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.
K Car
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or is it so much more?
It's a superstar
With the gas to the floor
Zero to sixty in remarkable time
It's the automobile that's top of the line
We got a k car on the road of life
Is it just a car
Or is it so much more?
It's a superstar
With the gas to the floor
In a drag race all the others fall
And Brandon Ebel just gave us a call
The first verse of Relient K's "K Car" poses a question and then answers it. The question asked is whether the titular car is simply a vehicle or something more. The answer to the question is that it is both. This car is a superstar, not just a simple means of transportation. It's a car that's built for speed and power with the gas pedal on the floor. The second verse reinforces this idea with the lyrics "Zero to sixty in remarkable time/ It's the automobile that's top of the line." Clearly, this car is something special, something that stands out from the rest.
The final verse of the song ties the idea of the "K Car" being more than just a car to the idea of faith. The lyrics "We got a K Car on the road of life/ We're gonna get far if the driver's Christ" suggest that this car can take the listener far, but only if they have faith in a higher power. The idea that the driver needs to be Christ shows that the car alone cannot take them where they need to go. They need a guiding force to help them navigate the road of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it just a car
The singer questions the true value of the car
Or is it so much more?
The singer believes the car has a deeper meaning than just transportation
It's a superstar
The car is highly valued by the singer
With the gas to the floor
The car has a powerful engine
Zero to sixty in remarkable time
The car can accelerate quickly from 0 to 60 mph
It's the automobile that's top of the line
The car is of the highest quality
We got a k car on the road of life
The singer and their companions are driving a K car on their journey through life
We're gonna get far if the driver's Christ
The singer believes that their journey in life will be successful as long as Jesus is driving the car (metaphorically)
In a drag race all the others fall
The car is capable of winning in high-speed competitions
And Brandon Ebel just gave us a call
The singer received a phone call from Brandon Ebel, the founder of their record label Gotee Records
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BRIAN LEE PITTMAN, MATTHEW ARNOLD THIESSEN, MATTHEW RYAN HOOPES, STEPHEN CUSHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Valerie Wilson
Don't know why you guys popped in my head today but I just had to hear your music. I remember being at the release party for this CD at Malone College and hanging out with you guys and of course the guys from Linus' Blanket, the best times in college for sure!! So glad to see you went on to do so much more and spent your lives doing what you love!! I look forward to catching up on your newer music. But I'll always remember the songs! (And the lyrics after 22 years)
EvoRulz
+Relient K been loving this song for years now <3 so goooood :D you rock!
Caleb Nadeau
How am I first on the best bands ever video?
Kyle Chellino
What was that car in the video?
Vinicius Almeida
there's an erro in this video 12:00min without audio ?
EvoRulz
it's a hidden track ;)
Larissa Hale
try skipping ahead to 6:37