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.
Candlelight
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going undercover
To catch a glimpse
But not get caught
But to see her
Could be worse
If I don't get my head straight first
She's almost brighter than the Sun
Seems to me to be unfair
When you consider everyone
Who pales when they compare
When they compare
Can't hold a candle to her
'Cause all the moths get in the way
And they'll begin to chew her
Entire attire until it frays
For she outshines anyone
Whoever might dare to bask in
The same candlelight
Oh please don't seat us in the back
With all the insects and the trash
She is a lady, I'm the tramp
Collecting stares from pairs close by
Then flutters in a butterfly
Ew, just a moth drawn to the lamp
She's like an ancient artifact
Something you're lucky to have found
She'll pinch the nerves in all the necks
When she turns those heads around
Those heads around
Can't hold a candle to her
'Cause all the moths get in the way
And they'll begin to chew her
Entire attire until it frays
She outshines anyone
Who ever might dare to bask in
The same candlelight
Who ever might dare to bask in
The same candlelight
She's almost brighter than the Sun
Seems to me to be unfair
When you consider everyone
Who pales when they compare
When they compare
Can't hold a candle to her
'Cause all the moths get in the way
And they'll begin to chew her
Entire attire until it frays
For she outshines anyone
Who ever might dare to bask in
The same candlelight
In the same candlelight
The song "Candlelight" by Relient K speaks from the perspective of an admirer who is infatuated with a woman who is bright and captivating. The persona is willing to go to great lengths to catch a glimpse of her without getting caught. However, he acknowledges that seeing her could have negative consequences since he needs to sort out his feelings first. The woman is described as almost brighter than the sun and outshining everyone else who tries to bask in the same candlelight, causing moths to get in the way and chew on her attire.
The imagery of the lyrics is quite vivid, with the use of metaphors like candlelight, moths, and sun. The persona sees the woman as a rare and valuable artifact that he is lucky to have found. She is confident and knows how to command attention, making heads turn and pinch nerves. The persona is aware of his own status in relation to hers, as she is a lady while he is the tramp. However, he cannot help but admire her from afar.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being drawn to someone who is out of one's league or who shines brighter than anyone else. The lyrics are poetic and evoke a sense of yearning and admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
To know her is to love her
The more one understands and learns about her, the more they fall in love with her.
I'm going undercover
I am going to try and observe her without her noticing me.
To catch a glimpse
I just want to see her briefly.
But not get caught
I don't want to be seen because it might be awkward or embarrassing.
But to see her
However, I do want to see her, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
Could be worse
Seeing her could have negative consequences.
If I don't get my head straight first
I need to clear my mind and focus before seeing her.
On second thought I guess I'll not
Maybe it's not the best idea to see her after all.
She's almost brighter than the Sun
She is incredibly beautiful and radiant.
Seems to me to be unfair
It's almost not fair how much more beautiful she is than anyone else.
When you consider everyone
When comparing her beauty to everyone else's, she stands out even more.
Who pales when they compare
Everyone else's beauty seems lesser in comparison to hers.
Can't hold a candle to her
No one else can compare to her beauty and radiance.
'Cause all the moths get in the way
Other people are drawn to her like moths to a flame.
And they'll begin to chew her
Other people's admiration may become excessive and damaging to her.
Entire attire until it frays
Their excessive admiration may ruin her reputation and character.
For she outshines anyone
She is more beautiful and radiant than anyone else.
Whoever might dare to bask in
Anyone who tries to compare themselves to her will surely suffer in comparison.
Oh please don't seat us in the back
Please don't put us in an awkward or uncomfortable situation.
With all the insects and the trash
Don't put us in a place with undesirable or unsavory company.
She is a lady, I'm the tramp
She is refined and classy, while I am rough around the edges.
Collecting stares from pairs close by
We are attracting attention from other people nearby.
Then flutters in a butterfly
Then someone else catches their attention instead of us.
Ew, just a moth drawn to the lamp
That person is only interested in her beauty and is not a true admirer.
She's like an ancient artifact
She is rare, valuable, and beautiful, like a precious artifact.
Something you're lucky to have found
I am lucky to have discovered her beauty and radiance.
She'll pinch the nerves in all the necks
People will turn their heads to look at her and admire her beauty.
When she turns those heads around
She exudes so much beauty and radiance that people can't help but look at her.
In the same candlelight
Only someone as beautiful and radiant as her would dare to stand next to her in the same light.
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN, MATTHEW RYAN HOOPES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind