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
Jambalaya
Jeff Healey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have good fun on the bayou
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style, go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
The lyrics of Jeff Healey's song "Jambalaya" are a playful tribute to the fun and excitement of life in Louisiana. The first verse introduces the singer's desire to venture down the bayou with his sweetheart Yvonne, promising a good time with the expression "son of a gun," which is a term of excitement and astonishment. In the chorus, he highlights the traditional Cajun culinary delights of the region, including jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. The lyrics also incorporate the French phrase "ma cher amio," which translates to "my dear friend."
The second verse brings the listener into the festivities of the day, with Thibodeaux and Fontainbleau noted as popular spots for the celebration. The singer paints an image of a community bursting with life, as kinfolk come to join in the revelry. The final repetition of the chorus reiterates the exhilaration of the Bayou experience, echoing the joyous sentiment of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh, my oh
Farewell Joe, I must depart, oh my goodness
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
I must go and pole my boat down the bayou
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
My Yvonne, the sweetest of them all, oh my goodness
Son of a gun, we'll have good fun on the bayou
Wow, this will be great fun on the bayou
Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a filé gumbo
Jambalaya, with crawfish pie and filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Because tonight I am going to see my cher amio (beloved friend)
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Play guitar, fill a fruit jar and have a good time
Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is buzzin'
Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is lively
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Yvonne's relatives come in droves to see her
Dress in style, go hog wild, me oh my oh
Dress fashionably, go wild with excitement, oh my goodness
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we will have a great time on the bayou
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we will have a great time on the bayou
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Wow, we will have a great time on the bayou
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Ridge
Jeff Healy sang lead vocals on all tracks except "Jambalaya" which had Alec Fraser (Bass) sing lead. This album wasn't a quick release to capitalize on his death. It was planned and recorded by Jeff Healy months prior to his death.
TheRunner75
This is really one of the best covers ever recorded of this song. I love it. Please check, Fat Domino, The Carpenters, John Fogerty (Blue Ridge Rangers) and The Shocking Blue who all did good covers of the 1952 Hank Williams tune ;-)
Steve Woan
Great cover!!
anthony owsley
Great cover? Man, That SUCKED! Hank sr. Would Beat the piss out of whoever that is for destroying his song like that.
Ramaz Khatiashvili
This is not Jeff's voice. Has anyone got any idea of who it is?
pepe lepew
hope one day all of you get to come to Louisiana and eat some chicken and sausage jambalaya ....... great post
Debra Berryere
the 2 or 3 songs i've listened to so far from this album have departed greatly from the rest of his albums....they feature the other instruments more & less of Jeff's singing....either he was really unwell or they pieced this together from music played before he died and others singing over the dubs after died then released it...