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.
SAHARA
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowing of thirst is how I've died
Choke on my tongue
Lying on the night
Beneath the dunes is where I lie block the sun
Trying to ignite
To overcome
This feeling of desertion
Can't be worse then having any words
So I'll ask one thing, just one thing
Of you, don't turn me loose even when I turn my back
The Lion on his side,
Was it the lying or his pride which brought him down
Once the king of beast but now they feast
On the thoughts beneath his faking crown.
Trying to decide was it the lying or the pride which brought him down.
To be alone to be de-crowned believe me I know all about it now
So I'll ask one thing, just one thing
Of you
Don't ever turn me loose, even when I turn my back
I never told you then that I'd be easy to love
Supposedly I'm a man but I feel like a CUB
I wondered if the planes flying farther away
Not ever knowing I would never come back the same
As my lungs gave way, I swear I felt something burst,
It's been 13 days and I'm dying of thirst.
For the birds who prey I pray that someone else will get here first.
If I'm not alone, I'll be alright
Just take these bones and bring them back to life.
So I'll ask one thing, just one thing
Of you
Don't ever turn me loose,
So I'll ask one thing, Just one thing,
Of you,
Don't ever turn me loose
Don't ever turn me loose
Don't ever turn me loose
Even when I turn my back
The lyrics of Relient K's song Sahara paint a picture of someone stranded in the desert, dying of thirst and trying to find the motivation to keep going. The first verse describes the physical symptoms of dehydration - lying on one's side, choking on one's tongue, and feeling the intensity of the sun's rays. The person is trying to find a reason to keep going, some internal passion that will help them overcome the feeling of desertion that comes with being alone and stranded.
The second verse invokes the image of a lion, once the king of beasts, now lying on his side and de-crowned. The songwriter wonders whether it was the lion's lying or his pride that led to his downfall, and recognizes that being alone and de-crowned is a feeling he knows all too well. The chorus is a plea for companionship and support - even when he turns his back on the person listening, he asks that they don't turn him loose. He acknowledges that he may not be easy to love, but he doesn't want to be left alone in the desert.
The final verse is the most poignant, as the songwriter describes feeling his lungs give way and knowing he is dying of thirst. He prays that someone else will reach him before the birds do, and that if he isn't alone, he'll be alright. The repeated pleas to not be turned loose are reinforced in the final lines, as the songwriter acknowledges that even when he turns his back, he still needs someone to hold onto him.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying on my side
Helpless and overwhelmed, feeling stuck in a specific situation.
Knowing of thirst is how I've died
Feeling depleted and desperate, understanding that one's destructive behavior has consequences.
Choke on my tongue
Feeling suffocated and unable to speak, struggling to express oneself.
Lying on the night
Feeling isolated and alone, left to face one's fears without support.
Beneath the dunes is where I lie block the sun
Hiding from the truth and reality, refusing to confront the harshness of life.
Trying to ignite
Attempting to rekindle passion and enthusiasm, hoping to overcome one's temporary downfall.
Some sort of passion from inside
Trying to find inspiration and motivation within oneself, not looking for external validation.
To overcome
To rise above the current circumstances, to reach a solution that is beneficial for oneself.
This feeling of desertion
Feeling abandoned and betrayed by those who were once supportive.
Can't be worse then having any words
Preferring not to say anything at all, as the wrong words can make the situation worse.
So I'll ask one thing, just one thing
Making a simple request, pleading for someone's help and support.
Of you, don't turn me loose even when I turn my back
Asking for unconditional love and commitment, even in times of emotional turbulence and instability.
The Lion on his side,
Drawing parallels to the story of a lion, who lost his power and position.
Was it the lying or his pride which brought him down
Questioning the reasons for the lion's downfall, whether it was his dishonesty or his arrogance.
Once the king of beast but now they feast
Reflecting on the irony of the situation, where one who was once powerful is now helpless.
On the thoughts beneath his faking crown.
Acknowledging the pressure and expectations that come with being in a leadership position.
Trying to decide was it the lying or the pride which brought him down.
Contemplating the reasons for one's own failure, trying to understand how to prevent it from happening again.
To be alone to be de-crowned believe me I know all about it now
Realizing the ramifications of one's actions, and the resulting isolation and pain.
I never told you then that I'd be easy to love
Admitting one's own faults and shortcomings, recognizing that it can be difficult to love and support oneself.
Supposedly I'm a man but I feel like a CUB
Feeling small and insignificant, despite society's expectations of strength and masculinity.
I wondered if the planes flying farther away
Reflecting on the transient nature of life, questioning whether there is a bigger picture or purpose to one's existence.
Not ever knowing I would never come back the same
Acknowledging that experiences can leave a lasting impact, and that one can never truly go back to who they were before.
As my lungs gave way, I swear I felt something burst,
Succumbing to the physical and emotional stress, feeling the weight of the pain and struggle.
It's been 13 days and I'm dying of thirst.
Expressing desperation and dire need, feeling like survival is just out of reach.
For the birds who prey I pray that someone else will get here first.
Expressing concern for others who are also struggling, hoping that someone else will be able to help before it's too late.
If I'm not alone, I'll be alright
Finding solace in the presence of others, recognizing the power of companionship and support.
Just take these bones and bring them back to life.
Begging for resurrection and renewal, hoping to come back from the brink of death.
So I'll ask one thing, Just one thing,
Reiterating the importance of the request, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Don't ever turn me loose,
Pleading for loyalty and commitment, asking for someone to stay by one's side.
Don't ever turn me loose
Repeating the importance of the request, hoping for absolute dedication and devotion.
Don't ever turn me loose
Emphasizing the severity of the situation, fearing abandonment and rejection.
Even when I turn my back
Reassuring that no matter what happens, one is deserving of support and love.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luvaddictXO
SO many good featured vocalists in this song... Tim Skipper (House of Heroes), Matt MacDonald (The Classic Crime), and Aaron Gillespie (The Almost). So good! I love how their voices sound all together when they sing "So I'll ask, one thing..."
@animedork27
Matt wrote this in a cabin when he and his fiance broke up b/c he cheated on her. the whole album was about her and it tells the story of his progression during his stay at the cabin, this song shows the pain and anger at himself and how he's blessed that God stays with him no matter how bad he messes up and how he wishes she would stay with him, he knows he messed up and feels miserable about it, really great song
@spidertroy4
The fact that this has only 36 thousand views pisses me off. This is better than almost every band out there.
@wordpainter423
Oh Relient K.. as time passes you only get better and better. -fan since the first CD.. (love love love)
@RebekahxLynn
This is really one of those songs that makes you say, "Uhg. This is so good" and listen to it for hours :p
@SoulLemonful
I love Relient K! I've been with them since the very beginning and they just get better and better. :)
@MMDAMV
My interpretation of this song is that it's about a man who is really down on his luck-he's lost everything. When he sings, "Don't ever turn me loose, even when I turn my back", It's as if he's praying to God, lEven if I lose faith in you, don't lose faith in me". I know Relient K does sing some Christian songs, and this meaning just makes the most sense to me.
@MrTalkingCorn
Or it is about someone you loved and they betrayed you
@geographymathmaster
For Relient K songs youtube should have a love button.
@tfkfan4life1
One of my favorite relient k songs definitely