He’s back.
For the first time in almost two years, Kip Moore released a new single today called “Live Here To Work,” which is a rocking, guitar-driven anthem that finds him sticking it to the man and giving the (figurative) middle finger to the rat race of the work culture I think we can all relate to in some capacity, no matter what you do for a living.
The last time we heard from Kip in an official capacity in terms of music was when he put out his fifth studio album Damn Love in early 2023, though he’s turned the page to a new chapter, now signed with Virgin Music Group, after leaving his longtime label MCA Nashville earlier this year.
I have to imagine some of his feelings about moving on from that label helped him pen this song, and honestly, I already like it more than almost anything on the aforementioned Damn Love, which is a great place to start with the new album he’s mentioned he’s working on several times this year.
Of the song, Kip says it came from a simple place of feeling like he needs to get off the “hamster wheel” every now and then, for the sake of his own sanity and spirit:
“I think it’s easy as humans to get caught up in the mundaneness of day to day tasks and responsibilities. Everyone’s had that feeling where they’ve hit that limit and you’re just like ‘f*ck that, I have to get off this hamster wheel or my spirit’s gonna die.’
We played it live for the first time at a show a few weeks ago and people lost it. It’s going to be fun to see how others embrace it… or don’t.”
I think the chorus sums it up simply, but perfectly:
“F*ck that, I don’t live here to work
My time is short and it ain’t yours
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind getting my hands in a little dirt
But I don’t live here to work”
Co-produced by Jaren Johnston (Keith Urban, Chris Shiflett, Darius Rucker), the melody is incredibly catchy, and Kip always does the rock-infused, in-your-face type of songs like this so well, so I’m glad to hear that in “Live Here To Work.”
It feels like he’s getting back to the music he does best in terms of the gritty, rough and rowdy sound and songs he made a name with, and while this is only the first one, I’m looking forward to hearing what he has coming with the (unofficially announced) new album, especially given this fresh perspective and new chapter.
Check it out… I think longtime Kip fans, as well as people who maybe aren’t as familiar with his catalog, will love this one:
“Live Here To Work”
Kip will kick off the U.S. leg of his Nomad World Tour this fall in Columbia, South Carolina, which will run through December, ending with a show in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Nomad World Tour Dates:
09/20 – Christchurch, NZ @ Christchurch Town Hall
09/21 – Auckland, NZ @ Powerstation
09/28 – Sydney, NSW @ ICC Sydney Theatre
09/29 – Newcastle, NSW @ Newcastle Civic Theatre
10/02 – Adelaide, SA @ Hindley Street Music Hall
10/03 – Melbourne, VIC @ Rod Laver Arena
10/05 – Deniliquin, NSW @ Deni Ute Muster
10/08 – Canberra, ACT @ Canberra Theatre Centre
10/10 – Thirroul, NSW @ Anita’s Theatre
10/13 – Brisbane, QLD @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre
10/15 – Northbridge, NSW @ Metro City
10/19 – Pretoria, South Africa @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium
10/26 – Cape Town, South Africa @ Cape Town Country Festival
11/07 – Columbia, SC @ The Senate
11/08 – Gainesville, FL @ Vivid Music Hall
11/09 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live
11/14 – Waukee, IA @ Vibrant Music Hall
11/15 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
11/16 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave/Eagles Club – The Rave Hall
11/21 – Chicago, IL @ Joe’s on Weed Street
11/22 – Chicago, IL @ Joe’s on Weed Street
11/23 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Minneapolis
12/05 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
12/06 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
12/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
12/12 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
12/13 – Boston, MA @ Royale Boston
12/14 – Boston, MA @ Royale Boston
