She is also a former child actress.
Music
In 1995, she formed the indie rock band Rilo Kiley along with her friends Pierre De Reeder, Blake Sennett and Dave Rock (later replaced by Jason Boesel). Beginning with a country sound, Rilo Kiley gravitated toward a downbeat indie rock sound, and with their 2004 album More Adventurous found widespread success. Critics such as Pitchforkmedia attributed this to the "wise" decision to front Lewis on most of the songs (on earlier albums, Sennett contributed about half the vocals). The song "Portions for Foxes" was a hit, and in 2005 the band was picked up by Warner Bros., putting them on a major label for the first time. They opened for Coldplay on their U.S. tour in 2005.
In 2002, Lewis was asked to contribute some female vocals for The Postal Service, whose album Give Up was an international success. Lewis performed in the video for the hit "We Will Become Silhouettes", and toured with the band in 2003. Lewis also contributed vocals to several tracks on the 2004 Cursive album The Ugly Organ.
In 2004, Conor Oberst invited Lewis to record a solo record for record label Team Love. Described by Lewis as "a kind of soul record," Rabbit Fur Coat, released in January 2006, features contributions from musicians Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, M. Ward, Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine, and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie on a cover of The Traveling Wilburys song "Handle With Care". The Watson Twins provide accompaniment and the album is billed as Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins. Lewis toured with the Watson Twins in support of the album in early 2006.
September 2008 sees the relase of a second solo album, titled Acid Tongue.
She has also provided vocals on tracks for The Elected and Johnathan Rice.
Infamous for her quirky clothing and ever constant red hairstyle, Lewis has become a fashion icon in the indie music world.
Lewis was given an "Esky" for Best Temperature Raiser in Esquire's 2006 Esky Music Awards in the April issue.
Influences
In the April 2006 issue of Spin Magazine, Lewis lists the "Music That Changed My Life" in a full page article, noting predominately late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop as an important influences on her musical development. Albums such as N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton, De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising and Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique are listed in the article, as well music by Too Short, Jungle Brothers, Black Sheep, Souls of Mischief and Freestyle Fellowship. In the same article, she is quoted as saying "I'm an Easy-E girl" showing her adoration for the deceased hip-hop producer and former member of the group N.W.A.. She remembers an encounter with Freestyle Fellowship member Aceyalone, "I actually saw them in the early '90s at a Hollywood Club. I went by myself, and Aceyalone picked me out and freestyled about me. Maybe it was part of his shtick - to dis the enthusiastic but lonely white girl. I must've looked like such a poser."
Acting
She made her debut in a Jell-O commercial, then starred as a child in a number of films during the 1980s. Jenny was featured in the 1996 made-for-TV movie Talk To Me with Yasmine Bleeth. Three of her more notable screen credits were Troop Beverly Hills, The Wizard, and Pleasantville. She also had small roles on such TV shows as Baywatch, Golden Girls, Growing Pains, Roseanne, Mr. Belvedere, and Brooklyn Bridge. She continued acting until 2001.
Must visit links:
Official Site
Best Fan Site
Best Rilo Kiley Site
Godspeed
Jenny Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So come on right now its time for you to get up and out of his house.
I know you too long to let you carry on this way.
When I was in bad shape Ill never forget what you always use to say.
What are we gonna do-hoo with you you don't make it easy on me.
What am i suppose to do-hoo with you wont let me help
Wont you.
Godspeed keep the lighthouse inside.
Godspeed to you keep the lighthouse inside.
Godspeed to you put out the light and hope you make it alive.
No telling what he'll do I wouldn't want him to hurt you in that way.
Things you don't say reach me somehow anyway.
What are we gonna do-hoo with you you don't make it easy on me.
What am I suppose to do-hoo you wont let me help you.
Why wont you let me.
[Chorus]
One Two
Godspeed keep the lighthouse inside.
Godspeed to you keep the lighthouse inside.
Godspeed to you keep the lighthouse inside.
Godspeed to you.
In Jenny Lewis's song Godspeed, the lyrics describe the pain of watching someone you love being mistreated in a relationship. The singer of the song is a friend or loved one who is begging the person to leave their abusive partner. The repetition of "What are we gonna do with you, you don't make it easy on me" emphasizes the frustration and helplessness the singer is feeling. They want to help, but the person being abused won't let them. The line "No good no how no man should treat you like he do" is a direct condemnation of the abuser's behavior. The chorus is a wish for the person to find their own inner strength and light to guide them out of the darkness of the abusive relationship. The image of a lighthouse, shining brightly to warn ships of danger, is a powerful metaphor for the person's potential to guide themselves to safety.
The song's lyrics speak to the universal experience of watching someone you care about suffer in an abusive relationship. With its simple, catchy melody and powerful chorus, the song has become a favorite among fans of Jenny Lewis and indie-folk music in general. It's a testament to Lewis's talent as a songwriter that she is able to convey so much emotion and meaning in just a few short verses.
Line by Line Meaning
No good no how no man should treat you like he do.
It is not acceptable for any man to treat you poorly in any way.
So come on right now its time for you to get up and out of his house.
It is time for you to leave his house and move on with your life.
I know you too long to let you carry on this way.
I have known you for too long to let you continue with this behavior.
When I was in bad shape Ill never forget what you always use to say.
I will never forget the support and encouragement you gave me when I was going through a tough time.
What are we gonna do-hoo with you you don't make it easy on me.
It is difficult for me to help you when you do not cooperate.
What am i suppose to do-hoo with you wont let me help
I am unsure of what I can do to help when you refuse to accept it.
Godspeed keep the lighthouse inside.
May you find the strength to persevere and stay true to yourself.
Godspeed to you keep the lighthouse inside.
May you continue to shine brightly and stay strong.
Godspeed to you put out the light and hope you make it alive.
I wish you the best as you navigate through difficult times and hope you come out stronger.
No telling what he'll do I wouldn't want him to hurt you in that way.
It is impossible to predict what he may do and I do not want you to be hurt.
Things you don't say reach me somehow anyway.
Even though you may not say certain things, I can sense that something is wrong.
Why wont you let me.
Please allow me to help you and be there for you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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