John's first record released was under the stage name "Johnny Cougar" at the behest of Tony DeFries, his first manager. Mellencamp claims it was against his knowledge and will, and he hated the name. A few years later in 1982, he made his break through with the album "American Fool" which includes the hit singles "Hurts So Good" and "Jack and Diane" under the stage name "John Cougar". With 1983's "Uh-Huh" album, he added back his real last name to become known as "John Cougar Mellencamp." By 1987's "The Lonesome Jubilee" he dropped the "Cougar" moniker altogether, and has been known henceforth as "John Mellencamp."
Mellencamp has always been socially and politically active and supported the "Vote for Change" Tour in 2004 opposing the policies of President George W. Bush. Mellencamp is a devout evangelical Christian and strongly believes in non-violence; he has spoken about his beliefs frequently in interviews.
Human Wheels
John Mellencamp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And take into its ancient depths
This frail reminder of its giant, dreaming self
While I, with human-hindered eyes
Unequal to the sweeping curve of life
Stand on this single print of time
Human wheels spin round and round
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
That time, today, no triumph gains
At this short success of age
This pale reflection of its brave and
Blundering deed
For I, descend from this vault
Now dreams beyond my earthly fault
Knowledge, sure, from the seed
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
This land, today, my tears shall taste
And take into its dark embrace
This love, who in my beating heart endures
Assured, by every sun that burns
The dust to which this flesh shall return
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
In John Mellencamp's song Human Wheels, the lyrics evoke a sense of reflection upon life and the human experience. The first verse speaks of the passing of time and how everything on this earth is impermanent, eventually returning to the earth from which it came. The singer acknowledges their own limitations as a mere human being, unable to comprehend the entirety of life's journey. This is further emphasized in the chorus, which connects the constant spinning of the wheels of time to the pace of the clock.
The second verse continues this theme by stating that despite age and experience, there is no true triumph in life, only a fleeting success. The singer recognizes the importance of their ancestors and the legacy they've left behind for future generations to learn from. This is echoed in the final verse, which speaks of the singer's love for the earth and the assurance that they will return to it, becoming part of the ancient "dreaming dust of God."
Overall, the song Human Wheels asks the listener to consider their place in the world and their connection to the past and future of humanity. It encourages introspection and a recognition of the impermanence of life.
Line by Line Meaning
This land today, shall draw its last breath
The land will eventually come to an end
And take into its ancient depths
It will take the land's history with it
This frail reminder of its giant, dreaming self
The land is a reminder of its grand past
While I, with human-hindered eyes
As a human, I am limited by my perspective
Unequal to the sweeping curve of life
I cannot fully comprehend the complexities of life
Stand on this single print of time
I exist in a singular moment in time
That time, today, no triumph gains
Time brings no victory
At this short success of age
The accomplishments of humanity are temporary
This pale reflection of its brave and blundering deed
Our achievements are a weak imitation of our past achievements
For I, descend from this vault
I come from the past and will eventually return to it
Now dreams beyond my earthly fault
I aspire to achieve great things despite my limitations
Knowledge, sure, from the seed
We gain knowledge from our past
This land, today, my tears shall taste
The land is worth crying over
And take into its dark embrace
The land will accept the tears
This love, who in my beating heart endures
My love for the land endures
Assured, by every sun that burns
I am certain of my love
The dust to which this flesh shall return
We will all eventually die
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God
Our bodies will return to the earth like they always have
Human wheels spin round and round
Society is always busy with activity
While the clock keeps the pace
The pace of daily life is set by time
Help the light to my face
Bring me happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE MICHAEL GREEN, JOHN MELLENCAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Garrapaterorulez
This land today, shall draw its last breath
And take into its ancient depths
This frail reminder of its giant, dreaming self
While I, with human-hindered eyes
Unequal to the sweeping curve of life
Stand on this single print of time
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
That time, today, no triumph gains
At this short success of age
This pale reflection of its brave and
Blundering deed
For I, descend from this vault
Now dreams beyond my earthly fault
Knowledge, sure, from the seed
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
This land, today, my tears shall taste
And take into its dark embrace
This love, who in my beating heart endures
Assured, by every sun that burns
The dust to which this flesh shall return
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
Archer Ehwaz
This song is so evocative. I would
not say it is timeless necessarily but
even so it is still a welcome change to
the status quo and it has endured over
two decades in my mind.
Another song of his which pervades my thoughts frequently is Check It Out.
The violin is hauntingly beautiful and a vast majority of his melodies are great.
Thanks for posting the video - like a lot of folks out there I was affected by this song ... again.
Health and prosperity to you for having brought enjoyment to us by using the 1 universal language: great music.
José Fernando Fernandes
HUMAN WHEELS - Lyrics
This land today, shall draw its last breath
And take into its ancient depths
This frail reminder of its giant, dreaming self
While I, with human-hindered eyes
Unequal to the sweeping curve of life
Stand on this single print of time
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
That time, today, no triumph gains
At this short success of age
This pale reflection
Of its brave and blundering deed
For I, descend from this vault
Now dreams beyond my earthly fault
Knowledge, sure, from the seed
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
This land, today, my tears shall taste
And take into its dark embrace
This love, who in my beating heart endures
Assured, by every sun that burns
The dust to which this flesh shall return
It is the ancient, dreaming dust of God
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light to my face
Human wheels spin round and round
While the clock keeps the pace
Human wheels spin round and round
Help the light find my face
😎
cynicallydepressed1
This may well be my favorite Mellencamp song.
The lyrics are poetic magic.
The video is a cornucopia of humanity. (Although as somebody orphaned by two parents that smoked liked chimneys, I never could enjoy the repeated imagery of people smoking themselves to death in this...)
The emotion in his voice, the rawness and sadness underneath a song about hope...a masterpiece from a true American master at the craft of Rock'n'Roll.
In many ways, I wonder if this might not have been what an amazing pioneer like Buddy Holly would have gravitated to...I could have lived with that.
Mellencamp is like a folk artist that forgot he wasn't supposed to rock.
brian crowley
One of my favorite songs ever. Saw him last week in Chicago with my 12 year old daughter. What an opportunity to pass along
Thomas Lawlor
Melllencamp nailed it on this one. We’re all here for a short time, please be civil to each other. ❤
gregoryvanhalen
I'm a metal head but this guy is my favorite artist. He created his own style and wrote awesome songs during the pop, hair metal, grunge, alternative eras.
Wickus Woss
hey fellow metalhead,
chris O
He's under rated. He's a good artist
Mark Strain
That he did, my man, that he did.
Eric Evans
I grew up with Mowtown, Punk and Metal .. Love this Song !
Kevin McDonald
I love metal too. But I do have diverse tastes in music. Glad t I know I'm not alone. This is a kick-ass tune! Great music has an infinite scope.
Nikolaus Wolff
I still get goose bumps when i hear that song in 2023.
Kim Nixon
Still sounds amazing. Miss this kind of music