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.
Variations on a Theme
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and traveling blows when you're out of road
and when you jump up the earth wants you back
your resentment grow till you're all alone
but you're so smart how could they not know
when you're standing there in good humored white
and make it seem effortless
when its all the stupid things
so overwhelming to me
like paying my bills
or showing up for work early
or laughing at your jokes
when you first said that anything goes
or a problem is a task disguised in work clothes
that's when i knew i had to move
and why do you do it?
and make it seem delicate
when its all the stupid things
so damn confusing to me
like talking it through
controlling my temper
like letting it go
saying please forgive me
or laughing at your jokes
i have no idea what's been going on lately
and i just wish you'd come over and explain things
and i have no idea what's been going on lately
and i just wish you'd come over and explain things
i have no idea what's been going on lately
and i just wish you'd come over and explain things
i have no idea what's been going on lately
and i just wish you'd come over and explain things
why do they do it?
show up anyway
when they know that damn well
there is no room for promotions out here
and maybe it's wise
and maybe i'm just stupid
for laughing at your jokes
The opening line of the song, "If you're scared and it shows cause you're watching them grow", sets the stage for a song that is about feeling lost and out of control. The line is followed by "and traveling blows when you're out of road", which further emphasizes the sense of being lost and not knowing where to go. The song then moves into a discussion of how the singer is so overwhelmed by the "stupid things" in life - paying bills, showing up for work on time, and even just laughing at someone's jokes. Despite feeling lost and overwhelmed, the singer is in awe of someone who makes it all look effortless and delicate.
The middle of the song shifts gears slightly, as the singer discusses how this person's attitude (that "anything goes" and that problems are just tasks in disguise) inspired her to make a change and move forward. The singer then returns to the feeling of being lost and confused, and wishing that this person would come and explain things to her. The song ends on a note of admiration for this person, and the acknowledgement that maybe it's wise to keep laughing at their jokes, even if it doesn't make sense.
Line by Line Meaning
if you're scared and it shows cause you're watching them grow
You're feeling anxious and it's apparent because you're observing others thrive.
and traveling blows when you're out of road
Being out of options makes wandering disheartening.
and when you jump up the earth wants you back
Every time you leap, gravity pulls you down.
your resentment grow till you're all alone
As your bitterness intensifies, you'll end up isolated.
but you're so smart how could they not know
You're intelligent, so it's perplexing that others can't recognize it.
when you're standing there in good humored white
Despite feeling frustrated, you maintain a positive facade.
and how do you do it?
How do you keep it up?
and make it seem effortless
And seem like it requires no effort?
when its all the stupid things
When mundane tasks are overwhelming.
so overwhelming to me
To me, those tasks are too much.
like paying my bills
Such as taking care of financial obligations.
or showing up for work early
Or arriving at work ahead of schedule.
or laughing at your jokes
Or even laughing at your humor.
when you first said that anything goes
When you claimed that anything is allowed.
or a problem is a task disguised in work clothes
Or framed a dilemma as a disguised responsibility.
that's when i knew i had to move
That's when I realized I had to take action.
and why do you do it?
Why do you do this?
and make it seem delicate
And portray it as something fragile and intricate?
when its all the stupid things
When I'm straining on simple things.
so damn confusing to me
To me, those tasks are confusing.
like talking it through
Such as discussing problems clearly.
controlling my temper
Or maintaining composure and not giving in to anger.
like letting it go
Or learning to release frustration and not dwell on it.
saying please forgive me
Or apologizing willingly and asking for forgiveness.
or laughing at your jokes
Or simply enjoying your humor.
i have no idea what's been going on lately
I'm clueless about recent events.
and i just wish you'd come over and explain things
I hope you'll visit and give me a rundown of what's happening.
why do they do it?
Why do they keep doing it?
show up anyway
Show up despite the challenges.
when they know that damn well
A fact they know all too well.
there is no room for promotions out here
Promotions aren't a possibility in this area.
and maybe it's wise
Maybe it's the smart thing to do.
and maybe i'm just stupid
And maybe I am not smart enough to understand it.
for laughing at your jokes
For even finding humor in these situations.
Contributed by Zachary S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.