Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band which formed in 1998 in Los Ange… Read Full Bio ↴Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band which formed in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. The band consisted of Jenny Lewis (vocals, guitar), Blake Sennett (vocals, guitar), Pierre de Reeder (bass, keyboards) and Jason Boesel (drums).

Lewis and Sennett are former child actors and were introduced to each other by Tara Subkoff, a mutual friend, in 1993. In 2001, original drummer Dave Rock left the band and was replaced by Boesel.

They began their career on Barsuk Records, releasing Take Offs And Landings in 2001. They moved to Omaha-based indie label Saddle Creek for their second album, 2002's The Execution of All Things. But come time for their third release, More Adventurous in 2004, the band left Saddle Creek for Brute/Beaute, a Warner Bros. imprint.

2004 saw a great increase in recognition for the band, as Sennett and Boesel released an album with their band The Elected and Lewis sang backup on Ben Gibbard's (Death Cab For Cutie) indie electronic side project The Postal Service. Lewis toured with The Postal Service before heading out on two tours in support of Rilo Kiley's More Adventurous in the summer and fall of 2004. The album spent late 2004 high on Billboard Magazine's Heatseekers Chart, success only furthered by appearances on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The band opened for Bright Eyes on the international leg of Conor Oberst's tour for 2005's i'm wide awake, it's morning. In Fall 2005, Rilo Kiley were the opening act for the North American dates of Coldplay's Twisted Logic Tour.

Lewis released her first solo album in January of 2006, with Leigh and Chandra Watson as Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins. The album, entitled Rabbit Fur Coat, was co-produced by Clifford M Ward and Mike Mogis. Furthermore, The Elected released their second album, sun, sun, sun on the same day as Lewis' album.

The 4th Rilo Kiley LP, Under the Blacklight, was released in August 2007. This has a more pop-influenced sound and received mixed reviews.

The band broke up in 2011 after vague statements made by Blake Sennett comparing the band to a "corpse" and referring to disagreements among members.

85
Rilo Kiley Lyrics

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I'm just of real sad folk
And '85 was our best year
And she says it gets much worse
Before it gets any better

So I take it with a grain of salt
For the other means
I wonder why it doesn't

Keep her up at night
Like it does me

We talk the way you do
I have a sweet or two
For my only plus you say
They're getting bigger everyday

So I take it with a grain of salt
For the other means
I wonder why it doesn't
Keep her up at night
Like it does me

I'll be in your car
I locked the keys in your car
I'll be in your car for now

"You want to fool around?" I ask
I get a sour reply
From the other wheel
That always rises to the occasion

So I take it with a grain of salt
For the other means
I wonder why it doesn't
Keep you up at night
Like it does me

I'll be in your car
I locked the keys in your car
I'll be in your car for now

I've been a mess for some time now
I get what I deserve
For someone who leaves behind a lot
I can do better

So I take it with a grain of salt
For the other means
I wonder why it doesn't
Keep you up at night

(Up at night, up at night, up at night)
Like it does me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rilo Kiley's "85" describe the nostalgia of a past relationship and the contemplation of the present. The singer acknowledges that they are part of the "real sad folk" and reminisces about a time where things were better. But, the other person in the song warns that things can get worse before they get better. Despite this, the singer doesn't seem too concerned as they take it "with a grain of salt."

Throughout the song, there is a sense of detachment and detachment from reality. The singer "wonders why it doesn't keep her up at night" while pondering the ups and downs of life. There is also a hint of desperation in the song as the singer repeats the phrase "I'll be in your car, I locked the keys in your car, I’ll be in your car for now." The final verse shows the singer's realization that they've been "a mess for some time now" and that they "can do better."

Overall, "85" is a melancholy reflection on past and present relationships, with a hint of hope for the future.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm just of real sad folk
I belong to the group of melancholic people

'85 was our best year
The year 1985 was our happiest time

And she says it gets much worse
She indicates that the situation deteriorates

Before it gets any better
But things will improve eventually

So I take it with a grain of salt
Therefore, I accept it with skepticism about its accuracy

For the other means
Considering the other possibilities as well

I wonder why it doesn't
I'm curious why it doesn't bother her

Keep her up at night
Disturb her sleep

Like it does me
Like it affects me

We talk the way you do
We communicate like other couples