Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt T… Read Full Bio ↴Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Brian Pittman (bass), and Matthew Hoopes (guitar, backing vocals), during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone College. The band is named after guitarist Hoopes' automobile, a Plymouth Reliant K car, with the spelling intentionally altered to avoid trademark infringement over the Reliant name.

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.

Surf Wax America
Relient K Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The sea is foamin' like a bottle of beer
The wave is comin' but I ain't got no fear
I'm waxin' down so that I'll go real fast
I'm waxin' down because it's really a blast

I'm goin' surfin' 'cause I don't like your face
I'm bailin' out because I hate the race
Of rats that run round and round in a maze

I'm goin' surfin', I'm goin' surfin'

You take your car to work, I'll take my board
And when you're out of fuel I'm still afloat

My buddies and their honeys, all come along
They seem invincible as they surf along
The sea is rollin' like a thousand pound keg
I'm goin' surfin', I'm goin' surfin'

You take your car to work, I'll take my board
And when you're out of fuel I'm still afloat

All along the undertow is strengthening its hold
I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home

You take your car to work, I'll take my board
And when you're out of fuel I'm still afloat

(You take your car to work, I'll take my board)
All along the undertow is strengthening its hold
(And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat)
I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home

(You take your car to work, I'll take my board)
All along the undertow is strengthening its hold
(And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat)
I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home

(You take your car to work, I'll take my board)
All along the undertow is strengthening its hold
(And when you're out of fuel, I'm still afloat)
I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home

You take your car, I'll take my board
You take your car, I'll take my board, let's go

Overall Meaning

The song, "Surf Wax America," by Relient K is about a group of friends who enjoy surfing and are clearly passionate about it. The first stanza talks about the anticipation and excitement of riding a wave. The singer says that the sea is foaming like a bottle of beer and that a wave is coming, but they do not fear it. The second line reveals that the singer is waxing down their board to go faster because it is really fun. The following stanza gives the main reason why they go surfing, they do not like the people around them or the race of society. The singer bails out, on purpose, because they hate the rats that run around in a maze. The chorus of the song simply repeats the line “I’m going surfing.”

In the next section of the song, the singer dismisses the idea of taking a car to work because they would rather take their board. They then mention how their buddies and their significant others come along to surf with them. The ocean is then described as rolling like a thousand-pound keg. The chorus is repeated again with a similar line, “you take your car to work, I’ll take my board.” The undertow is then mentioned, where it seems to be trapping the singer in the ocean, preventing them from going back home. The final lines repeat the chorus, “you take your car, I’ll take my board.” The song seems to be describing the love for surfing and the desire to get away from societal pressures.

Line by Line Meaning

The sea is foamin' like a bottle of beer
The waves are churning and frothy, resembling a foaming bottle of beer

The wave is comin' but I ain't got no fear
Despite the oncoming wave, the singer remains unafraid and undeterred

I'm waxin' down so that I'll go real fast
The singer is applying wax to their surfboard to increase speed while riding the waves

I'm waxin' down because it's really a blast
Applying wax to the surfboard is an enjoyable experience for the artist

I'm goin' surfin' 'cause I don't like your face
The artist is choosing to surf instead of spend time with someone they dislike

I'm bailin' out because I hate the race
The singer is abandoning a difficult and unenjoyable situation or competition

Of rats that run round and round in a maze
The 'race' referred to earlier involves people who are stuck in mundane, repetitive routines

My buddies and their honeys, all come along
The artist's friends and their significant others are joining them on this surfing adventure

They seem invincible as they surf along
The artist's friends appear strong and unbeatable while surfing

The sea is rollin' like a thousand pound keg
The waves are powerful and overwhelming, like a giant barrel of beer

You take your car to work, I'll take my board
The singer prefers surfing as a mode of transportation, while others rely on cars

And when you're out of fuel I'm still afloat
While cars require fuel to run, the artist can continue surfing without such limitations

All along the undertow is strengthening its hold
The undertow, or the current below the surface of the water, is becoming stronger and more dangerous

I never thought it'd come to this, now I can never go home
The singer did not anticipate the increasing danger of the undertow and is now stuck in a risky situation with no easy way out

Contributed by Emily E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS