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.
More Than Useless
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would like
To be somewhere else
Doing something that matters
And I'll admit here
While I sit here
My mind wastes away
And my doubts start to gather
What's the purpose?
It feels worthless
So unwanted, like I've lost of my value
I can't find it
Not in the least bit
And I'm just scared
So scared that I'll fail you
And sometimes I think
That I'm not any good at all
And sometimes
I wonder why
Why I'm even here at all
But then you assure me
I'm a little more than useless and
When I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once
So I say if I can't
Do something significant
I'll opt to leave most opportunities wasted
And nothing trivial
That life could give me will
Measure up to what might have replaced it
To late look
My date book
Is packed full of days
That were empty and now gone
And I bet
That regret
Will prove to get me to improve in the long run
Sometimes I think that
I'm not any good at all
Sometimes I wonder why
I'm even here at all
But then you assure me
I'm a little more than useless and
When I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once
I'm a little more than useless
And I never knew I knew this
Was gonna the day
Gonna be the day
That I will do something right
Do something right for once
I noticed
I know this
Week is a symbol of how I use my time
Resent it
I spent it
Convincing myself
The worlds doing just fine
Without me
Doing anything of any consequence
Without me
Showing any sign of ever making sense
Of my time
Its my life
And my right to use it like I should
Like he would
For the good
Of everything that I would ever know
I'm a little more than useless and
When I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once
I'm a little more than useless
And I never knew I knew this
Was gonna the day
Gonna be the day
That I will do something right
Do something right for once
Relient K's song More Than Useless is one of the band's most powerful tracks in terms of self-reflection and personal growth. The lyrics delve into the doubts and fears that accompany the feeling of being stuck in a rut, of not knowing one's purpose, and of feeling as if one's time on earth is being wasted. The singer of the song is caught up in these feelings of worthlessness, and his mind "wanders away."
The song continues with the character questioning the value of his existence, and whether he is good at anything. He is tempted to let life's opportunities pass him by, believing that nothing is worth pursuing. However, this is where the true power of the song lies. In the chorus, the singer is reassured by someone that he is "a little more than useless." He is promised that he will "get through this" and "do something right for once."
Ultimately, the song is about finding purpose and meaning in one's life, even when it seems distant or elusive. It is a reminder that everyone has something valuable to offer, no matter how insignificant they may appear to themselves or others.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel like
I have the inclination to
I would like
I want
To be somewhere else
To be in a different or better situation
Doing something that matters
Doing something that is significant and holds value
And I'll admit here
I acknowledge that
While I sit here
As I remain in my current state
My mind wastes away
My thoughts are aimlessly deteriorating
And my doubts start to gather
And I become increasingly uncertain and mistrustful
What's the purpose?
What is the point?
It feels worthless
It seems to have no value
So unwanted, like I've lost of my value
So neglected, as though I am no longer important or worthwhile
I can't find it
I am unable to locate it
Not in the least bit
Not even a little
And I'm just scared
And I am simply afraid
So scared that I'll fail you
So fearful of disappointing you
And sometimes I think
Occasionally I believe
That I'm not any good at all
That I am completely unskilled or inadequate
And sometimes
And at times
I wonder why
I question why
Why I'm even here at all
Why I exist or what purpose I have
But then you assure me
But then you confirm to me
I'm a little more than useless and
I have some value and worth beyond what I think
When I think that I can't do this
When I believe that I am unable to accomplish this
You promise me that I'll get through this
You pledge to me that I will overcome this
And do something right
And execute something well
Do something right for once
Finally act competently for the first time
So I say if I can't
Therefore I say if I am unable to
Do something significant
Accomplish something noteworthy or impactful
I'll opt to leave most opportunities wasted
I will choose to not take advantage of many chances
And nothing trivial
And nothing unimportant
That life could give me will
That life has to offer me would
Measure up to what might have replaced it
Compare to what could have replaced it which was far better
To late look
When it's too late look
My date book
My calendar
Is packed full of days
Is full of days
That were empty and now gone
That were previously unfulfilled and no longer exist
And I bet
And I assume
That regret
That feeling of sadness or disappointment about something in the past
Will prove to get me to improve in the long run
Will ultimately motivate me to improve over a longer period of time
I'm a little more than useless
I have some value and worth beyond what I think
And I never knew I knew this
And I didn't realize I believed this
Was gonna the day
That it was going to be the day
Gonna be the day
That was going to be the day
That I will do something right
That I will finally act competently
Do something right for once
Finally act competently for the first time
I noticed
I observed
I know this
I am aware of this
Week is a symbol of how I use my time
This week represents how I use my time
Resent it
Feel angry or bitter about it
I spent it
I used it up
Convincing myself
Persuading myself
The worlds doing just fine
Everything in the world is going well
Without me
Without my help or involvement
Doing anything of any consequence
Doing anything important or meaningful
Showing any sign of ever making sense
Demonstrating any indication of ever making sense
Of my time
Of the time I have
Its my life
It belongs to me
And my right to use it like I should
And my entitlement to use it as I ought to
Like he would
Like I should as a member of God's family
For the good
For the benefit of
Of everything that I would ever know
Of everything that I could possibly know
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW ARNOLD THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@abelj5145
Thanks for being alive, you're worth it. You're never alone Jesus loves you unconditionally. You're loved more than you'll ever know.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
@otakuhime3119
Lyrics:
I feel like
I would like
To be somewhere else
Doing something that matters
And I'll admit here
While I sit here
My mind wastes away
And my doubts start to gather
What's the purpose?
