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.
Bulletproof
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because you've weathered all my slings and arrows well
If you think I'm paranoid, that's fine
Cause I've got evidence on my side
If you want to come over tonight
That's fine, because I have no plans
Please, be kind, don't drop the rock on me
How many blows to the belly will this thing take
That we refer to as our true love
We both know it's dead and it's been dying for some time
But we refuse to let it go
Please, be kind, don't drop the rock on me
Don't go outside and discover that you like being free
Cause if you did
You'd be dropping the rock on me
The overall message of “Bulletproof” by Rilo Kiley is about the insecurities and vulnerabilities of love. The song begins with the affirmation that if someone thinks they are invincible, it's valid because they have withstood all the slings and arrows. However, that does not mean they are protected. Similarly, the singer confesses to having anxiety, but they support it with credible evidence. This brings up the element of uncertainty and the ever-looming possibility of someone dropping the rock on them. A sense of desperation and helplessness is evident when the singer says, "How many blows to the belly will this thing take/ That we refer to as our true love."
The final chorus of the song is a plea from the singer to their partner not to leave them. They are afraid that their partner might venture out, discover newfound happiness or freedom, leaving them with the weight of the relationship's failure. In conclusion, the song warns that even though one may feel invincible, the truth is everything can come crashing down in a blink of an eye.
Line by Line Meaning
If you think you're bulletproof, you're right
You believe that you are invincible because you have withstood all the pain and hurt that I have caused you.
Because you've weathered all my slings and arrows well
Despite all the hurtful things I have done, you have managed to handle them well and push through the pain.
If you think I'm paranoid, that's fine
It is okay if you believe that I am overly suspicious of you.
Cause I've got evidence on my side
I have valid reasons to have doubts about our relationship, and I can back them up with proof.
If you want to come over tonight
If you are interested in spending time with me tonight.
That's fine, because I have no plans
I have nothing else to do tonight, so it would be convenient for me to see you.
Please, be kind, don't drop the rock on me
I ask that you treat me gently and not cause me any further emotional harm.
How many blows to the belly will this thing take
How much more pain and suffering can our failing relationship endure?
That we refer to as our true love
The love that we once had and believe to still exist between us.
We both know it's dead and it's been dying for some time
We are both aware that our love is no longer alive and has slowly been fading away for a while now.
But we refuse to let it go
Despite knowing the truth about our love, we both are unwilling to accept it and move on.
Don't go outside and discover that you like being free
I implore you not to explore other options and realize that you prefer being unattached to me.
Cause if you did
If you were to realize that you wanted to be free and leave our relationship.
You'd be dropping the rock on me
You would be causing me pain and hurting me in the process of leaving our relationship.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Blake Sennett, Jenny Diane Lewis, Pierre De Reeder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind