FOUR OF HER BEST SONGS

Lewis’ sharpest lyrics and most stunning vocals, with Rilo Kiley and on her own

A BETTER SON/ DAUGHTER The Execution of All Things 2002

A morning panic attack, recounted as if through a rotary phone, builds and explodes into an affirmational anthem with military snares and a ripping guitar solo. The confidence feels unstable (“You’ll fake it if you have to/And you’ll show up for work with a smile”), but ain’t it always? A high point on Rilo Kiley’s breakthrough album.

IT’S A HIT

More Adventurous 2004

Lewis begins her group’s major-label debut taking implicit aim at then-President Bush, who’d ordered the invasion of Iraq the previous year (“Any chimp can play human for a day. . . . And run for office on Election Day/Fancy himself a real decision-maker”). Then she side-eyes the act of writing pop hits. Timeless and totally badass.

RISE UP WITH FISTS!!

Rabbit Fur Coat 2006

Lewis’ solo debut opens with this skeptical pep talk to herself, framed by an indictment of a creep having a Vegas affair and a nod to the moral hypocrisy of preachers. Echoing her are the Watson Twins, whose soulful country-gospel vocals make Lewis sound like a next-gen Tammy Wynette.

JUST ONE OF THE GUYS

The Voyager 2014

Lewis stares down the passage of time on this meditation on maternal FOMO and gender expectations (“When I look at myself, all I can see/I’m just another lady without a baby”). She goes out determined to do things her way, as ever.

WILL HERMES