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.

Slow Down
Keb' Mo' Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I was a young boy
Well they tried to tell me
That I was movin'
Movin' way too fast
And I knew everything
About everything
And I really didn't wanna listen
To a bunch of old folks talkin' trash

So I got out on the highway
Pedal to the floor
Smokin' and drinkin'
And a whole lot more
And when they came to collect me
Out of that jail
They said boy next time
You get no bail

You better slow down
You better slow down

Woke up one mornin'
To a hunger
I moaned
And I began to twitch
I felt the need
For some lovin'
A little sweet somebody
To scratch my itch
Mamma said I don't mean to pry
But I'm here to advise you
Seeds like to grow
When you put 'em in fertilizer

You better slow down, yeah
You better slow down

I'm doin' my own thing
I'm all grown up
Yes I am
Little bit older
But I feel like a young buck
I'm ridin' down the highway
In a brand new mini van
Wife and kids screamin'
Ooh God I'm a family man
I'm outta mind
Losin' control, oh yeah
I could leave tomorrow
But there ain't nowhere to go

You better slow down
You better slow down, yeah
You better slow down

Soon or later you got to slow down, yeah
You better slow down

Overall Meaning

Keb' Mo's Slow Down is a song about growing up and slowing down. In the song, the singer talks about how he was a young boy who knew everything and didn't want to listen to the advice of the older generation. He got out on the highway and started living a fast life, smoking, drinking, and getting into trouble. He was eventually arrested and told he wouldn't get bail if he got in trouble again. The singer then wakes up one morning with a hunger and a need for love. His mother advises him to slow down and take the time to grow as a person before pursuing love.

In the last verse, the singer is now a grown man with a wife and children, but he still feels like a young buck. He's driving down the highway in a minivan, with his family screaming in the back. He feels like he's losing control and acknowledges that he needs to slow down. The song ends with the repeated phrase, "You better slow down," reminding the listener that eventually, everyone needs to slow down.

Line by Line Meaning

When I was a young boy
As a child, people warned me that I rushed through life too quickly.

Well they tried to tell me
Others tried to advise me.

That I was movin'
That I wasn't taking my time.

Movin' way too fast
Not allowing things to take their natural course.

And I knew everything
I thought I was an expert on everything.

About everything
Assumed I knew about everything.

And I really didn't wanna listen
I refused to take advice.

To a bunch of old folks talkin' trash
Dismissing the guidance of older people as nonsense.

So I got out on the highway
I hit the road.

Pedal to the floor
Speeding recklessly.

Smokin' and drinkin'
Indulging in vices.

And a whole lot more
Engaging in other reckless behaviors.

And when they came to collect me
When I got arrested.

Out of that jail
Being released from jail.

They said boy next time
The authorities warned me.

You get no bail
You won't be able to get bail next time.

You better slow down
Advice to take things slower.

Woke up one mornin'
On another occasion.

To a hunger
Feeling a need.

I moaned
Expressing my desire.

And I began to twitch
Feeling restless and impatient.

I felt the need
Desiring something.

For some lovin'
Desiring intimacy and affection.

A little sweet somebody
A romantic partner.

To scratch my itch
Satisfy my craving.

Mamma said I don't mean to pry
My mother tried to intervene.

But I'm here to advise you
I'm here to offer guidance.

Seeds like to grow
Things need the right conditions to thrive.

When you put 'em in fertilizer
When you give them proper nourishment.

You better slow down, yeah
Another reminder to take it slow.

I'm doin' my own thing
Taking matters into my own hands.

I'm all grown up
I'm an adult now.

Yes I am
Emphasizing adulthood.

Little bit older
I'm not as young anymore.

But I feel like a young buck
Embracing youthfulness or inexperience.

I'm ridin' down the highway
Traversing the road.

In a brand new mini van
Driving a new vehicle.

Wife and kids screamin'
My family is with me.

Ooh God I'm a family man
I've grown up and started a family.

I'm outta mind
I'm not thinking straight or making wise choices.

Losin' control, oh yeah
Feeling overwhelmed or not in charge.

I could leave tomorrow
I can decide to leave anytime.

But there ain't nowhere to go
There's no good alternative.

Soon or later you got to slow down, yeah
Finally realizing the importance of pacing oneself.

You better slow down
Reiterating the advice to slow down.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Jimi Wilder

12y↑19

Finally!!! This is beyond a doubt my favorite track by Keb Mo and I love all of his work! This cover of the great song SLOW DOWN is simply sensational!!