Watching the Wheels
Enrique Bunbury Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

People say I'm crazy, doing what I'm doing
Well, they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin
When I say that I'm okay, well, they look at me kinda strange
"Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game"

People say I'm lazy, dreaming my life away
Well, they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me
When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
"Don't you miss the big time, boy. You're no longer on the ball"

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go

Ahhh, people ask me questions, lost in confusion
Well, I tell them there's no problem, only solutions
Well, they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind
I tell them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go




I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go

Overall Meaning

Enrique Bunbury's version of John Lennon's Watching the Wheels is a reflection on the pressures of conformity and the necessity of pursuing one's own path, even if it sets one apart from the expectations of others. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been criticized and pitied for not pursuing traditional measures of success and fulfillment such as "playing the game" or "being on the ball." Rather than viewing himself as lost or misguided, the singer finds contentment in stepping back from societal expectations and finding satisfaction in "watching the wheels go round and round" and "watching shadows on the wall." The repeated refrain "I just had to let it go" suggests that the singer has made a conscious decision to release himself from the burden of external pressures and embrace his own vision of a fulfilling life.


Line by Line Meaning

People say I'm crazy, doing what I'm doing
People express a belief that I'm mentally unstable for pursuing my current path.


Well, they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin
They provide numerous cautionary messages aimed at helping me avoid potential failure.


When I say that I'm okay, well, they look at me kinda strange
In response to my assertion that I'm content, they regard me suspiciously.


"Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game"
They express surprise that I've derived happiness from disengaging myself from the established system of competition and achievement.


People say I'm lazy, dreaming my life away
People accuse me of sloth because I spend time contemplating without taking overt physical action.


Well, they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me
They offer guidance intended to bestow wisdom upon me.


When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
When I express that I'm perfectly content gazing at projected images on a surface, they struggle to comprehend my logic.


"Don't you miss the big time, boy. You're no longer on the ball"
They express incredulity that I don't crave the excitement and importance associated with high-profile success.


I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I'm situated here merely observing the continuous rotation of circular objects.


I really love to watch them roll
I derive immense pleasure from observing the perpetual movement of these spheres.


No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I'm no longer participating in an endless cycle of repetitive and mundane endeavors.


I just had to let it go
I made an intentional decision to relinquish control and abandon previous pursuits to embrace a new philosophy.


Ahhh, people ask me questions, lost in confusion
People inquire about my rationale, but their lack of understanding leads to perplexity.


Well, I tell them there's no problem, only solutions
I reply by asserting that every issue has potential for remedy and surge of enlightenment.


Well, they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind
Despite my response, they remain unconvinced, questioning my mental well-being.


I tell them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time
I reassure them that my life is not grounded in the pursuit of time-sensitive goals; I'm living in the moment and enjoying the process.


I just had to let it go
I reiterate that I made a conscious choice to abandon previous pursuits and embrace a new approach, letting go of the past entirely.


I just had to let it go
I emphasize once more that I left behind former goals and objectives to adopt a new mindset, fully disengaging from previous expectations.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions