Rilo Kiley - A Better Son/Daughter

"Sometimes when you're on, you're really fucking on, and your friends they sing a long and they love you."

Album: The Execution of All Things [2nd album]
Recorded: Lincoln, Nebraska
Album Release: October 1st 2002
Length: 4.39
Producer: Mike Mogis
Vocalist: Jenny Lewis [age 26]
Label: Saddle Creek

Official Audio


Live in 2002

Charts, Streams & Sales

Spotify: Over 13 million
YouTube Music: Over 3 million

Credits

Bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboards,

Details

• The song details singer Jenny Lewis' struggles with mental health issues: 'and sometimes when you're on, you're really fucking on, and your friends they sing a long and they love you. But the lows are so extreme.'
  
  
• Lewis' mother was a heroin addict and the song touches on their troubled relationship, 'and your mother's still calling you insane and high' likely refers to Lewis' mothers reaction to a manic episode.'A Better Son/Daughter' refers to Lewis' desire to be a better daughter but also, by including the word son, she depersonalises the song, which makes it applicable universally.


• The marching rhythm of the song gives it an anthemic quality

Lyrics