wheels
Elvis Costello & The Imposters feat. Emmylou Harris Lyrics


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We've all got wheels to take ourselves away
We've got the telephones to say what we can't say
We all got higher and higher every day
Come on wheels take this boy away

We're not afraid to ride
We're not afraid to die
So come on wheels take me home today
Come on wheels take this boy away

And when I feel my time is almost up
And destiny is in my right hand
I'll turn to him who made my faith so strong
Come on wheels make this boy a man

We're not afraid to ride
We're not afraid to die
So come on wheels take me home today
Come on wheels take this boy away





Come on wheels take this boy away, hey hey

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Elvis Costello's song "Wheels" express a desire to escape and move forward. "We've all got wheels to take ourselves away" represents the desire to escape and move away from where we are currently. The "telephones to say what we can't say" represents the communication we have today but we can't express everything in words. "We all got higher and higher every day" represents our elevation, growth, and development, and often this growth requires taking risks and stepping out of our comfort zone. The chorus "We're not afraid to ride, we're not afraid to die" represents courage and bravery in making those moves and changing. The lines "And when I feel my time is almost up, And destiny is in my right hand, I'll turn to him who made my faith so strong" represents that in moments of uncertainty, turning to faith or a higher power can be a source of comfort and strength. "Come on wheels make this boy a man" represents the journey of growth and transformation.


Overall, the lyrics speak to the human experience of wanting to move forward, take risks, and grow, while acknowledging that it can be daunting and sometimes scary. The imagery of wheels represents both physical and metaphorical movement, and highlights the importance of embracing change and progression.


Line by Line Meaning

We've all got wheels to take ourselves away
We all have a way of escaping from our current reality


We've got the telephones to say what we can't say
We have a means of communicating our feelings even when we are unable to articulate them


We all got higher and higher every day
We continuously seek ways to be happier and more fulfilled in life


Come on wheels take this boy away
Let me escape from my current situation and find a better way of life


We're not afraid to ride
We are brave enough to face whatever challenges come our way


We're not afraid to die
We accept our mortality and are not afraid of death


So come on wheels take me home today
I am ready to leave this place and start a new chapter in my life


And when I feel my time is almost up
When I sense that my life is coming to an end


And destiny is in my right hand
And I have control over my fate and the choices I make


I'll turn to him who made my faith so strong
I will look to the one who has given me the strength and courage to face life's challenges


Come on wheels make this boy a man
Give me the opportunity to learn from my experiences and become a better person


Come on wheels take this boy away, hey hey
I am ready to leave this place and start a new adventure in life




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HILLMAN, GRAM PARSONS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Margaret Ross

I liked it. Wish Gram could join them. He and Chris wrote a great song.

Tom Torrell

Something went wrong here. Emmylou and Rodney are better as a duet. Sorry Elvis

Robert S

Sorry, but I just don't like this. I like the song, I like each performer as an individual. But there's something wrong going on here. Lack of tightness is the best way I could describe it. And someone's voice is throwing it all off. Elvis's perhaps?

Jon Jeffries

Mix was a bit loud on guitar/s.. maybe EC vocal mic was a bit too hot..