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Wheels On Fire
The Magic Numbers Lyrics


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Wheels on fire
Why don't you tell me lies, you want to
Wheels on fire
Why don't you say goodbye?

Well there's a light, there's a hope
Come swing me baby, from this here rope
I sold you lies

And pray that maybe someday you'll return here
Lord knows I
I keep finding words that leave you
(I told you I don't mind)
Something tells me I'm not meant to
(I told you I don't mind)
I keep finding words that leave you

Wheels on fire
Why don't you tell me lies, you want to
Wheels on fire
Why don't you say goodbye?

Well there's a (light/life?), there's a hope
Come swing me baby, from this here rope
I sold you lies

And pray that maybe someday you'll return here
Lord knows I
I keep finding words that leave you
(I told you I don't mind)
Something tells me I'm not meant to
(I told you I don't mind)
I keep finding words that leave you

Wheels on fire
Why don't you tell me lies, you want to
Wheels on fire
Why don't you say goodbye?

(repeat)

Overall Meaning

The Magic Numbers's song Wheels on Fire is a heart-wrenching ballad about a relationship gone wrong. The song begins with the repeated line "wheels on fire", which is a metaphor for the intense passion and desire of the couple, but also alludes to the feeling of being consumed by their love. The singer pleads with their partner to tell them lies and to say goodbye, which suggests that the relationship is filled with mistrust and uncertainty.


The next verse speaks of a "light" and "hope", which can be interpreted as the possibility of fixing the relationship, but it is a fragile hope as the singer also mentions the image of a noose or rope, implying that their desperation to save the relationship is akin to the feeling of being hanged. The following line "I sold you lies" reveals that the singer is aware of their own shortcomings and mistakes, and they are hoping for forgiveness and a chance to start anew. The chorus is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the cycle of hope and despair that characterizes the relationship.


In the bridge of the song, the singer conveys a sense of desperation as they try to salvage the relationship. They acknowledge that they keep finding words or things that upset their partner, but they plead that they "don't mind" and hope that their partner will eventually forgive them. The last chorus is repeated with even more urgency, conveying the pain and frustration of being unable to fix the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Wheels on fire
Things are getting intense and out of control


Why don't you tell me lies, you want to
Why don't you just lie to me like you always do?


Why don't you say goodbye?
Why don't you leave me and end this painful relationship?


Well there's a light, there's a hope
Although things seem dark and hopeless, there is still a chance for things to get better


Come swing me baby, from this here rope
Take a chance on me despite everything that has happened


I sold you lies
I deceived you and now I'm paying the price


And pray that maybe someday you'll return here
I hope that one day you'll come back to me, even though I know it's unlikely


Lord knows I
I don't even know myself anymore


I keep finding words that leave you
I keep saying things that hurt you and push you further away


(I told you I don't mind)
I pretended to not care, but deep down I do


Something tells me I'm not meant to
I have a feeling that we're not supposed to be together




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHELE GENEVIEVE STODART, ROMEO WILLIAM STODART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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