Think back to the year 2004. How old were you? Were you aware of the band Relient K’s existence?

I was 11 years old and I had no idea who these guys were, even though I’ve had people tell me about how popular this band was in the early 2000s. Actually, I didn’t even discover this band until 2012.

It was through a "Harry Potter" fan fiction called “The Hogwarts Blog” (which I totally recommend to you fan fiction readers and writers out there). Relient K was considered highly respectable Muggle music in this fic. Because of this, I decided to look up their music and see what the big deal was about.

Their music completely blows my mind. I think there are many different meanings behind having your mind blown, and for me, Relient K blows me away with how incredible and carefree their sound is. As if their lyrics are not relatable enough, the vocals of the lead singer, Matt Theissen, have a way of putting you in his shoes and feeling what he felt as he sang those lyrics.

I love this band so much that I once tried to bribe a security guard into letting me into their sold out concert in New Orleans. (It didn’t work, so don’t try it.) It saddens me that I’d only discovered this band almost ten years after they were at the peak of their career. They are still going strong today, and have even released a new song entitled “Bummin’.” It’s just as awesome and chill as their old school music.

Here is a list of some of the best songs Relient K has ever written or had a hand in writing. This list is for the people out there like me who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing of this band as a child. This is also for the pre-teens and teens out there believing they were born in the wrong generation because they’ve fallen in love with the sweet sounds of the late 90s and early 2000s. You gon’ learn today!

1. "Sadie Hawkins Dance"

Album: "Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek" (2001)

This was the first song I ever heard by Relient K, and the first song of theirs mentioned in the “The Hogwarts Blog.” It’s so much fun and the fan-made videos on Youtube are the greatest. Boys, go grab your khaki pants, tell a funny joke, and wait for a girl who thinks you’re smooth and good with talking to ask you to the Sadie Hawkins.

2. "College Kids"

Album: "Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… But Three Do" (2003)

This is my favorite song to blast over and over again during finals week. College isn’t for everyone and this song lets you know that’s okay. You gotta do what you feel is right. Only one thing matters, and that’s learning how to live your life.

3. "In Love With the 80’s (Pink Tux to the Prom)"

Album: "Employee of the Month" (2002)

This song gives you all the nostalgia of the 80s, even if that decade was way before your time. It makes references to all the best pop culture of the 80s, including Tears for Fears and "The Breakfast Club." Can we go back to a simpler time when wearing a pink tux to the prom with your left ear pierced wasn’t frowned upon?

4. "Be My Escape"

Album: "MmHmm" (2004)

There are times where you may feel like a prisoner in your own mind. You’re in such a funk and there doesn’t seem to be a way out of it. Then comes along that one person who wants to help you and set you free. You continue to push them away until you finally realize that they are the solution to getting out of your funk. Never give up on helping someone you care about because you never know when you’re the escape they really need.

5. "Mood Rings"

Album: "Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right.. But Three Do" (2003)

The first line of this song is “We all know the girls that I am talking about.” It’s true though. You know that one girl who’s really happy and fun one day, and then yelling at you for something you did the next day? How about that girl who flirts with you in the morning and then ignores you in the afternoon? I didn’t say a name, but a bet a name and face just popped into your mind. Someone get that girl a mood ring!

6. "Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care"

Album: "Five Score and Seven Years Ago" (2007)

I just wasted 10 seconds of your life. And they were the best 10 seconds you’ll ever experience. You’re welcome.

7. "High of 75"

Album: "Mmhmm" (2004)

Sometimes it’s sunny and your happiness is through the roof. Sometimes it’s rainy and you feel depressed. Sometimes it’s cloudy and you aren’t entirely sure how to feel. Don’t you just love songs that compare your mood to the weather?

8. "Rebuild"

No album. Released in 2007

This song is so bloody good but it’s so hard to find information on it. It was written by Matt Theissen and Jon Foreman, lead singer of Switchfoot. The two bands, along with Dustin Ruth from the band Ruth, came together to perform this song for Switchfoot’s 2007 Appetite for Construction Tour. It’s just… it’s lovely and beautiful for the ears. Please just go look it up on YouTube and trust me on this.

9. "Getting Into You"

Album: "Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… But Three Do" (2003)

I love this song so much because it tells the story of someone making the big decision to follow God. If you are a Christian, I know you’ve felt the struggle at some point of not being worthy enough to worship God. Even though none of us are worthy, God chooses to love us anyway and forget our past decisions, so long as we focus on Him and His plans for our future. This song is so simple but the message is so powerful, and I believe that makes it one of the best songs Relient K has ever released.

10. "You’ll Always Be My Best Friend"

Album: "The Birds and the Bee Sides" (2008)

It doesn’t matter if you’ve known each other for ten years, five years, or only three and half months. Having a best friend isn’t about whom you’ve known the longest, but who’s always been there for you. It doesn’t hurt to wish you’d met them earlier on in life. But it also doesn’t matter because you know they’ll be with you until the end of time, like a true best friend.

11. "Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been"

Album: "Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… But Three Do" (2003)

The ultimate apology/regret song. It’s OK to apologize for the being the person you used to be, so long as you change for the better. This song can be a mouthful with all the colorful, beautiful words embedded within the lyrics. But it being a mouthful is what makes this song so perfect. You’ll begin to rethink your life decisions in a heartbeat.

Here, my child. I have educated you. Go out into the world and make great use of your new favorite band! Here’s to hoping there are more tours and new songs in the near future.