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.
See the Light
The Jeff Healey Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you see the light of need shinin' in my eye?
Can you see the light,
Can you see the light of need shinin' in my eye?
Well, you know I need you baby,
And I sure ain't gonna tell you no lie
Can you see the light of want shinin' on my face?
Can you see the light,
Can you see the light of want shinin' on my face? hey
Well, you know I want you, mama
Come on, we'll get from this place, now
Look out! Yeah!
Can you see the light,
Can you see the light of love shinin' from my heart?
Can you see the light,
Can you see the light of love shinin' from my heart?
Well, you know I love you, baby,
And I sure want to give this thing a start, Lord!
Can you see the light?
Can you see the light?
Can you see the light?
Say! Can you see the light, yeah?
The Jeff Healey Band's song See the Light begins with a question, asking if the listener can perceive the light of need shining in the singer's eyes. The use of light as a metaphor is continued throughout the song, with references to the light of want and the light of love. The singer acknowledges his desire for the listener, stating "you know I need you baby/ And I sure ain't gonna tell you no lie" and "you know I want you, mama/ Come on, we'll get from this place now." The song ends with a repetition of the question, "can you see the light?" as if inviting the listener to acknowledge their own desires and needs.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as an invitation to connect with another person on a deeper level, to see and acknowledge their needs, wants, and love. The use of light as a metaphor adds a layer of emotion and intensity to the lyrics, as if the singer's feelings are shining through for all to see.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you see the light,
Asking if the listener can understand the message behind the lyrics.
Can you see the light of need shinin' in my eye?
The singer is expressing how much they need someone, and hoping that the listener can see that through the emotion in their eyes.
Well, you know I need you baby,
Admitting to the person they are singing to that they truly do need them.
And I sure ain't gonna tell you no lie
Promising honesty in their feelings towards the listener.
Can you see the light of want shinin' on my face?
Showing how much the singer wants the person they are singing to, and hoping that it's visible on their face.
Well, you know I want you, mama
Making it clear that the singer desires the person they are singing to.
Come on, we'll get from this place, now. Look out! Yeah!
Encouraging the person they are singing to leave whatever situation they are in and start something new together.
Can you see the light of love shinin' from my heart?
Expressing their love for the person they are singing to, and hoping that it is visible in their heart.
Well, you know I love you, baby,
Telling the person they are singing to that they love them.
And I sure want to give this thing a start, Lord!
Expressing their desire to start a new relationship with the person they love.
Can you see the light? Say! Can you see the light, yeah?
Repeating the message of the song and asking for confirmation that the listener understands.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LORENZO DUNN, LORENZO RUSSELL DUNN, LOUISE HARDY, PHILIP BAILEY, PHILIP JAMES BAILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Devin Sinderwitcz
Just absolutely amazing. Jeff was a genius amongst most guitarists still to this day! I've yet to find anyone who could play this note for note!
Alex Crow
Jeff saw the ligth ever , we just hear his great feeling and amazing guitar playing.... Rest in Peace AC
Maxim Popov
Blues is the healer 💯 Jeff Healey is a genius... RIP
BIG D
such a BAD ASS guitar riff.....Jeff was amazing
18KOFF19
He was a genius and I like his music very much. This one is fantastic, that guitar gets very little rest here!
gerry shaver
Jeff is in my home every morning on my home PC. I love his music and everything about him.
Donald Davis
Love how he taught himself to play his way!
Алексей Ганько
Fantastic song and great solo.🎸👍
alefender91
it's in D, he works on pentatonic with few more!! this is his greatness!! incredible
John Dean Richards
As incredible as when I first heard it as a teenager