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/
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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.
Keep It Simple
Keb' Mo' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A whole lot of confusion up here in my home
Five-hundred stations on the TV screen
Five-hundred versions of the same ol' thing
Y'all know it's crazy
And it's drivin' me insane
Well, I don't wanna be a superman
And keep it simple
Oh real simple
You know I called my doctor on the telephone
The lines were open, but there was nobody home
Press one, press two, press pound, press three
Why can't somebody just pick up the phone and talk to me?
Y'all know it's crazy
You know it's driving me insane
I don't wanna be a superman
I just wanna go somewhere, use my hands
And keep it simple
(Yes I do)
Real simple
(Play the blues)
Well I went down to the local coffee store
The menu went from the ceiling all the way down to the floor
Decaf, cappuccino, or latte said the cashier
I said gimme a small cup of coffee and let me get the hell up outta here
Y'all know it's crazy
Oh it's driving me insane
Well, I don't wanna be a superman
I just wanna go somewhere, use my hands
And keep it simple
Oh lord, real simple
Well now I don't wanna be a superman
I just wanna go somewhere, use my hands
And keep it simple
Real simple
Real simple
In "Keep It Simple," Keb' Mo' expresses his desire for a simpler life, away from the chaos and stress of modern-day living. He paints a picture of his household - "Two cars, three kids, six phones" - and the overwhelming number of options available to us today - "Five-hundred stations on the TV screen, Five-hundred versions of the same ol' thing." He finds it all crazy and maddening, yearning for something more straightforward.
He illustrates his frustrations with examples, such as calling the doctor on the phone and getting an automated menu instead of a live person to talk to. He goes to a coffee store where the menu is so long that it reaches the floor, yearning for a simple cup of coffee.
The chorus emphasizes his point that he doesn't wish to be a superhero, but rather wants a simpler life, where he can use his hands and not worry about infinite choices. The bluesy sound of the song adds to its theme of calm and simplicity.
Line by Line Meaning
Two cars, three kids, six phones
My home life is filled with chaos and confusion, with too many possessions and distractions.
A whole lot of confusion up here in my home
My mind is cluttered and overwhelmed by everything going on around me.
Five-hundred stations on the TV screen
There are too many options and choices presented to me at all times, making it hard to decide what to watch or do.
Five-hundred versions of the same ol' thing
Even with all these options, everything seems to be the same, lacking creativity or originality.
Y'all know it's crazy
Everyone can see that this lifestyle and mindset is not sustainable or healthy.
And it's drivin' me insane
This way of living is causing me real mental and emotional distress.
Well, I don't wanna be a superman
I don't want to feel like I have to do everything perfectly or have it all figured out.
I just wanna go somewhere, use my hands
I want to get away from all the technology and distractions, and do something tangible with my own two hands.
And keep it simple
I want to live a simpler and more straightforward life, without all the excess and clutter.
You know I called my doctor on the telephone
Even basic tasks like a phone call to my doctor are more complicated than they need to be.
The lines were open, but there was nobody home
Even when the phone lines are available, there's no one to actually pick up and answer my call.
Press one, press two, press pound, press three
Automated phone systems with too many options and instructions are frustrating and make it difficult to get through to a real person.
Why can't somebody just pick up the phone and talk to me?
All I want is some human interaction and connection, without all the technological barriers in the way.
Well I went down to the local coffee store
Even something as simple as ordering a cup of coffee can be overwhelming with too many choices and options.
The menu went from the ceiling all the way down to the floor
The number of coffee options presented is excessive and unnecessary.
I said gimme a small cup of coffee and let me get the hell up outta here
I just want a simple cup of coffee without all the fuss, so I can move on with my day.
Oh lord, real simple
I pray for a simpler, more grounded way of living and seeing the world around me.
Contributed by Hailey N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Angel Flores
on The Whole Enchilada (Bonus Acoustic)
You gon die if u put yo hands on me nigga