Although blinded by eye cancer at the tender age of one, Jeff picked up his first guitar when he was three years-old and defied the odds and became a gifted and successful artist. He developed his own unique style of playing the guitar while it lay flat on his lap. Jeff quickly became a local guitar legend in his own right with his virtuosity. The group played around small Toronto-area clubs for a few years before eventually signing with BMG Canada and Arista Records for the rest of the world, and releasing their debut album See The Light in 1988, which featured the top charting hits "Angel Eyes" and "See The Light".
The Jeff Healey Band played and recorded Blues/Blues Rock-infused music along with many original-flavored covers. The band officially released five studio albums and one live recording including the sophomore Hell To Pay (1990), Feel This (1992), Cover To Cover (1995), Get Me Some (2000), and Live At Montreux 1999 (2005). There have also been some recent unofficial compilation releases without the consent of the artists.
Jeff and his band also performed a cameo role in the Patrick Swayze movie "Roadhouse" and they are featured in its official soundtrack.
The group split up in the late 2000, but Jeff continued performing as a solo artist and would later front Jeff Healey & The Jazz Wizards playing trumpet. He died on March 2, 2008 after a long battle with lung cancer, and is survived by his wife, Cristie, and two children.
All along The Watchtower
The Jeff Healey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the joker to the thief
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief
Businessmen they drink my wine, plowman dig my earth
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth"
"No need to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke
"There are many here among us who think that life is but a joke
But you and I, we've been through that, and that is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late"
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl
The lyrics of "All Along the Watchtower" by The Jeff Healey Band speak of a conversation between a joker and a thief who are seeking a way out of confusion and chaos. The joker expresses his desire to escape and says that he cannot find relief from the overwhelming disorder. He then talks about how the businessmen drink his wine and the plowman dig his earth, but none of them know what any of it is worth. The thief reassures him that many people think of life as a joke, but the two of them have been through that and have a different fate. Therefore, they must not talk falsely now because it is getting late.
The song's next section describes princes watching over their kingdoms while women come and go as barefoot servants, and a wildcat growls in the distance. Finally, two riders approach, and the wind begins to howl, signifying the end of an era. The lyrics seem to convey a sense of frustration with society and a yearning for escape from the absurdity and chaos of our existence. The song has been interpreted in various ways, with some seeing it as a reaction to the Vietnam War or the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way out of here
Expressing the desire to escape from an uncomfortable or confusing situation.
Said the joker to the thief
Two people in conversation, one of them is playful and carefree, the other deceitful and dishonest.
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to find a solution to the problems at hand.
Businessmen they drink my wine, plowman dig my earth, None of them along the line know what any of it is worth
People from different social classes enjoy the fruits of my labor, but don't understand or appreciate their true value.
No need to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke, "There are many here among us who think that life is but a joke
Be calm and don't get worked up, because there are people around who don't take life seriously.
But you and I, we've been through that, and that is not our fate, So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late
We have experienced tough times before, but that's not our destiny. Therefore, we should speak truthfully and realistically as time is running out.
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view, While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl, Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl
Describing a scene from a watchtower where royalty and other people of higher status watch the world below. The ordinary people continue their daily routines, while there is an ominous sense of danger approaching in the form of two riders.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eharmicar
Jeff Healey left us much to soon.Cancer took his eyesight and he developed his own style of playing.Cancer later took his life.It’s a crime he never got his due.Man was a music lover and got to do what he loved.R.I.P.Jeff Healey.Gone but not forgotten.
@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251
The best guitarist that ever lived, what a sweet humble man he was as well, so glad I seen this legend live, miss you so much Jeff ❤️🙏
@verbatimdk
he was the best out of Canada ;)
@andyj845
@@verbatimdk I'd go with Frank Marino...check out his cover of this song.
@verbatimdk
@@andyj845 you are right he is also pretty dahm good player, never heard him before. thank you for introducing him to me. was he only a legend in the late 70ties?
@andyj845
@@verbatimdk He was never really that well known, but somewhat popular in the 70's. He just had to hang it up due to medical issues last year.
@thomasrendall2237
If Jimi was there he would be in shock and awe of his cover. R.I.P. Jeff. You da' man.
@PukkaracesUk
Jeff was a seriously underrated guitarist!.. One of the best in my opinion! Legend!
@hughes2397
Pukka Races Yes he was. He's always been an inspiration to me, because even though he may not can see, he had to adapt to playing the guitar laid down, and he is better than most guitarists who can see perfectly. Even though he's blind, his hearing takes over, and his sense of hearing is heightened, and you can plainly tell that he FEELS every single note he's playing. He puts every ounce of his energy, heart, and soul into each performance, and that is what makes music. Being able to see, or not isn't what makes music, because it comes from within, and he's hands down a true testament to that. Jeff Healey will forever be an inspiration to me. He's a true "musician" in my book.
@WolfKreide
"who" exactly is your measurement for underrating?