Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Wheels
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't be sold, can't be bought
Yeah, love that don't try to be somethin' it's not
Well, all I need is a love that's real
None can rob and none can steal
Hey, love that moves like a drivin' wheel
All I want is a drivin' wheel
All 'round love my ideal
Well, all I want is love that's right
To hold onto with all my might
Hey, early in the mornin' and late at night
Well, all I want is drivin' wheel
All I want is a drivin' wheel
Hey, all 'round love my ideal
Hey, and all I want is a drivin' wheel
All I want is a drivin' wheel
Hey, all 'round love my ideal
All I want is a drivin' wheel
All I want is a drivin' wheel
Well, all 'round love my ideal
The lyrics of Emmylou Harris's song, Wheels, express the singer's desire for love that is authentic, genuine, and real. She wants a love that cannot be bought or sold and does not pretend to be something it is not. She craves a love that is pure and moves like a driving wheel. In essence, she wants nothing more but an ideal all-round kind of love.
The chorus of the song repeats the line, "All I want is a driving wheel, all 'round love my ideal," which brings a sense of longing and emphasis to the message of the song. Harris and the songwriters are communicating to the listener that they are tired of false love, fake relationships, and shallow connections.
The lyrics embody a theme of authenticity and realness, which is central to the Americana genre. It is a song that speaks to the longing for a genuine relationship, a search that is not unique to Harris but resonates with listeners who have experienced the same. The lyrics convey a deep longing for a steadfast love that will be with you through thick and thin, a love that will not change with the changing seasons of life but stays strong like a driving wheel.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, all I want is a love that's hot
I am seeking a passionate and intense love
Can't be sold, can't be bought
This love cannot be acquired with money or possessions
Yeah, love that don't try to be somethin' it's not
I want a love that is genuine and does not pretend to be anything else
Well, all I need is a love that's real
I require a love that is authentic and not fake
None can rob and none can steal
This love cannot be taken away or lost by anyone else
Hey, love that moves like a drivin' wheel
I desire a love that is powerful and propels me forward
Well, all I want is drivin' wheel
I long for a love that drives me towards my goals and dreams
All I want is a drivin' wheel
My ideal love is one that motivates and inspires me
All 'round love my ideal
A love that embodies all of these qualities is what I seek
Well, all I want is love that's right
I am looking for a love that is morally correct and ethical
To hold onto with all my might
I want to hold onto this love tightly and never let go
Hey, early in the mornin' and late at night
This love is important to me at all times, day and night
Hey, and all I want is a drivin' wheel
This powerful and inspiring love is all I desire
All 'round love my ideal
I have a clear picture of my perfect love and it encompasses all of these traits
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: BURNETT SWAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind