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.
Well You Left
Rilo Kiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You had to move on
You finally gave it rest
You said you had to be strong
You bled all you could bleed
You didn′t get what you need
So tell the mutual friends, you went and walked out on me
And now the weather gets cold, but you can finally breathe
They helped you to make believe
I heard you found a new friend, someone else to hang on to
I hope he holds your hand, I heard he's nice to talk to
But if the weather gets bad and you feel yourself fall for him
I′ll try not to feel satisfied
I'll try and do what healthy people do
I wish the best for.
These are the days they remember you by
But it's not what you say, but how you say it
Did you hear about Scott?
Did you hear that he′s gone?
He drowned right off the rocks
Sometimes the currents′ too strong
And he had friends with influence
And he had friends with influence
And he had friends with influence
And he had friends with influence yeah they knew him
You can see me there, at the top of the stairs
You'll say we′re big on mutual respect, yeah
Because they're peers
I finally found a way to block the sun, it′s not for everyone
These are the products of your parents, they grew up
Sun and the sun, and the sun, and the sun
So long, so long, so long, so long
You won't last long, it′s dripping mud out here
They don't care what we do, yeah we do
The lyrics of Rilo Kiley's song "Well You Left" tell a story of a person who has moved on from a relationship that was not giving them what they needed. The singer speaks to their former partner, acknowledging their departure and the strength it took for them to leave. The mutual friends are informed of the breakup, as the singer finds solace in the fact that the weather is now cold, symbolizing a fresh start and the ability to finally breathe. It seems that some things appeared perfect during the relationship, perhaps deceiving the singer into believing that everything was fine.
The second verse reveals that the former partner has found a new friend, someone who provides comfort and companionship. The singer expresses their hope that this new person treats the former partner well. However, if things take a turn for the worse, and the former partner falls for this new friend, the singer tries not to feel satisfied. The singer wishes the best for their former partner, which demonstrates a level of maturity and genuine care.
The song takes a sudden shift in the final verse, where the mention of Scott's death is introduced. Scott drowned off the rocks, emphasizing the unpredictability and dangers of life. The repeated line about Scott having friends with influence emphasizes the power dynamics and hierarchies present in society. The singer places themself at the top of the stairs, suggesting a position of privilege or social status. They claim mutual respect with others because they are seen as equals.
In the closing lines, the singer mentions blocking the sun, metaphorically indicating that they have found a way to shield themselves from the harsh realities of life. They suggest that their upbringing, represented by their parents, has shaped who they are. The repetition of "so long" and "the sun" creates a sense of finality and the transient nature of relationships. Despite society not caring about their actions, the singer and their partner continue to do what they want.
Overall, "Well You Left" explores themes of relationships, growth, and power dynamics. It delves into the complexities of moving on, finding new connections, and the influence that social circles can have on individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you left
You chose to leave
You had to move on
You felt the need to progress in life
You finally gave it rest
You eventually found peace
You said you had to be strong
You expressed the importance of being resilient
You bled all you could bleed
You exhausted your emotional capacity
You didn't get what you need
You didn't receive what you desired
So tell the mutual friends, you went and walked out on me
Inform our shared acquaintances that you left our relationship
And now the weather gets cold, but you can finally breathe
As the climate changes, you feel a sense of relief
Seemed some things are going perfect
Certain aspects seemed to be ideal
They helped you to make believe
They aided in creating a fictional reality
I heard you found a new friend, someone else to hang on to
I heard you discovered companionship in someone new
I hope he holds your hand, I heard he's nice to talk to
I wish that he provides you with affection and pleasant conversation
But if the weather gets bad and you feel yourself fall for him
If the circumstances worsen and you develop feelings for him
I'll try not to feel satisfied
I will attempt to avoid finding joy in your struggles
I'll try and do what healthy people do
I will strive to behave in a manner typical of emotionally well individuals
I wish the best for
I desire the utmost happiness for you
These are the days they remember you by
These moments are the ones they will associate with you
But it's not what you say, but how you say it
The manner in which you convey your thoughts is more significant than the words themselves
Did you hear about Scott?
Have you been informed about Scott?
Did you hear that he's gone?
Have you heard that he passed away?
He drowned right off the rocks
He lost his life in a drowning incident near the rocks
Sometimes the currents' too strong
Occasionally, the water's flow becomes overpowering
And he had friends with influence
He possessed acquaintances who held power
Yeah they knew him
Indeed, they were familiar with him
You can see me there, at the top of the stairs
You can witness my presence at the highest point of the staircase
You'll say we're big on mutual respect, yeah
You will claim that we prioritize mutual admiration
Because they're peers
Due to them being individuals of the same status
I finally found a way to block the sun, it's not for everyone
I have discovered a method to shield myself from the sun's rays, but it may not be suitable for all
These are the products of your parents, they grew up
These attributes are inherited from your parents; they developed over time
Sun and the sun, and the sun, and the sun
The presence and influence of the sun
So long, so long, so long, so long
Farewell, farewell, farewell, farewell
You won't last long, it's dripping mud out here
Your durability won't endure; the surrounding conditions are unpleasant
They don't care what we do, yeah we do
They lack concern for our actions, but we do
Writer(s): Blake Sennett, Jenny Lewis
Contributed by Joshua N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.