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.
When I Go Down
Relient K Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It hurts so much to think of this
So from my thoughts I will exclude
The very thing that
I hate more than everything is
The way I'm powerless
To dictate my own moods
So many things that could've been much more
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works
When I go down
I go down hard
And I take everything I've learned
And teach myself some disregard
When I go down
It hurts to hit the bottom
And of the things that got me there
I think, if only I had fought them
If and when I can
Clear myself of this clouded mind
I'll watch myself settle down
Into a place where
Peace can search me out and find
That I'm so ready to be found
I've thrown away
The hope I had in friendships
I've thrown away
So many things that could have been much more
I've thrown away
The secret to find an end to this
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works
Any control I thought I had just slips right through my hands
While my ever-present conscience shakes its head and reprimands me
Reprimands me
Then and there
I confess
I'll blame all this on my selfishness
Yet you love me
And that consumes me
And I'll stand up again
And do so willingly
You give me hope, and hope it gives me life
You touch my heavy heart, and when you do you make it light
As I exhale I hear your voice
And I answer you, though I hardly make a noise
And from my lips the words I choose to say
Seem pathetic, but it's fallen man's praise
Because I love you
Oh God, I love you
And life is now worth living
If only because of you
And when they say that I'm dead and gone
It won't be further from the truth
When I go down
I lift my eyes to you
I won't look very far
Cause you'll be there
With open arms
To lift me up again
To lift me up again
The song "When I Go Down" by Relient K speaks about the feeling of powerlessness and the struggle to control one's own mood. The lyrics depict the fear of facing one's own problems, the regret of missed opportunities, and the difficulty of moving forward from those mistakes. The singer shares their struggle to acknowledge and confront their problems instead of simply ignoring them in the hope that they will eventually go away. They express that they feel guilty about their selfishness and accept the consequences of their actions. However, the song's uplifting message stems from the hope that God's love can redeem them and provide hope for a better future. It's a reminder that even in the darkest moments when we feel trapped, we can always find a way to rise again and find a sense of peace.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll tell you flat out
I'm going to say it straight
It hurts so much to think of this
This is painful to think about
So from my thoughts I will exclude
I will push this out of my mind
The very thing that
The thing that
I hate more than everything is
I hate this more than anything
The way I'm powerless
I don't have control
To dictate my own moods
I can't control my emotions
I've thrown away
I got rid of
So many things that could've been much more
Opportunities that had potential
And I just pray
I hope
My problems go away if they're ignored
If I don't think about them, maybe they'll disappear
But that's not the way it works
But that's not reality
When I go down
When I hit rock bottom
I go down hard
It's a tough fall
And I take everything I've learned
I learn from my mistakes
And teach myself some disregard
I become indifferent
It hurts to hit the bottom
Reaching the lowest point is painful
And of the things that got me there
The things that contributed to my downfall
I think, if only I had fought them
I wish I had resisted my problems
If and when I can
When the time comes
Clear myself of this clouded mind
Get rid of my foggy thoughts
I'll watch myself settle down
I'll calm down
Into a place where
In a state of mind where
Peace can search me out and find
I can find inner peace
That I'm so ready to be found
I'm open to finding peace
The hope I had in friendships
My expectations for friendship
The secret to find an end to this
How to find a solution
Any control I thought I had just slips right through my hands
I have no control over what's happening
While my ever-present conscience shakes its head and reprimands me
My inner voice tells me I'm wrong
Then and there
In that moment
I confess
I admit
I'll blame all this on my selfishness
I'll take responsibility for my mistakes
Yet you love me
But you still love me
And that consumes me
Your love overwhelms me
And I'll stand up again
I'll get back up
And do so willingly
I'll do it with a positive attitude
You give me hope, and hope it gives me life
Your love gives me motivation to keep going
You touch my heavy heart, and when you do you make it light
