The American post-grunge band 3 Doors Down is an important part of my high school soundtrack, and “Here Without You” (the third single from the band’s second studio album, Away from the Sun) reminds me of a turning point in my life as a teenage student who was starting to fall in love and as a fan of professional wrestling.
When I first heard “Here Without You” through their music video, I really appreciated the beauty of its simple, honest, longing lyrics (especially the chorus), even though I was not in a romantic relationship at all… and I didn’t have to be.
I’m here without you, baby
The chorus of 3 Doors Down’s “Here Without You”
But you’re still on my lonely mind
I think about you, baby
And I dream about you all the time
I’m here without you, baby
But you’re still with me in my dreams
And tonight, girl, it’s only you and me
Back then, I could even imagine singing it to my crush, Lyra, in front of a crowd, even though I didn’t have the most angelic voice, and I couldn’t even play the guitar. I never told Lyra that particular daydream, even though at one point we were best of friends. (And we talked about everything.) If ever we reconnect (which is unlikely at this point), I don’t think I will bring that daydream up. Ever.
And when WWE chose “Here Without You” as one of their tribute songs for the late Eddie Guerrero (bless his soul), a second layer of sadness was added to the song itself, so I could never hear it without remembering one of the best professional wrestlers of all time. I remembered that day I read the news of Mr. Guerrero’s passing during Computer class, but I never got to properly process it until I came home and watched the tribute video for the second time. When I heard “Here Without You” as I saw a montage of Mr. Guerrero’s greatest moments, I broke down and cried. That was the first time I cried over a professional wrestler’s death, and sadly, that wouldn’t be the last.
Then, at the early morning of February 8, 2026 (Manila time), one more layer of sadness was added to “Here With You” because Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down’s vocalist and songwriter of one of the most important soundtracks from my high school era, had passed away at the age of 47 after a battle with kidney cancer. It’s heartbreaking to know that the world lost one of the most unique voices in the post-grunge genre and a musician who has left an imprint on a significant part of my life.
It’s been several days since Mr. Arnold’s passing, and “Here Without You” has been on my current music rotation. I must admit that the last time I listened to it was last June of 2025, but with Mr. Arnold being gone now and my rediscovering of how honest and lovely the song is, I will listen to it more moving forward.
Rest in peace, Brad Arnold. We’re here without you, but you’re always here in our dreams and through your songs.
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Header image: Alfo Medeiros of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2025.
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