single liner notes). Universal Records. 2003. 4400194852.

[11] When I'm Gone (European CD single liner notes). Universal Records. 2003. 019 484-2.

[sc_Australiapandora_-12] "Issue 673" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved April 2, 2021.

[13] "3 Doors Down Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2019.

[Lwin-14] Lwin, Nanda (2003). The Essential 2002 Chart Yearbook. Music Data Canada. pp. 8, 64. ISBN 1-896594-15-8.

[sc_Dutch100_3_Doors_Down-15] "3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_Billboardhot100_3_Doors_Down-16] "3 Doors Down Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.

[sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_3_Doors_Down-17] "3 Doors Down Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.

[sc_Billboardalternativesongs_3_Doors_Down-18] "3 Doors Down Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_3_Doors_Down-19] "3 Doors Down Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.

[sc_Billboardpopsongs_3_Doors_Down-20] "3 Doors Down Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2019.

[21] "Most-Played Modern Rock Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 44.

[22] "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.

[uspopye-23] "Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-80. Retrieved December 18, 2023.

[24] "2003 Year End Charts: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Titles". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Archived from the original on March 27, 2004. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[25] "Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. December 27, 2003. p. YE-75. Retrieved December 18, 2023.

[New_Zealand3_Doors_DownWhen_I'm_GonesingleCertRef-26] "New Zealand single certifications – 3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone". Radioscope. Retrieved March 20, 2025. Type When I'm Gone in the "Search:" field.

[United_States3_Doors_DownWhen_I'm_GonesingleCertRef-27] "American single certifications – 3 Doors Down – When I'm Gone". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 9, 2024.

[28] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1471. September 20, 2002. p. 33. Retrieved May 6, 2021.

[29] "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1479. November 15, 2002. p. 22. Retrieved May 6, 2021.

[30] "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 25th November 2002" (PDF). ARIA. November 25, 2002. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2021.

[31] "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 9th June 2003" (PDF). ARIA. June 9, 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2003. Retrieved March 17, 2025.

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v t e 3 Doors Down
Brad Arnold Chris Henderson Greg Upchurch Chet Roberts Justin Biltonen Matt Roberts Todd Harrell Richard Liles Daniel Adair
Studio albums	The Better Life Away from the Sun Seventeen Days 3 Doors Down Time of My Life Us and the Night
Compilations	The Greatest Hits
Extended plays	Another 700 Miles Acoustic EP Where My Christmas Lives
Singles	"Kryptonite" "Loser" "Duck and Run" "Be Like That" "When I'm Gone" "The Road I'm On" "Here Without You" "Away from the Sun" "Let Me Go" "Behind Those Eyes" "Landing in London" "Citizen/Soldier" "It's Not My Time" "Train" "Let Me Be Myself" "When You're Young"
Tours	Bigger Than Life Tour
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When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)

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When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)

When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)

When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)

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When I'm Gone (3 Doors Down song)

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