"Watching the Wheels" concerns Lennon's dismissal of those who were confounded by his "househusband" years, 1975-1980. During this period, he stayed away from the music industry and raised his son Sean with Yoko. The song's second verse seems to contain an allusion to Plato's "Allegory of the cave".
Watching The Wheels
John Lennon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Ah, people asking 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
John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels" is a song about his decision to walk away from the music industry and fame. He is responding to those who criticize his choice and label him as "crazy" or "lazy." They believe that he is wasting his life by leaving the industry, but Lennon explains that he is content with his decision to simply observe the world and its cycles. He acknowledges that others may not understand his path but remains steadfast in his choice to let go of the pressures of the industry and focus on his own well-being.
Lennon uses the metaphor of watching the wheels go round and round to represent the cyclical nature of life. He emphasizes that he no longer wants to be a part of the "merry-go-round," meaning the rat race of the music industry. Lennon has learned to appreciate the simplicity of life, represented by watching the shadows on the wall. He sees a solution to the confusion caused by the pressure to constantly achieve more: choosing to simply sit back and observe.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I just had to let it go" which is a reflection of Lennon's decision to walk away from fame and instead focus on his family and personal life. The song is a reflection of Lennon's growth and his desire to live a more peaceful and meaningful existence.
Line by Line Meaning
People say I'm crazy
People think that I am out of my mind
Doing what I'm doing
Doing what makes me happy and content
Well, they give me all kinds of warnings
People try to caution me and advise me against my choices
To save me from ruin
They believe that I am headed towards a negative outcome
When I say that I'm okay, well they look at me kinda strange
People don't understand how I can be content without conforming to societal norms
"Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game"
They don't believe that I could be happy by simply watching life unfold
People say I'm lazy
People believe that I should be more productive
Dreaming my life away
Being content with observing and imagining, rather than doing
Well they give me all kinds of advice
They try to coach me on how to be more productive with my life
Designed to enlighten me
They believe that their advice will make me realize the error of my ways
When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
I am content with my life as it is, and find joy in simple things
"Don't you miss the big time boy, you're no longer on the ball?"
They don't understand how I can be happy without the hustle and bustle of the big city
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I am content with observing life and the world
I really love to watch them roll
I find joy in even the simplest things
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I am no longer caught up in the rat race of life
I just had to let it go
I had to let go of societal expectations and live the life that makes me happy
Ah, people asking questions
People are curious about my way of life
Lost in confusion
They are confused as to how I can be happy without chasing the traditional path of success
Well, I tell them there's no problem
I reassure them that there is no issue with my current lifestyle
Only solutions
I believe that every problem has a solution
Well, they shake their heads and they look at me, as if I've lost my mind
People believe that I am making a mistake
I tell them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time
I explain to them that I am content with the present moment and not in a rush to pursue anything else
I just had to let it go
I had to let go of societal expectations and live the life that makes me happy
I just had to let it go
I had to break free from the pressure to conform and do what makes me happy
I just had to let it go
I had to leave behind the expectations and opinions of others and focus on my own happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juancamacho5746
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
Ah, people asking 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
@louiscaruso4167
Back in the day, I saw John with Sean in Cental Park...he was the happiest man alive then...RIP...
@Evan.harrison
Really lucky man
@BaconFrisbee
Hard to begrudge him his happiness just because it cost us a few more Beatles songs. Not as though the band members didn't keep releasing amazing tracks on their own.
@faridaichour9569
@@Evan.harrison
Non answer
@sergiojulianlopezpuebla9720
Louis Can you talk More about that day when you Saw John and Sean in Central Park?
@louiscaruso4167
@@sergiojulianlopezpuebla9720 Yes, back then I worked in Central Park...John would take Sean to what is now...Strawberry Fields and the playground...John lived in the prestigious...Dakota on 72nd Street & Central Park West...he was approachable but guarded when he was with Sean...he was a very happy and carefree man...may he RIP...
@mauricioramirez9744
Rest in peace John. You may not be here but your voice can still be heard around the world.
@lauraketter334
John Lennon was truly a man of peace. He accepted people as they were, not what they should be or what they could be. He loved to he loved even if others may not have accepted interracial relationships. If more people today were like John, it would indeed be a better world. Sad to say, this world is going to hell in a hand basket because of the decisions that people choose to make. It could be such a beautiful world if we could eliminate hatred and if more people became humanitarians. Peace and love Laura
@michellejackson8973
❤❤
@dipawalishrestha5073
Njkhi@@michellejackson8973