Hell on Wheels, from Stockholm, began as 4-piece, but in Autumn 1994 was re… Read Full Bio ↴Hell on Wheels, from Stockholm, began as 4-piece, but in Autumn 1994 was reduced to three members. It includes a salesclerk, a radio producer and a guide at the Medieval Museum of Stockholm.

Rickard Lindgren: lead vocals, guitar
Åsa Sohlgren: bass, vocals
Johan Risberg: drums

The band has recorded Three albums, two EPs, seven CD singles, two 7" singles, and five videos. Plus a ten year anniversary B-sides and oddities collection

They have toured Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Latvia, USA, Brazil and Japan.

The American indie scene and the British equivalent from the late 80s and 90s has influenced their style.

The Soda
Hell On Wheels Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If cement is heaven sent
that's why I don't like cement
and if I got a dollar stain in your eye

Then we bounce into the water
and we bounce into the soda
and we bounce into the whiskey
and we bounce...

And I will take that dollar bill
and I will drink so much
that it could kill me
because it's sin
because it's my nature

Then we bounce into the water
and we bounce into the soda
and we bounce into the whiskey
and we bounce...

If cement is heaven sent
that's why I don't like cement
and if I got a dollar stain in your eye

And I will take that dollar bill
and I will drink so much
that it could kill me
because it's sin
because it's my nature

Then we bounce into the water
and we bounce into the soda
and we bounce into the whiskey
and we bounce...

Then we bounce into the water
and we bounce into the soda
and we bounce into the whiskey
and we bounce...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hell On Wheels's song The Soda seem to be exploring the idea of indulging in sin and embracing one's own nature. The lead singer starts by questioning the idea that cement is heaven sent, which could represent societal norms or expectations that the singer doesn't agree with. He then claims that if he got a dollar stain in someone's eye, he would use that dollar bill to indulge in drinking, even to the point where it could kill him. This idea of indulgence despite the consequences ties into the theme of sin that runs throughout the song.

The chorus repeats the phrase "we bounce," which could symbolize the idea of bouncing between different types of indulgence. Specifically, the water, soda, and whiskey mentioned could represent different types of vices or pleasures that the singer embraces. This bouncing between different types of pleasure could be seen as the expression of the singer's own nature, as he claims in the verses. The repetition of the verse and chorus suggest that this cycle of indulgence and sin is never-ending for the singer, and is an integral part of who he is.

Line by Line Meaning

If cement is heaven sent
If cement is considered a perfect material,

that's why I don't like cement
it's no wonder I don't like it - perfection is unattainable and unappealing to me.

and if I got a dollar stain in your eye
and if my money causes you harm or annoyance,

Then we bounce into the water
Let's jump into the water,

and we bounce into the soda
let's have some soda too,

and we bounce into the whiskey
and also some whiskey,

and we bounce...
let's just keep going and going.

And I will take that dollar bill
And I will use that money,

and I will drink so much
I will consume so much alcohol,

that it could kill me
to the point that it may actually be fatal,

because it's sin
because it's a sinful act,