1.) 90s alternative rock band 2.)… Read Full Bio ↴At least 2 bands have the name “Cake”.
1.) 90s alternative rock band 2.) 60s Girl pop band 3.) Underground 70s pop/funk band. 1.) Best-known for their ubiquitous hit "The Distance," Cake epitomized the postmodern, irony-drenched aesthetic of '90s geek rock. Their sound freely mixed and matched pastiches of widely varying genres -- white-boy funk, hip-hop, country, new wave pop, jazz, college rock, and guitar rock -- with a particular delight in the clashes that resulted. Their songs were filled with lyrical non-sequiturs, pop-culture references, and smirky satire, all delivered with bone-dry detachment by speak/singing frontman John McCrea. Cake's music most frequently earned comparisons to Soul Coughing and King Missile, but lacked the downtown New York artiness of those two predecessors; instead, Cake cultivated an image of average guys with no illusions and pretensions about their role as entertainers. At the same time, critics lambasted what they saw as a smugly superior attitude behind the band's habitual sarcasm. Perhaps there was something in Cake's doggedly spare, low-key presentation that amplified their ironic detachment even when they didn't intend it, but most reviewers pegged them as one-hit wonders after the success of "The Distance." Nonetheless, Cake managed a few more alternative radio hits in the years that followed, while largely retaining the same approach.
Cake was formed in Sacramento, California in 1991 by vocalist/songwriter John McCrea, who'd recently returned home after spending a few years in Los Angeles, unsuccessfully trying to break into the music business. The original lineup of Cake also featured guitarist Greg Brown, trumpeter Vince DiFiore, bassist Sean McFessel, and drummer Frank French; McFessel soon left to attend college, and was replaced by Gabe Nelson. In 1993, the band released their debut single, "Rock ‘n' Roll Lifestyle," on a local basis, and followed it with a self-produced, self-released, self-distributed album, Motorcade of Generosity. Motorcade found its way to the revived Capricorn label, which released the album nationally after Cake signed a contract with them. With the prospect of extensive national touring, both Gabe Nelson and Frank French left the band, and were replaced by bassist Victor Damiani and drummer Todd Roper. Re-released by Capricorn, "Rock ‘n' Roll Lifestyle" caught on at college radio in 1995, and was followed by two more singles, "Ruby Sees All," and "Jolene" (not the Dolly Parton song).
Cake's second album, Fashion Nugget, was released in 1996 and spawned a breakout smash in the Greg Brown-penned "The Distance," which dominated alternative radio that fall, and even turned into an unlikely sporting-event anthem. Mostly on the strength of "The Distance," Fashion Nugget charted in the Top 40 and sold over a million copies. It also spun off a somewhat controversial follow-up single in a cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive"; although the band professed its sincere admiration for the song, some critics and listeners took it as a smarmy putdown, in part because of McCrea's deadpan vocals. In 1997, Greg Brown and Victor Damiani both left Cake and formed a new group, the new wave-influenced Deathray, which eventually released its debut album on Capricorn in 2000. Meanwhile, McCrea briefly considered putting Cake to rest, but brought original bassist Gabe Nelson back to replace Damiani instead. For Cake's next album, McCrea used a tag-team procession of guitarists -- five in all -- on different tracks; the result, Prolonging the Magic, was released in 1998. True to its sardonic title, it defied critical opinion to produce another big, alternative radio hit in "Never There," plus decently successful follow-ups in "Sheep Go to Heaven" and "Let Go."
Prolonging the Magic sold nearly as well as Fashion Nugget, and was also certified platinum. For the supporting tour, one of the album's guitarists, Xan McCurdy, officially joined Cake full-time. In the spring of 2000, the band signed a new deal with Columbia, and debuted in 2001 with their fourth overall album, Comfort Eagle, which became their highest-charting yet (at number 13). The lead single, "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," was a hit on alternative radio, and even earned some MTV airplay -- no longer an easy task for any artist -- with a video that featured reactions to the song by randomly selected people on the street. Following the completion of the album, drummer Todd Roper left the group to spend more time with his children, and was replaced on the supporting tour by Pete McNeal. Pressure Chief appeared in 2004. Redefining the meaning of independent -- the band was by then recording in a studio powered entirely by solar energy, and free of the corporate involvement of even so much as a utility bill -- released Showroom of Compassion some six years later in 2011.
Biography by Steve Huey
2. The Cake (which is currently being redirected to this page) was a psychedelic girl pop group from the 1960s with the album Slice of the Cake in 1968.
3. Cake, a 70s funk/pop band who’s most popular track was “Make Up Your Mind” in 1979.
wheels
Cake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the freighters towering over me
I can hear the jets flying overhead
Making lines across the darkening sky
And when the sun is going down I can take a taxi into town
And the waiter at the restaurant sets a table just for one
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
So I had a plane to take me to a place so far away from you
Eventually we began to see that we could be completely free
And I could get away from you
And you could get away from me
And we could live each separately in our cities in the sun
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
In a CD karaoke bar
By the banks of the mighty Bosphorus
Is a Japanese man in a business suit singing "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
And the muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians
While the overweight Americans wear their patriotic jumpsuits
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
(Spinning round)
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
(Spinning round)
(I don't know)
Why you say you are not in love with me
(I don't know)
Why you say you are not in love with me
(I don't know)
The song "Wheels" by Cake explores the theme of freedom and the desire to escape from a past relationship. The opening verse describes the singer's sense of vulnerability as he navigates his way through shipping lanes in a wooden boat. He feels small and insignificant compared to the towering freighters passing him by, and he hears the sound of jets flying overhead, emphasizing his isolation. Despite these feelings, he chooses to take control of his situation and goes into town alone. The waiter at the restaurant sets a table just for one, highlighting the singer's independence and the possibility of a new beginning.
