In 2000, Dave Douglas replaced Stephen Cushman on drums. In 2004, John Warne, formerly of Ace Troubleshooter replaced Brian on bass guitar. In 2005,Jon Schneck joined on with additional guitars, as well as banjo, bells, and backing vocals. In 2008, Ethan Luck, formerly of The O.C. Supertones and Demon Hunter replaced Dave on drums.
The band has released 9 albums, including 2 Christmas albums, as well as 6 EPs, and some other miscellaneous projects. Starting in 2000 with their second album, Relient K was signed to Gotee Records, a Christian record label. In 2004, their album Mmhmm shot them into mainstream popularity when it released at #15 on Billboard 200, and was released on Gotee, Mono Vs. Stereo (both Christian record labels), as well as Capitol, a secular label. They stayed with Gotee/Capitol until 2007, and their album Five Score and Seven Years Ago released at #6. Their latest album, Forget and Not Slow Down was released in 2009 with Mono Vs. Stereo. The band has done very well in both the Christian and mainstream music industries. The band has received numerous awards including a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Rock Gospel Album and two Dove Awards. The band has sold over 2 million records, with three albums being given gold certification by the RIAA.
The band's musical style has changed over the years, starting off as very pop-punk, and maturing into a unique sort of pop-alternative-rock, with many songs varying in style, and some including acoustic guitars, piano, banjo, synths, bells, etc. Through the years, their lyrics and songwriting have matured, but they have not lost their silly side and sense of humor. They still often reference their Christian faith throughout their songs.
Matt Thiessen, the band's main songwriter, also has a solo side project, Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes. He has also collaborated with Owl City. Dave Douglas also had a solo side project, Agnes.
Bite My Tongue
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dropped the call before I spilled my guts
But your floor stayed clean like my conscience will be
'Cause if you heard anything, you didn't hear it from me
And I'm sweeping up the seconds that tick off the clock
And saving them for later when I'm too ticked to talk
And I need some time to search my mind
Sometimes I say things that I wish that I could take back
The most crucial thing I lack is a thing called tact
And if you're always so intently listening
Then the smartest thing to say is to tell myself not to say a thing
Yeah, I gotta keep quiet, quiet, don't let it all come undone
'Cause if I dare open my mouth, it'll just be to bite my tongue
To bite my tongue
It seems I'm always close minded with an open mouth
And the worst of me just seems to come right out
But I've never broken bones with a stone or a stick
But I'll conjure up a phrase that can cut to the quick
And sometimes I say things that I wish that I could take back
The smartest thing to say is to tell myself
To keep quiet, quiet, don't let it all come undone
'Cause if I dare open my mouth, it'll just be to bite my tongue
I gotta keep quiet, quiet and listen to your voice
Because the power of your words can repair all that I've destroyed
And when I finally do, let it come from you
The peace of understanding grips my soul
You're the reason I've found meaning in this life
So I'll swallow up my pride and give you control, I give it to you
But I gotta keep quiet, quiet, don't let it all come undone
'Cause if I dare open my mouth, it'll just be to bite my tongue
Yeah, I gotta keep quiet, quiet and listen to your voice
Because the power of your words can repair all that I've destroyed
Yeah, I gotta keep quiet, quiet, don't let it all come undone
'Cause if I dare open my mouth, it'll just be to bite my tongue
To bite my tongue
The lyrics to Relient K's "Bite My Tongue" address the difficulty of controlling one's speech and the regret that can come from saying hurtful or thoughtless things. The singer describes a moment when he almost revealed something important but held back, preserving the other person's clean reputation and his own conscience. He acknowledges his tendency to speak without thinking and seems to be trying to improve in this area. He even acknowledges that sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.
The singer also reflects on the power of words, recognizing that they can hurt and destroy, but also that they can repair and bring peace. He admits that he needs to listen more and give control to the person he is speaking with in order to truly understand and find meaning in life. The song offers a message of humility and self-reflection, recognizing the importance of thoughtful speech and the value of truly listening to others.
Overall, "Bite My Tongue" is a thoughtful and introspective exploration of the difficulties of communication and the importance of controlling one's words. It encourages listeners to take a step back and think before speaking, recognizing the power that words can hold.
Line by Line Meaning
I was going to spell it out in full detail but
I almost told you everything but
I dropped the call before I spilled my guts
I hung up before I revealed too much
But your floor stayed clean like my conscience will be
But I kept quiet and my conscience will remain clear
'Cause if you heard anything, you didn't hear it from me
Because I didn't say anything to you
And I'm sweeping up the seconds that tick off the clock
I'm wasting time
And saving them for later when I'm too ticked to talk
Saving them until I calm down
And I need some time to search my mind
I need to think about what I want to say
To locate the words that seem so hard to find
To find the right words
Sometimes I say things that I wish that I could take back
I regret things I've said
The most crucial thing I lack is a thing called tact
I need to be more considerate of what I say
And if you're always so intently listening
If you're always paying attention
Then the smartest thing to say is to tell myself not to say a thing
I should keep quiet and not say anything at all
Yeah, I gotta keep quiet, quiet, don't let it all come undone
I need to stay quiet to avoid causing trouble
'Cause if I dare open my mouth, it'll just be to bite my tongue
If I speak, I'll only regret it later
It seems I'm always close minded with an open mouth
I often speak without really thinking about what I say
And the worst of me just seems to come right out
I tend to say hurtful things without meaning to
But I've never broken bones with a stone or a stick
I've never physically hurt anyone
But I'll conjure up a phrase that can cut to the quick
But my words can be just as painful
I gotta keep quiet, quiet and listen to your voice
I need to listen to others more
Because the power of your words can repair all that I've destroyed
Your words can fix the problems I've caused
And when I finally do, let it come from you
When I do speak, I should listen to you
The peace of understanding grips my soul
Understanding brings me peace
You're the reason I've found meaning in this life
You give my life purpose
So I'll swallow up my pride and give you control, I give it to you
I'll stop being stubborn and let you take charge
To bite my tongue
To refrain from speaking
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The clown
Relient k helped me through some tough times and hearing them again brings back many memories
Matthew Minard
+Joshua Manning I'm in those tough times right now buddy. Caught between doing what I think the right thing is and what everyone else is telling me to do.
Mav
Relient K is my favorite band. They're lyrics are amazing! I don't think anyone is better with words than these guys.
Bobicus5
I love intro from the beginning to 0:22. That in-itself, personally, would make an awesome song in itself. Maybe put in a slight loop, but also expand on it, adding new melodies to it, or just leaving that pure energy building up, and expanding on it.
Jenny Marie
My dad used to play Relient K all the time as I growing up. I didn't realise how great they were till I hit high school. Now, as I find myself pregnant, they're what I gravitate to
Justin Solowoniuk
"I'm sweeping up the seconds that tick off the clock,
and saving them for later, when I'm too ticked to talk."
That is a seriously fucking clever lyric... Color me impressed.
Jo _oI
shady4091
I'll color you whatever I please!
Blue I'm going with blue😊
Jacob Gamber
Yes, but please, that was some unnecessary language.
Michelle M
Relient K, my favorite band in high school. My desire is Psalm 51:15--O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. I would hear my Dad pray often, God please set a watch before my mouth, a smart request for me, because I fear the Lord now, and I want to be wise, to use the power of words to benefit others. I'm so grateful to be able to enjoy this song more than when I first heard it.
colbe carlson
I love that! I love this song even more after that! Thank you!