It feels worthless
So unwanted, like I've lost of my value
I can't find it
Not in the least bit
And I'm just scared
So scared that I'll fail you
And sometimes I think
That I'm not any good at all
And sometimes
I wonder why
Why I'm even here at all
But then you assure me
I'm a little more than useless and
When I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once
So I say if I can't
Do something significant
I'll opt to leave most opportunities wasted
And nothing trivial
That life could give me will
Measure up to what might have replaced it
To late look
My date book
Is packed full of days
That were empty and now gone
And I bet
That regret
Will prove to get me to improve in the long run
Sometimes I think that
I'm not any good at all
Sometimes I wonder why
I'm even here at all
But then you assure me
I'm a little more than useless and
When I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once
I'm a little more than useless
And I never knew I knew this
Was gonna the day
Gonna be the day
That I will do something right
Do something right for once
I noticed
I know this
Week is a symbol of how I use my time
Resent it
I spent it
Convincing myself
The worlds doing just fine
Without me
Doing anything of any consequence
Without me
Showing any sign of ever making sense
Of my time
Its my life
And my right to use it like I should
Like he would
For the good
Of everything that I would ever know
I'm a little more than useless and
When I think that I can't do this
You promise me that I'll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once
I'm a little more than useless
And I never knew I knew this
Was gonna the day
Gonna be the day
That I will do something right
Do something right for once
Source: LyricFind
@abelj5145
Thanks for being alive, you're loved more than you could ever know. Jesus never leaves you, you're precious.
Jesus already bled out for you, so yo dont have to. You're worth it
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
@TheCaffeinator
this song hit me hard (currently discovering Relient k and they're a great band)
as a follower of Christ I'm called to share the gospel, and this is something God has been working on in me recently.
I've been attending an online youth leadership camp called super summer, renamed to super Sunday for quarantine. Yesterday's lesson was how followers of christ, kingdom leaders, need to share the gospel. It is our responsibility.
in our small group discussion, one of the questions was "do we treat sharing the gospel as a responsibility or recommendation."
I have been treating it like a recommendation. I've felt the holy spirit telling me this for months now, and this song is just another pointer in this direction that I need to change what i'm doing.
"I know this
Week is a symbol of how I use my time
Resent it
I spent it
Convincing myself
The worlds doing just fine
Without me
Doing anything of any consequence
Without me
Showing any sign of ever making sense
Of my time
Its my life
And my right to use it like I should
Like he would
For the good
Of everything that I would ever know"
these lyrics in specific spoke to me about this. I have spent my whole life as a follower of christ convincing myself I don't need to share the gospel, even though I know it's a responsibility. But as the lyrics continue, I should use my life like He would for the good of everything I would ever know. So basically I shouldn't be hiding, a closet Christian, I should be sharing the gospel.
Well, that's what I took out of this song 4 years late.
@willopez4872
I don't want to give up, I don't want to commit suicide, I just really want to be useful and be someone other than what I am now. Coming to this song daily looking for something and until today I took the time to read the comments and I want to thank you because you overcame what I'm fighting against to. <3
@kend5923
I pray to Jesus you are still with us, brother. Things can change and they will change. I've gone through a long dark night of the soul, wishing each day to just be wiped from the face of the Earth, but God never granted me that wish. Instead of answering that prayer, He's challenged me to embrace change, to embrace every new difficulty as a chance to grow and once I let go & just trusted that process, things are looking up. You are more than a conqueror, brother. Don't give up. It can get better. Fight for that hope, you deserve it and you'll find yourself being useful not only to others but to you and God, bro. I love you, man. Don't give in.
@jaejohnson4631
It just takes time. Keep going knowing you'll come out of it because we all do and did, even if you can't see how it will happen right now.
@pattyE91
How are you feeling today? I pray God’s presence is close to you everyday ❤
@Proverbs-_
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God works everything for the good for those who love him. Never give up. God has a plan for you! Stay upright and keep moving forward ❤
@doyoueatrocks
Don’t let yourself believe those dark thoughts bro.. I am glad you don’t give up, resist at every turn, you will get through this, it felt like eternity for me, but the reward for breaking through is worth it. Dismiss those thoughts as quick as they come, distract yourself with something you enjoy that brings you peace and keep showing up to a good church that preaches the Bible. GOD blessed us with you, so stick around
@Wonder_Warrior03
Someone who dealt with mental illness and suicide thoughts I can really relate to this. Relient K helped me so much to overcome my demons. ❤
@Pxer0
Inspiring
@abelj5145
Thanks for being alive, you're worth it. You're never alone Jesus loves you unconditionally. You're loved more than you'll ever know.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
@JVNdoen
You're beautiful Marie!!