wheels
Joshua Fletcher Lyrics
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But you came in just gliding across the floor
Don't stop now, you're the only thing I know
But I wasn't looking for your ghost
I wasn't looking for a cure
For the lonely hearts' disease
Drain the blood right out of me
It's a long and lonely road
It's a cold and angry sea
It's got wheels, but it don't go
When it moves, it moves so slow
I wasn't looking for a ghost
But in my Chevrolet, just screaming towards the coast
When you asked me what I really thought of love
I said I don't want to bring you down
'Cause it's a long and lonely road
It's a cold and angry sea
It's got wheels, man, but it don't go
When it moves, it's so damn slow
It cuts out the heart, just a beat
These lyrics describe an unexpected encounter with someone who is haunting the singer, even though they were not searching for a ghost. The gliding movement of this apparition is portrayed in contrast to the immobility of the singer's life, emphasized by the incapacity of their moving wheels. The feeling of desolation is further represented by the mention of "lonely hearts' disease," implying the search for a cure to an incurable ailment stemming from prolonged solitude. The singer's call for death, depicted by the plea to be sent home in a pine box, comes in contrast to the ghost who appears insatiably present. However, the encounter with the ghost is placed in a context of a drive towards the coast, symbolizing an aimlessness that comes with an absence of gravity.
The chorus brings to focus the despairing portrayal of a road with no clear destination, as if the wheels go in circles. The use of "cold and angry sea" evokes a sense of unease that is both paralyzing and demanding, where loneliness becomes an endless journey. The image of wheels is emphasized once again, and the contrast between movement and stagnancy is paired with the idea of a heart that only beats softly.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't looking for a ghost
I didn't expect to be haunted or affected by something from my past
But you came in just gliding across the floor
Unexpectedly, you appeared before me and seized my attention
Don't stop now, you're the only thing I know
I've come so far with you that you're the only thing of familiarity that I have left
But I wasn't looking for your ghost
However, I wasn't seeking for the memory of our relationship to haunt me
I wasn't looking for a cure
I wasn't trying to fix myself
For the lonely hearts' disease
Or heal the sickness of loneliness
Drain the blood right out of me
Instead, I want to feel emptiness
Send me home in a pine box, please
I'd rather opt for death
It's a long and lonely road
Life can be a lengthy and solitary journey
It's a cold and angry sea
It can also be a harsh and turbulent environment
It's got wheels, but it don't go
Despite having opportunities, I feel stuck
When it moves, it moves so slow
Even when there's progress, it's at a slow pace
I wasn't looking for a ghost
Again, I wasn't searching for memories to haunt me
But in my Chevrolet, just screaming towards the coast
As I'm driving along the coast, I'm crying and shouting in frustration
When you asked me what I really thought of love
When you questioned my true feelings towards love
I said I don't want to bring you down
I didn't want to negatively affect you with my thoughts
'Cause it's a long and lonely road
Once again, life can be a lengthy and solitary journey
It's a cold and angry sea
It can also be a harsh and turbulent environment
It's got wheels, man, but it don't go
Despite having opportunities, I feel stuck
When it moves, it's so damn slow
Even when there's progress, it's at a slow pace
It cuts out the heart, just a beat
This lonely, slow lifestyle can make one feel numb or emotionally drained
Contributed by Claire W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.