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.
I Can't Get My Hands On You
The Jeff Healey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got some land in the south of France
I am gonna get me a house out on Malibu beach
Just as soon as I get the chance
Though I ain't got a driver's license
I've got a Rolls and five limousines
I've got every little thing that money can buy
Well, I've got a lot of things, baby, in this world
But I can't get my hands on you
Once I loaned out a whole lot of money
To a man who I called my friend
And he skipped town without paying me back
Well, he'll never pull that trick again
And though it ain't always been this easy
I worked hard to get to this spot
And all that it took was determination
To get all the things that I've got
You see, I've got a lot of things, baby, in this world
But I can't get my hands on you
No, no, no
Hey!
Well, I guess if I had to admit it
In my life, I've done okay
Whenever they told me that I couldn't get something
I went out and found me a way
But with you, it's a different story, baby
You just won't give me a break
How am I gonna face all of my friends
My whole reputation's at stake
You see, I've got a lot of things, baby, in this world
But I can't get my hands on you
Oh, I can't do it, baby
No, no, no
Can't get a hand on you
The Jeff Healey Band's song "I Can't Get My Hands On You" is a bluesy rock tune about a man who has everything but the one thing he wants - the love of a woman. The singer describes all of the possessions he has acquired through hard work and determination, including two islands in the Bahamas, land in the south of France, a house on Malibu beach, a Rolls and five limousines. He has worked hard to achieve all of these material possessions and despite not having a driver's license, he still manages to have a fleet of cars. However, despite all of his successes, he is unable to attain the love of his desired woman.
In the second verse, he reflects on past experiences where he has been betrayed and left empty-handed. However, he is proud of all that he has achieved through his hard work and perseverance. He has never let anyone tell him he can't have something and has always found a way to get what he wants. However, he expresses his frustration at not being able to have the love of this particular woman. He is willing to do whatever it takes, but she simply won't give him a chance.
The song contrasts the singer's material wealth with his emotional poverty. Though he has everything he could want, he still feels incomplete without the love of the woman he desires. The song's catchy chorus highlights this theme, with the repeated phrase "I've got a lot of things, baby, in this world, but I can't get my hands on you." The song's overall message is that true happiness can't be bought with money or possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got two islands in the Bahamas
I am a wealthy person and I own two islands in the Bahamas.
Got some land in the south of France
I also own some land in the south of France.
I am gonna get me a house out on Malibu beach
I have plans to buy a house on Malibu beach soon.
Just as soon as I get the chance
When the opportunity arises, I will pursue my plans.
Though I ain't got a driver's license
Despite not having a driver's license,
I've got a Rolls and five limousines
I own a Rolls-Royce and five limousines.
I've got every little thing that money can buy
I have everything I want or need, thanks to my wealth.
And I guess that I am a man of means
I am a wealthy person.
Well, I've got a lot of things, baby, in this world
I have many possessions and wealth in this world.
But I can't get my hands on you
However, I cannot seem to win your love or attention.
Once I loaned out a whole lot of money
I once lent a significant amount of money to someone.
To a man who I called my friend
This man was someone I considered a friend at that time.
And he skipped town without paying me back
Unfortunately, he left town without repaying the loan.
Well, he'll never pull that trick again
I learned a lesson and will not lend him money again.
And though it ain't always been this easy
I faced challenges and obstacles on my way to success.
I worked hard to get to this spot
I had to put in a lot of effort to reach my current position.
And all that it took was determination
I achieved success due to my strong will and determination.
You see, I've got a lot of things, baby, in this world
I still have a lot of possessions and wealth in this world.
But I can't get my hands on you
Yet, I cannot seem to win your heart.
Well, I guess if I had to admit it
Although it is difficult for me to admit it,
In my life, I've done okay
I have accomplished a lot in my life.
Whenever they told me that I couldn't get something
When someone said I could not achieve something,
I went out and found me a way
I made sure to find a way to accomplish it.
But with you, it's a different story, baby
However, with you, it is a different situation altogether.
You just won't give me a break
You seem uninterested in giving me a chance.
How am I gonna face all of my friends
I am concerned about facing my friends who know about my attraction towards you.
My whole reputation's at stake
My reputation is on the line, and I do not want to be seen as a failure in love.
Oh, I can't do it, baby
I cannot live without you, baby.
No, no, no
Not at all.
Can't get a hand on you
I am incapable of winning your love and attention.
Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Johnson
What a great song! One of Canada's best.
67 Lions of Lisbon
Didn't know who Jeff Healy was until I saw Roadhouse. His version of "When the night comes falling from the sky" is EPIC!
Bought the Roadhouse Album and Hell to Pay on cassette. Played them til they wore out!
God rest you Jeff. You'll live forever in your songs and playing.
Tim Robinson
CANT GET ENOUGH OF THIS TRACK , OR THIS ALBUM[ SO UNDERRATED [ FAR BETTER THAN ANYTHING POST CREAM CLAPTON HAS EVER DONE
clarence wertz III
i agree what a power house of a guitar player,great rock,were loosein a few to make heaven new,
Tim Robinson
THE MOST UNDERATED GUITARIST EVER [ FAR BETTER THAN CLAPTON [ RIGHT UP THERE WITH HENDRIX AND PAGE FOR ME
seasoned musician
Love it!! I know Tom well!
Bastūnas
great! thanks! :)
Tim Robinson
The most underrated guitarist ever far better than Clapton green or beck