Your love makes me feel better
As I exhale I hear your voice
I hear your encouragement
And I answer you, though I hardly make a noise
I respond to your encouragement, but it's barely audible
And from my lips the words I choose to say
The words I speak
Seem pathetic, but it's fallen man's praise
They may not be grand, but it's what I can offer
Because I love you
Because I care for you deeply
Oh God, I love you
I love you, God
And life is now worth living
Life is meaningful now
If only because of you
Because of the love you give me
And when they say that I'm dead and gone
When I'm no longer alive
It won't be further from the truth
It'll be accurate
I lift my eyes to you
I look to you for guidance
I won't look very far
I don't need to search hard for you
Cause you'll be there
Because I know you'll always be there
With open arms
Ready to help me
To lift me up again
To help me get back on my feet
To lift me up again
To help me overcome challenges again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW THIESSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chellev1860
I'll tell you flat out
It hurts so much to think of this
So from my thoughts I will exclude
The very thing that
I hate more than everything is
The way I'm powerless
To dictate my own moods
I've thrown away
So many things that could've been much more
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works
When I go down
I go down hard
And I take everything I've learned
And teach myself some disregard
When I go down
It hurts to hit the bottom
And of the things that got me there
I think, if only I had fought them
If and when I can
Clear myself of this clouded mind
I'll watch myself settle down
Into a place where
Peace can search me out and find
That I'm so ready to be found
I've thrown away
The hope I had in friendships
I've thrown away
So many things that could have been much more
I've thrown away
The secret to find an end to this
And I just pray
My problems go away if they're ignored
But that's not the way it works
No that's not the way it works
Any control I thought I had just slips right through my hands
While my ever-present conscience shakes its head and reprimands me
Reprimands me
Then and there
I confess
I'll blame all this on my selfishness
Yet you love me
And that consumes me
And I'll stand up again
And do so willingly
You give me hope, and hope it gives me life
You touch my heavy heart, and when you do you make it light
As I exhale I hear your voice
And I answer you, though I hardly make a noise
And from my lips the words I choose to say
Seem pathetic, but it's fallen man's praise
Because I love you
Oh God, I love you
And life is now worth living
If only because of you
And when they say that I'm dead and gone
It won't be further from the truth
When I go down
I lift my eyes to you
I won't look very far
Cause you'll be there
With open arms
To lift me up again
To lift me up again
@dacokc
@dfgdfb sdfvv well, I hope you are able to overcome any social anxiety.
my dad went to prison when I was in 5th grade and didn’t get out till I was a junior or senior in high school. I kept social interaction to a surface level during school. I was terrified that anyone would get to know me deeper and find out my dad was in prison. kids would bully/tease over less so I thought it was best keep anything personal to myself.
when I got older I came to accept that most people I consider friends won’t judge be based on something a parent did. was freeing to feel like I didn’t have to hide anymore. opened up a new chapter in my life.
just remember that you are not your parents. their mistakes are no reflection on you. it sounds like they attempted to do the best for you but as you can see adults aren’t perfect and make mistakes.
sometimes the adults in your life are an example of how to live your life. other times adults are an example of how not to live your life.
good luck!
- David
@miikebermudez5389
2020 and I'm still listening to this piece of art. Anyone else?
@pixelperfectphoto3457
Same
@promisejrhodes
Here. ✋🏼🤟🏼
@dustinvanwinkle5078
Always
@biacorrea398
👍🏽
@eelijjahh
Forever
@peckerheadpete
I'm not even Christian, but this song is just so beautiful, and truly a masterpiece.
@allthatstuff3559
Yet😁
@tonyward5280
@AllThatStuff Just appreciate that people are listening.
@civilfps8605
This song brings back so many many memories of my childhood. Growing up my pastor from my church I went to at 7 years old gave me Relient K's first ever CD as a prize for winning a contest they held for bringing the most friends to church. I instantly fell in love with them. I remember my Dad taking me to a concert where Toby Mac, and Relient K were both there. It truly was an experience. I miss being young. I'm only 25, but time has gone by so fast, and this song makes me reminisce on those times and miss them deeply.