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.
Therapy
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to drive with only music and the clothes that I woke up in.
I never thought I'd need all this time alone.
It goes to show I had so much yet
I had need for nothing but you, but you.
This is just therapy.
On this life always transitioning.
This is just therapy 'cause you won't take my calls
And that makes God the only one who's left here listening to me.
Letting it all sink in,
It's good to feel a sting now and again.
I hope it's one less woeful thing there is to fight through.
Letting it all begin,
Fresh paper and a nice expensive pen.
The past cannot subtract a thing from what I might do for you,
Unless that's what I let it do.
This is just therapy.
Just call it what it is with a death grip
On this life always transitioning.
This is just therapy
'Cause you won't take my calls
And that makes God the only one who's left here listening.
Loneliness and solitude are two things
Not to get confused 'cause I spend my solitude with you.
Gather all the questions of the things I
just can't get straight and I answer them the way I guess you do.
'Cause this is my therapy,
'Cause you're the only one that's listening to me.
This is my therapy,
Just call it what it is and what we were
With a death grip on this life that's in transition.
This is my therapy
'Cause you won't hear me out
And that makes God the only one who's left here listening.
This is just therapy.
Just call it what it is
With a death grip on this life always transitioning.
This is just therapy
'Cause you won't take my calls
And that makes God the only one who's left here listening to me.
The lyrics to Relient K’s song “Therapy” reflect the struggle of feeling alone and relying solely on God for support. The singer expresses surprise at finding solace in solitude and driving aimlessly just to listen to music and contemplate life. The chorus of “this is just therapy” suggests that the singer needs this time alone to process his or her thoughts and emotions. Despite the singer’s attempts to reach out to someone who won’t take their calls, there is a recognition that God is the only one who can truly understand and listen wholeheartedly.
The verses further explore the idea of finding healing through writing and reflecting. The singer writes with an “expensive pen” as a symbol of a fresh start and a new perspective. There is a clear acknowledgement that the past cannot hinder the singer from moving forward in order to help the person the singer cares about. The second verse reveals that the singer spends their solitude with God and continues to seek guidance from above.
Relient K’s “Therapy” is a melancholic song that examines the need for self-reflection in order to find healing. Its lyrics are drenched in emotional depth and offer a glimpse into a moment of clarity for someone who is struggling to come to terms with an aspect of their life. The song is sympathetic to those who feel alone and displaced and offers comfort in the form of spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought I'd be driving through the country
I am surprised to be driving through the country aimlessly with only music and the clothes I woke up in.
I never thought I'd need all this time alone.
I originally thought I had everything I needed, including you, but now I realize that I need this time alone after all.
This is just therapy.
I am simply using this time alone as a therapeutic experience.
Just call it what it is with a death grip On this life always transitioning.
I am holding onto my life tightly as it goes through constant changes, and that's exactly what this experience is.
This is just therapy 'cause you won't take my calls And that makes God the only one who's left here listening to me.
I am using this time alone to express my thoughts and feelings since you won't answer my calls, leaving God as the only one to hear me out.
Letting it all sink in, It's good to feel a sting now and again.
I am letting everything that's happened sink in, including the painful moments, as they are necessary for growth and reflection.
I hope it's one less woeful thing there is to fight through.
I hope that by experiencing and processing this pain, it will be one less thing I have to struggle with in the future.
Letting it all begin, Fresh paper and a nice expensive pen.
I am starting fresh with a new mindset and a quality writing tool to document my journey and experiences.
The past cannot subtract a thing from what I might do for you, Unless that's what I let it do.
The past cannot stop me from doing good things for you, unless I allow it to consume and control me.
Loneliness and solitude are two things Not to get confused 'cause I spend my solitude with you.
Loneliness and solitude are different things. I am alone, but spiritually, I am with you during this time of solitude.
Gather all the questions of the things I just can't get straight and I answer them the way I guess you do.
I am pondering and answering the questions I cannot find clarity on by answering them the way I think you would.
'Cause this is my therapy, 'Cause you're the only one that's listening to me.
This experience is my therapy, and you are the only one who is currently present to hear me out.
Just call it what it is and what we were With a death grip on this life that's in transition.
I am accepting this experience for what it is, including the memories we shared together. Despite the changes, I am holding onto life tightly as it transitions.
This is my therapy 'Cause you won't hear me out And that makes God the only one who's left here listening.
I am using this experience as therapy because you won't listen to me, and God is the only one who will hear me out.
This is just therapy.
Overall, this experience is only therapy for me.
Just call it what it is With a death grip on this life always transitioning.
Let's be honest and call this experience exactly what it is - a therapeutic moment in this constantly changing life.
This is just therapy 'Cause you won't take my calls And that makes God the only one who's left here listening to me.
Since you won't answer my calls, I am using this time alone as therapeutic, and God is the only one who hears me out.
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind