He first started recording in the early 1970s with Jefferson Airplane violinist Papa John Creach. Creach hired him when Moore was just twenty-one years old; Moore appeared on four of Creach's albums.
He was further immersed in the blues with his long stint in the Whodunit Band, headed by Bobby "Blue" Bland producer Monk Higgins. Moore jammed with Albert Collins and Big Joe Turner.
In 1996 he released Just Like You, which featured guest appearances from Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt.
In 2004, he appeared on Amy Grant: Greatest Hits 1986-2004 in a duet entitled "Come Be with Me", which became a modest success on pop radio.
In 2005 he appeared on Buddy Guy's version of "Ain't No Sunshine", along with Tracy Chapman. That same year, he appeared on Eric Clapton's album Back Home. In 2006, he co-wrote the song, "I Hope", with the Dixie Chicks for their album, Taking the Long Way.
Moore also provided vocals to Marcus Miller's 2007 album, Free on the track entitled "Milky Way" and again on Miller's 2008 album entitled, Marcus.
According to Songfacts, in 2010 I See Love was used as the opening theme tune for American sitcom Mike & Molly.
Keb' Mo's website is at http://www.kebmo.com/
-----
Keb' Mo' is one of the foremost contemporary blues artists. With an endearing sense of faith in humanity evident on most of his tracks and a very interestingly textured voice, this man has successfully merged traditional Delta blues and modern acoustic singer-songwritership. While it's a stretch to call him a traditionalist, Keb' Mo' plays a mean guitar, and the meticulously played guitar on each one of his songs is awe-inspiring.
After spending his early career backing blues artists up, he released his debut album in 1994. He also appeared in Scorsese's film about the blues. As the only man to my knowlege that has incorporated the word "internet" into a blues song, it is clear that Keb' Mo' is unique and has, in an unprecedented manner, carved out his own genre that never fails to make the listener smile.
A Better Man
Keb' Mo' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What am I gonna do now
Am I gonna make it
Someway, somehow
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows
That's okay
I'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man, yeah
Climbin' out the window
Climbin' up the wall
Is anybody gonna save me
Or are they gonna let me fall
Well, I don't really wanna know
I'll just hold on the best I can
And if I fall down, I'm gonna get back up
It'll be alright, it'll be okay, God
I'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man, oh
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows the way I feel
That's all right, that's okay
Yeah, I'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Well, I'm gonna make my world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face, yeah
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Are they gonna let me fall
No, no, no, no, no, no, yeah
Yeah, be a better man, be a better man
I'm doing the best I can
Yes, I'm gonna make my world, yeah
You know what, I'm gonna make my world
I'm gonna step right up and get myself together
I'm gonna make my world, you know I'm gonna do the best I can, yeah
He will make my world, yeah tonight
He will make my world, oh yeah, yeah
I'm gonna make my world, are they gonna let me fall?
No, make my world, yeah
I'm gonna make my world, my world, your world
Make my world
You know, I'm gonna make my world
Teach myself how to understand, yeah
In "A Better Man," Keb' Mo' describes how he is faced with a problem and doesn't know what to do. He is unsure if he will make it through, but he decides to try to make his world a better place. He acknowledges that it is ok to cry and to not know everything. Keb' Mo' emphasizes that he wants to understand himself and others better to become a better man.
Throughout the song, Keb' Mo' emphasizes the importance of making the world a better place by starting with oneself. The singer appears to feel isolated, yet he is determined not to be defeated. The singer believes in self-reflection as a means of personal growth and a strategy to make the world a better place. The lyrics show that the singer acknowledges the potential for failure but is committed to getting back up regardless of any setbacks.
The track's serene acoustic guitar and delicate percussion provide a pleasant atmosphere for the melody. Keb' Mo's soulful voice carries the lyrics with a restrained, yet enthusiastic performance that enhances the song's spirit. It is a call for hope, and its lyrics will resonate with anyone who has experienced challenges and felt inspired to become a better person.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' here in my problem
I am currently in a difficult situation
What am I gonna do now
I am unsure of what to do next
Am I gonna make it
Will I be able to overcome my problems?
Someway, somehow
I am determined to find a way to solve my problems
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
I may not have all the answers
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
It is okay to feel emotional and express my pain
And if nobody ever knows
It is okay if nobody understands how I feel
The way I feel, that's all right
It is okay to feel the way I do
That's okay
It is acceptable to have flaws or make mistakes
I'm gonna make my world a better place
I am determined to improve my life and environment
I'm gonna keep that smile on my face
I will remain positive despite challenges
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I will learn new perspectives and ways of thinking
I'm gonna make myself a better man, yeah
I will work on improving myself and becoming a better person
Climbin' out the window
I feel trapped and desperate to escape
Climbin' up the wall
I am willing to do anything to overcome my problems
Is anybody gonna save me
I am looking for help and support
Or are they gonna let me fall
I am afraid of being abandoned and left to fail
Well, I don't really wanna know
I am afraid of the answer or outcome
I'll just hold on the best I can
I will try to persevere and stay strong
And if I fall down, I'm gonna get back up
I will not give up, even if I fail
It'll be alright, it'll be okay, God
Everything will be fine in the end, with the help of a higher power
Are they gonna let me fall
I am feeling vulnerable and in need of support
No, no, no, no, no, no, yeah
I am not alone, and I will not fall
Yeah, be a better man, be a better man
I am striving to improve myself and my life
I'm doing the best I can
I am trying my hardest to cope and overcome my problems
You know what, I'm gonna make my world
I am determined to take control of my life and make it better
I'm gonna step right up and get myself together
I am going to organize and improve my life
My world, your world
I want to improve both my life and the lives of those around me
Make my world
I am determined to make my life better
Teach myself how to understand, yeah
I am committed to learning and growing as a person
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Anders Osborne, Kevin R. Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Playing For Change
#TBT Throwback Thursday
Enjoy this vido of "A Better Man", recorded and filmed live outside on Keb' Mo's back porch in January 2007. Keb' has always been a friend and supporter of PFC, and he has generously chosen to donate a portion of his new album's proceeds to the Playing For Change Foundation!
Angel F-Lazos
<3
Maurizio Galliano
Keb' Mo' RULES!!!!!
wonderful song!!!!
Gaby Nobs
+Playing For Change I like Keb Mo and i have more CD of her. Thank you for so beautifull music.
CncObsession
+Gaby Nobs Her?
SMMGOGO
serena are you singing now?
Playing For Change
Keb' Mo' has been involved with PFC from the beginning. Today we go back in time to share this "A Better Man" video recorded and filmed live outside on Keb' Mo's back porch in January 2007.
Bill Hogan sr.
👑👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿👑
100%👈🏿
Herb Nichols
I repeat....Keb Mo is a National Treasure! Change WILL come, and I just hope he's alive to see it happen.
Zhozan13
What a gift to the world. You helped this heart heal a bit today. ❣️ Really grateful ✌️☮️