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
How Blue Can You Get
Jeff Healey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been downhearted baby
Ever since the first day that we met
I've been downhearted baby
Ever since the first day that we met
Your love ain't nothing but the blues
Woman, how blue can ya' get ?
You're evil when I'm with ya'
And oh, you're jealous when we're apart
Good God, you're jealous when I'm with ya' honey
And you're evil when we're apart
Your love ain't nothing but the blues
Woman, how blue can ya', can ya' get ?
Oh
You're evil when I'm with ya'
I bought you a brand new car
You said "I want a Cadillac"
I bought you a ten-dollar dinner
You said "Thank you for the snack"
I let you live in my penthouse
You said "That ain't nothing but a shack"
I gave you seven children
And now you wanna give 'em back !
Oh, I've been downhearted baby
Good God, I've been downhearted since we met
And listen, your love ain't nothing but the blues
Woman, how blue can ya' get ?
Yeah, oh
The lyrics of Jeff Healey's "How Blue Can You Get" are about a man who is constantly disappointed by his woman who seems to be nothing but a source of pain in his life. The song begins with him expressing his sadness and depression ever since the first time they met, and how he has always felt downhearted in their relationship. He then goes on to say that her love is nothing but the blues, and wonders how blue she can actually get.
The man then describes how she behaves when they are together and when they are apart. He says that she is evil when he is with her and jealous when they are apart. Her constant mood swings and manipulations make him realize that her love is not real, and that all she brings is pain and sadness. He describes how he has tried to make her happy by buying her a car, taking her out to dinner, and even letting her live in his penthouse, but nothing seems to satisfy her. In fact, when he gave her seven children, she even wanted to give them back.
The song concludes by reiterating the man's sadness and how her love is nothing but the blues. These lyrics offer a poignant commentary on relationships that are based on manipulation, anger, and insincerity. They show how painful and damaging such relationships can be, and how important it is to recognize and walk away from them.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been downhearted baby
I've been feeling extremely sad since the first day we met
Ever since the first day that we met
From the very beginning of our relationship
Your love ain't nothing but the blues
All I get from you is disappointment and sorrow
Woman, how blue can ya' get ?
You keep giving me pain, how much worse can it get?
You're evil when I'm with ya'
You act cruel and heartless when we're together
And oh, you're jealous when we're apart
You become envious and suspicious when we're not together
Good God, you're jealous when I'm with ya' honey
My goodness, you get so jealous even when I'm around you
And you're evil when we're apart
You even act horribly when we're not together
I bought you a brand new car
I've given you expensive gifts
You said "I want a Cadillac"
You expressed discontent and demanded something even better
I bought you a ten-dollar dinner
I've taken you out to eat
You said "Thank you for the snack"
Your gratitude for my gesture was minimal
I let you live in my penthouse
I've provided you with luxurious accommodations
You said "That ain't nothing but a shack"
You belittled my effort and generosity
I gave you seven children
I've been dedicated to our family and providing for our children
And now you wanna give 'em back !
You want to reject your parenthood and abandon our family
Good God, I've been downhearted since we met
I've been depressed and heartbroken all this time
And listen, your love ain't nothing but the blues
Your affection doesn't bring me joy, only sadness
Yeah, oh
Expressing deep sadness and despair
Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Fair
This guy was amazing. His phrasing, his leads, his timing, his singing, few can match this. Just the top dogs,...SRV, Albert King, BB king, Freddie King..Jeff was right up there. Being blind and playing in his lap, he never missed a lick. I love him.
Guy Major
I don’t know if anyone can match the speed of his licks! They’re legendary!
Lugen Taubner
100%
Zalie Saunders
So do I, just amazing.
Poage57
The Blues with feeling and heart. What kind of moron would give this a thumbs down. Wish JH was still with us, but thankful we still have these videos and his music to remember him by. What a talent.
Davey Lee
I bet Stevie Wonder gave it a 🤙🏾. The two have something in common 💙
Joe Friedman
@LeanneP You are right this thumbs up to down ratio is still absurdly good considering there's always idiots down voting great videos.
LeanneP
Poage57...only four thumbs down out of 94K views...is ...a cow. It's friendlier than you believe. Cows love music.
Kingscrib
His technique & vocals were unsurpassed. It was a sad day for Blues and Jazz when recurrent cancer claimed Jeff Healey, March 2008.
~Greatly appreciated and sadly missed.
Mike Woodrow
@Kingscrib. Digging’ your Neon Park Feats avatar! Saw them twice, met the band backstage once (unfortunately, after Lowell’s time, but they still banged ‘em out, with Fuller and Tackett aboard). Peace from Toronto!