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.
Up & Up
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is not quite what it could've been
As were most of all the days before
But I swear today
With every breath I'm breathing in
I'll be trying to make it so much more
Cause it seems I get so hung up on
And the hope of a new day
Is sometimes hard to see (what you see)
And though I'm finally catching onto it
And now the past is just a conduit
And the light there at the end is
Where I'll be
[Chorus]
Cause I'm on the up and up
I'm on the up and up
And I haven't given up
Given up on what
I know I'm capable of
And I'm on the up and up
I'm on the up and up
Yeah there's nothing left to prove
Cause I'm just trying to be
A better version of me
For you
A better version of me
For you
To be prosperous
Would not require much of me
You see contentment is the one thing
It entails
To be content with where I am
And getting where I need to be
I'm moving past the past
Where I have failed
But I'm finally catching onto it
And now the past is just a conduit
Right there at the end
Is where I'll be
Oh
[Chorus]
You never cease
To supply me with
What I need
For a good life
So when I'm down
I'll hold my head up high
Cause you're the reason why
[Chorus]
The lyrics of āUp & Upā by Relient K are an inspiring and motivational message about moving on from oneās past and striving to become a better version of oneself. The lead singer, Matt Thiessen, sings about having a new perspective on life, recognizing that yesterday is not what could have been, but today is an opportunity to make things better. He reflects on how he previously struggled with being too focused on the history of what had gone wrong and sometimes found it hard to see the hope of a new day. However, heās finally catching onto it, and now the past is just a conduit to move forward. With every breath he takes, he promises to try to make today so much more.
Furthermore, Thiessen understands that being prosperous does not require as much of him as he may have previously thought. Instead, contentment is the one thing that it entails. He aims to focus on being happy where he is and getting where he needs to be. He recognizes that moving past the past where he has failed is the key to being content. Moreover, he acknowledges that with Godās constant supply of what he needs for a good life, heāll hold his head up high when he's down because God is the reason why.
In summary, āUp & Upā is a hopeful message that encourages listeners to let go of the past, focus on the present, and strive for a better future. It is a reminder that progress is possible, and with every breath, one has the power to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday
The past, including yesterday, was not the best it could have been.
Is not quite what it could've been
The past could have been better.
As were most of all the days before
Most days before yesterday were not the best they could have been.
But I swear today
Today, I make a promise.
With every breath, I'm breathing in
I am fully committed and determined to make a difference.
I'll be trying to make it so much more
I am determined to make today better than any of the previous days.
Cause it seems I get so hung up on
I am consumed by my mistakes and shortcomings from the past.
The history of what's gone wrong
I am focused on my history of failures instead of what I can do to succeed.
And the hope of a new day
I hope that each new day will be better than the last.
Is sometimes hard to see (what you see)
It's not always easy to stay positive and focus on the good things in life.
And though I'm finally catching onto it
I am starting to understand what really matters in life.
And now the past is just a conduit
The past is just a means to an end, and not something to dwell on.
And the light there at the end is
Hope and success are just around the corner.
Where I'll be
That is what I am striving for.
Cause I'm on the up and up
I am on a path of progress and success.
And I haven't given up
I am still trying and working hard.
Given up on what
I have not given up on achieving my goals and being successful.
I know I'm capable of
I know I have the potential to succeed.
Yeah there's nothing left to prove
I am not trying to prove anything to anyone else.
Cause I'm just trying to be
I am simply trying to become the best version of myself.
A better version of me
I want to improve and become a better person.
For you
I am doing this for someone special in my life.
To be prosperous
Being successful and having a good life.
Would not require much of me
It wouldn't take much for me to have a good life.
You see contentment is the one thing
Being happy and satisfied with what I have is the most important thing.
It entails
That is what it means to be prosperous.
To be content with where I am
Being happy and satisfied with my current situation in life.
And getting where I need to be
Working hard and striving to achieve my goals.
I'm moving past the past
I am focusing on the present and future, and leaving the past behind.
Where I have failed
Where I have made mistakes in the past.
You never cease
You never stop providing for me.
To supply me with
To give me what I need.
What I need
What is necessary for me to have a good life.
For a good life
To live a happy and successful life.
So when I'm down
When I am feeling down or defeated.
I'll hold my head up high
I will remain positive and confident.
Cause you're the reason why
Because you are the reason for my success and happiness.
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sportsygirl8
I heard this song a month ago in a store and as I walked in I said to myself "Is this Relient K?" and the more I listened I knew it was IN FACT RELIENT K!!!! I started head bobbing and singing along and then the next song that was playing in the store was I think Hello Seattle by Owl City and then then Francesca Battistelli, so the owners must be Christians because this is a Christian song, Hello Seattle, not so much, but Adam Young is a Christian and there's no doubt that Francesca Battistelli is a Christian artist.
sportsygirl8
Yes, exactly!!! That is the coolest feeling is that Christian bond and through music too! That is basically how I became a Christian was through music, I was playing a video game Called MX Unleashed and they had College Kids by Relient K on there and I loved it, of course at the time never knew the band was Christian and also at the time I wasn't a Christian, but was raised in a Christian home and even went to Christian school till 5th grade and went to public after that, and middle school was rough, but hearing that song and then Relient K's other songs which lead to me listening to bands like Hawk Nelson, Skillet, Stellar Kart and realized wow!!! Christian music isn't all that bad as I thought, because I never knew of the multi-genres that Christian music brings, I always though hymns, gospel...etc. not my pace music, till I found out for myself and then I had met some people that talked about Creation festival and I was so impressed with it and they invited me to come with them the following year and while thinking about it, it sounded like an amazing time, but I didn't feel like I would have been worthy enough to so since I wasn't right with God and I went to this one youth event a week later and that's when I accepted Christ and I haven't looked back since, in fact those people that invited me became a second family to me, we live about 50 or so miles apart, but we manage to see each other in the winter by skiing a few times through the season. It's quite a blessing how things all fit into place like that! I've also been going to Creation festival every year since 2009, even though 2015 I only went up for a day, but still it counts. I'm so sorry for the rambling, your comment just sparked a memory of a wonderful summer of 2008!
Jezreel Pincaro
happened to me too, at Hobbes and Landes, a hobby store from where I live. Cool feeling, like an invisible Christian bond thru music. :D and you just feel warm inside. :D
sportsygirl8
@roanna ponifasio That's cool. When there's good music playing someplace, you just don't want to leave.
Ro P.
+sportsygirl8 that is so me at every store š
sportsygirl8
@roanna ponifasio It really was!!! I wasn't a big fan of the merch in that store, but I sure as heck didn't want to leave because of all the great songs.
Coyote Long
Such an underrated band...
ćć¼ćć¹
Couldn't agree more.
August stamatellos
For real
The Great Explorer
why doesn't this have comments? this is like the best song of the album!