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.
The Ballad of Tim Eddings
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it was all just a dream
Baby, Rhapso
Ho
I'm the confused neck with the keep getting restless
Eating 20 lbs of 'basgetti for breakfast
Still showing up on your 10 best dressed list
Duct tape wrapped around my feet
Held hostage before the big track meet
14 feet from 18 street
I know for a fact that you think I'm neat
Yo, you stick around like a fly on the wall
With surround sound you found that you hear it all
When it all comes through I hear you say so dude
"I never thought money really mattered to you"
When all the king's horses and all the king's men
Took all the king's credit and they started to spend
It all on the worthlessness a tragedy went
You're moving in with your aunty and uncle in Bel Aire
Ladies and gentlemen, the worst freestyle rapper ever
Um, uh, uh give me a second uh shoot
Um, uh right here we go
Apples are green
And carrots are orange
And then they go and then you go
What nothing what oh what rhymes with orange?
Oh, geez, I really am bad
Just gimme, gimme a second
No man, you're done
Whose that wearing those silly shoes?
We are wearing those silly shoes
Well, I really hate those silly shoes
Well, we really like those silly shoes
Please stop wearing silly shoes
We won't stop wearing those silly shoes
They're just shoes, man
Well, I've learned to respect your silly shoes
The respect for you is so that we won't lose
Can I try on a pair of your silly shoes?
Man, quit talking about those silly shoes
You say I'm boring, but I say hardly
Well, let's get together and have a pizza party
Pizza party
Pepperoni
And it was all just a dream
Forever
Snakes
"The Ballad of Tim Eddings" is a whimsical song that takes the listeners on a lyrical journey of randomness. At its core, the song is a freestyle rap with off-beat lyrics and an erratic rhythm that adds to its charm. The first few lines are a disjointed series of phrases that lack any clear meaning or connection. Then, the rapping continues with a series of rhyming words and phrases that touch on a variety of topics ranging from duct tape, hostage situations, and strange shoes to pizza parties and dreams.
However, amidst all the randomness, there are a few pearls of wisdom hidden in the lyrics. For instance, the lines "When all the king's horses and all the king's men / Took all the king's credit and started to spend / It all on the worthlessness a tragedy went / You're moving in with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Aire" is a nod to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme music. The song also pokes fun at the traditional conventions of rap and hip-hop by having a terrible freestyle rapper as its protagonist.
Overall, "The Ballad of Tim Eddings" is a song that shouldn't be taken too seriously. Its disjointed and bizarre lyrics are meant to be fun and lighthearted, and the song's off-beat rhythm only adds to its quirkiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Pepperoni
Introducing a random word with no context
And it was all just a dream
Everything that follows is a dream sequence
Baby, Rhapso
Introducing a random phrase with no context
Ho
Introducing an exclamation with no context
I'm the confused neck with the keep getting restless
Feeling lost and restless despite having achieved success and recognition
Eating 20 lbs of 'basgetti for breakfast
Exaggerating and boasting about one's eating habits
Still showing up on your 10 best dressed list
Despite one's confusion and restlessness, they still maintain a certain level of appearance and reputation
I told you my name is M.C. defenseless
Acknowledging one's lack of skill or aptitude in a certain area
Duct tape wrapped around my feet
Feeling trapped or confined
Held hostage before the big track meet
Feeling pressured or stressed by an upcoming event
14 feet from 18 street
Providing a specific, irrelevant detail for no apparent reason
I know for a fact that you think I'm neat
Assuming someone's opinion of oneself without actual evidence
Yo, you stick around like a fly on the wall
Addressing someone who is constantly present or observing
With surround sound you found that you hear it all
Realizing that someone is aware of all the details or information
When it all comes through I hear you say so dude
Anticipating someone's response or reaction
"I never thought money really mattered to you"
Commenting on someone's priorities or values
When all the king's horses and all the king's men
Referring to a famous nursery rhyme
Took all the king's credit and they started to spend
Describing a situation where someone abuses their power or resources
It all on the worthlessness a tragedy went
The consequences of the aforementioned abuse or misuse of resources
You're moving in with your aunty and uncle in Bel Aire
Making a reference to the TV show "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
Ladies and gentlemen, the worst freestyle rapper ever
Introducing a new speaker or setting
Um, uh, uh give me a second uh shoot
Stalling for time or struggling to find words
Um, uh right here we go
Continuing to struggle and stall
Apples are green
Making nonsensical statements that don't rhyme or make sense
And carrots are orange
Continuing with nonsensical statements
And then they go and then you go
Confusing and vague transition
What nothing what oh what rhymes with orange?
Acknowledging the lack of rhyme available for the word "orange"
Oh, geez, I really am bad
Realizing and admitting one's lack of skill
Just gimme, gimme a second
Stalling for time or trying to regroup
No man, you're done
Being completely shut down or rejected
Whose that wearing those silly shoes?
Asking about someone's fashion choice or preference
We are wearing those silly shoes
Asserting one's preference and pride for the aforementioned fashion choice
Well, I really hate those silly shoes
Expressing dislike or disdain for the aforementioned fashion choice
Well, we really like those silly shoes
Maintaining pride and assertiveness in response to the previous statement
Please stop wearing silly shoes
Requesting that someone change or stop their fashion choice
We won't stop wearing those silly shoes
Standing by one's preference and choice despite criticism
They're just shoes, man
Reducing the importance of the issue
Well, I've learned to respect your silly shoes
Acknowledging the other person's preference even if one doesn't share it
The respect for you is so that we won't lose
Implying that respecting others is beneficial for all parties involved
Can I try on a pair of your silly shoes?
Interested in trying out the other person's fashion choice
Man, quit talking about those silly shoes
Denying further discussion about the fashion choice
You say I'm boring, but I say hardly
Rebutting someone's criticism of oneself
Well, let's get together and have a pizza party
Suggesting a fun activity to do together despite disagreements
Pizza party
Repeating the suggested activity
Pepperoni
Referencing a pizza topping
Forever
Indicating the dream sequence is ending
Snakes
Introducing a random word with no context
Contributed by Luke K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
collapsible_lung
where do you find this?
Clinton Wilcox
It's the hidden track after Less is More on the Gold edition. They swapped out Skittles and Combos for it.
Patrick Stanley
There are obviously four lines of lyrics going on here. "At the end of day" is first, then "Amen." But I haven't a clue what the other lyrics are saying. If anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate it.
~PS
Ryan Cole
"at the end of the day"
"hey, man..."
"...we're kinda busy writtin' here"
that's all I got