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
The Weight
Jeff Healey Lyrics
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I just need some place where I can lay my head
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said
Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free
Take a load off Fannie
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around"
Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free
Take a load off Fannie
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't ya stay an' keep Anna Lee
Company?"
Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free
Take a load off Fannie
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
He said, "I will fix your rags, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man"
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can"
Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free
Take a load off Fannie
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
Catch a Cannonball, now, t'take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Annie, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
The Weight by Jeff Healey is a cover of a song by The Band that was written by Robbie Robertson. The singer of the song finds himself in Nazareth, feeling tired and in need of a bed to rest his head. He approaches a man and asks him if he knows where he can find a bed, but the man simply grins and says no. The singer then hears an offer to take a load off from Fannie, and the person telling him offers to take the load from him. The repeated line 'take a load off Fannie' in the chorus is a reference to this offer.
The singer then meets Carmen and the Devil as they walk side by side. Carmen tells him she can't go downtown with him but that her friend can stick around. The song then goes on to reference Luke, who is waiting for Judgement Day, and young Anna Lee who needs company. The final verse features Crazy Chester, who offers to fix the singer's rags if he will take Jack, his dog. The singer agrees but asks Chester to wait because he is a peaceful man. The song ends with a request to catch a cannonball and take the singer back to Miss Annie.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' about half past dead
I arrived in Nazareth feeling extremely tired and worn out.
I just need some place where I can lay my head
I was in desperate need of somewhere to rest and sleep.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
I asked a stranger if he knew where I could find a place to sleep.
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said
The stranger just smiled, shook my hand, and told me there were no beds available.
Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free
Take a break, loosen up, relax a little.
Take a load off Fannie
Take a break or some time to relax.
And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me
I'm willing to help you carry your burden or troubles, so don't hesitate to lean on me.
I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide
I grabbed my things and searched for a spot to take cover or escape.
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
I spotted a questionable pair walking together, most likely up to no good.
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around"
Carmen informed me that she had other plans but that her friend would stay behind.
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
Miss Moses, there's nothing you can do to change my decision or the direction I am taking.
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day
I'm simply Luke, and I'm just waiting for the day of judgment.
"Do me a favor, son, won't ya stay an' keep Anna Lee Company?"
Luke asked me to keep his friend Anna Lee company while he tended to other matters.
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
Crazy Chester caught up with me while I was moving through a dense fog.
He said, "I will fix your rags, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
Chester offered to repair my torn clothes if I would care for his dog.
To get back to Miss Annie, you know she's the only one
I need to return to Miss Annie because she's the one who sent me on this mission.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
Miss Annie desired to send her regards to everybody and requested me to carry out the errand.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind