In February 2005, newspaper writer Tammy LaGorce described Moore as a "lo-fi legend" in the New York Times.
Moore, born in Nashville, Tennessee, made his commercial recording debut at age seven, singing a duet with Jim Reeves entitled "But You Love Me, Daddy" on the RCA Victor album Songs to Warm the Heart.
Moore was gifted with intuitive proficiency for guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, and songwriting. In 1966, he began pursuing what would become his lifelong passion, home recording, using a reel-to-reel tape deck set up in his basement. In 1967, he formed his first band, The Marlborough (a rock combo). He also began working for his father as a studio musician, and as an assistant at Mimosa Music, his father's music publishing company.
After dropping out of Vanderbilt University in 1971 to pursue a career as a professional artist, performer and entertainer Moore issued his home-recorded 1976 debut album Phonography on his uncle Harry "H.P." Palmer's HP Music label. The initial run was limited to 100 copies. Trouser Press gave the album rave reviews, calling it "an outrageous collection of musical brain spewage" and "a true slash of genius". Moore moved from Nashville to New Jersey shortly afterwards, his uncle releasing two further collections, The Stance EP, and Delicate Tension in 1978 (Moore's home tape releases continuing at the same time).
In 1996, in a gesture far overdue, "Phonography" was listed among "the fifty most significant indie records" in Rolling Stone's Alt-Rock-A-Rama.
1980 saw an important tape release, Clack!, this time recorded professionally. In 1981, Moore set up the RSM Cassette Club as an outlet for his home-recorded work, making available all tapes recorded by Moore stretching back to 1968, each listed with a 'listenability quotient' rating from 1 to 10.
The next LP release was 1984's What's The Point?!! and in the same year Paris' New Rose Records issued a double album compilation, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About R Stevie Moore But Were Afraid To Ask. The label described Moore as "one of the best songwriters of all time".Everything proved particularly popular in France, with a single "Chantilly Lace" from the album becoming a minor sleeper hit there, and prompting Moore to undertake a promotional visit to the country, where he was welcomed with not insignificant adulation and press-buzz. Further albums followed in the 80s, including Verve, Glad Music (this time recorded in a professional studio), (1952-19??), and Teenage Spectacular (described by Moore then as "the most enjoyable project of my career".)
During the 1980s Moore appeared sporadically on the Uncle Floyd TV show, a tongue-in-cheek, public-access style clown, puppet and variety show that broadcast out of New Jersey.
Moore was an early on-air personality at WFMU, an independent free-form radio station out of New Jersey.
Around 1988, Moore started working in home video, and he is now active on YouTube and MySpace.
The advent of CD-R as a medium for self-issued music brought Moore and his fans new enthusiasm for his home recording, and in 1999 the cassette club became the "R. Stevie Moore CDR Club" (CDRSMCLUB).
In 2002 Moore recorded an album with Half Japanese frontman Jad Fair, titled FairMoore, described as "a lovely, heartfelt effort that shows both in top form" by Dave Mandl, who stated that it "brings together two fiercely original figures in the American music underground", the album consisting of Fair reciting his poetry over Moore's instrumental backing.
Throughout the 2000s Moore, has continued to issue more official CD's released on various independent labels around the world. He also worked on several mail collaborations with Terry Burrows (aka Yukio Yung), Ariel Pink, Lane Steinberg and others.
Moore contributed a track to the 2007 Worried Noodles compilation on Tomlab, alongside David Byrne, Deerhoof and Liars, compiled by British artist David Shrigley. Shrigley also interviewed Moore for BOMB Magazine magazine that year.
Help!
R. Stevie Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was this your price to pay
You can't deny these bloodshot eyes
A new beginning to a new delay
Well these mornings are the worst though
Will there be mourning for me
Last night's highs followed by tomorrow's lows
A newfound sense of urgency
Oh such a tragedy
Cut loose with nothing to choose
In and out of apathy
Lately where's your heart been
Are you still going for gold
Despite the case well it's all out of phase
Where's that drive
That Gusto
Touch of Bold
And your stake is problematic
Sporadic in despondency
You are the tides that the levee's denied
Grasping for complacency
Just a bit over dramatic
Oh such a tragedy
Cut loose with nothing to choose
In and out of apathy
You can fall into the mold but they wont care about you
Drop dead as their martyr and they wont care about you
I'm done pursuing other faceless men's interest now
I'm just here until I'm not
Just a bit over dramatic
Oh such a tragedy
Cut loose with nothing to choose
In and out of apathy
The lyrics to R. Stevie Moore's song "Help!" convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration. The opening lines, "Brought down in your heyday, was this your price to pay," suggest that the singer has experienced a downfall or setback during a time when they were at their peak. They are unable to hide their bloodshot eyes, hinting at the toll this has taken on them. The mention of a "new beginning to a new delay" implies that they are trying to move forward but are faced with obstacles and setbacks.
