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.
How Long Can A Man Be Strong
The Jeff Healey Band Lyrics
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For a long, long time
Tryin' to find a home
For heart of mine
The nights are lonely
And the days are long
It's hard to find a reason
To carry on
But all this searchin'
Is it ever gonna end?
Must I keep on losin'
Again and again?
Tell me, how long can a man be strong?
How long must he carry on
Without the love of a woman
To call his own?
Tell me, how long can a man be strong?
It's on every man's mind
To find that special girl
Some of them getta lucky
But I'm alone in this world
Still I know she's out there somewhere
So I'm gonna keep tryin'
Someday I'm gonna find her
It's just a matter of time
As long as I've been waiting
I know she's been waiting, too
Hold on a little longer
I'm all the way to you
Now ever since this world began
It takes a woman to make a man
Now I need someone
Don't you know I need someone?
Ooh
But all this searchin'
Is it ever gonna end?
Must I keep on losin'
Again and again and again?
Yeah
Oh keep on waiting
Oh no
Yeah
The lyrics of The Jeff Healey Band's song "How Long Can A Man Be Strong" are describing the struggle of a man who has been searching for a home for his heart for a long time. He is feeling restless and lonely, as he tries to find a reason to keep on going. He is asking how long he can keep on being strong without the love of a woman by his side. He understands that every man wants to find that special girl, but he feels like he is alone in this world.
The man in the song remains optimistic despite his struggles. He believes that the woman he has been searching for is out there, and he will find her one day. He acknowledges that he has been waiting for a long time, but he knows that she has been waiting for him too. He is asking her to hold on a little longer because he is all the way to her. The song ends with the man questioning how long he must keep on waiting and losing without finding the woman he needs.
The lyrics of this song explore universal themes of love and the human desire to find a connection with someone. The singer questions the hardships of life, the struggles of the heart, and the long and often difficult search for the right partner. The song's message is to keep going and remain hopeful in the face of life's challenges because love is worth it in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a restless
I have been feeling uneasy and agitated for a while.
For a long, long time
This feeling has persisted for a significant period.
Tryin' to find a home
I have been searching for a place of belonging.
For heart of mine
A place where my emotions will be at peace.
The nights are lonely
During nights, I feel isolated and companionless.
And the days are long
I find the days monotonous and lingering.
It's hard to find a reason
I am struggling to discover a justification.
To carry on
To continue living in this manner.
But all this searchin'
Despite all the exploration and inquiry,
Is it ever gonna end?
Will it ever result in a solution?
Must I keep on losin'
Do I always have to face disappointment?
Again and again?
Repeatedly experiencing the same negative outcome.
Tell me, how long can a man be strong?
For how long can I be resilient?
How long must he carry on
How much longer do I have to persist?
Without the love of a woman
Devoid of companionship with a female partner.
To call his own?
As someone special and personal.
It's on every man's mind
Finding love is a fundamental desire.
To find that special girl
Locating a unique and significant romantic partner.
Some of them getta lucky
Certain individuals are fortunate in that regard.
But I'm alone in this world
But I am still feeling alone and solitary.
Still I know she's out there somewhere
Nonetheless, I am sure that she is present in this world.
So I'm gonna keep tryin'
Therefore, I will continue my pursuit of finding her.
Someday I'm gonna find her
Eventually, I will be successful in locating her.
It's just a matter of time
It is only a question of when, not if.
As long as I've been waiting
During the period of my longing,
I know she's been waiting, too
I am confident that she has been anticipating me also.
Hold on a little longer
Endure a bit more patiently.
I'm all the way to you
Take assurance that I am coming to you.
Now ever since this world began
From time immemorial,
It takes a woman to make a man
It is through the influence of women that men become better.
Now I need someone
Currently, I necessitate a female partner.
Don't you know I need someone?
Do you not understand that I require companionship?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimmy John Scott, Stephen Lee Cropper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith Lawrence
Fanlove for 10 years for Jennie Skulander of Devilskin and Georgia her 5 year old daughter