Spinning Wheel
James Brown & the JBs Lyrics

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What goes up must come down
Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
It's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
You got no money, you got no home
Spinning Wheel all alone

Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you
You never learn
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel turn
Did you find your directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the colors that are real
Someone is waiting just for you

Spinning Wheel spinning true
Drop all you troubles by the river side

Overall Meaning

The song "Spinning Wheel" by James Brown and the JBs speaks about the cyclical nature of life and the importance of letting go of one's troubles. The lyrics start by pointing out the inherent truth that what goes up must eventually come down. This serves as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life. The chorus then emphasizes that the Spinning Wheel must keep going round, indicating that life continues to move on, regardless of one's current situation.

The song then urges the listener to let go of their worries and share their burdens with someone else. Riding a painted pony is an allusion to escaping one's problems and finding respite in the small pleasures. The lyrics also suggest that talking about one's problems is a form of catharsis and can be an essential part of letting go of one's troubles. The second chorus emphasizes the importance of finding one's direction and using inner reflection to find the colors that are real, indicating that true happiness can only be found by looking within.

Overall, "Spinning Wheel" is a song that speaks to the struggles that people face in everyday life and the importance of accepting and learning from them. It encourages listeners to keep moving forward, enjoy the ride, let go of their troubles, and find their own path.

Line by Line Meaning

What goes up must come down
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Life keeps moving and you must keep up with it

Talkin' 'bout your troubles
Focusing on your problems can hold you back

It's a cryin' sin
It's sad and unproductive

Ride a painted pony
Take life by the reins and enjoy the ride

Let the Spinning Wheel spin
Don't try to control everything, let life happen

You got no money, you got no home
Life can be tough and unfair

Spinning Wheel all alone
Feeling isolated and helpless

Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you
Getting stuck in a negative mindset

You never learn
Continuing negative thought patterns and behaviors

Did you find your directing sign
Have you figured out your purpose in life?