The following lines express the singer's struggle with their emotions. They describe the mornings as the worst, indicating a sense of despair or melancholy. The contrast between "last night's highs" and "tomorrow's lows" suggests a cycle of fleeting happiness followed by disappointment. The mention of "a newfound sense of urgency" suggests a desire for change or improvement.
The chorus of the song presents a mixture of resignation and frustration. The singer acknowledges their tendency to be over-dramatic and views their situation as a tragedy. They feel "cut loose with nothing to choose," meaning they feel trapped and lacking control. The references to apathy suggest that they may be oscillating between periods of indifference and intense emotions.
The second verse delves further into the singer's feelings of disillusionment and their struggle to find purpose. They question where their heart has been lately and whether they are still striving for success. Despite their efforts, they feel disconnected and out of sync with the world. The mention of "that drive, that Gusto, touch of Bold" suggests a longing for motivation and ambition that seems to have waned.
The bridge of the song introduces a more defiant tone. The lyrics imply that conforming to societal expectations or trying to please others will not bring any real satisfaction or recognition. They express a desire to break free from the mold society tries to fit them into and reject the role of a martyr for others' interests. The final lines express a sense of resignation, acknowledging that they are present in their current circumstances but uncertain of what the future holds.
Overall, "Help!" explores themes of disillusionment, frustration, and the search for meaning and fulfillment. The lyrics reflect a sense of longing for change and a struggle to navigate the highs and lows of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Brought down in your heyday
You were brought down from your peak of success and fame
Was this your price to pay
Did you have to sacrifice something valuable for this downfall?
You can't deny these bloodshot eyes
You cannot ignore the signs of exhaustion and stress in your eyes
A new beginning to a new delay
You are starting anew, but facing another obstacle or setback
Well these mornings are the worst though
The mornings are particularly difficult for you
Will there be mourning for me
Will anyone care or grieve for me?
Last night's highs followed by tomorrow's lows
After experiencing great moments, you are faced with disappointments and sadness
A newfound sense of urgency
You have recently developed a strong feeling of needing to act quickly
Just a bit over dramatic
Perhaps you tend to exaggerate or overreact slightly
Oh such a tragedy
The situation feels like a great tragedy
Cut loose with nothing to choose
You are set free without any clear options available
In and out of apathy
You go through periods of indifference and lack of interest
Lately where's your heart been
Where has your emotional investment been lately?
Are you still going for gold
Are you still pursuing your highest ambitions?
Despite the case well it's all out of phase
Regardless of the circumstances, everything seems out of sync
Where's that drive
That Gusto
Touch of Bold
Where is that motivation, enthusiasm, and fearless attitude you once had?
And your stake is problematic
Your position or investment is causing difficulties
Sporadic in despondency
Your feelings of hopelessness and despair come in irregular intervals
You are the tides that the levee's denied
You are the unstoppable force that the barriers are unable to hold back
Grasping for complacency
Seeking for a sense of contentment and calmness
You can fall into the mold but they won't care about you
If you conform to societal norms, they will not show any concern for you
Drop dead as their martyr and they won't care about you
If you sacrifice yourself for their cause, they still won't show any care or appreciation
I'm done pursuing other faceless men's interest now
You have stopped chasing after the desires of anonymous individuals
I'm just here until I'm not
You are present in this world until you are no longer
Just a bit over dramatic
Maybe you tend to exaggerate or overreact slightly
Oh such a tragedy
The situation feels like a great tragedy
Cut loose with nothing to choose
You are set free without any clear options available
In and out of apathy
You go through periods of indifference and lack of interest
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Kevin Pounds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind