Keb' Mo' (born October 3, 1951 in South Los Angeles, California as Kevin Mo… Read Full Bio ↴Keb' Mo' (born October 3, 1951 in South Los Angeles, California as Kevin Moore) is an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter.

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.

Prosperity Blues
Keb' Mo' Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I used to only know tears in my eyes
I could never see the sun in the sky
I lived so long with a thorn in my side
I got so used to being unsatisfied

Now I'm happy
Just sittin' round the house
My bills are paid and

My checks don't bounce
I can't even crack a frown
Since the blues slipped out of town

I used to work my fingers down to the bone
And my baby would be sleepin'
by the time I got home
Couldn't go nowhere
'Cause my engine was blown
The operator used to always
turn off my phone

My bill collectors
They don't never come around
My car is runnin'
And it don't break down

I can't even crack a frown
Since the blues slipped outta' town

My baby left me
But she came right back
When I gave her the keys
To that brand new Cadillac

I can't even crack a frown
Since the blues slipped outta' town
I ain't never been so down
Since the blues slipped out of town

Oh Lord, Oh Lord...

Overall Meaning

In Keb' Mo''s song "Prosperity Blues," the singer describes the difference between his present happiness and his previous sad state. In the past, he was plagued with problems that made him feel unsatisfied and unhappy. He could only see tears in his eyes, and he could never see the sun in the sky. He had a thorn in his side, which made him accustomed to feeling unhappy.

But now, things have changed for him. He is happy, just sitting around the house. His bills are paid, and his checks don't bounce. He can't even crack a frown because the blues have slipped out of town. The things that used to cause him stress, such as work and bills, are now under control, and he's content with his life.

The singer also touches on personal relationships in the song. He used to work so hard that by the time he got home, his partner would be asleep. He couldn't go anywhere because his car's engine was blown, and bill collectors were always calling him. However, he says that his luck has changed now. His car is running, his bills are paid, and even his partner has returned to him after he gave her the keys to a new Cadillac. He says that he's never been so happy since the blues slipped out of town.

Line by Line Meaning

I used to only know tears in my eyes
I was sad and often cried

I could never see the sun in the sky
I was unable to find joy or happiness

I lived so long with a thorn in my side
I endured a persistent and difficult problem or challenge

I got so used to being unsatisfied
I became accustomed to feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled

Now I'm happy
I am content and satisfied

Just sittin' round the house
I am relaxed and comfortable

My bills are paid and
I am financially secure

My checks don't bounce
I am not struggling with money

Since the blues slipped out of town
Since my struggles have vanished

I used to work my fingers down to the bone
I used to work very hard

And my baby would be sleepin'
My partner would be asleep when I got home