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.
All The Drugs
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paranoid and ruthless
But now you're finally clean
You've been strip-searched
And rung up
Like lights that were strung up
The drugs who've got nothing on me
And stupid I'll be
Waiting for my beating to come
It's going to be a scorcher
About a hundred degrees
It's burning up your luck it seems
You take creamer in your coffee
At the end of the counter
The free refills keep coming
And the parody of prophets lie
Not to save you
You struck out so you strike them down
And you say, stupid I was
And stupid I'll be
Waiting for my beating to come
And you say la, la, la la, la, la la, la, la
But the drugs have got nothing on me
Hiding out in dens
Smoking cigarettes
Playing with the wedding band
You're still losing your mind
It's not something that you'll find
In your pocket or on the courthouse steps
And you say, stupid I was
And stupid I'll be
Waiting for my beating to come
And you say, stupid I was
And stupid I'll be
But the drugs have got nothing on me
La la la la, la la la la
But the drugs have got nothing on me
But the drugs have got nothing on me
The lyrics to Rilo Kiley's "All The Drugs" depict the inner turmoil and self-destructive tendencies that come with addiction. The opening lines "All the drugs make you stupid / Paranoid and ruthless" illustrate the negative effects of drugs on the mind and behavior. However, the singer then declares that they are "finally clean," having gone through the difficult process of getting sober, including being "strip-searched And rung up." The image of being "strung up" like lights is powerful - drugs may provide a temporary high, but the cost is often one's own physical and mental well-being.
The second stanza continues to explore the consequences of addiction. The singer admits to having made foolish decisions ("stupid I was") and is resigned to face punishment ("waiting for my beating to come"). The weather is also referenced, with the line "It's going to be a scorcher / About a hundred degrees." This may serve as a metaphor for the intense heat of one's own guilt, or perhaps the harshness of reality. The coffee shop setting with its free refills and focus on inconsequential matters like creamer provides a stark contrast to the severity of the song's content.
The final stanza returns to the theme of losing one's mind, despite the passing of time. The line "Playing with the wedding band" suggests a desire to escape through one's imagination, while "on the courthouse steps" alludes to a sense of being at the mercy of the legal system. Despite acknowledging their own foolishness, the singer asserts that "the drugs have got nothing on me." This could be seen as a declaration of strength and resilience, or a recognition that even without drugs, life can be difficult and overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
All the drugs make you stupid
Substance abuse impairs cognitive functions, and can lead to irrational and irresponsible behavior.
Paranoid and ruthless
When under the influence, one may become suspicious and ruthless, leading to negative outcomes.
But now you're finally clean
After quitting drug use or detoxing, one has a chance to regain clarity of mind and a healthier lifestyle.
You've been strip-searched
Forced to undergo a humiliating search, indicating the harsh consequences of drug use and enforcement.
And rung up
Charged with a crime, or paying the price for one's actions.
Like lights that were strung up
Trapped and helpless, like a fish caught in a net or a deer in headlights.
The drugs who've got nothing on me
Despite the difficulties of addiction and withdrawal, the singer remains strong and refuses to give in to drugs.
And you say, stupid I was
Admitting one's mistakes and taking responsibility for one's past behavior.
And stupid I'll be
Acknowledging that it's not easy to change, and that old habits die hard.
Waiting for my beating to come
Anticipating the consequences for one's actions, knowing that punishment is deserved.
It's going to be a scorcher
An intense punishment, darkly humorous and perhaps a reference to hell or purgatory.
About a hundred degrees
Emphasizing the intensity of the punishment, as well as the artist's humor and acceptance of it.
It's burning up your luck it seems
The singer's bad luck is to blame for getting caught or punished, rather than their own actions.
You take creamer in your coffee
A small detail of normalcy and routine, even in the midst of chaos and punishment.
At the end of the counter
A specific location or moment, emphasizing the singer's awareness of their surroundings and situation.
The free refills keep coming
A small bit of comfort or luxury, even in a difficult or unfair situation.
And the parody of prophets lie
Mocking those who claim to have the answers or the truth, highlighting the artist's skepticism and independence.
Not to save you
Rejecting the idea that anyone or anything can save the singer from their own actions and consequences.
You struck out so you strike them down
Acting out in anger or frustration, targeting those around the singer who they feel are to blame for their situation.
Hiding out in dens
Avoiding responsibility or reality, retreating to a safe or isolated space.
Smoking cigarettes
A self-destructive behavior, common among those who struggle with addiction or stress.
Playing with the wedding band
A small gesture or reminder of a past relationship, indicating a sense of loss or longing.
You're still losing your mind
Despite attempts to escape or cope with reality, the singer's mind is still struggling and unwell.
It's not something that you'll find
The artist is searching for something - meaning, purpose, escape - that ultimately cannot be found through drugs or avoidance.
In your pocket or on the courthouse steps
Two contrasting locations, perhaps indicating the singer's desire for escape or justice, but acknowledging that neither can be found easily or quickly.
La la la la, la la la la
A meaningless and repetitive phrase, perhaps a nod to the way addiction and avoidance can feel cyclical and never-ending.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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