wheels
Cake Lyrics

The song Wheels by Cake is a reflection on the feelings of loneliness, isolation, and longing, and how people try to escape or cope with those feelings. The first verse paints a picture of being in a wooden boat in the middle of shipping lanes with large freighters towering over the singer. This image creates a feeling of being small and insignificant in a vast world. The singer then hears jets flying overhead, which represents the constant movement and change in life, and how it can seem like time is passing by too quickly. The sunset marks the end of the day, and the singer goes into town alone, where they sit at a restaurant table set for one. This highlights the loneliness the singer feels and how they try to distract themselves with new experiences or places, but the wheels of life keep on spinning regardless.

The second verse is about getting away from someone, highlighting the longing for freedom and independence. The singer takes a plane to a faraway location, finally realizing they can be completely free from the person they're trying to get away from. The last two lines of the verse, "And we could live each separately in our cities in the sun," indicate that the separation could be beneficial for both parties. The repetition of the phrase "wheels keep on spinning round" reinforces the idea that time keeps moving, and life keeps going on, even in the midst of change and motion.

The final verse is set in a CD karaoke bar by the banks of the mighty Bosphorus, and various nationalities and cultures come together in the crowded space. The choice of karaoke emphasizes the idea of people trying to escape their everyday lives and express themselves through song. The overweight Americans wearing patriotic jumpsuits reflect the absurdity and excess of American culture. The repetition of "I don't know why you say you are not in love with me" at the end emphasizes the singer's confusion and frustration with someone they care about.

Overall, Wheels is a song that paints a picture of the complexity of human emotions and the ways people try to escape those emotions. The repetition of the phrase "wheels keep on spinning round" emphasizes the constant movement and change in life, and how it can be difficult to stay still and accept what's happening.