wheels
Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt Lyrics
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When you bend it, you can't mend it
But my love for you is like a sinking ship
And my heart is on that ship out in mid-ocean
When harm is done no love can be won
I know it happens frequently
What I can't understand oh please God hold my hand
And it's only love and it's only love
That can wreck a human being and turn him inside out
Some say the heart is just like a wheel
When you bend it you can't mend it
But my love for you is like a sinking ship
And my heart is on that ship out in mid-ocean
The lyrics to Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt's song "Wheels" describe the pain of a broken heart and the metaphor of a heart being like a wheel. The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with a powerful and poignant statement that the heart is like a wheel and can be broken beyond repair. The metaphor compares the delicate nature of the heart to the fragile construction of a wheel that can be bent out of shape and unable to function properly.
The following lines describe the love that the singer has for someone who has caused them harm, comparing it to a sinking ship. The heart is on that ship, out in the middle of the ocean, unable to be retrieved or repaired. The pain of a broken heart is a universal experience that is often difficult to express in words, but the imagery used in the lyrics conveys the depth of feeling in a powerful way.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the idea that love can be destructive, with the potential to turn someone inside out. The final verse speaks to the confusion and desperation that can result from a broken heart. The singer turns to God for guidance, asking for help in understanding why this had to happen to them.
Overall, the song's lyrics explore themes of love, loss, and the fragility of the human heart. The metaphor of the heart as a wheel is an effective way to convey the concept of a love that is beyond repair, and the emotional weight of the lyrics leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say the heart is just like a wheel
There are people who believe that the heart is a lot like a wheel.
When you bend it, you can't mend it
Once the heart is broken, it cannot be fully repaired.
But my love for you is like a sinking ship
My love for you is in a dire situation like a ship slowly sinking.
And my heart is on that ship out in mid-ocean
My heart is on board the sinking ship with my love, alone and vulnerable in a vast ocean.
When harm is done no love can be won
Once someone gets hurt, it is impossible to win them back with love.
I know it happens frequently
I understand that this happens quite often.
What I can't understand oh please God hold my hand
I am struggling to comprehend it all, and I desperately need God's guidance and support.
Why it had to happen to me
I am questioning why this had to happen to me specifically.
And it's only love and it's only love
It is love that has the power to change people's lives.
That can wreck a human being and turn him inside out
It is only love that can devastate a person to the point where they feel like they are coming apart at the seams.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Anna McGarrigle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind