Amplifier is a British alternative rock/progressive rock band from Manchest… Read Full Bio ↴Amplifier is a British alternative rock/progressive rock band from Manchester, United Kingdom. The band has released four albums and four EPs since its inception in 1999. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2004 by Music for Nations. Their second album, Insider was released in Europe in 2006 on the SPV label. Their third album, The Octopus, was released to fans in December 2010 ahead of a full release in January 2011.

The band's sound has been described as "Soundgarden, Tool, Black Sabbath, Oceansize and Pink Floyd taking copious amounts of mind-altering substances and venturing on a trip through time and space (to another dimension), and back again." Their music is characterised by guitarist Sel Balamir's effects pedals, extended heavy sections, atmospheric compositions and philosophical lyrics.

https://www.amplifierband.com/

The Wheel
Amplifier Lyrics

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Well there ain't no fame and fortune
There's only destiny
Upon the wheel
The wheel of compromise

Driving at the wheel
There is a prisoner
Upon a road of vainlessness

I'm traveling without a rival

Well the wheel is spinning
Round and round and round and round
Yeah the wheel is spinning
Round and round and round and round
Well the wheel is spinning

Locked up your sprit in a cage
To what you run around in circles
Here upon the wheel
Where are we riding to?

Well the wheel is spinning
Round and round and round and round
Round and round and round and round
Yeah the wheel is spinning
Round and round and round and round
Round and round and round and round
Well the wheel is spinning
Round and round and round and round
Round and round and round and round
Well the wheel is spinning
Round and round and round and round
Round and round and round and round
Well the wheel is spinning

The wheel is spinning
The wheel is spinning
The wheel is spinning
Just keeps on spinning

The wheel is spinning
The wheel is spinning

Overall Meaning

In this song, Amplifier speaks to the idea that there is no real fame or fortune in life, just destiny. The wheel represents the endless cycle of life, and the compromises we must make in order to move forward. The singer is driving this wheel of compromise, and feels trapped, like a prisoner on a road that leads nowhere. They are traveling without a rival, suggesting a sense of loneliness and lack of competition in their journey. The repetition of the line “the wheel is spinning” reinforces the cyclical nature of life and the feeling of being trapped in this endless cycle.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of being stuck in a cage or running around in circles, unable to break free from the wheel. The singer questions where they are riding to and suggests that they may be aimlessly spinning, without direction or purpose. Despite the repetitive nature of their journey, the wheel just keeps on spinning, implying a sense of inevitability and an acceptance of the cycle of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Well there ain't no fame and fortune
There is no guarantee of success or wealth in life.

There's only destiny
Life is predetermined and beyond our control.

Upon the wheel
Life's journey is compared to a wheel, with ups and downs.

The wheel of compromise
We are forced to make compromises in life to move forward.

Driving at the wheel
We are in control of our own lives, but also subject to external circumstances.

There is a prisoner
We may feel trapped in our own lives or circumstances.

Upon a road of vainlessness
We may feel like we are going nowhere, with no purpose or meaning in life.

I'm traveling without a rival
We are on our own unique journey, separate from others.

Well the wheel is spinning
Life keeps moving forward, with or without our consent.

Locked up your sprit in a cage
We can feel trapped by our own thoughts or beliefs, limiting our potential.

To what you run around in circles
We may be stuck in repetitive patterns of behavior or thinking.