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
It's Only Money
Jeff Healey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buried three foot deep in mason jars
He forgot more times than not
Where he left it stashed out in the yard
He told us before he died
?Boys, don't do what I did
Save enough to get you by
It?s only money, that's all it is
Harder to make it than it is to spend
Can't take it with ya, so don't let it get ya
It?s only money, yeah
The waiter said, ?Our featured wine
Tonight?s a California Merlot
May I suggest the calamari
Oysters or the escargot??
She looked at me and smiled
And in those blue eyes I got lost
I said bring us one of each of them
I don't care what it costs
It?s only money, that's all it is
Harder to make it than it is to spend
Can't take it with ya, so don't let it get ya
It?s only money, oh, it?s only money
She found that diamond bracelet
In the window of a jewelry store downtown, oh, no
She said I like the way it sparkles
As she kissed me and I pulled my wallet out, yes, I did
If it makes her happy
I don't care how much they charge
I still got a closet full of grandpa?s mason jars
It?s only money, that's all it is
Harder to make it than it is to spend
Can't take it with ya, so don't let it get ya
It?s only money
Oh, it?s only money, that's all it is
Harder to make it than it is to spend
Can't take it with ya, so don't let it get ya
It?s only money, money, money, money
Oh, it?s only money
It?s only money
It?s only money
It?s only money, oh, it?s only money
In Jeff Healey's song "It's Only Money," the lyrics describe different scenarios where money is either buried and forgotten or spent freely without much care. The first verse talks about the singer's grandfather, who used to keep his money buried in mason jars in the yard. He advised his family to save enough to get by and spend the rest. In the second verse, the singer is out for dinner with his significant other, and the waiter recommends several expensive items. Despite the cost, the singer decides to order one of each dish. In the third verse, the significant other finds a diamond bracelet in a jewelry store and admires how it sparkles. The singer, who has a closet full of his grandfather's mason jars, decides to buy it for her.
The central message of the song is that money is just money and should not be valued over experiences, relationships or love. The song encourages a carefree attitude towards money, reminding people that it is harder to make than it is to spend. The idea is that while money can provide fleeting joy, true happiness comes from experiences, love, and human connections.
Overall, Jeff Healey's "It's Only Money" is a song that emphasizes the importance of focusing on things that matter beyond just monetary value.
Line by Line Meaning
Grandpa used to keep his money
Grandfather would bury his money underground
Buried three foot deep in mason jars
Used mason jars to store his money
He forgot more times than not
Grandfather often couldn't remember where he left the jars
Where he left it stashed out in the yard
Grandfather would store the jars in his yard
He told us before he died
Grandfather gave advice to his family before passing
?Boys, don't do what I did
Grandfather warned his family not to be reckless with their money
Save enough to get you by
Encouraged his family to save money
And go spend all the rest?
But not to be afraid to spend it on things they enjoy
It's only money, that's all it is
Money is not the most important thing in life
Harder to make it than it is to spend
Earning money is more challenging than spending it
Can't take it with ya, so don't let it get ya
You cannot take money with you when you die, so do not place too much importance on it
The waiter said, ?Our featured wine
The waiter suggested a specific wine
Tonight's a California Merlot
The suggested wine is a California Merlot
May I suggest the calamari
The waiter also suggested calamari
Oysters or the escargot??
And oysters or escargot
She looked at me and smiled
His partner smiled at him
And in those blue eyes I got lost
He was mesmerized by her blue eyes
I said bring us one of each of them
He agreed to try everything suggested
I don't care what it costs
And he didn't care about the price
She found that diamond bracelet
His partner found a diamond bracelet
In the window of a jewelry store downtown, oh, no
In a jewelry store downtown
She said I like the way it sparkles
His partner liked the way the bracelet sparkled
As she kissed me and I pulled my wallet out, yes, I did
He decided to buy it for her
If it makes her happy
He is willing to spend money to make his partner happy
I still got a closet full of grandpa?s mason jars
He still has his grandfather's jars of buried money
Oh, it's only money, money, money, money
Money is just a physical object
Oh, it's only money
Money is not everything
It's only money, oh, it's only money
Again, money is not significant in life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LEE MURPHY, R. ANTHONY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind