My Wheels Won't Turn
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics


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I met a man who bought up land
Wherever his feet would tread
He asked me to El Paso
Said I could stay on his spread
He has horses and cows and tractors and plows
And all kinds of money to burn
But how can I get to Texas
When my wheels won't turn

There was a lady from Spain
Who had a fine frame
Then she moved to Hollywood
She said come and stay for a week and a day
I said I did not think I could
She said the sunshine's fine
I could spend some time
There are lessons I could learn
But how can I get to L.A.
When my wheels won't turn
How can I get to L.A.
When my wheels won't turn

I'm standin' still
'Cause my wheels won't turn
I'm not in love
And my fuel won't burn for you

At a college of knowledge I tried to learn
All the tricks to beat the system
I'd hide nooks and memorize my books
'Till I knew I'd never never miss them
Eventually I got my degree
But the real thing I did learn
You just can't hit your home run
If your wheels won't turn

There was a man in white
Who did things right
Now he watches from above
He said here's the way that I want you to pray
And the way to live and love
So I saw the light and did things right
But the candle would not burn
Tell me, how can I get to heaven
If my wheels won't turn




How can I get to heaven
If my wheels won't turn

Overall Meaning

The song "My Wheels Won't Turn" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive discusses the various obstacles the singer has faced in his journey through life. The song uses a series of disconnected vignettes to demonstrate the challenges that the singer has faced at different points in his life. The first verse discusses the singer's desire to travel to Texas but his inability to do so because his "wheels won't turn." This can be understood both literally, as a reference to his inability to drive, and metaphorically, as a reference to his inability to move forward in his life for some reason. The second verse discusses a woman who invites him to Los Angeles, and again the singer is unable to take her up on the offer because he is immobilized in some way.


The third verse transitions from physical obstacles to more abstract ones. The singer discusses his attempts to "beat the system" by studying intensely and memorizing everything he could. He ultimately earns a degree, but the lesson he learns is that even with a degree, success is still elusive if one's "wheels won't turn." Finally, the last verse introduces a spiritual aspect, discussing a man who did everything right and now "watches from above." The singer has seen the light and wants to follow the man's footsteps, but again he is held back by his immobility. The song is a meditation on the challenges that people face in their lives and the importance of finding a way to overcome them.


Line by Line Meaning

I met a man who bought up land
I encountered a person who acquired numerous properties


Wherever his feet would tread
This man traveled extensively to purchase land


He asked me to El Paso
The man offered to let me stay in his El Paso property


Said I could stay on his spread
He let me live on his property with horses, cows, tractors, and plows


He has horses and cows and tractors and plows
The man's property was well-equipped with livestock and farm machinery


And all kinds of money to burn
He had plenty of wealth to spare


But how can I get to Texas
My inability to move prevents me from traveling to Texas


When my wheels won't turn
My mode of transportation is not functional


There was a lady from Spain
I met a woman from Spain


Who had a fine frame
She had an attractive figure


Then she moved to Hollywood
She relocated to Hollywood


She said come and stay for a week and a day
She invited me to visit her for a brief period


I said I did not think I could
I declined the invitation


She said the sunshine's fine
She spoke of the pleasant weather in Hollywood


I could spend some time
She encouraged me to take some time off


There are lessons I could learn
She mentioned learning opportunities in Hollywood


I'm standin' still
I am immobile


'Cause my wheels won't turn
My vehicle cannot function, leaving me stranded


I'm not in love
I am not romantically involved


And my fuel won't burn for you
I cannot expend energy for your sake


At a college of knowledge I tried to learn
I attended school to gain knowledge


All the tricks to beat the system
I aimed to learn how to surpass established rules and constraints


I'd hide nooks and memorize my books
I would seek secluded spaces to study and commit material to memory


'Till I knew I'd never never miss them
I continued to learn until I was confident in my abilities and knowledge


Eventually I got my degree
I successfully obtained a college degree


But the real thing I did learn
There was a valuable lesson I learned


You just can't hit your home run
You cannot achieve your goals


If your wheels won't turn
Your ability to move forward is hindered


There was a man in white
A man who was something of a spiritual leader


Who did things right
This man behaved ethically and honorably


Now he watches from above
He has passed away and now observes from the afterlife


He said here's the way that I want you to pray
He shared his preferred method of prayer


And the way to live and love
He imparted advice on how to live and love others


So I saw the light and did things right
I had an epiphany and began living ethically


But the candle would not burn
I could not maintain my newfound morals


Tell me, how can I get to heaven
I am wondering how to reach the afterlife


If my wheels won't turn
If I am unable to progress




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BACHMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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