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.
More Adventurous
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On fingers broken long ago
I read with every broken heart
We should become more adventurous
And if you banish me from your profits
And if I get banished from the kingdom up above
I'd sacrifice money and heaven all for love
Let me be loved
And if my brain quits
Well I guess then that's just it
And if my hands stop workin'
You can call me lazy
And if I get pregnant
I guess I'll just have the baby
Let it be loved
Let me be loved
I've been tryin' to nod my head
But it's like I've got a broken neck
I want to say I will
As my last testament
For me to be saved and you to be brave
We don't have to walk down that aisle
Because if marriage ain't enough well
At least we'll be loved
I felt the wind on my cheek
Comin' down from the east
And thought about how we are all
As numerous as leaves on trees
And maybe ours is the cause of all
Mankind getting love make more
And try to stay alive
I've been tryin' to nod my head
But it's like I've got a broken neck
I want to say I will
As my last testament
For me to be saved and you to be brave
We don't have to walk down that isle
Because if marriage ain't enough well
At least we'll be loved
The song "More Adventurous" by Rilo Kiley begins with the line, "And it's only doubts that we're counting, on fingers broken long ago". The lyrics poetically express how people in relationships often focus too much on their doubts and fears, rather than being more spontaneous and adventurous. When the heart is broken, instead of being fearful, the songwriter suggests that we should become more adventurous. This line is then followed by "I read with every broken heart", which suggests that the songwriter is making an observation as he or she has experienced heartbreak.
The remainder of the song focuses on the idea that love is more important than anything else, even material possessions or social status. The phrase "banished me from your profits" emphasizes how money and business often get in the way of love. The line "And if my brain quits, well I guess then that's just it" suggests that our thoughts and behaviors are often beyond our control, and that love - rather than rigid expectations - should be the driving force in our lives. The final line of the song, "Because if marriage ain't enough well, at least we'll be loved," emphasizes that love is the most important thing of all, whether we have a formal title such as "married" or not.
Line by Line Meaning
And it's only doubts that we're counting
We are constantly second-guessing ourselves and worrying about the unknown.
On fingers broken long ago
Our doubts stem from past experiences that have left us feeling broken and uncertain.
I read with every broken heart
Every time we experience heartbreak, we learn and grow from it.
We should become more adventurous
Instead of letting our doubts hold us back, we should embrace new experiences and take risks.
And if you banish me from your profits
Even if I lose my material possessions and wealth,
And if I get banished from the kingdom up above
Or if I lose everything I hoped to gain in the afterlife,
I'd sacrifice money and heaven all for love
Love is worth more than any earthly or divine rewards.
Let me be loved
All I want is to give and receive love.
And if my brain quits
If I lose my mind,
Well I guess then that's just it
I suppose there's nothing much I can do about it.
And if my hands stop workin'
If my body fails me and I become immobile,
You can call me lazy
Others may judge me or misinterpret my situation.
And if I get pregnant
If I become a mother,
I guess I'll just have the baby
I'll accept the challenges and responsibilities that come with motherhood for the sake of love.
I've been tryin' to nod my head
I've been attempting to agree or comply.
But it's like I've got a broken neck
But I feel stuck or unable to move forward.
I want to say I will
I want to make a commitment or promise.
As my last testament
As a final statement or expression of my beliefs and intentions.
For me to be saved and you to be brave
For me to find salvation and for you to show courage and strength in our relationship.
We don't have to walk down that aisle
We don't have to conform to traditional societal expectations of marriage.
Because if marriage ain't enough well
Even if marriage isn't the answer or solution,
At least we'll be loved
We still have each other and the love we share.
I felt the wind on my cheek
I experienced a natural sensation or element of the world.
Comin' down from the east
Blowing in from the direction of the rising sun.
And thought about how we are all
And considered how all humans are united and connected.
As numerous as leaves on trees
As abundant and diverse as the leaves on trees.
And maybe ours is the cause of all
Perhaps love is the root and reason for all existence.
Mankind getting love make more
Humans should strive to cultivate and spread more love.
And try to stay alive
And continue to survive and thrive as a species.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Blake Sennett, Jenny Diane Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind