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.
Local Construction
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The cranes try to scrape some more sky before quitting time
Work on it, work at it, work, but it's never done
Days rolling by like local construction
I'm watching the tenements increase by increments
Work on it, work at it, work, but it's never done, no no
Fix the flaws in my self
It's never done, no no
It's never done, no no
Like local construction
It's never done
Days rolling by like local construction
The birds interrupt the cat while it's packing it
Work on it, work at it, work, but it's
Days rolling by like local construction
Like one big blue tarpaulin draped over scenery
Work on it, work at it, work, but it's never done, no no
Fix the car, fix the house
Fix the flaws in myself
It's never done
It's never done, no no
Like local construction
It's never done
Like local construction
It's never done, no no
I'll forget my manners heading to stammerless
Jackhammers clammering on
Fix the car (fix the car), fix the house (fix the house)
Fix the flaws (fix the flaws) in myself
It's never done
It's never done, no no
Like local construction (fix the car, fix the house, fix the flaws)
It's never done (fix the car, fix the house, fix the flaws)
Like local construction (it's never done)
It's never done, no no (fix the car, fix the house, fix the flaws)
Like local construction (it's never done)
It's never done
Like local construction
It's never done, no no
Like local construction
"Local Construction" by Relient K is a song that speaks about the process of growth, change and improvement that is constantly ongoing in our lives. The lyrics use a metaphor of local construction to describe how the everyday hustle and bustle of life seems like it is never-ending. The verses talk about days rolling by, with cranes trying to scrape more sky before quitting time. The singer is watching the tenements increase by increments while he is trying to work on something, fix something or improve himself. The chorus repeats the phrase "fix the car, fix the house, fix the flaws in myself", emphasizing the idea that we are constantly working on ourselves and the world around us to make it better, but it is a never-ending process, just like local construction.
The song highlights how people are usually so fixated on the idea of "being done" or "achieving" something significant in their lives that they forget that life is a process of constant growth and improvement. The metaphor of a construction site, with its never-ending work, is used to present a counter-argument to the cultural messages of productivity and achievement. Instead, the song suggests that we should embrace the process of growth itself as the goal, rather than focusing on the end result.
Line by Line Meaning
Days rolling by like local construction
Time passes as slow and tedious as the building of local constructions.
The cranes try to scrape some more sky before quitting time
Construction workers try to accomplish as much as possible before the end of the workday.
Work on it, work at it, work, but it's never done
No matter how much effort is put in, there is always more work to be done.
I'm watching the tenements increase by increments
Observing buildings being constructed little by little over time.
Fix the car, fix the house
Fix the flaws in my self
It's never done, no no
The work of self-improvement is unending, just like the constant maintenance of a car or house.
The birds interrupt the cat while it's packing it
Nature can interrupt the progress of human construction.
Like one big blue tarpaulin draped over scenery
Construction sites can be an eyesore and detract from the surrounding beauty.
I'll forget my manners heading to stammerless
Jackhammers clammering on
The loud noise of construction can cause distraction and forgetfulness.
It's never done
The repetition of this phrase throughout the song emphasizes the idea that work is never truly finished.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bethanydillon2729
I grew up listening to Relient K with my big brother and we are really close, my brother is a lot of the reason I am who I am today. My brother and I went to a concert a few months back and we both cried like babies. Thank you, Relient K, for being awesome. ❤️
@SorenKk
i;ve seen them three times and i cry thru the whole set every time, kindred spirits maybe
@wsupnet
"Fix the car, fix the house, fix the flaws in myself, it's never done. Like local construction." Love it!
@marlonfrijters8356
Clever lyrics.. I like it still in 2021.
@freeleymedia
@@marlonfrijters8356 I listen to the entire album through every now and then. Still speaks to me to this day. Can't wait for their tour!
@marlonfrijters8356
@@freeleymedia When i was younger i was a big fan of this band and i listened to their albums very often. When i got older i just forgot about them, now i'm re-enjoying it and discoverin g their newer albums. Awesome! Still very good!
@flaminghead1va
Local Construction is hands down my favorite on the album. The emotions and styles it goes between so perfectly just can't be replicated. No words do it justice; it's so dynamic, it keeps you on the edge of your seat; and the whole song I'm just waiting for it to ROCK hard and it finally does by the end.
@SorenKk
Jesus is doing all the work but i keep getting in his way
@bencarper
<3
@iplayrunescape301
Yes