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
My Blackbirds Are Bluebirds Now
Jeff Healey Lyrics
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Sing a song because nothing's wrong
My blackbirds are bluebirds now
Bad luck's gone on it's way
Good luck had to come back to stay
My blackbirds are bluebirds now
Told the pretty daffodils
Told the preacher on the hill
Wedding Sunday, honeymoon's Monday
Yes siree, nice work while
Look at me with a great big smile
My blackbirds are bluebirds now
Told the pretty daffodils
I told the little whipperwill
Told the preacher on the hill
Wedding Sunday, honeymoon's Monday
Yes siree, nice work while
Look at me with a great big smile
My blackbirds are bluebirds now
In this song, the singer is celebrating a turn of events in his life. He is singing all day long, happy and carefree because bad luck has left him and good luck has returned. He describes his blackbirds, which were once symbols of misfortune, as now being bluebirds. This change represents a shift in his experience, from sorrow to joy. He tells the whipperwill (a type of bird), the daffodils, and the preacher on the hill about his good fortune, including his upcoming wedding and honeymoon. His happiness is apparent in his great big smile as he looks at himself.
The song seems to be about the power of positive thinking and how it can change one's circumstances. The singer recognizes that bad luck is a part of life, but he chooses to focus on the good things and ignore the bad. The phrase "My blackbirds are bluebirds now" is a powerful metaphor for this mindset. He sees the world differently, and as a result, his experiences change for the better. The song is an upbeat, joyous celebration of life and its possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
All day long sing a song,
I am singing all day, every day, because everything is going well and there's nothing to worry about.
Sing a song because nothing's wrong
I am singing because I am happy and content with my life.
My blackbirds are bluebirds now
Everything has turned around for the better, from bad to good.
Bad luck's gone on it's way
Bad luck has finally left me alone.
Good luck had to come back to stay
Good luck has now returned and it's not going away.
I told the little whipperwill
I shared my happiness with a small bird called whipperwill.
Told the pretty daffodils
I told the beautiful flowers called daffodils that things have turned around for me.
Told the preacher on the hill
I shared the good news of my life with the religious leader on the hill.
Wedding Sunday, honeymoon's Monday
My life is happy and romantic, with a wedding on Sunday and a honeymoon to follow.
Yes siree, nice work while
Yes, indeed, all is going well for me.
Look at me with a great big smile
I am beaming with happiness, showing the world my big, happy smile.
My blackbirds are bluebirds now
Everything in my life has taken a positive turn for the better.
Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.