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.
I Remember You
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
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We started talking about how we wanted someone to kiss after the countdown.
I went to get a smoke and drink at the bar and when I came back you were gone
I didn't think I'd ever see you again.
Last winter I was working nights and I missed the last train
Nothing unusual, I walk home in the snow again.
A car stops, rolls down the window and asks me my name
And may all acquaintance be forgot but I remember you.
And I remember and I remember and I remember you
And I remember and I remember you.
I don't want you to think that this happens to me all the time.
I hope you don't think I make a habit of taking strange rides.
Conversation was easy there was glitter on your face (?).
We carried on and talked until dawn.
And my heart is breaking my knees is shaking and I just hanging around
The clock is ticking the world is spinning there's nothing that I found.
And may all acquaintance be forgot but I remember you
And I remember I remember when you gave me a word.
And my heart is breaking my knees is shaking and I just hanging around
The clock is ticking the world is spinning there's nothing that I found.
And may all acquaintance be forgot but I remember you.
And I remember and I remember and I remember you.
The lyrics to Rilo Kiley's "I Remember You" tell the story of two chance encounters that add up to a larger feeling of connection and missed opportunity. The first encounter takes place at a New Year's Eve party, where the singer and the subject of the song express a desire to have someone to kiss at midnight. The singer steps away briefly and returns to find the subject gone. The second encounter takes place during a snowy night when the singer is walking home from work and is offered a ride by the subject, whom they recognize from the party. The two engage in a conversation that lasts until dawn, before parting ways once again. The song's chorus repeats the refrain "may all acquaintance be forgot, but I remember you," underscoring the idea that even though these moments were fleeting, they left a lasting impression on the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
At a party last New Years eve somewhere downtown
Last New Year's Eve, I was at a party somewhere downtown
We started talking about how we wanted someone to kiss after the countdown.
We talked about how we both wanted to share a New Year's Eve kiss when the countdown ended.
I went to get a smoke and drink at the bar and when I came back you were gone
After I left to get a smoke and a drink, I returned to discover that you had left the party.
I didn't think I'd ever see you again.
I didn't believe that I would have another opportunity to see or speak with you.
Last winter I was working nights and I missed the last train
During the winter, I worked at night and missed the final train home.
Nothing unusual, I walk home in the snow again.
Since this had happened before, it wasn't out of the ordinary that I had to walk home alone in the snow.
A car stops, rolls down the window and asks me my name
As I trudged through the cold, a car pulled over, the window rolled down, and the driver asked for my name.
I replied, I realize, 'It was you.'
I answered and then realized that you were the one who had stopped the car to give me a ride home.
And may all acquaintance be forgot but I remember you.
Although I might not remember everyone I've met, I still remember you.
And I remember and I remember and I remember you
I can't help but recollect and keep remembering you often.
I don't want you to think this happens to me all the time.
I don't want you to assume that it's usual for me to take rides from strangers like that.
I hope you don't think I make a habit of taking strange rides.
I hope you recognize that my acceptance of your ride was an exceptional circumstance and not something I do frequently.
Conversation was easy there was glitter on your face (?).
Our conversation came naturally, and I remember seeing some glitter on your face, maybe it was from the party we met.
We carried on and talked until dawn.
We kept the conversation going for hours, until the sun came up.
And my heart is breaking my knees are shaking and I'm just hanging around
Thinking of you makes me feel a deep sense of sadness and anxiety, and I feel aimlessly lost.
The clock is ticking the world is spinning, there's nothing that I found
Time seems to be passing quickly and my surroundings seem to move faster, yet I keep searching and finding nothing like I had with you.
And I remember when you gave me a word.
I cherish the moment when you promised something to me.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BENJI HUGHES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind