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.
Jenny
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As we drive right over them
And its all the mornings we missed for sleep
As the sun glides over our apartment
And it's all the subtle change in landscape and business
Reminds you of your limited time
This time you'll listen to the movement in your body
How it keeps on despite you and it frightens you
You're desperate in finding something else to please you
You've been searching your whole life
Something to mute, change, or just distract you
Something to put inside you to give the illusion of life
Cause you've always been barely alive
Cause you're barely alive
Cause you're barely alive
You've always been barely alive
Have you not?
And the greatest escape that you ever did make
With your arms by your side left it up to fate
And the coast that you've seen though you're watching them weekly
You've cursed all perfect days as you walked away
I can hear you say, â??Jenny, you're barely aliveâ??
a metal rods you put in your fucking jaw to keep you from grinding your teeth at night
Cause you're barely alive
You've always been barely alive
Cause you're barely alive
Always been barely alive
The lyrics to Rilo Kiley's song "Jenny You're Barely Alive 230" depict the mundanity and limitations of daily life, as well as the desperation to find purpose and excitement in one's existence. The first stanza contrasts the beauty and treasures that are easily overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life, with the relentlessness of time passing and the body's involuntary movements. The second stanza highlights the desire for something to make life appear more real or meaningful, as if it is an illusion. The lines "Cause you've always been barely alive" emphasize the feeling of being stuck, unfulfilled, and dissatisfied with life.
Despite the dark themes of the song, there is a sense of hopefulness that shines through. The line "This time you'll listen to the movement in your body/How it keeps on despite you and it frightens you" suggests that by becoming more aware of oneself and one's surroundings, one can gain a deeper appreciation for life. Additionally, the mentions of "the greatest escape that you ever did make" and the coast that the singer has seen but Jenny has not, imply that there are still opportunities for adventure and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
And it's all the treasures that shine in the street
The things we overlook as we rush through life.
As we drive right over them
Ignoring the importance of the things that matter.
And its all the mornings we missed for sleep
The moments we sacrificed in pursuit of other things.
As the sun glides over our apartment
The passage of time, as signified by the sun's movement.
And it's all the subtle change in landscape and business
Everything around us is constantly evolving and changing.
Reminds you of your limited time
Our time on this earth is finite.
This time you'll listen to the movement in your body
Be mindful and present in the moment.
How it keeps on despite you and it frightens you
The realization that our bodies keep going even when we don't feel like we're in control.
Cause you're barely alive
Living life in a state of half-consciousness, not really being present.
You're desperate in finding something else to please you
The constant search for happiness and fulfillment.
You've been searching your whole life
The desire for something more.
Something to mute, change, or just distract you
Trying to escape from reality through various means.
Something to put inside you to give the illusion of life
At times, it feels like we're just going through the motions of life without any real meaning or purpose.
Cause you've always been barely alive
The feeling that life has never really felt fully lived or experienced.
And the greatest escape that you ever did make
The moments when we try to leave our problems behind, even if only temporarily.
With your arms by your side left it up to fate
Letting go of control and allowing life to unfold as it will.
And the coast that you've seen though you're watching them weekly
Things that were once exciting and new can eventually become mundane and routine.
You've cursed all perfect days as you walked away
Feeling like we don't deserve happiness or that something will inevitably go wrong.
I can hear you say, 'Jenny, you're barely alive'
A realization that life has been lived in a state of half-consciousness, not really being present or fully engaged.
Cause you're barely alive
The feeling of living life without real purpose or fulfillment.
You've always been barely alive
A constant feeling of not really living, just existing.
Have you not?
A questioning of whether there is more to life than what we are currently experiencing.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Blake Sennett, Jenny Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind