Jeff Healey (born Norman Jeffrey Healey on March 25, 1966 in Toronto, Cana… Read Full Bio ↴Jeff Healey (born Norman Jeffrey Healey on March 25, 1966 in Toronto, Canada – died March 2, 2008) was a blind Canadian blues-rock guitarist. Healey was perhaps most notable for his innovative playing style, with his guitar lying flat on his lap. Despite losing his sight to cancer of the eyes at one years old, he began to play guitar when he was just three, and developed his own unique playing style and technique.

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

I'm Tore Down
Jeff Healey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground
I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found

I went to the river to jump in
My baby showed up and said, "I will tell you when"

Well, I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground

Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found

I love you babe with all my heart and soul,
Love like mine will never grow old

Love you in the morning and in the evening too
Every time you leave me I get mad with you

I love you baby with all my might
Love like mine is out of sight
I'll lie for you if you want me to
I really don't believe that your love is true

I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground

Well, I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground
Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Tore Down" by Jeff Healey is a classic blues song about a man who feels lost and weary when his love leaves him. The first verse sets the tone for the entire song with the repetition of the phrase "I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground." This line is symbolic of the singer's emotional state, where he is being slowly broken down to his lowest point, unable to stand on his own two feet. The second half of the verse "Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found" solidifies the idea that the source of his pain is a lost love, and without her, he is unable to function.

The second verse starts off with the man reaching his breaking point, deciding to jump into a river. However, his lover shows up and tells him she'll let him know when it's time to go. This could be interpreted as the woman having power over the man's emotions and actions, as he is willing to jump just because of her absence. The following lines express the man's undying love for her, but also his frustration with the situation. He loves her with all his heart, but every time she leaves him, he gets angry. The last verse mirrors the first, repeating the lines "I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground" and reiterating that the man is at his lowest when his love is gone.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm tore down, I'm almost level with the ground
I feel completely broken and defeated.

Well, I feel like this when my baby can't be found
When my significant other is not around, I feel lost, empty and helpless.

I went to the river to jump in
In desperation to ease the pain, I considered taking extreme measures.

My baby showed up and said, "I will tell you when"
My significant other has control over my life and emotions, deciding when and how I can be happy.

I love you babe with all my heart and soul,
I am fully committed to my significant other with every fiber of my being.

Love like mine will never grow old
The love we share is timeless and will never fade away.

Every time you leave me I get mad with you
Being apart from my significant other causes me to feel angry, anxious and frustrated.

I love you baby with all my might
The intensity of my love for my significant other cannot be measured, as it knows no bounds.

Love like mine is out of sight
Our love is so strong that it cannot be seen, but only felt and experienced.

I'll lie for you if you want me to
I am willing to compromise my own integrity for the sake of pleasing my significant other.

I really don't believe that your love is true
Despite my unwavering love and devotion, I remain unsure of whether or not my significant other truly reciprocates these feelings.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sonny Thompson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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