Shortly after completing high school, Jeff began to gain attention around the Toronto pub and club scene with a three piece band that showcased his incredible talents. The Jeff Healey Band had a monthly weekend gig at Baker Street, on Queen Street East. Jeff soon garnered local attention and people traveled to come and see him play with his band. Record executives came to check out his performances before he eventually signed with BMG Canada and Artista in the USA. His guitar workmanship became legendary with his unique playing style, and he was recruited for a spot in the 1989 motion picture Road House, which starred Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott as bouncers at a roadside bar. Jeff and his band were regular 'performers' at the seedy club and are featured on its official soundtrack.
Jeff was more than just a gifted guitarist, he was a devoted passionate musician who played trumpet in his own Jazz band, Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards, hosted a regular radio music show on CBC, and collected vinyl recordings including vintage 78's, and was reported to have one of Canada's largest private music libraries.
Jeff Healey tragically died in Toronto, Sunday March 2, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was only 41. For greater details on Jeff's life and musical career contributions, visit his Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Healey
A live DVD/CD box set entitled "Legacy - Volume 1" was released posthumously in 2009 on Arbor Records without Jeff Healey's wife Cristie and his estate's participation. On his website, Cristie Healey discourages support of this product. www.jeffhealey.com
Communication Breakdown
Jeff Healey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, girl, you'll drive me to ruin
I don't know what it is that I like about you
But I like it a lot
Won't let me hold you
Let me feel your lovin' charms
Communication breakdown
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
Hey, girl, I got something I think you ought to know
Hey, babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
I'm never gonna let you go
'Cause I like your charms
Communication breakdown
It's always the same
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
I want you to love me all night
Communication breakdown
It's always the same
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
I want you to love me all night
I want you to love me
I want you to love, yeah I want you to love
The lyrics of Jeff Healey's song Communication Breakdown describe the frustration and confusion that can arise in a relationship when communication starts to fail. The singer is addressing his girlfriend, asking her to stop what she's doing and pay attention to him. He admits that he doesn't know exactly what it is that he likes about her, but he's still drawn to her. He pleads with her to let him hold her and feel her "lovin' charms," but it seems like she's not interested in physical intimacy.
The phrase "communication breakdown" is repeated throughout the song as a metaphor for the larger problem in the relationship. The singer is having a nervous breakdown because he can't get through to his girlfriend, and he's frustrated that things always seem to be the same. He expresses his love for her and his desire to hold her and never let go, but he knows that things can't go on like this forever.
Overall, the song is about the importance of communication in relationships and the consequences that can come when it breaks down. The singer is trying to reach out and connect with his girlfriend, but he's met with resistance and a lack of understanding. Ultimately, he's left feeling alone and helpless, and he doesn't know what to do to fix things.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, girl, stop what you're doin'
He wants her attention and wants to talk to her.
Hey, girl, you'll drive me to ruin
He is so into her that he feels like he could lose everything.
I don't know what it is that I like about you
He can't put his finger on it, but there's something he finds captivating about her.
But I like it a lot
Whatever that something is, it's making him feel really good.
Won't let me hold you
She's not interested in being physically close to him.
Let me feel your lovin' charms
He wants her to be open to him so he can experience the affection she offers.
Communication breakdown
They're not communicating well or at all. He is feeling frustrated.
It's always the same
This isn't the first time they've had difficulty communicating.
I'm having a nervous breakdown
His inability to communicate with her is causing him significant stress.
Drive me insane
He is starting to feel like this is driving him a little crazy.
Hey, girl, I got something I think you ought to know
He has something important to say and wants to share it with her.
Hey, babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
He loves her and wants to express it to her.
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
He wants a physical connection with her in order to feel close.
I'm never gonna let you go
She's important to him and he never wants to let her slip away.
'Cause I like your charms
She is attractive to him in a way that he finds irresistible.
I want you to love me all night
He wants her to show him an all-encompassing love.
I want you to love me
He wants her to feel love towards him.
I want you to love, yeah I want you to love
He is repeating himself, emphasizing how strongly he feels about wanting her love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt Mars
Love this track B^) always sounds like a couple fighting, u can hear her and him.
Stunning band, and Jeff's guitar break at 1:25 to 2:05 is stunning and relentless, and if you didn't know Jeff, and even when you do, you think WoW! that tune was great, I wonder how it ends, but then at 2:10 and to the end the first break sounds like he was only just getting in gear and takes it to an even more virtuoso mental-metal level that's you would never believe until you heard it, and well worth going temporarily deaf to now and then, on the headphones B^D
(With the treble turned down, or around 2khz notched out if you have a graphic, my pref anyway)
Ever notice in videos where Jeff's playing, all the other musicians are sooo loving it :)
(I don't know why people keep saying rip, rest in Peace, to Jeff :) I'd rather he was resting and banging "it could all get blown away" etc ) out at 11 every now and then :)
imbaskill
Came across the "Very Best Of JHB" CD while looking through my dads CDs and spotted Communication Breakdown on it and decided to give the cover a try. Damn I was surprised. This is fuckin awesome. and RIP Jeff Healey, he sure was a true musician
aidan mcguire mcguire
this is an amazing cover of communication breakdown..Jeff's playing was unbelievable and i swear john poppers opening harmonica notes 12 seconds in sound exactly like Robert plant singing 'heeeeeey girl'......fantastic stuff!!!!....RIP Jeff.....
Skidmark Goatcabin
His version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps puts the Beatle's version to shame and he tears it up here as well..he is missed
Dougie Desgranges
Wooooo boy! What a blast. Keep on rocking, folks.
Don Z Dryver
Best cover of this song I've ever heard. He blew it on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" though. I guess you just can't cover the Beatles!
Mark Mahy
If you think he can't cover the Beatles check out his version of Yer Blues.
Arthur Silva
QUE ARREGAÇO!
Brian Foskett
"JEFF HEALEY IS THE REAL DEAL!!!" RITCHIE BLACKMORE
Kimberly Rogers
Jeff rocks!!!!