His parents were divorced when he was only six years old. Later, his mother remarried and he moved to Canton, Ohio. Shortly after this, he met two of his best friends and future bandmates, Hoopes and Pittman. As a teenager Thiessen was well known for his very authentic goat impressions. The Beach Boys and The Beatles are two of his biggest musical influences. He likes wearing plaid, but doesn't like high-tops. He is loveable toward all animals (especially penguins). Thiessen is also known for being a prankster. Some of his favorite memories include getting massive sunburns and riding a yacht in Jacksonville, Florida. He now resides in Bolivar, Ohio. Some of his hardcore fans call him "Matty T" or "T-Sun."
In addition to being in Relient K, Thissen plays in his own solo piano project called Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes. The songs are typically emotional and very personal. He currently has 6 songs produced for many different CDs, including various compilation albums.
While primarily seen playing the guitar and the piano, it is said that Thiessen can play ten instruments. Other known instruments that he can play include bass, drums, bells, organ and trumpet.
Sadie Hawkins Dance
Matthew Thiessen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who they gonna take to the Sadie Hawkins?
My ears are burning, but I kept on walking
Smile on my face and an air guitar rocking
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
And my khaki pants
There's nothing better
The girls ask the guys
It's always a surprise
There's nothing better
Baby, do you like my sweater?
Sitting in the back of my next class, napping
Got up, gave a speech, then bowed to the clapping
Told a funny joke, got the whole class laughing
Think I got a tan from the light which I was basking
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
And my khaki pants
There's nothing better
Oh, oh, oh!
The girls ask the guys
It's always a surprise
There's nothing better
Baby, do you like my sweater?
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
And my khaki pants
There's nothing better
Oh, oh, oh!
The girls ask the guys
It's always a surprise
There's nothing better
Baby, do you like my sweater?
Scanned the cafeteria for some good seating
I found a good spot by the cheerleaders, eating
The quarterback asked me if I'd like a beating
I said, "That's one thing I won't be needing"
And since I'm rather smart and cunning
I took off down the next hall, running
Only to get stopped by a girl so stunning
Only to get stopped by a girl so stunning
She said, "You're smooth
And good with talking
You're going with me
To the Sadie Hawkins"
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
And my khaki pants
There's nothing better
Oh, oh, oh!
The girls ask the guys
It's always a surprise
There's nothing better
Baby, do you like my sweater?
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
And my khaki pants
There's nothing better
Oh, oh, oh!
The girls ask the guys
It's always a surprise
There's nothing better
Baby, do you like my sweater?
The lyrics of Matthew Thiessen's "Sadie Hawkins Dance" tell the story of a high school boy who is notably apprehensive about who he will take to the Sadie Hawkins dance. As he walks through the halls of school, he overhears girls in the bathroom discussing who they are going to ask to the dance. He keeps walking, pretending not to hear, with a smile on his face and air guitar in hand. Then he proceeds to his next class, where he falls asleep and wakes up to give a speech to the class, which they applaud.
As he is walking through the school cafeteria, trying to find somewhere to sit, he ends up near the cheerleaders when the quarterback approaches him, asking if he wants a beating. The high school boy uses his wit to get away from the situation and ends up getting stopped by a beautiful girl on the next hallway. The girl admires his smoothness and asks him to the Sadie Hawkins dance.
The song talks about the traditional Sadie Hawkins dance, where girls ask boys to the dance. The boy in the song seems nervous about being asked, and is grateful when asked by someone he finds attractive. The lyrics emphasize the excitement and anticipation of the high school experience, especially with the Sadie Hawkins dance looming.
Line by Line Meaning
All the girls in the bathroom, talking
Girls are discussing their plans for Sadie Hawkins Dance in the bathroom
Who they gonna take to the Sadie Hawkins?
Wondering which guy to ask for the dance
My ears are burning, but I kept on walking
It's awkward to overhear, but continue going about my business anyway
Smile on my face and an air guitar rocking
Pretending to be unfazed and even happy about not being asked for the dance and acting impetuous with an air guitar gesture
The Sadie Hawkins Dance
The school event of girls asking boys to the dance.
And my khaki pants
A fashion statement on what the artist is wearing.
There's nothing better
Matthew Thiessen emphasizes the excitement of the Sadie Hawkins Dance.
Oh, oh, oh!
The author expresses goofy enthusiasm about the event.
The girls ask the guys
The dance turnaround tradition is that girls are expected to initiate the invite.
It's always a surprise
The author highlights the unexpected element of Secular Hawkins because the girls decide who to ask.
Baby, do you like my sweater?
A nonsensical off-topic line in this context.
Sitting in the back of my next class, napping
Matthew Thiessen is trying to be nonchalant even though he might be embarrassed by his lack of prospects.
Got up, gave a speech, then bowed to the clapping
Matt felt accomplished after his public speaking activity and gesture to the applauding audience.
Told a funny joke, got the whole class laughing
The artist enjoys making others laugh and succeeded in doing so.
Think I got a tan from the light which I was basking
The artist suggests he is metaphorically soaking up success and growing in popularity.
Scanned the cafeteria for some good seating
The author is scanning the room for a spot for himself.
I found a good spot by the cheerleaders, eating
Matt found a spot he feels comfortable and with people that he probably admires.
The quarterback asked me if I'd like a beating
The jock or prom king approached the author in a bullying / intimidated fashion.
I said, "That's one thing I won't be needing"
The author cleverly dismisses the quarterback's threat or weird taunt.
And since I'm rather smart and cunning
Author now boasts of his wit/cleverness in the face of the quarterback's aggression or his life in general.
I took off down the next hall, running
The author is avoiding the quarterback by running away.
Only to get stopped by a girl so stunning
The shyer author is stopped by a seemingly attractive girl who asks him to the dance.
She said, "You're smooth
The girl who stops him compliments his boyish charm.
And good with talking
She tells the Author he's an articulate and/or flirtatious speaker.
You're going with me
The girl is asking the author to be her date.
To the Sadie Hawkins"
Another mention of the specific dance being a reason for the girl asking him out.
Contributed by Owen W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Amanda Gayton
OH! MAN! i could watch matt drink that bottle of water all day LONG! LOL :)
Relient Katie
Haha! that was funny. I could tell that was all an act though. Thiessen's voice is too amazingly beautiful and his relationship with God is too strong for him to be like that. *sighs at comment about him being hot* ok, yes, I may agree but is that the ONLY reason you like him? He has an absolutely GEORGOUS voice and his lyrics are brilliantly relatable. I just want to meet him and tell him that... and possibly sing with him (ha! that's only gonna happen in my dreams). *sigh*
Amanda Gayton
Haha.. yeah so do I.. he is my hero! lol
Amanda Gayton
haha yeah I understand that! I totally loved Matt Thiessen 1st so I got into them cause I had the biggest crush on him.. haha sorry to say.. lol but yeah I am not as crazy about him as I used to be.
Amanda Gayton
Haha! omg! I feel that same way! thats my dream too!
J K
Matthew Thiessen rocks
Amanda Gayton
Haha yeah it's a joke.. it's not true. lol I agree Matt is awesome!
Amanda Gayton
Yeah he was really there.. The Fold used him in the background of one of their songs... haha and yeah it was just a joke.. lol I don't think Matt is not that mean, I heard he is really cool and shy. lol
J.B. Garza
Lol he put RK with the mayo and he threw it at him
J.B. Garza
lmfao!!!!!