In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
The Wheel Keeps on Rollin'
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics
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Lemme roll on a highway boat
I've been from New York to Nashville, Memphis to Maine
In a bus, car, motorcycle, jet and plane
'Round the world
Paris London and Rome
But no matter where we are
You know it's always the same
It's the same old shuffle
Just a dip from the main
Wheel keeps rolling over and over again
I said the wheel keeps on rolling
The wheel keeps right on rolling
The wheel keeps on rolling
Over and over and over again
I said the wheel keeps on rolling
The wheel keeps right on rolling
The wheel keeps on rolling
Over and over and over again
(I get a-rollin' on a highway)
(Roll 'em, roll 'em)
Well, I asked a little girl down in Ole' bowl field
"When you do the Boogie Woogie to Asleep at the Wheel
Does it make you jump
Does it make holler and scream?"
Does it make you feel like your dancing on air
Do you lose your troubles
Do you lose your care?
The wheel keeps rolling over and over again (I'm gonna test)
That the wheel keeps on rolling
The wheel keeps right on rolling
The wheel keeps on rolling
Over and over and over again
I said the wheel keeps on rolling
The wheel keeps right on rolling
The wheel keeps on rolling
Over and over and over again
Let's go
I said the wheel keeps on rolling over and over again
Ah yeah
The song "The Wheel Keeps on Rollin'" by Asleep at the Wheel is about a musician's life on the road. The lyrics describe the diverse means of transportation he has used to travel across the United States and around the world. Despite the different locations and modes of transportation, the recurring theme is that life on the road remains the same, with constant movement and a routine routine of performances. The lyrics state, "no matter where we are, you know it's always the same. It's the same old shuffle, just a dip from the main" which emphasizes the routine and the repetitive nature of touring. The lyric "the wheel keeps rolling over and over again" emphasizes the sense of continuity and the constant motion of life on the road.
The lyrics also touch on the power of music to bring joy and release from everyday worries. The songwriter speaks to a girl and asks if the Boogie Woogie makes her jump, holler and scream, and if it makes her feel like she's dancing on air. The music becomes a source of diversion, and it has the power to lift spirits and help people forget their troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
Lemme roll on a highway boat
Let me travel on the road without stopping
I've been from New York to Nashville, Memphis to Maine
I have traveled long distances across the United States
In a bus, car, motorcycle, jet and plane
I have traveled in various modes of transportation
'Round the world
I have traveled around the world
Paris London and Rome
I have been to famous cities in Europe
But no matter where we are
Wherever we are
You know it's always the same
Things seem to be unchanged
It's the same old shuffle
It's the same routine
Just a dip from the main
Slightly different from the norm
Wheel keeps rolling over and over again
Time keeps moving forward
I said the wheel keeps on rolling
I am emphasizing time's constant movement
The wheel keeps right on rolling
Time always moves forward, never stopping
Over and over and over again
Repeatedly, without end
Well, I asked a little girl down in Ole' bowl field
I asked a young girl from a rural area
"When you do the Boogie Woogie to Asleep at the Wheel
When you dance to our music
Does it make you jump
Does it excite you
Does it make holler and scream?"
Does it make you shout and scream in joy?
Does it make you feel like your dancing on air
Does it give you a feeling of weightlessness while you dance?
Do you lose your troubles
Do you forget your worries?
Do you lose your care?
Do you stop caring for anything else?
Let's go
Let's go forward with life
Ah yeah
A positive expression
Writer(s): Ray Benson
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
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