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.
College Kids
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
us collage kids!
what my parents told me
is what i did
they said go to school and
be a collage kid
but in the end
i questioned why i did
i'm poor, i'm starving, i'm flat broke
i've got no cash to spend
sell all my books for front row tickets
to dave matthews band
my girlfriends at another school
i know this year will test her
i called, found out she had three other boyfrieds last semester
and that's why i say
oh no! not for me not for me
call it torture call it university
no! arts and crafts is all i need
i'll take calligraphy and
then ill make a fake degree
80 grand later i found out
that all that i had learned
is that you should show up to
take your finals and your midterms
the party scene is kinda mean
i think it's sick and twisted
the navy showed up at my dorm
and clamed that i enlisted
(repeat chorus)
don't get excited she'll say 'no'
without a doubt you see
and i've decided college girls
just won't go out with me
they make me nervous and they
allways catch me off my guard
like cell phone service
i drop out cause college is to hard
it's time to call my father
cause it's his alma mater
good grades arn't what they seem
i think he knows the dean
it's time to call my father
cause it's his alma mater
he said he's proud of me
but college always was his dream
and i would always say it's not for me
(repeat chorus)
phi, beta, delta, kappa
do what will make you happy
do what you feel is right
only but one thing matters
learn how to live your life
do what will make God happy
do what you feel is right
only but one thing matters
learn how to live your life
The song "College Kids" by Relient K is a satirical commentary on the college experience, particularly from the perspective of someone who is not entirely sure why they are there. The song starts with a plea for someone to save the college kids - a reference to the struggles and stresses that come with pursuing higher education. The first verse echoes the sentiments of many young people who feel pressured by their parents to attend college and pursue a certain path in life. The singer questions the value of the college education he or she is receiving and whether it is worth the cost and sacrifice.
The second verse explores some of the more comical aspects of college life - the struggles to make ends meet, the lure of entertainment and music over textbooks, and the complex social dynamics that are a part of the experience. The chorus emphasizes the singer's disillusionment with college and declares it "torture" that is not for everyone. Despite this, the bridge offers some guidance on how to approach life, emphasizing the value of doing what makes you happy and what you feel is right, and learning how to live your life in a way that pleases God.
Overall, "College Kids" is a witty and self-aware song that captures the mixed feelings many young people have about college. It highlights the pressures of expectations, the challenges of balancing academics and social life, and the importance of finding your own path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
someone please save us,
us collage kids!
As a college student, I feel lost and in need of help.
what my parents told me
is what i did
they said go to school and
be a collage kid
but in the end
i questioned why i did
I followed my parents' advice to attend college but later questioned whether it was the right decision.
i'm poor, i'm starving, i'm flat broke
i've got no cash to spend
sell all my books for front row tickets
to dave matthews band
my girlfriends at another school
i know this year will test her
i called, found out she had three other boyfrieds last semester
As a college student, I'm struggling financially and dealing with relationship issues while trying to balance my education.
oh no! not for me not for me
call it torture call it university
no! arts and crafts is all i need
i'll take calligraphy and
then ill make a fake degree
I've realized that college is not for me and would rather pursue my own interests rather than being tortured by it.
80 grand later i found out
that all that i had learned
is that you should show up to
take your finals and your midterms
the party scene is kinda mean
i think it's sick and twisted
the navy showed up at my dorm
and clamed that i enlisted
After spending a significant amount of money on college, I feel like I haven't learned anything valuable other than the importance of showing up to exams. The party scene is also not what I expected and even led to false accusations.
don't get excited she'll say 'no'
without a doubt you see
and i've decided college girls
just won't go out with me
they make me nervous and they
allways catch me off my guard
like cell phone service
i drop out cause college is to hard
I struggle with romantic relationships and the expectations of college, which makes me feel like dropping out since it's too difficult for me to handle.
it's time to call my father
cause it's his alma mater
good grades arn't what they seem
i think he knows the dean
it's time to call my father
cause it's his alma mater
he said he's proud of me
but college always was his dream
and i would always say it's not for me
I contact my father, who went to the same college as me, but I realize that good grades don't guarantee success. My father is proud of me, but he always wanted me to have the college experience that he never had.
phi, beta, delta, kappa
do what will make you happy
do what you feel is right
only but one thing matters
learn how to live your life
do what will make God happy
do what you feel is right
only but one thing matters
learn how to live your life
In the end, what matters is pursuing happiness and doing what's right for you and for God, and learning how to navigate life on your own terms.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@psychlops924
This song convinced me to quit college.
Lol jk. It was the crushing student debt, the nonexistent career path, and the absolute stupidity of being forced to take classes that had nothing to do with my desired major that convinced me to quit college. One of the best decisions I ever made, I should've listened to Relient K's advice sooner.
@corneliusdian4760
[Intro]
Someone, please save us, us college kids!
What my parents told me is what I did
They said, "Go to school and be a college kid."
But, in the end, I questioned why I did
[Verse 1]
I'm poor. I'm starving. I'm flat broke. I've got no cash to spend
Sell all my books for front row tickets to Dave Matthews Band
My girlfriend's at another school. I know this year will test her
I called, found out she had three other boyfriends last semester
And that's why I say:
[Chorus]
(Oh no!) Not for me, not for me
Call it torture, call it university
(No!) Arts and Crafts is all I need
I'll take calligraphy and then I'll make a fake degree
[Verse 2]
Eighty grand later, I found out that all that I had learned
Is that you should show up to take your finals and your mid-terms
The party scene is kind of mean; I think it's sick and twisted
The Navy showed up at my door and claimed that I enlisted
And that's why I say:
[Chorus]
(Oh no!) Not for me, not for me
Call it torture, call it university
(No!) Arts and Crafts is all I need
I'll take calligraphy and then I'll make a fake degree
[Bridge]
Don't get excited. She'll say "no" without a doubt, you see
And I've decided college girls just won't go out with me
They make me nervous and they always catch me off my guard
Like cell phone service, I drop out 'cause college is too hard
It's time to call my father
'Cause it's his Alma Mater
Good grades aren't what they seem
I think he knows the dean
It's time to call my father
'Cause it's his Alma Mater
He says he's proud of me
But college always was his dream
And I would always say, "It's not for me."
[Chorus]
(Oh no!) Not for me, not for me
Call it torture, call it university
(No!) Arts and Crafts is all I need
I'll take calligraphy and then I'll make a fake degree
[Outro]
Someone, please save us, us college kids!
What my parents told me is what I did
They said, "Go to school and be a college kid."
But, in the end, I questioned why I did
Do what will make you happy, do what you feel is right
(Someone, please save us, us college kids!)
Only but one thing matters: Learn how to live your life
(What my parents told me is what I did!)
Do what will make God happy, do what you feel is right
(They said, "Go to school and be a college kid"!)
Only but one thing matters: Learn how to live your life!
(But in the end: Learn how to live your life!)
@matchboxcody6561
Timeless classic. Thanks MX Unleashed.
@ronanrillovick5605
I was trying to figure out why this was familiar xD
@tonysoltero3097
MX Unleashed was my childhood
@TarenMackey
Tony Soltero Same dude same. The soundtrack got me into guitar this song, Do You Call My Name, and Headstrong specifically.
@savagepatron
Yes
@sandson1601
hell yeah
@thefaceofinsecurity
I first found relient k in fifth grade. I kept thinking “there’s no way college is that bad.” As a 27yo with a useless bachelors degree I get it now lol
@gregl5677
28 years old with a associates getting paid less in my field than kids who started out after high school who are 3-5 years younger than me.
@candacecourtney7415
shoulda listened to relient k! haha
@FritzyBeat
In college right now.
This is my theme song :'D