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.
In Like A Lion
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And see those very first few flakes of snow
And later on we can go outside
And create the impression of an angel that fell from the sky
When February rolss around I'll roll my eyes
Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies
And by the fire my heart it heaves a sigh
For the green grass waiting on the other side
It's always winter but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
It'd be so nice to look out the window
And see the leaves on the trees begin to show
The birds would congregate and things
A song of birth a song of newer things
The wind would calm and the sun would shine
I'd go outside and I'd squint my eyes
But for now I will simply just withdraw
Sit here and wish for this world to thaw
It's always winter but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
And everything it changed overnight
This dying world you brought it back to life
And deep inside I felt things
Shifting everything was melting
Away oh away
And you gave us the most beautiful of days
Cause when it's always winter but never Christmas
Sometimes it feels like you're not with us
But deep inside our hearts we know
That you are here and we will not lose hope
The lyrics of "In Like A Lion" by Relient K depict the longing for the arrival of spring and sending away the winter season. It starts by describing the beautiful view of snowflakes in winter, but as time passes, the cold weather becomes annoying. The singer wishes for the leaves to grow and birds to chirp, indicating the arrival of spring. The song reveals that the winter season seems to last longer than expected, and there is a curse that stops Christmas. Despite this long winter, the characters in the song find hope that Christmas will come, and their hearts remain warm even in the coldest of times.
"In Like A Lion" talks about the longing for a change in life, but the change is taking a long time. The song depicts hoping for something beautiful to happen while waiting, leading to ideas like things changing overnight. The sudden change in mood may be a reference to the arrival of Jesus during the Christmas period, as the song mentions lifting of curses and salvation.
Relient K uses symbolism in the lyrics to convey the message of waiting for change. The snowflakes and ice represent the "always winter," whereas the promise of Christmas's arrival represents the "never Christmas." The hope of Christmas gives the people a reason to look forward to better days.
Line by Line Meaning
It's always nice to look out the window
The view of the falling snow through the window creates a nice feeling.
And see those very first few flakes of snow
The emotion that comes with the first few snowflakes is something pleasurable and unique.
And later on we can go outside
At some point, there will be a chance to step out of the house.
And create the impression of an angel that fell from the sky
Making the impression of an angel by falling and flapping arms in the snow is a cherished winter tradition.
When February rolls around I'll roll my eyes
February's arrival seems unremarkable or even disappointment.
Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies
Rejection, disregard and isolating oneself from the weather is expected.
And by the fire my heart it heaves a sigh
Beside the fire, the heart feels a sense of emptiness and discontentment.
For the green grass waiting on the other side
The hope is to have the grass on the other side grow green soon.
It's always winter but never Christmas
'Winter is always present but Christmases are rare and few of them.'
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
The situation of living in perpetual winters without Christmas feels like a curse.
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Even in the middle of the ongoing harsh weather conditions,
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
The hearts are filled with positive thoughts, hence staying warm.
It'd be so nice to look out the window
A view of the tree leaves sprouting would be pleasing to the eyes.
And see the leaves on the trees begin to show
It's exciting to observe the trees as the leaves sprout.
The birds would congregate and things
With the leaves apparent, the birds would seek shelter in the foliage.
A song of birth a song of newer things
It's a song about new beginnings and changes that come with the birth of the leaves.
The wind would calm and the sun would shine
Both the wind and the sun would become mild and pleasant.
I'd go outside and I'd squint my eyes
A happy activity of squinting eyes while walking without fear of being buried in snow.
But for now I will simply just withdraw
At the moment, the only option is to remain indoors and wait for the winter to pass.
Sit here and wish for this world to thaw
Wait for the winter to be over by sitting and hoping for it.
And everything it changed overnight
There was a sudden transformation that occurred.
This dying world you brought it back to life
The world that was rapidly deteriorating was given a new lease of life.
And deep inside I felt things
There were some deeper feelings that arose.
Shifting everything was melting
The transformation resulted in everything becoming fluid and melting.
Away oh away
The things that were chipping away are now moving away.
And you gave us the most beautiful of days
The outcome of this transformation was a beautiful day.
Sometimes it feels like you're not with us
At times, it may feel as though there is no presence to guide us.
But deep inside our hearts we know
However, deep down, we are aware and believe in the presence that watches over us.
That you are here and we will not lose hope
We are not giving up on hope that the presence will always be with us.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW ARNOLD THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcellus Fidelis Gakin
It's always nice to look out the window
And see those very first few flakes of snow
And later on we can go outside
And create the impression of an angel that fell from the sky
When February rolss around I'll roll my eyes
Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies
And by the fire my heart it heaves a sigh
For the green grass waiting on the other side
It's always winter but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
It'd be so nice to look out the window
And see the leaves on the trees begin to show
The birds would congregate and things
A song of birth a song of newer things
The wind would calm and the sun would shine
I'd go outside and I'd squint my eyes
But for now I will simply just withdraw
Sit here and wish for this world to thaw
It's always winter but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
And everything it changed overnight
This dying world you brought it back to life
And deep inside I felt things
Shifting everything was melting
Away oh away
And you gave us the most beautiful of days
Cause when it's always winter but never Christmas
Sometimes it feels like you're not with us
But deep inside our hearts we know
That you are here and we will not lose hope
Purple Cat
Song: In Like A Lion (Always Winter)
By: Relient K
Album: Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer
Lyrics:
It's always nice to look out the window
And see those very first few flakes of snow
And later on we can go outside
And create the impression of an angel that just fell from the sky
When February rolls around I'll roll my eyes
Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies
And by the fire my heart it heaves a sigh
For the green grass waiting on the other side
It's always winter, but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
It'd be so nice to look out the window
And see the leaves on the trees begin to show
The birds would congregate and sing
A song of birth a song of newer things
The wind would calm and the sun would shine
I'd go outside and I'd squint my eyes
But for now I will simply just withdraw
Sit here and wish for this world to thaw
It's always winter, but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
And everything it changed overnight
This dying world you brought it back to life
And deep inside I felt things
Shifting everything was melting
Away oh away
And you gave us the most beautiful of days
'Cause when it's always winter, but never Christmas
Sometimes it feels like you're not with us
But deep inside our hearts we know
That you are here and we will not lose hope
Skein of a Different Color
I love this song! I couldn't help but think of Mr. Tumnus when he first met Lucy, and the hope he must have felt as soon as he learned that she is a daughter of Eve.
Petra 岩
Every year I have this album on repeat during Christmas season. Good times.
Daniel R
One of the greatest songs I've ever heard.
torresynth
the time has come, playing all day every day this december 2018
Frankie Colombo
This whole year has been a long and bitter winter.... But Christmas is coming. Hope is coming.
Marcellus Fidelis Gakin
It's always nice to look out the window
And see those very first few flakes of snow
And later on we can go outside
And create the impression of an angel that fell from the sky
When February rolss around I'll roll my eyes
Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies
And by the fire my heart it heaves a sigh
For the green grass waiting on the other side
It's always winter but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
It'd be so nice to look out the window
And see the leaves on the trees begin to show
The birds would congregate and things
A song of birth a song of newer things
The wind would calm and the sun would shine
I'd go outside and I'd squint my eyes
But for now I will simply just withdraw
Sit here and wish for this world to thaw
It's always winter but never Christmas
It seems this curse just can't be lifted
Yet in the midst of all this ice and snow
Our hearts stay warm cause they are filled with hope
And everything it changed overnight
This dying world you brought it back to life
And deep inside I felt things
Shifting everything was melting
Away oh away
And you gave us the most beautiful of days
Cause when it's always winter but never Christmas
Sometimes it feels like you're not with us
But deep inside our hearts we know
That you are here and we will not lose hope
Michael Kayfes
This is my after Christmas song in Minn-e-so-cold winter can really get you down
Seth S.
I'm listening to this song in February in Ohio where it's normally like in the teens and everything is icy, and snowy, and frozen. But not today. Today coincides much better with another Relient K song, "High of 75".
Oliver O
so is this song like a reference to Narnia?
OffBrandFiji
@Oliver O whats poppin vinyl