The second verse sees the singer taking a plane to a faraway place to escape from a former lover. The freedom he experiences is liberating as he and his ex-lover can live separately in their cities in the sun. The chorus emphasizes the idea of the wheels of life continuing to turn, signifying that life goes on even in the face of upheaval.
The final verse takes a more lighthearted turn, describing a scene in a CD karaoke bar by the banks of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. The singer observes a diverse group of people from various countries and cultures, highlighting the unique individuality and cultural differences in the world. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of things changing.
Line by Line Meaning
In a wooden boat in the shipping lanes
I am sailing in a small boat surrounded by huge freighters.
With the freighters towering over me
These towering freighters make me feel small and insignificant.
I can hear the jets flying overhead
I can hear the sound of airplanes passing overhead.
Making lines across the darkening sky
Their trails are streaking across the darkening sky.
And when the sun is going down I can take a taxi into town
As the sun sets, I can take a cab into the city.
And the waiter at the restaurant sets a table just for one
I'm dining alone, and the waiter set a table for only me.
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels, like life, are constantly moving and spinning.
So I had a plane to take me to a place so far away from you
I took a plane to get away from you and our relationship.
Eventually we began to see that we could be completely free
We realized that separation would bring us freedom.
And I could get away from you
Leaving you behind was necessary for my own happiness.
And you could get away from me
Leaving me behind was necessary for your own happiness.
And we could live each separately in our cities in the sun
We could each live in different cities, enjoying our own lives.
In a CD karaoke bar
Now I'm in a karaoke bar playing CDs.
By the banks of the mighty Bosphorus
This karaoke bar is located at the banks of the Bosphorous.
Is a Japanese man in a business suit singing "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"
A smartly dressed Japanese man is singing a classic song.
And the muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians
People from different backgrounds are dancing and enjoying themselves.
While the overweight Americans wear their patriotic jumpsuits
Meanwhile, obese Americans are wearing patriotic gear.
Why you say you are not in love with me
I don't understand why you claim you're not in love with me.
Why you say you are not in love with me
I don't understand why you claim you're not in love with me.
Why you say you are not in love with me
I don't understand why you claim you're not in love with me.
Lyrics © Stamen Music
Written by: CARLOS FORSTER, JOHN M MCCREA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_k_o_k_o_n_u_t_s_
CAKE - Wheels - Lyrics
[Verse 1]
In a wooden boat in the shipping lanes
With the freighters towering over me
I can hear the jets flying overhead
Making lines across the darkening sky
And when the sun is going down I can take a taxi into town
And the waiter at the restaurant sets a table just for one
[Chorus]
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
(Okay)
[Verse 2]
So I had a plane to take me to a place so far away from you
Eventually we began to see that we could be completely free
And I could get away from you
And you could get away from me
And we could live each separately in our cities in the sun
[Chorus]
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
(Okay, alright)
[Verse 3]
In a seedy karaoke bar
By the banks of the mighty Bosphorus
Is a Japanese man in a business suit singing 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'
And the muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians
While the overweight Americans wear their patriotic jumpsuits
[Chorus]
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
Alright
This one, right
[Bridge]
(Spinning round)
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
(Spinning round)
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
[Outro]
(I don't know)
Why you say you are not in love with me
(I don't know)
Why you say you are not in love with me
(I don't know)
Why you say you [music stops] are not in love with me
@hothamwater7356
I've loved Cake the second they released their first album. I'm 41 now and they are still my favorite band
@user-ok4fp3kq8d
I think the end is while, so wheels spin while you say that?
@numby1679
This song only has 13k views? This band is wildly underrated in 2022 lmao
@user-ll9kg5so4y
It’s just us old fogies getting down with the good tunes these days. Gen z has no interest in anything other than rap.
@numby1679
@@user-ll9kg5so4y I'm 19 lmao
@harvey_weenstain8857
Very true
@Z4NDAA
@@user-ll9kg5so4y I’m a Gen Z kid, I much prefer this over rap. Heard my dad play it in the truck once and immediately went to add it to my playlists.
@cheangizzz
Cake slaps so hard. I only knew The Distance but they have so much more great stuff. Great basslines, trumpets (my personal favorite) and that vocal sound just FUСКS
@user-im3br1so8w
Love Cake. Such great music and under rated .
Never get tired of their lovely songs.😁
@_k_o_k_o_n_u_t_s_
CAKE - Wheels - Lyrics
[Verse 1]
In a wooden boat in the shipping lanes
With the freighters towering over me
I can hear the jets flying overhead
Making lines across the darkening sky
And when the sun is going down I can take a taxi into town
And the waiter at the restaurant sets a table just for one
[Chorus]
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
(Okay)
[Verse 2]
So I had a plane to take me to a place so far away from you
Eventually we began to see that we could be completely free
And I could get away from you
And you could get away from me
And we could live each separately in our cities in the sun
[Chorus]
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
(Okay, alright)
[Verse 3]
In a seedy karaoke bar
By the banks of the mighty Bosphorus
Is a Japanese man in a business suit singing 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'
And the muscular cyborg German dudes dance with sexy French Canadians
While the overweight Americans wear their patriotic jumpsuits
[Chorus]
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
Alright
This one, right
[Bridge]
(Spinning round)
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round spinning round
(Spinning round)
Wheels keep on spinning round spinning round and round
[Outro]
(I don't know)
Why you say you are not in love with me
(I don't know)
Why you say you are not in love with me
(I don't know)
Why you say you [music stops] are not in love with me