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.
Chap Stick Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who brought back their permission slip
Because I know nobody wants to stay home
While the rest of us go out and make a day of it
'Cause theme parks are so much more fun when the sun's outside
And I lost my phone to the lake beneath the batman ride
They're starting something, and I don't want to begin it
And I regret that I'm completely out of daytime minutes
And so I guess I'll have to wait a lot til 8 o'clock comes around
Okay, so, who doesn't own a cell phone
Well I don't need to ask my friends
Because I know mine was fastened to my jawbone
Thanks to all those nights and weekends
'Cause theme parks are so much more fun when the sun's outside
And I lost my phone to the lake beneath the batman ride
They're starting something, and I don't want to begin it
They're looking for trouble, but with me it won't be found
And I regret that I'm completely out of daytime minutes
And so I guess I'll have to wait a lot til 8 o'clock comes around
When it comes to relationships (I'm the dumbest one)
And I don't mean just with girls (I mean with everyone)
Your illustrations always point out just what's wrong with me
It's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
It's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like
It's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like
It's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like
Chemistry.
Can I relate to you the way you relate to me
Can you help me out with my chemistry
I don't want to be perceived the way I am
I just want to be perceived the way I am
The song "Chap Stick Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry" by Relient K reflects the confusion and awkwardness of navigating through relationships. The first verse talks about how everyone wants to be a part of the group and not left out, but the singer struggles with societal expectations of always being available and having a cell phone. He lost his phone and had to wait until 8 o'clock to make calls, highlighting how everyone else has to control their time with him.
The second verse continues to explore the theme of being connected to technology while alluding to the singer's attraction towards "chemistry" with people. The line "When it comes to relationships / And I don't mean just with girls" suggests that the singer is unsure about their friendships in addition to romantic relationships. The chorus repeats twice with a list of things like chapstick, chapped lips, and chemistry that points out what's wrong with the singer. However, in the final line, he just wants to be perceived as he is, indicating that the singer wants to break free from societal and personal expectations of who he should be.
Overall, "Chap Stick Chapped Lips and Things Like Chemistry" is a relatable song that deals with the complexities of navigating through relationships and personal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay, so, who doesn't own a cell phone
I'm just making small talk and asking if anyone doesn't have a cell phone
Who brought back their permission slip
Did everyone remember to bring back their permission slip?
Because I know nobody wants to stay home
I know everyone wants to come and not be left behind
While the rest of us go out and make a day of it
Because we will be having a lot of fun
Cause theme parks are so much more fun when the sun's outside
It's better to go to a theme park when it's bright and sunny outside
And I lost my phone to the lake beneath the batman ride
Unfortunately, my phone was lost in the water underneath the batman ride
They're starting something, and I don't want to begin it
I think others might be starting trouble, but I'd rather not get involved
They're looking for trouble, but with me, it won't be found
They may think I'm an easy target, but they won't find trouble with me
And I regret that I'm completely out of daytime minutes
I'm disappointed that I've used all of my phone's daytime minutes
And so I guess I'll have to wait a lot til 8 o'clock comes around
Now I have to wait until it's 8 o'clock to get more talk time
When it comes to relationships (I'm the dumbest one)
I have the least amount of experience in relationships
And I don't mean just with girls (I mean with everyone)
This applies to all kinds of relationships, not just romantic ones
Your illustrations always point out just what's wrong with me
You always highlight my flaws in your illustrations
It's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
These trivial things like chapstick, chapped lips, and chemistry make me feel self-conscious
Can I relate to you the way you relate to me
I want to connect with you on the same level you connect with me
Can you help me out with my chemistry
Can you assist me in improving my chemistry with others?
I don't want to be perceived the way I am
I don't want to be judged based on how I'm currently perceived
I just want to be perceived the way I am
I just want to be accepted for who I am as a person
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MATTHEW ARNOLD THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlos Mc
Lyrics:
ok, so, who doesn't own a cell phone
who brought back their permission slip
because i know nobody wants to stay home
while the rest of us go out and make a day of it
cause theme parks are so much more fun when the sun's outside
and i lost my phone to the lake beneath the batman ride
they're starting something, and i don't want to begin it
they're looking for trouble, but with me it won't be found
and i regret that i'm completely out of daytime minutes
and so i guess i'll have to wait a lot till 8 o'clock comes around
ok, so, who doesn't own a cell phone
well i don't need to ask my friends
because i know mine was fastened to my jawbone
thanks to all those nights and weekends
cause theme parks are so much more fun when the sun's outside
and i lost my phone to the lake beneath the batman ride
they're starting something, and i don't want to begin it
they're looking for trouble, but with me it won't be found
and i regret that i'm completely out of daytime minutes
and so i guess i'll have to wait a lot till 8 o'clock comes around
when it comes to relationships i'm the dumbest one
and i don't mean just with girls, i mean with everyone
your illustrations always point out just what's wrong with me
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
can i relate to you the way you relate to me
can you help me out with my chemistry
i don't want to be perceived the way i am
i just want to be perceived the way i am
Kex Ordo
It's awesome that every Relient K fan has their own relationship with their music.
One Who Does Simply
True
Tyler DaSilva
True. I found out about them from MX Unleashed
Kye Lee
When it comes to relationships I'm the dumbest one
Julia
@Kye Lee Me too lol
darkknightsds
That's literally how it is with every and any music artist or group
MJ S
Sheeeesh the memories! Replaying all my childhood songs/bands and i forgot how great these guys were. 15 plus yrs! Woooow
countryboy 7mag
Been listening to them since 2004 and still come back from time to time.
Timothy J. Roberts
Hears "OKAY SO..." -- listens straight through album every time
Learn Japanese From Some Guy
I have listened to Reliant K off and on (mostly off) for over a decade, and I only now understood the last part of the song when he sings, "I don't want to be perceived the way I am. I just want to be perceived the way I am." I always appreciate clever lyrics and Reliant K is definitely underrated in this department.