Johnston's songs are often about troubled loners, and cover topics like heartbreak, alienation and disappointment. Known for the craftsmanship of his songs, he has sometimes been called a "songwriter's songwriter".
He has contributed songs to the soundtracks for movies including Kingpin and Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead. Johnston and fellow musicians Jay Moran, James "Pie" Cowan, Duke Erikson, and Butch Vig perform occasional shows as a covers band called "The Know-It-All Boyfriends."
Johnston latest release is a covers album titled "Rain on the City", It includes selections from Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Matthew Sweet and The Hollies.
wheels
Freedy Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a faded map circled in blue
Boy thrown bottle of highway bridge
Lost men driving in circles
I got wheels
I followed that big sign out of here
A boy holding out his empty hand
Young man kicking himself down an unconscious street
There really is a town called Hopeless
On a faded map circled in blue
Young man spinning off an icy bridge
Boy drawing himself in the driver's seat
I got wheels
The song "Wheels" by Freedy Johnston talks about a town called Hopeless, which is literally on a faded map circled in blue. This sets the scene for a bleak and hopeless atmosphere which is carried throughout the song. The first verse talks about a boy throwing a bottle from a highway bridge which could be interpreted as a symbol of frustration, perhaps a cry for help that goes unheard. The words "lost men driving in circles" could also imply feelings of desperation and a sense of being trapped in a cycle of hopelessness.
The chorus of the song "I got wheels" is repeated twice reinforcing the idea of movement, escape and freedom. The singer has left the town of Hopeless and the second verse refers to leaving with a box that is still missing. This could be interpreted as leaving behind baggage, things we cannot let go of, or unfinished business. The next line talks about a boy holding out his hand, which could either signify someone begging for something (money, help etc) or someone offering their hand in support or friendship. The final line of the verse "young man kicking himself down an unconscious street" could refer to someone who has lost direction, perhaps self-destructive behavior or a person who has given up on life.
The second chorus is followed by a final verse, which returns to the image of Hopeless. This time the singer is the one driving off the bridge, but the final line the chorus is repeated for a final time. The song ends with a sense of acceptance, of having wheels and the freedom to leave behind the past and the feelings of hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
There really is a town called Hopeless
The town of Hopeless actually exists
On a faded map circled in blue
On an old and worn out map, the town of Hopeless has been marked with a blue circle
Boy thrown bottle of highway bridge
A boy threw a bottle from a highway bridge
Lost men driving in circles
Men who are lost keep driving around in circles
I got wheels
I have a means of transportation
I followed that big sign out of here
I left following a large sign that pointed the way out
Left with a box I still cannot find
I departed with a box that I have since lost and cannot locate
A boy holding out his empty hand
A young male is extending his empty hand in a gesture of wanting something
Young man kicking himself down an unconscious street
A young man is figuratively beating himself up as he stumbles down a street while not fully aware of his surroundings
There really is a town called Hopeless
The town of Hopeless truly exists
On a faded map circled in blue
The location of Hopeless has been indicated on an old and worn out map with a blue circle
Young man spinning off an icy bridge
A young man is losing control and sliding off an icy bridge
Boy drawing himself in the driver's seat
A young man takes control of the car and positions himself in the driver's seat
I got wheels
I have a means of transportation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Even Mentality
Remember this song in a Portland venue the year it came out, you couldn't move, packed, everyone was dancing anyway, in mind, one of the most unified bar music scenes I have seen. He used to punch this rocker after his winsome folk hits, after everyone was thoroughly impressed with his artistry, and then the whole bar celebrated with this.
Guichard
Awesome
Catherine Daly
I loathe this song!