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.
I Am Understood
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To hold a conversation with the only one who sees right through
This version of myself I try to hide behind
I'll bury my face because my disgrace will leave me terrified
And sometimes I'm so thankful for Your loyalty
Your love regardless of the mistakes I make will spoil me
My confidence is in a sense, a gift You've given me
You looked into my life and never stopped
And You're thinking all my thoughts are so simple but so beautiful
And You recite my words right back to me before I even speak
You let me know, I am understood
And sometimes I spend my time just trying to escape
I work so hard, so desperately, in an attempt to create space
'Cause I want distance from the utmost important thing I know
I see Your love, then turn my back and beg for You to go
You looked into my life and never stopped
And You're thinking all my thoughts are so simple but so beautiful
And You recite my words right back to me before I even speak
You let me know, I am understood
You're the only one who understands completely
You're the only one who knows me yet still loves completely
And sometimes the place I'm at is at a loss for words
If I think of something worthy, I know that it's already yours
And through the times I've faded and you've outlined me again
You've just patiently waited to bring me back and then
You looked into my life and never stopped
And You're thinking all my thoughts are so simple but so beautiful
And You recite my words right back to me before I even speak
You let me know, I am understood
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Let me embrace
Let me embrace salvation
The song "I Am Understood" by Relient K is a mixture of emotions that one feels when conversing with God. Initially, the singer is hesitant to open up to God because of fears and insecurities. However, the singer also acknowledges that God's love is unconditional, and that even with all of the mistakes made, He never falters to shower His blessings. The singer then goes on to describe the closeness he/she shares with God where God understands him/her even before he/she speaks. The singer points out that God is the only one who knows him/her entirely, and yet He loves the singer wholeheartedly. The singer ends the song by repeating the phrase, "Your voice has broken my defense, let me embrace salvation" as if indicating that the singer has submitted to God entirely.
The theme of the song "I Am Understood" is about the intimacy and relationship one can have with God. The beginning of the song shows how the singer has the fear of being vulnerable before God. The singer's transparency shows that it is common to experience these kinds of feelings in a relationship, but it's essential to overcome such fears to build a healthy relationship with God. The lyrics suggest that God knows the singer's innermost thoughts and emotions, and yet He never judges. Instead, He embraces the singer with His unending love, encouraging the singer to be authentic and dependant on Him. The song highlights how God's compassion enables people to be joyous and wholeheartedly accept themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it's embarrassing to talk to You
I am ashamed of myself when I talk to You
To hold a conversation with the only one who sees right through
Talking to You is hard because You can see through all the things I try to hide
This version of myself I try to hide behind
I try to hide behind a fake version of myself
I'll bury my face because my disgrace will leave me terrified
I am so ashamed that I can't bear to look at You and it terrifies me
And sometimes I'm so thankful for Your loyalty
I am grateful for Your loyalty
Your love regardless of the mistakes I make will spoil me
Your love is unconditional and it spoils me
My confidence is in a sense, a gift You've given me
I am confident because You have given me the gift of confidence
And I'm satisfied to realize You're all I'll ever need
I am content because I know that You are all I will ever need
You looked into my life and never stopped
You have been watching over me and never stopped
And You're thinking all my thoughts are so simple but so beautiful
You think that my thoughts are simple but beautiful
And You recite my words right back to me before I even speak
You understand what I am going to say before I even say it
You let me know, I am understood
You make me feel understood
And sometimes I spend my time just trying to escape
I try to escape from You sometimes
I work so hard, so desperately, in an attempt to create space
I work really hard to try to create distance between us
'Cause I want distance from the utmost important thing I know
I want distance from You even though You are the most important thing to me
I see Your love, then turn my back and beg for You to go
I see Your love for me, but then I push You away and ask You to leave
You're the only one who understands completely
You are the only one who truly understands me
You're the only one who knows me yet still loves completely
You are the only one who truly knows me, yet still loves me unconditionally
And sometimes the place I'm at is at a loss for words
Sometimes I don't know what to say
If I think of something worthy, I know that it's already yours
If I have a good idea, I know it is because You gave it to me
And through the times I've faded and you've outlined me again
When I lose sight of You, You bring me back again
You've just patiently waited to bring me back and then
You patiently wait for me to come back to You
Your voice has broken my defense
Your voice has broken down my barriers
Let me embrace salvation
Let me accept Your grace and be saved
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt Golik
I'm listening to this in 2020 and after over a decade of music appreciation since Relient K became my favorite band I'm realizing how just well a songwriter Matt Thiessen is.
Jamie
That’s exactly where i am too!!!! Old me honestly had way better taste in and devotion to music because of the pre-spotify compact disc era 💔💔💔
Will Gray
2:28 these simple lyrics really get to me every time:
"through the times I've faded and you've outlined me again"
Galileo Gogh
I can't hear that part clearly before but I understood the lyrics after reading your comment. I also love that part. It's comforting.
NotMyDivision
Relient K has been the best at those rhythm changes since at LEAST this song. PERIOD.
skyviewdesign
I remember the first time this was on my local radio station. My brother & I geeked out at the news of the new record haha! Always loved the website design/art that accompanied this release, too. Such a great record start to finish!
Daniel Flores
+skyviewdesign RK on the radio?
I wish that still happened
DarthFennec
Back in gradeschool, when I was religious, I listened to a lot of christian rock. I've been an atheist for about 15 years now. I've forgotten every band I used to like back then. Except this one. I still remember the lyrics to all of their old songs, and I still love all of them.
Zach J
Same here! So not religious anymore (gladly so), but this band will forever have a special place in my life--they had some of the best arrangements, they feel timeless to me.
Jordan Williams
My friend gave me a burnt Relient K CD back in 2nd grade, but his hand writing was so bad, i didnt know what was written on the disk, so i grew up not knowing who this bad was till just now cuz I googled "Giberish" and it said Rilient K