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.
Highway Of Dreams
The Jeff Healey Band Lyrics
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Wide open spaces and cities without any name
People who gamble in search of their quest
Jokers and aces all put to the test
Winners and losers all travel the highway of dreams
Ladies all painted in shades of object despair
Memory, while tainted, by lying that appears so unfair
Women and whinin' and foolin' the facts
Winners and losers all travel the highway of dreams
The deserts of darkness and rivers of gold
Mountains we all have to climb
Further ahead there's a fortune untold
It can be reached in a matter of time
Factories, once proud of their work
While my poor ass goes down
Parks that were loud, now
Have silenced the merry-go-round
People who dwell in their castles of steel
Visions of progress have now become real
Winners and losers all travel the highway of dreams
Winners and losers all travel the highway of dreams
Highway of dreams, highway of dreams
Highway of dreams, highway of dreams
The lyrics of "Highway of Dreams" by The Jeff Healey Band explore the universal human experience of searching for fulfillment and success in life. The song depicts a world where individuals are caught up in a relentless pursuit of their desires, represented by the metaphorical highway of dreams.
The first verse describes a world where everything seems to blend together. Faces and places lose their distinctiveness as people become consumed by their own ambitions. The contrast between wide open spaces and nameless cities reflects the diversity of paths people take in their pursuit of happiness. Some are gamblers, willing to take risks in search of their quest, while others are merely players in a game of chance, represented by jokers and aces. The verse highlights the commonality of this human experience, emphasizing that both winners and losers participate in this journey.
The second verse delves deeper into the personal struggles individuals face. Women are portrayed as painted in shades of object despair, suggesting that they have been conditioned by society to conform to certain expectations. Memory is tainted by deceit and dishonesty, which further adds to the sense of unfairness. The arrival of two Cadillacs symbolizes a moment of indulgence and excess, as women and their manipulative ways deceive and distort the truth. This verse reinforces the notion that winners and losers alike are all part of this journey on the highway of dreams.
The third verse explores the challenges faced along this pathway. The deserts of darkness and rivers of gold suggest that success and fulfillment are not easily attained. Mountains represent the obstacles and struggles that individuals must overcome to achieve their dreams. The mention of a fortune untold further emphasizes the potential rewards that lie ahead. However, it is emphasized that reaching this fortune requires time and effort.
The final verse juxtaposes the past with the present. It references once proud factories, highlighting a shift in economic landscapes and societal values. The silence of merry-go-rounds in parks symbolizes the loss of innocence and joy as progress takes its toll. People reside in their castles of steel, representing both the materialistic and isolated nature of modern society. The verse suggests that visions of progress have now become a reality, but whether that progress is truly fulfilling remains open to interpretation.
Overall, "Highway of Dreams" presents a reflective and somewhat cautionary tale about the universal pursuit of happiness, success, and fulfillment. It emphasizes that it is not solely the destination that matters, but also the journey and the experiences encountered along the way. The song acknowledges that both winners and losers participate in this journey, implying that success is subjective and ultimately influenced by individual perspectives and circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Faces and places in motion become all the same
The constant movement and change in surroundings can cause everything to blend together and lose individuality.
Wide open spaces and cities without any name
Both rural areas and bustling urban centers may lack true identity or distinctive characteristics.
People who gamble in search of their quest
Individuals who take risks and make choices in pursuit of their goals and aspirations.
Jokers and aces all put to the test
Both those who are perceived as foolish and those who are considered skilled are challenged and evaluated.
Winners and losers all travel the highway of dreams
Both those who succeed and those who fail navigate the path towards their desires and ambitions.
Ladies all painted in shades of object despair
Women who disguise their true emotions with an outward facade of hopelessness and resignation.
Memory, while tainted, by lying that appears so unfair
Recollections that are distorted and corrupted by falsehoods, which seem unjust.
Here comes a bud'un, it's two Cadillacs
An upcoming encounter involving two luxurious cars.
Women and whinin' and foolin' the facts
Females engaging in complaining and manipulating the truth.
The deserts of darkness and rivers of gold
Metaphorical landscapes representing both hardships and prosperity.
Mountains we all have to climb
Obstacles and challenges that everyone must face and overcome.
Further ahead there's a fortune untold
In the future, there lies a great amount of wealth and opportunity that remains undisclosed.
It can be reached in a matter of time
With patience and persistence, this abundance can be attained within a certain duration.
Factories, once proud of their work
Industrial facilities which were previously filled with pride for their accomplishments.
While my poor ass goes down
Meanwhile, I continue to face hardships and difficulties.
Parks that were loud, now
Locations that were once filled with lively activities and noise
Have silenced the merry-go-round
Now have made the carousel quiet and inactive.
People who dwell in their castles of steel
Individuals who reside in their sturdy and imposing structures.
Visions of progress have now become real
Dreams and aspirations for improvement have materialized and become tangible.
Highway of dreams, highway of dreams
The metaphorical journey towards achieving hopes and aspirations.
Highway of dreams, highway of dreams
The ongoing path towards pursuing desires and ambitions.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Jeff Healey, Joseph Rockman, Tom Stephen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lemon Blues
on While My Guitar Gently Weeps
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