Wheel of fortune
C.U.E. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Terry Skinner, J.L. Wallace)

[Chorus]
(Gotta keep these wheels)
Wheels of fortune rollin'
It don't matter where we're goin'
East or west or south to Tennessee
(Gotta keep these wheels)
Wheels of fortune movin'
Keep on truckin', keep on movin'
Gotta stay ahead of the finance company

Well, I was down-and-out until this friend a' mine
He said, "I got somethin' here, guaranteed ta change yer luck.
"With just a few thousand dollars you can get on time,
"I can put you in a brand-new diesel truck."

He says, "You can make a fortune in a year or two
"It's easy; all ya haveta do is drive."
Well, I signed my name and I took the keys and then I knew:
I was gonna be the richest man alive!

[Chorus]
(Gotta keep these wheels)
Wheels of fortune rollin'
It don't matter where we're goin'
East or west or south to Tennessee
(Gotta keep these wheels)
Wheels of fortune movin'
Keep on truckin', keep on movin'
Gotta stay ahead of the finance company

Now, I ain't seen my lady in a month or two
This old rig may cost me my family
'Cause when I truck on home, you know just what they do?
They treat me just like I was company

Now I'm lost and lonely on this Interstate
My CB's broke and I ain't got a dime
I got a payment due and the finance comp'ny just won't wait
I gotta keep this rig a-movin' all the time

[Chorus]
(Gotta keep these wheels)
Wheels of fortune rollin'
It don't matter where we're goin'
East or west or south to Tennessee
(Gotta keep these wheels)
Wheels of fortune movin'
Keep on truckin', keep on movin'




Gotta stay ahead of the finance company
Gotta stay ahead of the finance company

Overall Meaning

The song "Wheel of Fortune" by C.U.E. talks about the struggles of a truck driver who uses his rig to make a living and support his family. The song begins by describing how a friend of the singer suggested that he invest in a diesel truck and make a fortune in a year or two simply by driving. The singer quickly signs up for the deal and becomes optimistic, believing he will become the richest man alive. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the life of a truck driver is full of sacrifices.


The song highlights how the driver, despite the financial benefits, is losing his family because he has not seen his lady in months. He then contemplates how his rig may cost him his family. The driver is lost and lonely on the interstate, broke, and has a payment due, but he has to keep his truck moving all the time to stay ahead of the finance company. The chorus repeats the statement, "Gotta keep these wheels of fortune movin', keep on truckin', keep on movin', gotta stay ahead of the finance company."


The message conveyed in the song is that truck driving is not an easy career, and it comes with sacrifices. Even though it offers financial rewards, it can cost people their personal life. The song speaks to the idea that we have to make sacrifices to keep the wheel of fortune rolling.


Line by Line Meaning

Gotta keep these wheels
It's important to continue driving the truck


Wheels of fortune rollin'
The truck is a source of potential wealth and success


It don't matter where we're goin'
The destination is not important, as long as the truck keeps moving


East or west or south to Tennessee
Any direction will do, as long as it leads to money-making opportunities


Wheels of fortune movin'
Driving the truck is a way to stay financially afloat


Keep on truckin', keep on movin'
It's important to keep driving the truck, even when it's difficult


Gotta stay ahead of the finance company
The main goal is to make enough money to pay off the truck and avoid financial ruin


Well, I was down-and-out until this friend a' mine
The artist was in a bad place before the opportunity to drive the truck came along


He said, "I got somethin' here, guaranteed ta change yer luck.
The friend offered a way to turn the artist's fortunes around


"With just a few thousand dollars you can get on time,
The friend promised that the artist could become successful with just a small investment


"I can put you in a brand-new diesel truck."
The friend offered to help the singer get a truck to drive


He says, "You can make a fortune in a year or two
The friend promised that the artist could become wealthy in a relatively short amount of time


"It's easy; all ya haveta do is drive."
According to the friend, driving the truck is a simple task that will lead to success


Well, I signed my name and I took the keys and then I knew:
The singer accepted the friend's offer and felt confident about the decision


I was gonna be the richest man alive!
The singer believed that driving the truck would make him extremely wealthy


Now, I ain't seen my lady in a month or two
The artist has been away from his significant other for a significant amount of time due to his job


This old rig may cost me my family
The truck and the job may lead to the destruction of the artist's personal life


'Cause when I truck on home, you know just what they do?
The singer's family treats him like an outsider because he is not often around


They treat me just like I was company
The family treats the singer as though he is a stranger who is merely visiting


Now I'm lost and lonely on this Interstate
The artist is feeling isolated and disconnected while driving the truck


My CB's broke and I ain't got a dime
The artist is experiencing mechanical issues and financial difficulties while on the road


I got a payment due and the finance comp'ny just won't wait
The artist needs to make a payment to the finance company, but they are not willing to wait


I gotta keep this rig a-movin' all the time
The singer must continue driving the truck in order to stay financially stable




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

Leo the Tiger

Also used as the closing credits music on the short-lived 1978 revival of Jeopardy!

VHSLoud1216

This was also used during the 1978 revival of Jeopardy! Starring Art Fleming.

Martin Moore 2468

That's true.

BGVA

There’s a couple cues used in the first couple syndicated seasons for cars in the bonus round. Would you happen to know the names of those cues?

Jason Nadle

It starts at 0:14 as Jack Clark described the prizes "bought."

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