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 Distance
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags go up.
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank,
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank.
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns.
Their prowess is potent and secretly stern.
The fans get up and they get out of town.
The arena is empty except for one man,
Still driving and striving as fast as he can.
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
And long ago somebody left with the cup.
But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns.
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.
He's going the distance.
He's going for speed.
She's all alone
All alone in her time of need.
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse,
He's going the distance.
No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine,
He's haunted by something he cannot define.
Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse,
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force.
In his mind, he's still driving, still making the grade.
She's hoping in time that her memories will fade.
Cause he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
And long ago somebody left with the cup.
But he's striving and driving and hugging the turns.
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.
Cause he's going the distance.
He's going for speed.
She's all alone
All alone in her time of need.
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
He's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
He's going the distance.
He's going for speed.
He's going the distance.
"The Distance" by Relient K tells the story of a race car driver who is determined to win the cup at all costs, even if it means pushing himself and his vehicle to their limits. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the driver is not just racing for the trophy - he is trying to prove something to himself.
The first verse sets the scene of the race track and the excitement of the competition. The driver's car is running on empty, but he is determined to keep going. The second verse reveals that the driver is haunted by something he cannot define, and he is hoping to outrun his doubts and fears. Throughout the song, the driver's focus and determination are contrasted with the loneliness of the woman he left behind, who is hoping to forget about him over time.
The chorus repeats that the driver is "going the distance" and "going for speed," and that he is racing, pacing, plotting, fighting, and biting. These words all suggest a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the driver is struggling to prove something to himself or to others.
Overall, "The Distance" is a song about perseverance, determination, and the struggle to overcome one's inner demons. It paints a vivid picture of a race car driver pushing himself to the limit, and is filled with powerful metaphors that convey the intensity of his emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Nervously waiting at the beginning of the race,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The sound of the cars running and heartbeats are in sync.
The green light flashes, the flags go up.
The start of the race is signaled by the green light and flags being raised.
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
Desperately striving with all their might to win the trophy.
They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank,
They skillfully move around and use their power to try and get ahead.
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank.
Consuming their resources rapidly despite having very little left.
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns.
Without regard for safety or caution, they speed through the curves.
Their prowess is potent and secretly stern.
Their skills and talent are impressive and intimidating, but not easily observable.
As they speed through the finish, the flags go down.
After crossing the finish line, the race is over.
The fans get up and they get out of town.
The audience quickly leaves the event after the race is over.
The arena is empty except for one man,
Everyone has left, except for the one racer who is still there.
Still driving and striving as fast as he can.
He continues to push himself to the limit, trying to improve and get better.
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
Time has passed, and it is now nighttime.
And long ago somebody left with the cup.
Someone else won the trophy a while ago and is no longer there.
But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns.
He is still racing and pushing himself, taking the curves tightly.
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns.
He is still in love with someone, obsessing over them in his mind.
He's going the distance.
He is willing to keep going and pushing himself to achieve his goals.
He's going for speed.
He is trying to move as fast as possible to win the race.
She's all alone
The person he loves is alone without him.
All alone in her time of need.
The person he loves is struggling and needs support.
Because he's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He is focused on the race and strategizing how to win.
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse,
He is competing fiercely and determinedly, not giving up.
No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine,
There are no rewards or celebration at the end of the race.
He's haunted by something he cannot define.
He is tormented by something he can't explain.
Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse,
He feels intense anxiety and regret in the pit of his stomach.
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force.
These feelings and challenges are very intense and overwhelming.
In his mind, he's still driving, still making the grade.
He is still focused on driving and trying to succeed.
She's hoping in time that her memories will fade.
The person he loves is trying to move on and forget about him.
He's striving and driving and hugging the turns.
He is still trying his best and taking the turns carefully.
Cause he's going the distance.
He is still determined to succeed, even if it is difficult.
He's going for speed.
He is still trying to move as fast as possible to win the race.
He's racing and pacing and plotting the course,
He is still strategizing and working hard to try and win.
He's fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
He is still fiercely competing and determined to succeed.
He's going the distance.
He is still willing to push himself to achieve his goals.
Writer(s): Gregory Brown
Contributed by London B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Kirk
I dig it. I got to see cake live in 1996. Great band
Marcio Fellipe
Great version! 🔥👏🏾
Asjo
Quarantine 2020 theme song
Alejandro Mitre
He's haunted by something he cannot define...
👹The Hateful Head👹
That one TV commercial sent me here 🤔
Randy's Racing Place
Me, too.
La la land
PGA tour
mrfld
PGA
earthtomikeg
This sLAPS