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.
Less Is More
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take all my mistakes
Throw them away
Destroy them for my sake
Jesus, I call out 'cause I'm sorry
Because I fall so short of your glory
To the best of my ability
And I lay myself before
'Cause less is more
All that I have
I lay before
With my pride on the floor
'Cause to you less is more
All that I have
I lay before
With my pride on the floor
'Cause to you less is more
A part of myself
All that I am
You love me so much
That you fill me again
And may these words on my heart, on my lips
Somehow mean so much more than this
Jesus, I pray
Know what I'm trying to say
All that I have
I lay before
With my pride on the floor
'Cause to you less is more
All that I have
I lay before
With my pride on the floor
'Cause to you less is more
A part of myself, before you were Lord
I hold nothing back, 'cause to you less is more
And may these words on my heart on my lips,
Somehow mean so much more than this
Jesus, I pray
Just know what I'm tryin' to say
Jesus, I plead
Please purify me
Make my heart clean
Drench me with your mercy
Jesus, I pray
I love you, I need you
For the rest of my days
I swear I will seek you
To the best of my ability
I'm practicing humility
And I lay myself before
'Cause less is more.
The lyrics to Relient K's song "Less Is More" offer a meaningful message about the importance of humility and letting go of pride. The song's chorus emphasizes that "less is more," encouraging listeners to lay everything they have before Jesus with their pride on the floor. The song's verses speak to the singer's heartfelt plea for forgiveness and purification, acknowledging their mistakes and shortcomings.
The lyrics' message of humility is especially powerful when combined with the song's gentle, acoustic sound. The stripped-down instrumental arrangement with acoustic guitar and subtle percussion matches the song's message of simplifying and minimizing as a way to draw closer to God. The repetition of the phrase "All that I have, I lay before/With my pride on the floor/Cause to you less is more" emphasizes that surrendering all to God and letting go of earthly possessions and desires is the key to finding true contentment and spiritual fulfillment. The singer's acknowledgement of their mistakes and plea for forgiveness also highlights the importance of recognizing one's own need for grace and mercy.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus, I pray
The singer is calling out to Jesus in prayer
Take all my mistakes
The singer is asking Jesus to take away all of their mistakes
Throw them away
The singer wants Jesus to get rid of their mistakes
Destroy them for my sake
The artist wants their mistakes to be completely eradicated by Jesus
Jesus, I call out 'cause I'm sorry
The artist is saying sorry to Jesus for their mistakes
Because I fall so short of your glory
The singer recognizes that they are not perfect like Jesus and fall short of his glory
To the best of my ability
The singer is doing the best they can in their efforts to improve themselves
I'm practicing humility
The artist is acknowledging that they need to work on being humble
And I lay myself before
The artist is surrendering themselves to Jesus
'Cause less is more
The artist believes that having less pride and being humble is more important than having a lot of pride
All that I have
The singer is giving everything they have
I lay before
The artist is offering their possessions to Jesus
With my pride on the floor
The singer is setting aside their pride and humbling themselves before Jesus
'Cause to you less is more
The singer believes that Jesus values humility over pride
A part of myself
The singer is giving a part of themselves to Jesus
All that I am
The artist is giving everything they are to Jesus
You love me so much
The artist acknowledges that Jesus loves them deeply
That you fill me again
The singer feels filled with love when they are with Jesus
And may these words on my heart, on my lips
The singer hopes that their words express their love for Jesus
Somehow mean so much more than this
The artist wants their words to be heartfelt and meaningful to Jesus
Jesus, I plead
The artist is pleading with Jesus
Please purify me
The artist wants Jesus to cleanse them of their impurities
Make my heart clean
The singer wants Jesus to make their heart pure
Drench me with your mercy
The artist wants Jesus to show them mercy
I love you, I need you
The singer expresses their love for and need of Jesus
For the rest of my days
The singer plans to love and follow Jesus for the rest of their life
I swear I will seek you
The singer promises to seek Jesus
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW ARNOLD THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Smith
I can honestly say this is the most beautiful song I have ever heard
Middleman93
This remains my all-time favorite Relient K song, with Forgiven as a close second.
OhMyChinchilla
I've listened to this song I don't know for how many years I don't know how many times, but today is the first time I hear 4:04... SO BEAUTIFUL!
Josh Lewis
Love it!!!
Airam Alejandro
love this song!!!! :,)
Joseph Reeves
Relient K's worship song forsure.
The Events Blog
No dislikes! That's how is should be!! I looovee this song!!! <3
777gwenstacy
i love this song sooooo much! its really amazing<3 good job on making the video. Jesus Loves You!!!=)
jjwebb232
i love this song!! -^_^-
God Is My Judge
I love this song also!!!